ANIMO STORIES

Driven with Purpose

Edward Joseph Carig Francisco
Master of Marketing Communications 2010

“The three years I spent in graduate school allowed me to embrace both my strengths and weaknesses. I was pushed to the limits a number of times and for a variety of reasons while studying and working my way up in my career”

Corporate and product communications, social media management and analytics, stakeholder relations, crisis communications, internal communications and employee engagement – these are some of the major tasks of this multi-awarded communications professional – Ford Philippines’ Assistant Vice President for Communications Edward Joseph C. Francisco. EJ was hailed as one of the 2015 Top 5 Young PR Professionals in Asia Pacific by the PRWeek Awards, the lone representative of the Philippines.

With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism (cum laude) and with his public relations background, EJ decided to pursue graduate studies at DLSU because of its program offering – the Master of Marketing Communications (MMC). “I applied for the program because I wanted to expand my knowledge around the communications practice and understand the marketing discipline further,” he shared.

“Graduate school was one of the most challenging phases in my life as I needed to balance studying and working full-time. When I was doing my graduate thesis, it was also the time that I was being evaluated to become a manager at work,” EJ recalled. He was juggling to finish his thesis while leading bigger projects in the workplace. “The three years I spent in graduate school allowed me to embrace both my strengths and weaknesses. I was pushed to the limits a number of times and for a variety of reasons while studying and working my way up in my career,” he added.

The MMC program exposed EJ to the marketing communications discipline further which made it easier for him to work with his marketing colleagues to deliver a successful marketing plan. “I have been able to give sound recommendations and approaches not limited to my field of expertise but also about advertising, sales promotions, consumer insights, digital and social marketing, events management, among others. The program also helped me lead bigger projects and teams and secure better career opportunities as a well-rounded marketing communications practitioner,” he said.

Being able to share his knowledge and experience to the next generation of marketing communications leaders, both in school and at the workplace, brings him back to his purpose. “Over and beyond the career progression and local and global accolades I received for my profession, being a teacher myself and a mentor at work is one of my greatest achievements to date,” he added. EJ also teaches at DLSU Marketing and Advertising Department as part-time faculty, teaching public relations, advertising, and copywriting in the graduate school.

As a Lasallian, EJ believes that his zeal for service continues even after finishing graduate school and well into his professional career. “Graduate school taught me not only to have a vision, but also to see purpose in everything I do. We are called to serve in so many ways in the workplace and I personally take it as my purpose to train and mentor not only my team members but also employees from other departments and agency colleagues,” EJ shared. Part of this purpose is driving social responsibility as part of his work responsibilities, where he leads a globally-recognized driving program that aims to create better and safer drivers in the Philippines.

Even with years of experience and accomplishments under his belt, EJ vows to remain a student of life – learning, unlearning, and re-learning, to serve his purpose of enriching the lives of the people around him.

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ANIMO STORIES is a chronicle of inspiring, positive, and motivating journey of Lasallians of DLSU. If you would know of inspiring Lasallians who would like to share their journey – professional achievements and significant contributions to their respective communities – feel free to email us at [email protected] or fill out this google form http://bit.ly/SubmitAnimoStory. Alumni to be featured will be selected by the “Animo Stories” editorial board.