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Company: Shutterstock, Inc. New York, NY
Nomination Submitted by: Aimee Leabon (home address)
Company Description: Shutterstock, Inc. is a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, high-quality content, and creative workflow solutions for brands, businesses and media companies. Headquartered in New York City, Shutterstock has customers in more than 150 countries, and has a comprehensive collection of high-quality licensed photographs, vectors, illustrations, 3D models, videos and music.
Nomination Category: Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Communications Professional of the Year
 Nomination Title: Aimée Leabon, Head of Global Communications
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated individual since January 1 2020, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated individual: their history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
Aimée Leabon is Head of Global Communications for Shutterstock, a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, high-quality content, and creative workflow solutions for brands, businesses and media companies.
Aimée has led external communications for Shutterstock since late 2020 across 11 regions, including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and the U.S. Aimée joined Shutterstock during a period of transformation, and developed and executed a global communications strategy that has successfully shifted Shutterstock’s perception from a stock photo agency to an innovative, creative platform.
In 2021, Aimée tripled the public relations metrics YOY across press pick-ups, coverage, impressions and engagement. She executed 45 company announcements that included five acquisitions, as well as delivered several annual reports, including the DE&I in Marketing report. Her scope includes corporate communications, media/public relations, crisis management, and corporate responsibility.
Aimée’s media and communications experience spans 15 years. She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, as well as a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from Southern Cross University. The combination of her journalism and law background gives her a distinctive point of view on global communications.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the nominated individual's achievements since the beginning of 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 227 words used.
Leading communications for Shutterstock’s new direction
In July 2021, Shutterstock acquired three Artificial Intelligence platforms in order to establish the subsidiary Shutterstock.AI., which helps customers make informed content choices. With her clear direction, tactful delivery, and empathetic point of view, Aimée’s communications leadership helped cross-functional teams successfully navigate the complexities of three simultaneous acquisitions, and the creation of a new subsidiary. Aimée took the lead on:
- All public communications required by regulators
- A news release, web copy, social media, and customer messaging
- All communications related to the formation of Shutterstock.AI
Leading the report creation and communications strategy for “DE&I in Marketing”
During Global Diversity Awareness Month (October 2021), Aimée directed all aspects of DE&I in Marketing: A Global Report by Shutterstock. The report explored the actions of 2,700 marketers across the world, examining the way that recent social movements and historical events (Black Lives Matter, Brexit) have affected marketers’ use of diverse content in campaigns.
Directing communications for Shutterstock’s first exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach
In November 2021, Shutterstock debuted at Art Basel with an experiential event, “Icons, Transformed,” featuring artist Bradley Theodore. Aimée was part of a core team that conceived and organized the event in just five weeks. The event drew an influential audience, gathered significant press, and brought taste-maker attention to Shutterstock’s unique position as an innovative creative marketplace.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the individual's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
The unique challenge of leading external communications for a publicly listed company like Shutterstock lies in maintaining equilibrium between serious positioning as a tech company, entertaining engagement as a home for creators, and financial reporting to investors. Aimée handles all with a light touch, as shown in her work on both the technology/software side of the company, and its artistic, creative side.
Acquisition of three Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies to form Shutterstock.AI
The simultaneous acquisition of three companies to form a subsidiary presents significant communication challenges. Throughout a monthslong process, Aimée coordinated complicated feedback from both internal stakeholders and the leadership teams of the target companies—all inside total confidentiality. Under her direction, the announcement was executed flawlessly, and has helped shift public perception of Shutterstock.
Art Basel Miami Beach
Most notable about this event was the accelerated timeline: five weeks from inception to execution. Despite this challenge, Aimée and team were able to secure press coverage, and bring 400 tastemakers together for the brand’s first experiential event.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) in Marketing Report
Shutterstock produces a DE&I focused report every year; the 2021 report reviewed the trends marketers experienced in 2020. Aimée led the creation of this report, working with internal stakeholders and an external market research team. She displayed exceptional attention to detail during every part of the process, signing off on everything from beginning to end, including the list of survey questions for each region, and the global communications strategy.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 186 words used.
Link: News release - Shutterstock Announces Formation of Shutterstock.AI and the Acquisition of Three Leading Artificial Intelligence Platforms. Illustrates Aimée’s expertise in navigating the complexities of multiple acquisitions while balancing stakeholder relationships with executives from four companies.
Link: News Release - Shutterstock Collaborates With Acclaimed Artist Bradley Theodore For Exclusive Exhibition At Art Basel Miami Beach.
Link: News release - Nearly Two-Thirds of Global Marketers Adapt Creative Following Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate Movements. Demonstrates how Aimée skillfully drafted compelling materials utilizing global survey data, which received coverage in top-tier media outlets including Bloomberg Asia, AdAge and The Drum.
Link: Video - Bloomberg Daybreak Asia - Meeckel Beecher Interview (at 35:43). Aimée was successful in pitching and securing a broadcast interview for Shutterstock’s Global Head of DE&I, Meeckel Beecher. Aimée also drafted the talk track for the interview, and provided Meeckel with media training.
PDF: DEI in Marketing: A Global Report by Shutterstock.
Link: Press Article - Watch: How Shutterstock is Leading the Movement for More Inclusive Content.
Link: Press Article - Brexit has negatively impacted UK's ability to source diverse content.
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