Christine Strzalka

High-impact communications executive focused on shaping compelling narratives for rapid-growth tech products. Trusted advisor to CEOs on crisis management, media relations, employee comms, and executive messaging. Fast pattern recognizer who translates complex, trust-sensitive concepts into mainstream and investor storytelling. Proven builder of comms functions from 0.

Head of Communications at OVERPLAY (2023-01 – Present)

• Built the end-to-end external communications function from zero for an AI-powered B2B gaming platform. Went from no comms infrastructure to full operation in under 6 months.
• Secured 15+ top-tier media placements including a Shark Tank feature (4M+ views), compressing the brand's mainstream awareness timeline by an estimated 2 quarters and directly accelerating user acquisition.
• Served as primary communications advisor to the CEO, gut-checking messaging instincts in real time, providing direct pushback on reputational risks, and maintaining a steady hand through product pivots and investor negotiations
• Deployed AI-enabled sentiment monitoring and social listening workflows that cut issue response time by 35%, enabling the team to get ahead of stories before they reached mainstream press
• Ran AI-driven digital storytelling campaigns using audience segmentation models to convert community narrative into $2.8M in crowdfunding
• Developed platform trust and data privacy positioning that increased tracked user confidence metrics by 10% within 90 days, directly supporting retention and reducing churn signals

Head of Marketing Communications at HUGEQUIZ (2021-01 – 2023-12)

• Designed and executed a multi-channel communications strategy across Twitch, YouTube, email, and social — driving 50% month-over-month revenue growth through rapid experimentation, real-time pivots, and zero additional headcount
• Grew monthly active users by 5,000+ through community-native, influencer-led campaigns, operating natively in platform culture to identify viral angles and amplify authentic engagement
• Deployed AI tools for content generation, audience segmentation, and performance analytics, tripling campaign output volume without adding headcount, demonstrating AI as an operational multiplier.
• Delivered a 10% NPS increase and 5% retention uplift by closing the loop on audience sentiment data within 2-week sprint cycles, enabling same-week messaging corrections based on engagement signals
• Built real-time sentiment monitoring workflow enabling same-day campaign pivots, identifying underperformance signals within 48 hours and redirecting spend before losses compounded
• Authored executive regulatory briefings that translated complex policy changes into direct stakeholder guidance, supporting CEO decision-making during periods of platform and regulatory uncertainty

Head of Communications at IT'S BY U (2013-01 – 2021-12)

• Built the communications function from zero — creating brand narrative, media infrastructure, and crisis protocols that supported $1.5M in VC funding and triggered formal acquisition discussions.
• Developed messaging frameworks that translated blockchain- and AI-enabled product launches into narratives for mainstream and investor audiences, securing placements on QVC, Good Morning America, and Oprah's O List — each driving up to 500% sales spikes per feature
• Designed and deployed a real-time crisis communications protocol using sentiment tracking and rapid-response messaging, reducing negative media impact by 20% across 3 separate crisis events
• Built and managed a 100+ media and influencer network enabling same-week message amplification for time-sensitive launches
• Led communications through 4 product pivots and 2 rounds of organisational restructuring, maintaining full message alignment across internal and external stakeholders throughout each transition

Global Communications Manager at THE CIGNA GROUP (2010-01 – 2013-12)

• Directed global communications strategy for a Fortune 50 organisation in 30+ countries, managing a 25-person multilingual team through two simultaneous cross-border M&A cycles
• Led global rebranding initiative that increased brand recognition by 15% across EMEA and APAC, coordinating localised campaigns across 8 languages and regional PR teams
• Secured top-tier global media coverage for CSR programs contributing to ~10% NPS gains
• Media-trained C-suite executives for high-profile global engagements including the World Economic Forum — preparing briefing materials across earned, owned, and executive channels
• Facilitated 12+ global town halls during leadership transitions, maintaining employee confidence scores above benchmark throughout periods of structural change and reputational uncertainty

Master of Arts in Journalism – NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics – VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY