With a background in account management, strategic innovation and communications strategy, Jamie Guise brings a
unique perspective in creating powerful solutions to clients’ business challenges and opportunities.
Today, as senior vice president at Old National Bank, Guise is responsible for the community engagement activities for the company as well as part of the leadership team for directing the company’s social media efforts.
Previously, as the chief client delivery officer at United Bank & Trust, Guise was responsible for the overall branding,
corporate communications, retail delivery and client experience for the organization.
Before joining the financial industry, Guise served as a senior vice president of Lowe Campbell-Ewald, where she helped Continental Airlines deliver their customized marketing messages to clients all over the world. She directed the marketing communications efforts for more than 250 initiatives annually, identifying content management solutions to support their customization needs as well as offering innovative and unique web-based solutions to support Continental’s other marketing efforts. She also worked on other premier brands including GMAC, Whirlpool, GM and Chevrolet.
Guise graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University. In addition, she completed the Butler University Corporate Leadership Development Program. She has been very involved in professional associations, serving on the PRSA Financial Communications’ Executive Committee, and has previously served as an advisory board member and co-chair for the American Bankers Association’s annual marketing conference. She also serves as the vice chair for the Dexter Community Fund, is the secretary for the Girls Group organization, is on the board and is the chair of the marketing/resource development committee for the SafeHouse Center, and serves as the president for the Dexter Rotary Club.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in corporate communications?
I began my career working at an advertising agency and really liked being partnered with a client’s marketing and communications department, helping them develop programs to meet their corporate challenges. I also believe getting a strong foundation of strategic planning while at the agency has allowed me to be successful now that I am on the corporate side of the business.
What does an average day look like for you at Old National?
Each day is different, but I would say an overarching theme is connecting the Old National brand out in the communities we serve as well as working with community partners to introduce them to Old National Bank. This connecting can be done in a variety of ways — working on developing programming that we can deliver in the community, teaching financial empowerment classes, developing strategic partnerships with our corporate and community organizations as well as working with our community development and foundation partners to support special needs in each of our communities.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned in your role that applies to public relations?
I believe that being able to organize a team to solve a communications challenge is important. Having a variety of viewpoints at the table will always help to provide a more comprehensive and robust solution. We start every assignment with identifying all stakeholders and making sure they are represented as we are developing solutions.
When you’re not busy working, what do you like doing in your spare time?
I love to be outside and spend a lot of time biking, hiking and visiting new places where I can do both of those things. I have two young-adult children and work hard to plan encounters where my husband and I get to spend time with them. They also love to travel so we can usually encourage them to join us on our travels. Most recently we spent a week in the back county of Jasper National Park in Canada exploring the lakes and mountains.
What advice do you have for young professionals entering the field of public relations?
Work hard to build your portfolio. If you’re not getting assignments at work that you feel are providing enough experience, look outside your four walls and volunteer for a local nonprofit, developing a communications plan for the organization. You will be tremendously fulfilled by this work and collect great experience at the same time!