This new series will feature career advice from IPR ELEVATE Members. IPR ELEVATE is a diverse and select membership community of high-performing innovators and catalysts for growth, change, and advancement who support the mission and insights-focused work of IPR.
Mariana Agathoklis Schlock is a 20+ year corporate, brand, crisis, consumer and employee communications specialist who is energized working every day across the technology, media, telecommunications, consumer products and gaming sectors. What she loves most: putting a brand on the map, teeing up a turnaround, managing crisis, and constantly learning new ways to reach key stakeholders. My focus: connecting dots across highly matrixed organizations, nurturing top notch communications talent, digital and social media teams and building a culture that drives high-profile, integrated campaigns and results.
“I’ve had the privilege to work on some of the most compelling, multi-faceted and successful communications campaigns in the world – whether the launch of 5G and its impact across consumer, business and tech, the creation of Verizon Business’ Small Business Days and Women in Business platform, the development of Yahoo’s commerce strategy, the launch of “The Beatles: Rock Band” or a decade+ of the “MTV Video Music Awards.”
Currently she oversees all external communications, employee engagement and organic content development as Head of Communications for Verizon’s consumer-centric business unit, which houses the largest consumer customer base in the United States with over $103.5B in total revenue (2022).
Previously, she served as Chief Communications Officer for Verizon Media, a $10B unit of the company with 11,000 employees, and Verizon Business, a $30B unit with 26,000 employees, while concurrently serving as Vice President of Corporate Communication for Verizon – overseeing corporate and brand communications, public policy, crisis, network, technology and 5G priorities.
Prior to joining Verizon, she led the MTV communications team, capping off a decade-plus long career with the Millennial and GenZ focused brand. She began her career at Porter Novelli in Washington, DC and New York City, affording me the opportunity to work with a diverse roster of clients including the Business Roundtable, Safeway, Timberland, Chapstick and The College Board. She graduated cum laude from Boston University’s College of Communications where she is an active alumna. She lives in Summit, NJ with her husband and two young sons.
How has IPR ELEVATE impacted you as a professional?
The best thing about IPR ELEVATE has been networking with peers across multiple industries that face a lot of the same issues I do and who are at a similar point in their career.
What is your biggest takeaway from the IPR ELEVATE experience?
So far, I love all of the research IPR does to help us become better communicators. I have found tremendous value in the various work streams and in the peers that I get to interact with that help me do my job better.
How do you stay at the top of your game in such a fast-paced career?
The best thing about being in communications is that it’s always changing and it’s always new. I am a constant multi-tasker who loves learning new things. For anyone interested in public relations, it is very important to know how to work in an environment where there is a lot being thrown at you at once and to be calm in the middle of that storm. Knowledge is your power. (Paraphrased)
How do you see the field of communications changing as technology advances?
Humans crave connection and communications teams are the ones who facilitate that. Whether you’re talking to employees or external stakeholders, AI is helpful, but humans will always be best at creating that connection. (Paraphrased)
What is one piece of advice you’d give to incoming PR professionals?
You must have a love for learning and people. You have to love to learn about people, human interaction, human behavior, human tendencies…that is most important.