ELLI STRAUSS
New York City • (917) 402-9512 • [email protected] • Facebook: http//tinyurl.com/md6l0h
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Skilled Multicultural Linguist & Writer
Summary
Gifted linguist with 20 + years’ experience translating, interpreting and writing for diverse industries, the arts and literature. Culturally knowledgeable, with extensive experience in Europe, directing international marketing communications campaigns, localizing/globalizing brands in traditional and digital media.
Background
Raised in a multicultural & multilingual environment. An early fascination with communication in diverse cultures and an abiding passion for the arts have been guiding facets of life and work.
Languages Primary language pair for translation: German >English
§ English – native language
§ German – native language, familiar with most styles & dialects
§ French – fluent – read / speak : edit and translate to E and G
§ Hebrew – fluent read/speak/ write: edit translations to E and G
§ Yiddish – fluent – interpret from Yiddish to English
Core Competencies
§ Writing original content to specifications in English and German
§ Translation /adaptation/cultural adaptation & consulting
§ Simultaneous & consecutive interpretation German<>English
§ Proofreading, copy editing, content adaptation
§ Creation and delivery of bilingual presentations/seminars (G &E)
§ Outstanding interpersonal, motivational language education skills.
Technology: MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, MemoQ.
Expertise
§ Corporate communications, advertising, catalogues, brochures, websites
· Financial Services, Industry
· Telecommunications
· Travel, tourism, hospitality
· Luxury goods – perfumes, watches, jewelry & diamonds
· Beauty & health: skin care, cosmetics,
· Food, restaurants (including menus)
§ International & not for profit organizations
§ Historical documents
§ Art – scholarly articles/books, catalogs, auctions, exhibit material
§ Legal: international contracts, court documents, corresp. & patents
§ Publishing – book excerpts, magazine articles
§ Business to business – engineering, ecology
§ Biotechnology and medical
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Experience ELLI STRAUSS INTERNATIONAL 2008-
COMMUNICATIONS
¨ Writing / editing / translation/ interpreting German > English for clients & linguist agencies in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and US, including:
o Text Translate, Switzerland (multiple clients, exclusive work for KPMG)
o English Pro, Austria – University of Salzburg, engineering & legal
o Targem Translations, New York – various industries
o Compass Language Services, Maryland (primarily legal & cultural)
o Language Works, New York
o PartyLite Europe, Switzerland (translate all marketing & presentation material)
o Webasto Industries, Germany
o Orange Global Translations, Philippines & US
o Oui Translate, Paris
¨ Social media marketing / mobile marketing business development
FIRST FUNDS LLC., READY FUNDS, INC. NY 2007-2008
$175 MM commercial funding & venture capital firm
Director of Marketing
Re-branded, built and managed corporate and consumer marketing.
¨ Redefined mission, brand positioning and strategy, generating strong name
recognition and awareness, 2nd place in highly competitive industry.
¨ Defined & managed 2 websites, directing design teams to complete each on
schedule & under budget (www.firstfundsonline.com) (www.readyfundsinc.com)
CLAIMS RESTITUTION TRIBUNAL, NEW YORK 2004-2007
Part of Conference on Material Claims against Germany
Senior Claims Restitution Associate
¨ Assisted in adjudication of $1.25B Swiss bank settlement in Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation. Analyzed bank records, claims and historical documents in several languages to determine value of dormant accounts; drafted official awards;
ELAN INT’L MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, NY 2001-2004 Brand marketing consultancy for U.S. and international clients
Principal
¨ Grey E-Marketing – led successful new-business pitches, incl. devising strategy for new brand for nonprofit (JNF) targeting youth audience.
¨ Wunderman Worldwide — brand integration to support CITI brand strategy & messaging alignment in key German market, among other assignments
¨ Inion, Inc. (medical/surgical device manufacturer) — spearheaded US launch of European biotech brand with integrated marketing strategy
PERFORMANCEBASE.COM. US & SWITZERLAND 2000-2001
Interactive HR Management Service – online startup
Director Marketing & Creative Services
¨ Developed integrated marketing plan leading small team in international implementation; Developed all collateral and website in English and German.
PLANET LEAP, NEW YORK 2000
Multicultural communications agency
Group Account & Client Service Director
¨ Drove new business initiatives focusing on website globalization/localization to achieve +20% increase in revenues, expanding relationships with major financial services and online travel services and targeting key ethnic markets.
McCANN ERICKSON, SWITZERLAND 1997–1999
Senior Account Director
¨ Directed cross-functional teams, initiating and executing multi-national marketing
communications initiatives for major global financial services and telecom clients.
¨ Translated/wrote all English corporate communications, marketing materials for international client in Credit-Suisse Group
OGILVY SWITZERLAND 1995 – 1997
VP Business Development & Group Account Director
Developed and implemented agency new business strategy, led cross-cultural teams for major accounts American Express and Mattel.
GGK Zurich 1986 – 1995
Leading European advertising agency
Senior & Group Account Director
Co-leader of international team managing global consumer & B2B brands in
Multiple languages, primarily German/French/English, incl. Swissair (international, Germany, Austria), ABB, Bulgari, Porsche Design
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Education
¨ City University of New York, BA Liberal Arts/Art History
¨ SAWI – Swiss Training Center for Marketing, Advertising, and Communication
¨ Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Advanced Management and Brand Training
¨ German Advertising Association, Management and Marketing Master Series
¨ Colgate Palmolive Company, Switzerland, Marketing Communications Training
Professional & Community Affiliations
¨ ProZ Translators Group
¨ Translator & Linguist Groups on LinkedIn & in Europe
¨ American Marketing Association
¨ International Advertising Association
¨ New York Women in Communications
Winner of numerous awards for creative and strategic excellence
Services/Accomplishments:
¨Led integrated ad agency teams in successful new business pitches ¨Research & analysis of brand expansion opportunities in new market segments ¨Global brand analysis and local brand integration in all media for financial services leader and its DM agency ¨Web site localization for multinational clients – primarily English- German-French ¨Development/execution of multi-national brands in health food and European biotech industries ¨Brand strategy and integrated marketing planning for tech startup offering interactive HR tool ¨ Trade Show & Event Marketing Concepts ¨ Development and execution of web site design concepts and content for small business
Clients:
¨ Grey E-Marketing/Grey Direct ¨ Wunderman Worldwide ¨ Zifru, New York/Switzerland ¨ Inion, Inc., New York/Finland ¨ Performancebase.com, New York /Switzerland ¨ New York Women in Communications ¨Metropolitan Council ¨ McCann-Erickson ¨ Winterthur International