Wanda J. Herndon, founder and CEO of W Communications, LLC
Clients

Trusted by category leaders.

From a global coffee phenomenon to a high-end retailer and a pharmaceutical leader, organizations turn to W Communications, LLC for senior counsel when the stakes are highest.
Clients & Affiliations
Edelman logoDuPont logoDow logoMichigan State University logoMott College logoUniversity of Texas at Arlington logoUniversity of Washington logoVillanova University logo
Case 01 · Starbucks Coffee Company

The return engagement.

SVP, Global Communications from 1995 to 2006: Provided strategic communications counsel reporting to CEO Howard Schultz. Returned in 2008 to help transform the company, including innovative communications that launched the company’s signature Pike Place Roast.
Transformation strategy
Global team leadership
Executive communications
“Wanda Herndon is a straight-talking, fun-loving, wise woman who headed Starbucks global communications from 1995 until 2006. She was a calming influence that day and helped me put the situation in perspective.”
Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz
From his best-selling book Onward · Starbucks Coffee Company Founder and CEO
Case 02 · lululemon

Building the PR muscle.

Consulted for lululemon; coached the communications team as they elevated the role of public relations as part of the company’s brand-building strategy.
PR strategy
Coaching & mentoring
Organizational alignment
“Wanda guided the development for a communications strategy for lululemon which enhanced our brand. Wanda’s contribution to the communication leaders’ development is still evident today.”
Christine Day
Christine Day
Former CEO, lululemon
Case 03 · Otsuka America Pharmaceutical

Two weeks to launch.

When the employee communications strategy development for Otsuka America Pharmaceutical’s major sales realignment was behind schedule and endangered the company’s ability to execute its business objectives, W Communications, LLC stepped in and created a communications strategy and execution plan for the realignment of the Neuroscience Sales Division two weeks prior to the announcement. Wanda and her team successfully provided the leadership team with critical direction and executed a highly successful communications strategy in a short period of time.

W Communications, LLC was a key member of the Otsuka team. W Communications, LLC’ thoughtful and informed communications strategy included detailed audience segmentation, timelines, announcements, talking points, voicemails, town hall meetings, presentations, employee notifications, FAQs, recruiting brochure, sales meetings, communications job descriptions and executive communications. Members of the W Communications, LLC group served on the planning team for the onboarding sales meetings and national managers’ meetings for existing and new associates. Wanda and her team worked directly with Mark Altmeyer, CEO, and Pamela Harris, Senior Vice President of Sales, and other members of the executive leadership team on their individual communications. Wanda provided senior-level communications support during the search for a new department head, and extensive orientation after the new communications leader was hired.

Change communications
Executive counsel
Town halls & FAQs
“Wanda and her team didn’t miss a beat. The company exceeded all expectations. Without her and her company’s efforts, we would not have been able to successfully achieve our business objectives.”
Pam Harris
Pam Harris
Former SVP of Sales, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical
After the Starbucks Return Engagement
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your steady hand, deft touch and great sense of humor were critical in getting us through a tough transition and a tough year. Now go enjoy yourself for a while!”
David Landau
David Landau
Former SVP Law & Corporate Affairs, Starbucks
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