Celia Pronto

Hi, I'm Celia Pronto, an Executive leader renowned for my marketing, digital transformation and omni-channel work across multiple sectors

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Celia Pronto is an award winning Board Level C-Suite Executive with 20 years’ experience in blue chip companies and start-ups in the retail, travel/hospitality/leisure, FMCG, technology, automotive and E-commerce industries. She has specific expertise in developing innovation and growth strategies in consumer and multi-channel businesses. Her passion for mentoring and supporting people as key foundations to organisational success with an inclusive and energetic approach to leadership that has resulted in the significant growth and strategic turnaround in current organisation. She is also a frequent public speaker at business conferences across Europe about growth strategies. 

Marketing & E-Commerce Director at Ford Retail Group

March 2012 - December 2015 | London

Ford Retail was established in 2004 and is the world's largest, dedicated Ford dealer group. It operates 70 Ford Main Dealerships, employing over 3,000 people. Total turnover exceeds £1bn and the group sells around 90,000 vehicles per year. Member of the board, with P&L responsibility for leading the E-commerce and contact centre operations, as well as marketing efforts across all channels; including brand and marketing strategy, positioning, CRM, PR, brand partnerships, emerging technologies, social media, mobile, SEO/PPC/affiliates, business development, merchandising as well as on- and offline advertising.

Vice President Marketing at Livebookings

June 2011 - February 2012

Livebookings is the European leader in reservation and marketing solutions for restaurants. With 8,500+ restaurants in 23 countries we have the largest inventory of European restaurants. Livebookings owns a number of consumer brands, including Bookatable.com and Restaurant Guide. Responsible for leading the global B2B and B2C marketing efforts across all markets; including brand and marketing strategy, PR, brand partnerships, CRM, emerging technologies, social media, mobile, SEO/PPC/affiliates, business development, events, pricing, lead generation, merchandising as well as on- and offline marketing activities.

Managing Director - Consumer Marketing at Bookatable.com (part of Livebookings)

November 2010 - June 2011

Bookatable.com, a subsidiary of Livebookings, is a multilingual international website that offers (free) real-time restaurant reservations with instant confirmation. Responsible for leading all consumer marketing efforts across the 19 countries in which Bookatable operates; including brand and marketing strategy, CRM, PR, brand partnerships, emerging technologies, social media, mobile, SEO/PPC/affiliates, business development, merchandising as well as on- and offline marketing activities aimed at driving demand.

Marketing Director Northern Europe (inc UK) and Africa at STA Travel

September 2006 - August 2010

Responsible for brand and marketing strategy - including PR, partnerships, emerging technologies, social media, mobile, SEO/PPC/affiliates, business development, retail merchandising as well as on- and offline marketing activities aimed at driving demand in a multi-channel environment that includes e-commerce, an email enquiry system, call centre and an extensive retail network. Full P&L responsibility for the internet channel and marketing budget. Responsibility for third party relationships, including tourist boards, suppliers and partners.

Manager, Regional Distribution Marketing at InterContinental Hotels Group

February 2006 - September 2006

Responsible for the strategic development of consumer propositions aimed at driving multi-channel and brand adoption via international and national campaigns and development initiatives. Also responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications related to my role in a highly matrixed environment; including board level presentations, training and franchisee relations.

E-commerce Region Manager at InterContinental Hotels Group

September 2003 - February 2006

Marketing Manager at Rank Group Plc

2001 - 2003

Responsible for crafting the brand proposition, communications strategy and marketing plan for three new brands: Rank.com, HardRockCasino.com and Fancy a Flutter (a digital interactive TV games channel). The role included developing and managing all marketing aspects for these brands and ensuring plans translated into all aspects of corporate and customer-facing communications to meet challenging business objectives.

Marketing Manager at smarterwork

2000 - 2001

Responsible for developing the brand identity and marketing strategy for each business segment and service category

Marketing Executive at comdirect

1999 - 2000

Responsible for the strategic brand development and launch of comdirect in the UK. My role included researching customer insight, developing business processes, evaluating and managing strategic partnerships and developing a branding and communications platform from which the brand could successfully launch in the UK

Assistant Brands Manager at Unilever

1996 - 1999

Responsible for developing brand strategies and marketing plans for numerous Unilever brands (Lux, Surf, Omo, Flora, Lynx, Impulse, Lipton, Mrs Ball’s Chutney) into various countries. Also charged with managing the implementation of the marketing plan, working closely with agencies on above- and below the line activities; including TV, radio, outdoor and merchandising

London Business School

2005 – 2005

University of Hull

1997 – 1999

MBA in Strategic Marketing

Concentration: MBA

University of KwaZulu-Natal

1991 – 1993

B-Comm

Concentration: Accounting, Management Accounting, Tax

Marketing, brand development, Marketing Strategy, E-commerce, Mobile Marketing, Retail Design, Retail, Social Media, Email Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Relations, Search Advertising, Organic Search, SEO, PPC, SEM, Advertising, Online Marketing, Marketing Communications, Call Centre Operations