Emily Bader -- Partner

Emily E. Bader is a Partner of Zócalo Group.

Emily has worked with some of the world’s top consumer brands to develop creative, high-impact, online and off-line word of mouth and communications programs to ensure that brands connect with audiences and incite action.

During her 15-year career, Emily has guided consumer communications strategy, integrated marketing initiatives, community relations, product and service introductions for such clients as ConAgra Foods, FedEx Kinko’s, Wendy’s International, Cox Communications and The Home Depot. Prior to joining Zócalo Group, Emily served as senior vice president and group manager at Ketchum, an industry-leading public relations agency.

At Ketchum, Emily also led the Midwest Food and Nutrition Practice. With her specialty in this area, she successfully harnessed the on and off-line dialogue among culinary and health-and-wellness influencers to drive product awareness, trial and sustained loyalty.  Tapping issues, trends and leaders in the areas of culinary art, wellness and home cooking, she developed and enacted successful communications programs to entice consumers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers with such foods and ingredients as Ultragrain White Whole Wheat flour, Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popping Corn, PAM Cooking Spray and Wendy’s Garden Sensations Salads.

Emily also has mobilized local market word of mouth initiatives to lead successful marketing efforts for such retail powerhouses as FedEx Kinko’s, The Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Orkin Pest Control, and even her own restaurant. By weaving brand communications into community efforts, enabling companies to showcase their offerings on a grassroots level, and turning local leaders into loyalists, Emily has helped companies tangibly increase their relevance.

Emily has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Northwestern University. She and her husband own and operate S3 Kitchen, a critically acclaimed fast-casual café in Oak Park, IL. email: ebader@zocalogroup.com