Natalia Chi
TORONTO AND CHICAGO–(COMMERCIAL THREAD)–Livewire, a Toronto and Chicago-based communications for change agency specializing in leadership-employee communications, today announced the appointment of Michon Ellis, a veteran communicator, to lead the Chicago operation.
Ellis, an industry leader for over 20 years, brings extensive experience in corporate communications, public relations and DE&I across numerous business sectors including finance, healthcare, beauty, hospitality and food/beverage. In his new role at Livewire, he will oversee client partnerships, leadership of the Chicago team, agency profitability and overall organizational growth.
“I am thrilled to welcome Michon to Livewire,” said CEO, Mark Attard. “He has extensive experience and success as a strategic communicator. He has worked across multiple industries and has been on both the client and agency side of the relationship. He’s someone who has the respect and admiration of the people he’s worked with. Our clients in the United States, our growing Chicago-based team, and our agency at large will greatly benefit from his leadership.”
For nearly 30 years, Livewire has guided senior leaders of Fortune 1000 organizations on how to become effective communicators to better inform, engage and inspire their employees. The agency believes that people crave connection and purpose not only in their personal lives, but also at work, and that communication is essential to meeting these needs. Strategic employee communication has the power to bring teams together towards organizational goals and promote an inclusive culture. Not all companies, however, have the ability, experience and skills to offer this to their employees and customers who value the outside perspective Livewire offers.
Prior to taking a leadership role at Livewire, Ellis founded and served as CEO of several public relations agencies and corporate communications consulting firms. His client partners include McDonald’s, Discover Financial Services, Johnson & Johnson, Beam Suntory and Hub International.
“Employee communication used to be often overlooked and overlooked. However, given today’s business climate, many business leaders rely on Livewire to understand that effective employee communication has a direct correlation to employee engagement and performance,” said Ellis. “Livewire is recognized as a leader in this specialized discipline of change communications. Prior to joining the company, I was impressed by the caliber of strategic and creative work. Now, as the new head of the Chicago business, my goal is to help more companies improve the experience of their employees with what this amazing team can do.”
Prior to his eight-year tenure with McDonald’s, Michon held executive positions at many levels for some of the nation’s top marketing and communications agencies, including Edelman, Porter Novelli and Ketchum Communications. While at the agency, she developed strategies and led the execution of numerous national marketing programs and public relations campaigns for a diverse list of clients ranging from healthcare, consumer goods, philanthropy and restaurants with quick service. Among them were: State Farm, Schering-Plough, Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods, Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities and Wendy’s International.
Michon has received numerous awards and recognition from leading industry organizations such as the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), Telly, Aegis, MarComm and Event Marketer Magazine. He was named “Advertising Executive of the Year” by Target Market News and “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the National Black Public Relations Society.
A former Division I football player, Michon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications (Journalism) from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
ABOUT LIVEWIRE
Livewire is the indispensable change communications partner for Fortune 1000 companies. Our unique integration of strategy, creativity and activation ensures employees see opportunity on the other side of change.
