Will Oconnor

About Will Oconnor

An accomplished corporate reputation and brand strategist with over fifteen years’ experience. Will leads global communications for Mastercard’s Product and Innovation group, responsible for the development of progressive, integrated communications campaigns for the company’s commercial, consumer, digital, labs, acceptance and payment strategy businesses. Prior to Mastercard, Will spent over a decade at Edelman in the UK and the US, most recently leading the Technology Practice of Edelman New York, the agency’s global HQ. Under his leadership, his group designed and executed award-winning campaigns for leading technology and tech-enabled brands, including Samsung, HP, Infor, Flex, and Nissan.Will is a keen observer of social, cultural and technology trends, leveraging insights to help brands navigate changing market conditions and anticipate future industry dynamics. Strengths- Integrated communications planning & programming - Crisis & issues management - Executive communications- Brand marketing- Media & influencer relations- Corporate positioning & thought-leadership- Global strategy development & international client relations- Talent development & mentoring- Restructuring & operational team management Will joined Edelman New York in 2011, following five years with Edelman London where he directed regional and global programs for brands like Xbox, Motorola, Orange [France Telecom] and Canon. His tenure included two years leading the firm’s A&R Technology conflict practice. In both London and NYC, he led Samsung’s global content program. Deeply integrated with Samsung’s Seoul-based HQ team, he directed strategic storytelling efforts for the brand’s consumer electronics, mobile, telecommunications and IT businesses, along with CSR initiatives and global event production. Will spent the first stages of his career helping brands navigate the earliest days of digital audio and video content, rights management and publishing.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Communications, North American Markets (Nam)

   Mastercard

   Apr 2021 — Present · NY, US

Education

• Durham University

  BA Hons, Sociology & Criminology

  1999 — 2002

Skills

• Mobile Technology
• Press Releases
• Digital Media
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Entertainment
• Crisis Communications
• Social Media
• Executive-Level Communication
• Strategy
• Messaging
• Brand Strategy
• Strategic Communications Counsel
• Strategic Communications
• Information Technology
• Creative Writing
• Management
• Communications Planning
• Storytelling
• Start-Ups
• Marketing Communications
• Reputation Management
• Corporate Communications
• Integrated Marketing