msockol.communications

Everyone deserves to be heard.

INTRO

DU

CTION

Corporate Communications Leader

• Self-motivated, creative leader with proven track record of developing and implementing internal, executive and external communications strategies that align with business objectives and produce clear and concise messages for diverse, global audiences.

• Proactive communicator able to establish strong relationships with specialized media contacts and generate significant and consistent media placement. Developed marketing programs to boost retail sales, school enrollments, events attendance, and growth of agency practice areas.

• Successful and versatile writer, editor, coach and strategist able to motivate extended teams and interface with senior executives within global and matrix organizations to design creative solutions, address crises and challenges, and achieve measurable results on deadline.

Core Competencies

• Public and Media Relations• Employee Communications• Executive Communications • Web Development and Strategy• Crisis Communications• Messaging and Branding• Writing and Editing• Community Affairs• Journalism• Social Media• Employee Engagement

“I have worked with some of the absolutely best people in communications over the years. Mike is clearly in the top three. As for employee communications and executive communications, Mike ranks number one. Mike's creativity and passion make him so. In addition, looking at leadership and mentoring staff, he's second to none. Bottom line, Mike is terrific...anyone who is lucky to have him on staff, will be blessed. He's the "real deal.”

–Jerry Santos, SVP, Level 3

PROJECTS

EXTERNAL CO

MM

UN

ICATION

SHighlights: DeCordova Museum

Other Notable Initiatives

• Elected member of the Holmdel Board of Education. Helped to develop public relations and issues management initiatives to explain public policy, publicize achievements, and address controversial matters. In 2011, voters passed our school budget by a two to one margin.

• Successful track record developing compelling editorial strategies as broadcast journalist, news director, and chief Intranet editor. Doubled TV audience ratings in one year as news assignments editor in Texas.

• Promoted Makovsky and Company’s interactive practice by sponsoring 2002 Stanford study on web credibility, which is still referenced in Yahoo’s Internet Style Guide and received coverage in The New York Times.

• Attracted significant regional and/or national media coverage for every exhibition period over a five-year span.

• Introduced new audiences to contemporary art by building DeCordova’s brand for unique, compelling exhibitions.

• Award-winning communications campaign to publicize the “Strokes of Genius” exhibition helped triple annual admissions revenue in just six months.

• Managed marketing and promotion of art exhibitions, educational programming and upscale museum store.

• Transformed money-losing summer concert series into revenue generator.

• Developed and coordinated communications to support DeCordova’s first major capital campaign, which raised $7 million, quadrupling the original target goal.

• Successfully negotiated with state officials to place permanent promotional signage at local interstate highway exit seen by roughly 180,000 motorists every day.

“Always eager to help a colleague, spearhead new projects and learn about the latest technology, Mike is a team player who gets the job done day or night. He excels at building relationships across the company and ensuring that the right information is shared with those who need to know – a true communications pro.”

– Becky Yeamans, Boeing (formerly VP of Media

Relations at Global Crossing)

EMPLO

YEE AND

EXECUTIVE CO

MM

UN

ICATION

S

Specific Activities

• Daily e-mail newsletter with latest updates and industry media clips.

• Daily management of six Intranet sites.• Quarterly global conference calls by senior

leadership team.• Town Hall sessions led by senior leaders at local

sites.• Video interviews with key leaders.• Employee Engagement activities, including

Employee Appreciation Day, Employee Community Day, and Battle of the Bands competition.

• Employee recognition programs (EDGE and Customer Experience Champions) to highlight “best practices.”

• Editorial coverage of major product launches.• Employee-generated Blog.• Leader Alert—talking points on key corporate

developments delivered to managers via email.• The Loop—twice monthly column designed to

answer employee questions.• Ask Amanda—common technology questions

answered by Help Desk experts.• Win of the Week (WOW)—ongoing features

highlighting sales progress.• Tech Jam—informal conference call on

technology issues led by company CTO/CIO.

Highlights: Global Crossing

Between 2002 and 2011, the Global Crossing Employee Communications team worked closely with senior leadership to maintain a positive work culture in every region of the world. Major activities included:• Communications to ensure employee focus during

Chapter 11 period and regulatory approval of foreign investment.

• Communications around accounting issues that threatened potential NASDAQ delisting.

• Communications supporting corporate culture initiative that helped improve employee engagement scores by 55 percent.

• Communications to support three corporate acquisitions, three divestitures, and 2011 sale to Level 3.

• Communications to inform employees about new business strategies, changes in corporate leadership, and employee layoffs.

• Communications around technology introductions, network upgrades, and malware attacks.

• Communications to support HR initiatives to address business impact of recent recession, including changes in benefits, pension plans, 401(k) plans, and unpaid leave.

• Communications around natural disasters, including the destruction of major facilities in Florida and Peru by hurricane and earthquake, respectively.

“I had the distinct pleasure of working with Michael at Global Crossing and in that time observed that 100% of his efforts were directed towards educating, informing, involving and engaging the employee base at Global Crossing. He deftly managed a cross-regional, multi-talented team of people and delivered, on a daily basis, an extremely well done, high quality on-line publication customized across business units. No easy task, to be sure, but something he did with dedication, passion and humor.” —Michelle Soltesz, Director, Level 3

CHAN

GE CO

MM

UN

ICATION

S

Specific Activities

• Communications plans developed to support departmental and corporate-sponsored initiatives, including departmental reorganization, announced software deployments, Tech Forum, giving campaigns, and security awareness activities.

• Development of more than 40 promotional materials (posters, Intranet ads, invitations, etc.).

• Development of over 270 pieces of content for departmental Intranet site and other publications.

• Creation and distribution of over 100 unique enterprise technology memos, announcements, updates and reminders.

• Management of executive communications, which included writing 50 scripts/talking points for CIO and senior executives and 35 emails from senior management.

• Planning and logistical support for close to 50 organized events, including Town Hall meetings, two speaker series programs, management conferences involving departmental officers, and retirement party/activities for outgoing CIO.

Highlights: New York Life

New York Life and its IT department (Corporate Information or CI) experienced a period of significant institutional change. Major initiatives included:• Communications to explain new organizational

structure of the IT team.• Communications following the announced

retirement of longtime CIO and logistical support for retirement activities.

• Communications relating to the appointment of new CIO and her goals and objectives for the team.

• Departmental communications in response to company-wide announcement of planned restructuring.

• Development of communications strategy document following extensive audit of IT department’s existing communications processes.

• Redesign of departmental Intranet site to eliminate old content and clutter and improve overall usability.

• Implemented improved communications template to create clearer and easier-to-read technology announcements.

“Michael brought a different perspective to New York Life, and quickly energized the group. He manages with a proactive rather than reactive communications style, and partnered with other areas of the organization to help shape how information was communicated and perceived. He was also active in the Change Management and Distributed Leadership initiatives of the organization, and his past experience in dealing with organizations in flux was a valuable addition to New York Life's efforts in this area.”

—David Gardner, AIG (formerly CVP at New York Life)

WEB D

EVELOPM

ENT &

EDITO

RIAL LEADERSH

IPGlobal Crossing’s Employee Intranet

• Daily global publication published over 500 articles and features each year.

• Six regional editions, including one published in Spanish and Portuguese.

• Resided on Microsoft SharePoint platform.• Rated the #1 source for receiving corporate

information first by employee surveys.• 74 percent of employees considered the

content to be credible. • 67 percent said The Crossing delivered

information in a timely manner.• 65 percent read The Crossing every day

(Global audience of 5,200 employees).

“Mike brought exceptional ideas, writing skills and client service and focus to each project and client engagement. As a manager, Mike did an excellent job of mentoring his team members, and providing constructive feedback. Additionally, as a member of Mike's team, you could always feel confident that he would provide support and back-up when necessary.”

—Peter Chandler, Principal Consultant at Salesforce.com

Other Notable Achievements

• Delivered award-winning and ground-breaking Web communications projects for Fortune 1000 companies, non-profit organizations, and technology start-ups, including Porter Novelli, 3M, IBM, Philips Electronics, Partners Healthcare, U S WEST, and Royal Mail.

• Provided strategic counsel for the 2011 revamping of the Holmdel Township School District Internet site following research of current web design trends.

• Led the 2012 redesign of the New York Life IT department’s Intranet site by consolidating site sections, reducing the number of home page columns from four to three, and adding new graphic elements to bring a fresher, more enticing look to the page.

WRITING SAMPLES

MED

IA RELATION

SNews Release

MED

IA RELATION

SNews Release

INTERN

ETCorporate Web Content

About Neutrona

In 2012, Neutrona Networks International assumed control of the demerged international carrier assets of IFX Networks, the only fully neutral and independent provider in Latin America.

As a completely integrated regional carrier with a strong local presence in key markets, Neutrona can provide international carriers with one-stop advanced data networking solutions that deliver unparalleled quality and customer experience. With on-net access into a dozen countries, international carriers trust us to extend their enterprise customers’ networks into the most important locations throughout Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

And because we are the only Latin American network to run on multiple sub-sea cable systems and terrestrial fiber rings, Neutrona also offers unique Duality® to its carrier customers.

Neutrona is excited to continue IFX’s long standing tradition of providing advanced data networking solutions, such as MPLS-supported Virtual Private Networks, Ethernet, Direct Internet Access, Colocation, and Managed Services. We’re investing over $15 million in new technology, new network enhancements, new routes, new PoP sites and new data centers to ensure our carrier customers enjoy access to the most advanced next-generation network in the region.

Neutral. On-net. Anywhere. Let Neutrona be your bridge to our world.

Leadership

Mateo Ward, CEOMr. Ward’s professional career intersects directly with the extensive and dramatic changes that have taken place within the telecommunications industry in Latin America. He co-founded Neutrona after 15 years of leadership experience in telecommunications and data networking, including senior sales and marketing positions at Lucent Technologies, Global Crossing (now Level 3) and PeerApp. He has a combined MBA and Masters of Science degree in International Business and Computer Information Systems from the University of Miami’s School of Business. He is based in Buenos Aires.

Luciano Salata, President and COO Mr. Salata co-founded Neutrona after playing a critical role in the development and growth of IFX Networks. During his 13 year career, he assumed several key leadership roles in sales, new business development and product and network management while offering deep expertise of the Latin American telecommunications market. He is currently responsible for managing day-to-day business operations, product development, and customer support. He is based in Buenos Aires.

SOCIAL M

EDIA

Blogging

EMPLO

YEE COM

MU

NICATIO

NS

Employee Recognition

EMPLO

YEE COM

MU

NICATIO

NS

HR Updates

EMPLO

YEE COM

MU

NICATIO

NS

Financial Updates

EXECUTIVE CO

MM

UN

ICATION

SExecutive Scripts/Talking Points

Closing Remarks from CIO Eileen Slevin’s final Town Hall meeting with employees.

Well…I guess we are at the 40-minute mark---and I made a bet with Sue that I could get this far without getting too emotional about all this. Recently, I attended our CI Intern breakfast. I’ve always loved this event, because you see before you the bright young minds of a new generation—eager to put their mark on the world. And it gives you great comfort to know that New York Life will continue to prosper and succeed, because it will continue to attract and retain the best people in our industry. All of you in this room and on this call attest to that. I really love New York Life—the people…the work….the unique qualities that makes this Company so different from others. I was thinking the other day how I still go to lunch with many of the same friends I had when I began my tenure here 34 years ago. People really care about each other here, share their lives, and grow professionally. New York Life is a company that offers so much promise to so many people—from our policy holders to our employees—and I’m so proud that I can say it was a part of my life for these past 34 years. I don’t think anyone really knows where life’s journey will lead them. I didn’t even start in the technology field—never imagined that I would have the opportunity to lead such a great group. I was lucky that I had managers who saw something in me—and gave me their support and encouragement throughout all of the successes and challenges. But I also think that individual success is never accidental. We make our own luck—through our talents, our hard work, and our willingness to try difficult things and to be flexible when opportunities come along. And when faced with business decisions, when we focus on making the right decisions for the Company, that’s when we really succeed. Those who know me well know that I have a little saying I always keep in mind when making business decisions – and since this is probably the last time I get to use it, I’ll share it one more time with all of you. New York Life first, CI second, and your own personal needs third.

I have based every decision I have made here in CI on how I can best enable the growth, success and stability of the Company as a whole, then CI, then myself. It’s an approach based upon the simple idea that when the Company does well, we all do well. If you truly adopt that approach for all decisions concerning your work, you cannot fail, because you will be prioritizing in the right order. Doing things to first help New York Life as a whole to succeed, will lead to success for CI, and in turn, for you and your colleagues. And in the end, your decision to put the priorities of the Company and the team first will have an interesting residual effect. The values that we hold so dear here at New York Life—such as acting with integrity and humanity to earn the trust of our policyholders—will surely become your values as well… New York Life performs little miracles every day—providing comfort and support to policyholders when they are at their most vulnerable. They count on us. And to know that we are the Company they keep—and trust—leaves a good feeling. And I too have a good feeling about all of you. You’re going to do great. Good bye is a funny term. It first came into vogue in the Middle Ages, when the times were a lot more dangerous than they are now—and you literally took your life in your hands when you travelled. Good bye is actually short for “God be with you.” It’s meant to show how much you care about someone and how eager you are to see them again. So I really mean it in the traditional sense, when I say good bye to all of you. I know we’ll stay in touch…and I know I’ll be back around…I want to take advantage of that free lunch in the cafeteria. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. Good bye and good luck.

CONTACT INFORMATION

msockol.commmunications

Mike SockolWriter/Editor/Strategist

M: 732.682.8361W: www.msockol.comE: mike@msockol.comT: @msockolL: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesockol