A BIT ABOUT ME
I am an entrepreneur and veteran of the public relations industry. Before launching ELF PR, I held several senior positions at PR agencies starting with Patrice Tanaka & Co., an employee-owned PR agency I co-founded in 1990 with 12 colleagues in a management buyback from Chiat/Day. As President of PT&Co. we were recognized as the “#1 Most Creative” and the “#2 Best Workplace” among all PR agencies in the U.S.
Through several acquisitions, I stayed on as EVP at CRT/tanaka and then SVP at Padilla/CRT, which was the largest, employee-owned PR agency and ranked among the top 10 independent PR agencies in America.
One of the campaigns I am proud of was launching Dyson Limited vacuums in America. In three years, I helped the brand overcome a commodity marketplace mentality and achieve the No. 1 position as the best-selling, premium-priced vacuum. My Dyson client noted that our team was "fundamental to the success of Dyson's launch in the U.S."
My work with Charles Schwab & Co. and the Charles Schwab Foundation helped to institutionalize the company’s commitment to ensuring financial literacy for all Americans. My Schwab client shared this: "In the 12+ years I’ve worked with Ellen LaNicca, I have always been impressed by, and grateful for, her strategic insights and out-of-the-box creative thinking, in addition to her irrepressible optimism. Ellen is highly collaborative and a skilled negotiator, nimble in accepting new challenges and delivering thoughtful and forward-thinking public relations counsel."
In 2017, I led the Wilsonart team to launch “Understanding Wood: Sourcing Against the Grain,” a corporate social responsibility platform to educate architects and designers about endangered woods and the role forests play in sustainability. At launch, my Wilsonart client said: "Ellen inspires her team with her dedication and willingness to look beyond the obvious, and her ability to present creative and fresh ideas for meeting our communications needs."
A highlight of industry recognition and awards includes:
Fast Company's 2019 "World Changing Ideas Award" for Wilsonart's work with Interlochen Center for the Arts
SXSW 2020 Panel for Wilsonart's program with Interlochen Center for the Arts
Architectural Record's 2019 "Record Products of the Year" for Wilsonart
Silver Anvil for Avon's "Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade"
Silver Anvil for Wilsonart's 2018 "National Day of Learning"
Big Apple Award for Corningware and World Kitchen
Big Apple Award for Liz Claiborne's "Women's Work"
Big Apple Award for "Carpet One Welcome's Your Support" Breast Cancer Awareness