Charlie McCurdy helps organizations manage their external and internal presence through targeted storytelling, calibrated messaging, strategic media relations and leadership coaching. He focuses on outcomes and data-driven decision-making. From 2007 to 2019, Charlie worked in communications roles of increasing responsibility at Merck (known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada). From 2016 to 2019, he led communications for the Merck Manufacturing Division, which includes about 20,000 people in 23 plants around the world.

While leading communications for the Merck Manufacturing Division, he supported the president and broader leadership team, providing strategic counsel and program development and managing the tactical execution of communication programs. Charlie played an important role in executive communications including external profiling, corporate continuity, and crisis communications for the division and the company as a whole. He also led strategic communications related to the manufacturing division’s strategy. He managed external issues and as well as internal communications that supported improved safety outcomes and employee engagement.

From 2012 to 2016, Charlie led communications for the emerging markets organization, relocating to Switzerland to support the president and his team. The emerging markets organization spanned the Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and China); Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Latin America regions and generated almost a quarter of its pharmaceutical and vaccine revenues. In addition, Charlie served as lead for the communications team in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.

He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Music from Oberlin College and, before discovering the world of corporate communications, worked as an English teacher and journalist, earning regional and national awards for his newspaper writing.

Today, Charlie manages his own consulting firm InContext Communications. In recent years, he has consulted for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Labcorp, and IQVIA, a global health information technology and clinical research support organization.

Charlie is available to support MacAllen Media & Public Affairs clients. To ask about working with Charlie on a project, please send us an email.