ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way, the world's largest privately supported nonprofit organization, announces the appointment of Vicki Lins as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Lins is tasked with the creation of cutting edge marketing strategies that reinforce the organization's image and heritage to galvanize engagement of donors, advocates, volunteers as well as partner relationships in communities around the world.   Ms. Lins will oversee the brand, marketing and strategic communications divisions and will be responsible for brand innovation, creative development, media relations, affinity groups and strategic alliances such as the famed NFL and United Way partnership. 

"Vicki brings a storied career as a marketer with a remarkable ability to develop complex strategies that build, transform and revitalize venerable brands," said United Way Worldwide President and CEO Brian A. Gallagher.   "She appreciates that at the heart of every great brand is a unique story.  We are excited to tap into her expertise to tell the powerful story of United Way in new ways that will resonate around the globe."

Ms. Lins has led a distinguished career crafting strategic marketing communications initiatives in media, technology and telecom sectors.  She is an award winning marketer with more than twenty years of experience building brands and marketing platforms that drive growth. Most recently, Ms. Lins was executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Clear Channel Outdoor – North America where she was responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications and served on the Executive Committee and Global Marketing Leadership Council. 

"There is such a huge opportunity for United Way to mobilize millions of people from business, nonprofit organizations and governments as well as individuals to effect positive change that improves people's lives," said Lins.  "I am excited at the prospect of building a marketing enterprise that reflects the organization's ambitions and finding new ways to engage consumers and communities around the globe."

Prior to joining Clear Channel Outdoor, she spent 15 years in the cable TV industry, where she served in leadership positions with Comcast and its advanced advertising initiative, Canoe Ventures.  As senior vice president of marketing and communications with Comcast, she led the development of a cohesive national marketing organization for Comcast's local ad sales business and launched the Comcast Spotlight brand.   Prior to Comcast, Vicki led marketing and communications for Adlink, the nation's largest cable interconnect, where she developed the "It's Targeted TV" campaign successfully repositioning the industry for exponential growth.  Prior to her time in cable, she held marketing roles at AirTouch Cellular and GTE.

Vicki has her M.A. in Communication Management from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California.  She is currently on the Board of Directors of the VCU Brandcenter, and has served on the board for Women in Cable & Telecommunications, and was a recipient of their Betsy Magness Leadership Fellowship.  

About United Way
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.

CONTACT:
Kyle Rouse, Director of Media and Public Relations
+1-904-303-2131, [email protected]

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SOURCE United Way Worldwide