Lia Karidas

Experience

• 

  The London Free Press

  Nov 2008 - Jan 2009

  Editorial Assistant

  Research and composition of advertorials and general interest pieces of significance to London, Ontario's local market.

• 

  Western University

  Jan 2009 - Jun 2010

  Marketing Coordinator- Western Foot Patrol

  Engaged a body of over 200 volunteers through weekly team-building activities, draws, and a major event at the end of the academic year.

• 

  The Grand Theatre

  May 2010 - Mar 2015

  Coordinated the organization’s special events portfolio and built upon revenue goals and patron loyalty through the marketing and execution of unique and memorable fundraisers, including several events in the wine, spirits and beer category: The Grand Gala, Taste: Scotch & Chocolate, Fifty Shades of Grape, BLUSH: Wine & Wardrobe Show, Arts and Draughts. Managed relationships with suppliers and corporate donors. Executed outbound call campaigns for subscriptions and single ticket sales. Transacted sales and donations with Tessitura Network. Conferred with patrons via regular and recurring phone conversations. Overcame objections with informative and helpful solutions, and contributed meaningfully to patrons’ positive associations of the organization.

  • Development Coordinator, Special Events & Administration

    Sept 2011 - Mar 2015

  • Contact Centre Customer Service Agent

    May 2010 - Sept 2011
• 

  City of London, Canada

  Mar 2015 - Dec 2017

  Canada 150 London Coordinator

  Management of a municipality's Canada 150 initiatives through quarterbacking design and implementation of events and programming leading up to, and for Canada’s sesquicentennial year. Designed and managed event deliverables. Pursued and brokered successful community partnerships. Liaised with regional, provincial and national partners.

• 

  Diner en Blanc International Inc.

  Jan 2018 - May 2018

  Event Project Manager

  Worked with teams to monitor, provide training, enhance support, and facilitate the successful use of project management tools. Daily duties included “distance-planning” of events, brand management, frequent telecommunication with teams, monitoring of event workback schedule, back-end ticketing set-up and some web maintenance. Portfolio included DeB events in Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia and the US.

• 

  Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

  May 2018 - Jul 2020

  Senior Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Touring Shows Division

  Managed and facilitated teams throughout North America to realize 360 degree marketing strategies for the Touring Shows Division of CDSEG. Includes brand management, creative development, execution of marketing plan, and live activations for multiple CDSEG brands (e.g. CRYSTAL, AMALUNA and AXEL). Planning and maintenance of traditional media, digital and programmatic/ OTT ad buys, social media, promotional collateral, partnership acquisition, close working relationship with publicity/PR teams, vendor administration, world premieres and marketing junkets. Show less

• 

  Simple Story

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2021

  Sales & Marketing Manager

  Simple Story is an award-winning video marketing agency made up of artists, marketers, advertisers and storytellers. We design story-driven messages that help our clients – the heroes of their stories – reach their audiences and inspire action.

• 

  Grand Theatre

  Jul 2021 - now

  Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy

  Leads an exceptional team of creatives, communicators, and strategists, with the goal of bringing professional theatre into the lives of as many Londoners as possible. I specialize in traditional, digital, and content-led strategies in support of ticket sales, brand management, and communications for this historic venue and production house.