Torod Neptune

VP of Global Communications
Lenovo
US

@torodneptune

Torod Neptune has been one of the industry’s most effective change agents — from championing the business impact of communications to restructuring for the modern era of communications to calling on agencies to increase diversity in order to secure Lenovo’s business.

The latter came as part of an agency review Neptune initiated shortly after joining the technology company in March. He joined Lenovo after spending almost seven years with Verizon, where he oversaw communications for each of the company’s major business units, rising to the role of corporate VP of corporate communications.

His priority as a CCO, he says, is handling “the daily challenge of aligning an organization and its people around a critically important set of new integrated marketing and communications skills, while staying laser focused on driving quantifiable business outcomes over activity.”

Neptune began his career as a reporter with The State, and prior to Verizon was senior vice president and global public affairs practice leader for WE Communications and chief communications strategist for the U.S. Congress, responsible for establishing the first post-Sept. 11 and anthrax crisis communications function for the U.S. House of Representatives. Before Capitol Hill, Neptune was senior vice president, Corporate Marketing and Communications with Bank of America Corp.

What do you love about this industry?
We are really one of the few disciplines within our organizations that can truly say we have our finger on the pulse of what drives our organizations and most credibly influences our ability to succeed in the marketplaces where we compete.

What most frustrates you about this industry?
We are still too focused on low-impact/tactics and activity instead of on high-value outcomes that will drive real, meaningful (and measurable) business outcomes.

What are the communications industry's biggest challenges and opportunities?
Really embracing data and intelligence to prove our worth to driving business and moving markets.

How do you relax or change pace when you're not at work?
Shut off all digital/social.

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
On the strategy side of the business.

Torod Neptune

VP of Global CommunicationsLenovoUS

VP of Global Communications
Lenovo
US