UVic Commerce Students' Society

Last year, on a whim, I decided to join the University of Victoria Commerce Students' Society. I applied to be on the Leadership team as the Director of Marketing & Creative Strategy and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I created UVic's first ever CSS Marketing Team and started to consistently brand the CSS with a fresh, new look. Quickly, I moved to the Executive Council as the Vice President, External Relations where I worked on a renewed community outreach program to foster alumni support and corporate sponsorship. In February of 2010, I was voted in to the CSS as President with my successful Vote for Progress campaign and a 96% approval rating. I look forward to working with at the CSS to ensure future viability of the organization and an increase awareness of the CSS within the community.



So far as President, I have worked on a 5-year plan for the CSS, a brand audit—to focus our vision—in cooperation with Copeland Communications, and a proposed fee increase allowing the CSS to move towards financial independence. Below is a summary of past two positions at the CSS.

Client: UVic Commerce Students' Society

2009-2010 CSS Leadership Team

Dec 2009 - March 2010

Vice President, External Relations

- Actively seek long-term strategic partnerships for the CSS.

- Build and maintain relationships with the local and regional business communities.

- Continue to build and provide strategic vision for the CSS brand.

- Support a portfolio of business units including Marketing, Public Relations, Corporate Relations, Social Events, JDC West, UVLC.

- Develop a community outreach program to educate the community about CSS initiatives such as our United Way campaign.

- Ensure viable succession for the organization through an CSS Leadership Mentorship Program.

- Liaise with existing partners, vendors and sponsors on behalf of the Commerce Students' Society at University of Victoria.

Connor Edwards and Andrew Sorokovsky with spirit fingers

May 2009 - December 2009

Director, Marketing & Creative Strategy

- Drive marketing innovation for CSS events and programs.

- Continue to expand and foster growth of the CSS Marketing team by provide overall strategic vision in the team's infancy.

- Lead and support a team of eight marketing coordinators.

- Ensure brand consistency across all mediums (print, dm, online, TV).

- Produce creative briefs for advertising projects.

- Design and create marketing campaign roadmaps for all business units with a strong visual identity and consistent brand message.

- Work with the Director, Public Relations for all media work including media advisories and press releases.

- Oversee and maintain the Commerce Students' Society website and social media accounts including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

- Use cross-functional teams to support other business units and to provide direction and creative strategy for projects in their respective portfolios.

Victoria and Lethbridge executive councils at the 2009 National Business School Conference in Winnipeg, MB