Brenna McCarthy

About

I’m a storyteller at heart—crafting narratives that don’t just inform but resonate, engage, and inspire action. With over 13 years of experience, I’ve worn many hats (sometimes all at once), navigating industries from scrappy PR agencies to Fortune 500 giants like a creative chameleon. I thrive on collaboration, team culture, and bringing authenticity into every aspect of my work. Whether leading a content team, strategizing for growth, or simplifying complex ideas, I believe in showing up as your whole self—and creating spaces where others feel empowered to do the same. For nearly a decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of AI, communications, and marketing, shaping public perception around emerging technology from 2015 to today. From demystifying AI for broad audiences to crafting narratives that highlight its transformative potential, I’ve helped define the conversation around its evolution. Beyond content strategy and marketing ops, I love exchanging ideas with brilliant minds. I’m currently open to consulting, speaking engagements, and writing opportunities with teams and leaders eager to push the boundaries of storytelling and strategy. What sets me apart: Adaptability & Creativity: Whether it’s shaping brand narratives for startups or scaling operations for global enterprises, I connect the dots between strategy, execution, and results—all without losing creative integrity. People-first thinking: I don’t just think about audiences—I think about people. From cutting production time by 50% to driving engagement with multilingual content in eight languages, I build strategies that meet real human needs. Content ops excellence: I streamline workflows, implement scalable processes, and build content programs that drive impact—whether managing $1B+ in revenue or launching new initiatives from scratch. At the end of the day, I’m passionate about authentic storytelling, meaningful connection, and working alongside smart, curious people. Let’s collaborate, chat, and make some magic happen.

Experience

• Fractional/Contract Communications and Marketing Strategist · CommsConsultants.com04-01-2025

  As a Fractional/Contract Communications and Marketing Strategist, responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication and marketing plans to enhance brand visibility and engagement.

• AI-focused consultant | thought leadership, brand voice & content strategy · Brenna McCarthy04-01-2025

  As an AI-focused consultant specializing in thought leadership, brand voice, and content strategy, I help AI and tech companies find their voice, sharpen their point of view, and stand out in a sea of sameness. I build thought leadership platforms for executives and brands, developing content strategies that transform expertise into influence. From POV-driven articles and keynote-ready messaging to ghostwritten LinkedIn content and strategic brand narratives, I bridge the gap between complex technology and human-centered storytelling. Services include thought leadership development, content and editorial strategy, messaging and positioning for AI products, and go-to-market storytelling.

• Caregiving · Career Break04-01-2024 – 08-01-2024

  Took a career break for caregiving responsibilities.

• Senior Brand and Content Strategist, generative AI · IBM04-01-2023 – 04-01-2024

  Led AI innovation campaign, including editorial calendar, content strategy, expert sourcing, and identifying distribution channels. Partnered with creative to produce high-impact video content, expanding reach across email campaigns, social media, podcasts, and events. Boosted viewership 10x through targeted campaigns. Recognized for strategic thinking and storytelling around emerging enterprise software. Scaled content for global audiences and translated key assets in eight languages. Led content strategy for 2024 Threat Intelligence Index, exceeding campaign goals.

• Marketing Content Manager, Content Strategy and Operations · IBM09-01-2021 – 04-01-2023

  Managed a five-person content operations team to scale high-quality content creation efficiently. Optimized workflows to accelerate translations and strengthen the global content pipeline. Cut content production time by 50% by developing a strategic promotional kit framework. Developed an organizational culture framework to enhance employee engagement. Applied a growth mindset in training and mentoring junior staff, resulting in improved department efficiency.

Education

• Marist UniversityBachelor of Arts, Communications/Public Relations

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