Celebration Day: Communications executive comes home to his dream job

GLOBALLY-respected communications expert Geoff Day has been appointed Director of Marketing and External Relations at Edinburgh Napier University.

Day returns to the university where he graduated following 15 years in New York City, during which he ran his own PR consultancy and held the post of Director of Communications and Brand Experiences at Mercedes-Benz USA.

His CV also includes a spell as Communications Director for DaimlerChrysler UK, and positions working on behalf of the Buckingham Palace Press Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

His role at Edinburgh Napier sees him take charge of a newly-expanded department which handles the university’s marketing and PR, external development, events and alumni relations. He will also be a member of the university’s Senior Leadership Team.

Day, 56, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies at the university, said: “It’s not often in life you get to return to where it all started and have the honour to lead a great team in the future promotion, development and growth of one of Scotland’s finest Universities.

“In a career that, so far, has included leading many global brands, spanning many countries, it is a privilege to return home to Edinburgh, bringing with me those skills.  Being able to use them to drive student engagement, university awareness, and to build the Edinburgh Napier brand reputation both in the UK and internationally, is truly a ‘dream job’.”

Day began his career in local radio journalism in Edinburgh before working as a daytime TV presenter.

Later posts included a media relations role at the Scottish Tourist Board and running his own communications agency, where clients included Mercedes-Benz UK and BBC TV and Radio. As Communications Director for DaimlerChrysler UK, he was responsible for the development of PR programmes for Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and smart brands in the UK.

After moving to America he took charge of Mercedes-Benz USA’s corporate comms strategies, building promotional links with the Super Bowl, New York Fashion Week and US Tennis Open, before drawing on his expertise in luxury branding to run the Jackanory PR agency.

In 2012, Edinburgh Napier awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration, and he has served as Chair of the University Alumni New York Chapter.

Day, who starts his new role on October 1st, said: “I know what Edinburgh Napier did for me and have first-hand experience in knowing what it can do for our all students, current and future.

“I passionately believe there is no better higher education institute to turn the challenges ahead into opportunities to become even stronger as a recognised leader in outstanding student experience and world class academic achievement.”

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier, said: “Geoff is widely experienced in marketing and communications in both the public and private sector, and he is also very passionate about Edinburgh Napier and an active supporter of our alumni relations work.

“We are very excited about the expertise, enthusiasm and energy he will bring to this key role at the university.”