Emily Portugal is an EVP of Business Development and leads U.S. Prospecting for Edelman. 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 13, and been a creative since the early 80s. I embrace the creative process as a contact sport, partnering directly with client teams to drive growth. When I'm not at Edelman, 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.”

Edelman

2018 - Current

As EVP of Business Development, I lead the prospecting for Edelman in the U.S. Partnering with internal teams, I help to evolve our offerings to align with ever-changing client and industry demands. Known for my creative and collaborative approach, I help maximize both the business and the brand opportunity by consistently delivering new, surprising ideas.

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 identify areas of whitespace and partner with practice leads to assemble smart and nimble U.S. teams to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. I work 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 have helped to drive nearly $20M in revenue - with a conversion rate of approximately 65%.

I lead Edelman’s work with the Human Rights Campaign and am a co-founder of Edelman Out Front - a collective of 80+ LGBTQ+ people curated to provide clients with an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to engaging with the community 365 days a year. Out Front develops corporate strategies to address shifts in LGBTQ+ policies, builds creative campaigns, and creates synergies and partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations. Out Front has consulted with over 60 clients and prospects in the last 18 months as well as partnered with GLAAD on a special report of Trust that explores Business and LGBTQ+ rights in the US.

 

Birddog Collective

2010 - Current

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

 

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 cultivated new business relationships on behalf of the firm. I shepherded the organic evolution of the Pappageorge Haymes Partners brand, launching a new website and coordinating company-wide marketing efforts. In addition, I grew their social media engagement by over 1,000% and created a video series that was featured on Architectural Record.

 

I am driven by ambitious business goals and I love the creative opportunity that exists with an organization that recognizes the powerful role that brand can play in achieving those goals.