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Bora Caglayan

Strategic PR&CommunicationsProfessional

Advising national and global organizations and leading brands on reputation, executive visibility, stakeholder engagement, and integrated communications across North America.

Bora Caglayan, Strategic PR & Communications Professional
Profile

At a Glance

I'm a PR and communications professional with nearly a decade of experience helping brands and organizations earn attention, shape their reputation and communicate with the people who matter to them. My career has grown from media relations and campaign work into a much broader communications practice spanning brand strategy, executive profiling, issues management, social and creator programs, thought leadership and integrated communications. PR has always remained at the centre of that work, along with an understanding of how it connects to the broader marketing and business picture.

I've spent much of my career in agencies, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to take an idea from its earliest stages through to something people actually see, hear and talk about. Along the way, I've also worked deeply in corporate and executive communications, advising leadership teams, developing public-facing narratives and helping organizations communicate through periods of change, scrutiny and reputational sensitivity. That combination has given me a perspective that moves comfortably between building excitement around a brand and protecting the reputation behind it.

My experience has included work with organizations such as Canada Soccer, TikTok, Microsoft, Paula's Choice, Campbell's, Purina, Loblaw Companies Limited, Canadian Tire, LCBO, Audible and Lyft. I've worked across Canada and the U.S., with additional international experience, and across sectors ranging from consumer, lifestyle and sport to technology and corporate communications.

What I enjoy most about communications is finding the story worth telling and figuring out the smartest way to make people care about it. Sometimes that means a campaign built to earn attention. Sometimes it means finding the right opportunity for an executive or organization to have a voice. And sometimes it means knowing exactly what to say when the circumstances are more complicated. The work changes, but the thinking behind it stays remarkably consistent: understand the audience, understand what matters, and communicate in a way that feels relevant, credible and worth paying attention to.

Core Expertise

What I Do

Six disciplines I lead across, from boardroom counsel to integrated programs in market.

  • 01

    Public Relations & Integrated Communications

    Earned-first programs that connect PR with social, creator, experiential and broader campaign channels.

  • 02

    Media Relations & Editorial Strategy

    Media strategy, storytelling and editorial thinking that turn brand priorities into stories worth covering.

  • 03

    Social & Creator Strategy

    Social storytelling and creator partnerships that build relevance and extend campaigns beyond earned media.

  • 04

    Reputation, Issues & Crisis Management

    Strategic communications for scrutiny, sensitive moments and reputational risk.

  • 05

    Executive Profiling & Thought Leadership

    Positioning leaders through media, speaking opportunities and platforms that build visibility and credibility.

  • 06

    Brand & Campaign Strategy

    Brand positioning, creative campaign development and multichannel ideas shaped around audiences, objectives and cultural context.

Experience

Professional Journey

Progressively senior agency and corporate roles advising leaders and brands across North America.

  1. Senior PR Manager, North America

    ZerotrillionJuly 2025 – PresentCurrent

    Overview

    I lead PR across Zerotrillion's North American client portfolio, working across consumer, sports and lifestyle brands in Canada and the U.S. My role spans communications strategy, media relations, brand storytelling, creator and social programs, executive profiling and reputation management, while leading account teams and working closely with creative, social, media and strategy colleagues.

    Responsibilities

    • Develop earned-first strategies and integrated campaign ideas spanning media relations, creator partnerships, executive profiling, brand storytelling and social amplification
    • Manage client relationships and communications programs from strategic planning and editorial direction through day-to-day campaign execution
    • Lead and mentor account teams while partnering across social, creative, media and strategy disciplines to deliver integrated, multi-market programs
    • Advise clients on issues and crisis communications through scenario planning, messaging and media response, helping them navigate reputation-sensitive moments

    Key Accomplishments

    • Canada SoccerDirect PR and communications programs supporting CanadaRED, Canada Soccer Foundation, executive profiling, international match campaigns and FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations, partnering across brand, media, social and key stakeholder initiatives
    • Paula's ChoiceLead PR supporting the brand's first London OOH campaign and FIFA 2026 women's football partnership, developing earned media strategy and campaign visibility around multimillion-dollar global marketing investments
  2. Senior Consultant

    Proof StrategiesJanuary 2024 – June 2025

    Overview

    I led communications programs across Proof's consumer and technology portfolio, working with brands including TikTok, Campbell's, Purina, LCBO, Audible and Lyft, alongside select corporate and financial communications work. My role combined media relations, integrated campaign development, issues management and day-to-day client counsel, with opportunities to work across everything from major consumer launches to reputation-sensitive communications.

    Responsibilities

    • Develop integrated communications programs spanning earned media, creator partnerships, experiential, social and paid support
    • Lead media relations and editorial strategy across consumer, lifestyle, technology and corporate accounts, building relationships with national business, consumer and trade media
    • Develop campaign ideas, content and creator programs, working across agency disciplines to move programs from planning through execution
    • Manage day-to-day client programs and collaborate across creative, social, paid media and public affairs while mentoring junior team members

    Key Accomplishments

    • TikTokLed communications for national brand initiatives and accelerator programs while advising TikTok Canada on issues and crisis communications during heightened regulatory scrutiny surrounding operations in Canada and the U.S. in late 2024
    • Campbell'sManaged communications for the Canadian relaunch of Snyder's of Hanover, bringing together earned media, creator partnerships, content, social and experiential activations
    • PurinaHelped launch Dentalife, PRIME Bones, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats nationally through an integrated campaign spanning PR, paid media and creator partnerships, contributing to the growth of the broader client relationship
  3. Manager, Corporate Communications (DPN Canada)

    Veritas CommunicationsMarch 2022 – December 2023

    Overview

    I managed corporate communications across four agencies within Stagwell's Doner Partners Network Canada, supporting Veritas, Meat & Produce, Dyversity and DonerNorth while working closely with agency leadership and Stagwell's global communications team. My role covered internal and external communications, agency PR, executive visibility, social strategy and network positioning, connecting the Canadian agencies and their leaders with broader Stagwell priorities and communications.

    Responsibilities

    • Manage executive profiling, thought leadership, media relations and social media for DPN Canada agency leaders and senior client executives, including leaders at Microsoft Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited, Canadian Tire and Labatt Breweries
    • Work with leadership teams on communications surrounding mergers and acquisitions, organizational change and leadership transitions, collaborating with executive, legal and HR teams
    • Shape DPN Canada's external positioning and manage social channels and content across the network, connecting Canadian agency communications with broader Stagwell initiatives, leadership priorities and global communications
    • Develop internal and external communications across the four Canadian agencies, supporting agency news, leadership communications, reputation and network-wide priorities

    Key Accomplishment

    • UN General Assembly 77Developed the positioning strategy for the Veritas CEO that secured an invitation to speak at the World Woman Forum during UN General Assembly 77, alongside senior clients from Microsoft Canada and Loblaw
  4. Publicist for CEO

    Veritas CommunicationsFebruary 2021 – February 2022

    Overview

    Served as strategic advisor and publicist to the CEO, managing her executive profile and building her visibility across Canada and internationally.

    Responsibilities

    • Managed executive communications across media relations, thought leadership, speaking opportunities, social media and agency communications
    • Developed positioning, messaging and content to strengthen the CEO's profile and establish her point of view across industry and leadership conversations
    • Identified and secured media, awards and speaking opportunities while managing the CEO's social presence and broader executive visibility strategy

    Key Accomplishment

    • Cannes LionsLed the executive profiling strategy behind the CEO's appointment to the 2021 Cannes Lions PR Jury, strengthening her profile and the agency's visibility on a global industry stage
  5. Senior Account Executive

    RP CommunicationsSeptember 2018 – January 2021

    Overview

    Directed PR, media relations, social communications and executive visibility programs for personalities and organizations across Canada and the U.S.

    Responsibilities

    • Managed media relations and communications programs spanning earned media, social content, executive visibility and event support
    • Developed media materials, pitches and story opportunities while managing relationships with national and local media

    Key Accomplishment

    • Economic Club of CanadaSupported communications and event delivery for the Economic Club of Canada's Financial Literacy Series event in Toronto in January 2020, featuring a one-on-one conversation between the organization's CEO and former U.S. President Barack Obama
  6. Account Executive

    The Mint AgencyMay – August 2018

    Overview

    Supported PR, marketing and experiential programs for consumer and technology brands including Google and Nordstrom.

    Responsibilities

    • Supported campaign execution across media relations, experiential marketing, events and brand communications

    Key Accomplishment

    • Le Dîner en Blanc TorontoHelped manage the 2018 event on behalf of The Mint Agency, supporting event logistics and execution for the large-scale experiential program
  7. Account Coordinator

    NKPRJanuary 2017 – April 2018

    Overview

    Supported influencer relations, media outreach, partnerships and event programs across lifestyle and consumer brands.

    Responsibilities

    • Supported day-to-day media outreach, influencer coordination, partnerships and campaign execution across agency accounts

    Key Accomplishment

    • IT House x Producers Ball at TIFFSupported NKPR's 2017 five-day TIFF experiential hub, helping deliver celebrity, media and brand activations as part of the agency's annual IT House x Producers Ball program
Select Clients

Organizations I've Worked With

A cross-section of brands, institutions, and leadership teams I've advised and supported across reputation, media relations, integrated PR, social amplification, influencer engagement, marketing communications, and brand storytelling across North America and international markets.

  • Canada Soccer logo
  • TikTok logo
  • Microsoft logo
  • Nestlé Purina logo
  • Campbell's logo
  • Loblaw Companies logo
  • Canadian Tire logo
  • Lyft logo
  • Audible logo
  • Omni-Biotic logo
Education

Education

University of Toronto coat of arms

University of Toronto

Honours Bachelor of Arts, Media Studies

2012 – 2017

Began my studies in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, completing first-year coursework in Biomedical and Industrial Engineering before transferring to the Faculty of Arts & Science. Graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, complemented by minors in Italian and Latin American Studies. This interdisciplinary academic path combined analytical, technical, and communications-focused training while strengthening my interest in media, culture, public affairs, and strategic communications.

Liceo Italiano IMI di Istanbul crest

Liceo Italiano IMI di Istanbul

European Baccalaureate

2007 – 2012

Completed a multilingual academic program in Italian, Turkish, and English, graduating with distinction and earning both the European Baccalaureate and Italian Esame di Maturità. The curriculum combined a strong scientific foundation with intensive language, humanities, and classical studies, including five years of Latin, within an international academic environment that fostered intellectual curiosity, cultural fluency, and global perspective.

Languages
  • EnglishNative
  • TurkishNative
  • ItalianFluent
Contact

Let's Connect

Connect with me on LinkedIn or download my latest résumé.