Brand. Culture. Reputation.

storytelling that drives growth

Davison strategic communications
My passion is finding and telling the compelling stories that drive revenue growth and culture change for your business.
I have developed communications strategies and coached leaders for three decades. That work has helped businesses and people grow, change and deliver bottom-line results. My clients include the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), American Century Investments, specialty insurer and reinsurer AXIS, Carr Lane Manufacturing and non-profits like the Harry S. Truman Library Institute. Leaders and colleagues. Leaders and executives value my clear strategic thinking, energizing leadership, and calm focus during change and crisis.

Before starting my business, I created the Lockton brand and communications team from scratch, helping Lockton transform a $400 million U.S. firm in 2006 into a $1.5 billion global insurance broker in just 12 years. At GE, I created and developed the brand and communications team that guided Employers Reinsurance through the devastation of 9/11, drove a multi-billion dollar financial turnaround and rebranded the company as GE Insurance Solutions.

Coaching leaders, developing clear messages and driving change is key to my approach to culture. My work helped Lockton earn the Best Places to Work in Insurance award 10 years in a row, Forbes Best Employers three years in a row, and two J.D. Power Awards for client satisfaction.

Crisis communications is a specialty. For decades, I've helped leaders successfully navigate change, challenge and criticism. My background as a TV news reporter and producer gives me a newsroom insider’s perspective on preparing leaders for their moment in the spotlight.

My firm is based in Kansas City, and I am a proud University of Missouri School of Journalism alum.

Dean@DavisonStrategicComms.com

Timeline

  1. -
    Principal, Davison Strategic Communications

    Davison Strategic Communications works with clients across the country on critical issues of growth and change. Clients include the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), global specialty insurer and reinsurer AXIS, Carr Lane Manufacturing and non-profits like the Harry S. Truman Library Institute. 

  2. -
    Senior VP - Director of Communications, Lockton

    Lockton is the world's largest privately held insurance broker. I built the brand and communications team from scratch. Our brand strategy helped Lockton grow from $400 million to $1.5 billion in just 12 years. We also earned 10 Best Places to Work in Insurance Awards and the J.D. Power Award in 2016 and 2017. 

  3. -
    Senior VP - Communications, GE Insurance Solutions

    GE Insurance Solutions (widely known at Employers Reinsurance Corporation) was one of the world's largest reinsurers and a unit of General Electric. I led PR and communications, creating the first-ever communications team. Our leadership team guided the business through a dramatic financial and cultural turnaround, leading to its sale to Swiss Re in 2006. 

  4. -
    Senior VP, Barkley & Evergreen PR

    Helped build and grow the public relations operations of this independent advertising agency. Led strategic communications and crisis communications programs for a variety of clients including Sears, the Harry S. Truman Library and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. 

  5. -
    Assignment Editor and Producer, KCTV-5 News - Kansas City

    Produced the #1 6 pm newscast and led the news assignment desk. 

  6. -
    WBAY-TV Action News - Green Bay, News Reporter

    Reported news for the CBS affiliate in Green Bay, Wisconsin with an emphasis on healthcare and politics. 

Contact by email

Dean@DavisonStrategicComms.com

Experience Highlights

  • Principal - Davison Strategic Communications
    Delivering expertise and insight to business leaders to drive growth and culture change.
  • SVP - Director of Communications - Lockton
    led brand & communications for the world's largest privately held insurance broker.
  • SVP - Director of Communications - GE Insurance Solutions
    led brand & communications for one of the world's largest reinsurance firms.

Education Highlights

  • University of Missouri - School of Journalism
    Bachelor of journalism
  • University of Missouri - College of Arts & Sciences
    BAchelor of Arts - Economics (Honors)

involvement &  Awards

  • Insurance Information Institute
    communications committee 1999-2018
  • Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
    Marketing & comms Working Group 2013-18
  • PR Professional of the Year
    Greater Kansas City public relations society
  • Best of Show Awards
    truman library pr programs 1995 & 1998
  • Accredited in Public Relations (APR)
    Accreditation from Public Relations Society
  • Missouri Military Academy Board of Trustees
    Executive committee of college prep school
  • Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
    Past board chair - Fundraising arm of one of top public school districts in the country
  • United Way of Greater Kansas City
    Marketing & communications advisory board

Contact info

  • E-Mail
    Dean@davisonstrategiccomms.com
  • Phone
    816 787 2886
  • Address
    4840 Alden, Suite 300.  Shawnee, kansas. 66216
  • Photography Website
    https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/deandavisonphoto
  • Highlight Title

results. by the numbers.

  • 300%
    Lockton Revenue Growth 2006-2018
  • 20+
    PRSA Awards
  • 10
    culture Awards as Best Place to work in insurance

SERVICES

  • BRAND. Powerful stories resonate far more than PowerPoint pitches or web sites piled high with your product specs and office locations. To build your brand, we guide you through a simple five-step process to understand your story and share it effectively.
    BRAND. Powerful stories resonate far more than PowerPoint pitches or web sites piled high with your product specs and office locations. To build your brand, we guide you through a simple five-step process to understand your story and share it effectively.
  • CULTURE. Effective leaders create vibrant, deeply rooted cultures. It takes time, energy and honesty. To create a vibrant culture, we help you build a winning environment, coach leaders and connect the workplace to the marketplace.
    CULTURE. Effective leaders create vibrant, deeply rooted cultures. It takes time, energy and honesty. To create a vibrant culture, we help you build a winning environment, coach leaders and connect the workplace to the marketplace.
  • REPUTATION. Building and protecting your reputation is all about trust. For more than 30 years, we have helped leading companies build expert media relations programs and deal with challenging crisis situations while maintaining trust.
    REPUTATION. Building and protecting your reputation is all about trust. For more than 30 years, we have helped leading companies build expert media relations programs and deal with challenging crisis situations while maintaining trust.

Videos

BS & BAND MUSIC:  A BLOG ON REPUTATION, STORYTELLING & COMMUNICATIONS

Reflecting on 2020

You may know I always carry a camera and enjoy capturing and sharing photos.

Here is a short video with my favorite/best images of 2020. In so many ways, it’s a year you may want to forget. But perhaps there are reflections here that provide joy.

Happy New Year! See you in 2021!

http://bit.ly/2020PhotosofYear

 

Location

Kansas City, Missouri