Emily Portugal is the Head of U.S. Growth for Burson. She is also the Executive Creative Director for the Birddog Collective.
I maximize the business and the brand opportunity on behalf of our prospective clients. I’ve worked in sales and marketing for the last 20 years, been an entrepreneur for the last 14, and a creative since the early 80s. I embrace the strategic process as a contact sport, partnering directly with client teams to drive growth. When I'm not at Burson, I spend my time working nationally as a real estate branding consultant and lifestyle photographer. Like Ice Cube said “I think I’m unique to the game ‘cause of my versatility.”
Burson
2024 - Present
I lead Burson's growth initiative for the U.S. region, partnering closely with U.S. leadership and growth teams across our global network to drive meaningful impact on behalf of our prospective clients. If you're interested in how Burson can help build your organization's reputation capital while driving business results, please feel free to slide into my DMs. I am also open to arbitrary GIFS and memes.
I am a brand consultant and lifestyle photographer for a wide variety of projects within the built environment. I have worked extensively in Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Fort Collins, San Diego, and the United Kingdom. For recent work samples, please visit: iamthebirddog.com
Birddog Collective
2010 - Current
Edelman
2018 - 2024
As EVP of Business Development, I led the prospecting for Edelman in the U.S. Partnering with internal teams, I helped to evolve our offerings to align with ever-changing client and industry demands.
In 2021, I launched an initiative to cultivate net new revenue opportunities by forging new relationships with key decision-makers and leveraging existing relationships within the Edelman network. Together with sector leads, I identified areas of whitespace and partner with practice leads to assemble smart and nimble U.S. teams to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. I worked closely with the U.S. Marketing team to create tailored strategies for engaging top targets while delivering curated, premium content at key moments in time. In the last 24 months, I drove nearly $15M in revenue - with a conversion rate of approximately 65%.
As co-founder and co-lead of Edelman Out Front, I led a team of 80+ LGBTQ+ professionals in delivering year-round, intersectional LGBTQ+ engagement strategies. We developed corporate strategies, forged key partnerships with LGBTQ+ NGOs, and launched the “Healthcare is Caring” campaign for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Under my leadership, Out Front advised over 75 clients, including Taco Bell, Nationwide, and Unilever, and created a thought leadership platform for Human Rights Campaign President Kelly Robinson, while partnering with GLAAD on a report on business and LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.
FCB Chicago
2016 - 2018
I led the internal RFP and pitch process under the direction of the Chief Marketing Officer. Notable wins include GE Appliances, Goodyear, Chamberlain, and NextEra Energy.
Pappageorge Haymes Partners
2012 - 2016
I brought in business and managed our client relationships. I led the rebranding efforts and launched the new digital platform for the firm while coordinating company-wide marketing efforts.I brought in business and managed our client relationships. I led the rebranding efforts and launched the new digital platform for the firm while coordinating company-wide marketing efforts.