Molly Kelly joins Avison Young as Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Accomplished marketer and strategic thinker joins firm's corporate leadership team

TORONTO, March 5, 2019 /CNW/ - Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm, announced today that Molly Kelly has joined the firm as Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

Effective immediately, Kelly will serve on Avison Young's executive committee and corporate leadership team, and provide oversight and strategy for the company's global growth.

Kelly brings to Avison Young a broad background in brand positioning, ranging from M&A initiatives and IPO activities to the creation and integration of a global brand. 

She was formerly Global Chief Marketing Officer at Jones Lang LaSalle (now known as JLL), and was instrumental in the creation of Jones Lang LaSalle following the merger of LaSalle Partners and Jones Lang Wootton in 1999. Her responsibilities included the integration of multiple brands around the world into a single cohesive real estate services brand. Kelly was also Chief Marketing Officer, Americas at JLL, where she directed strategic focus for the company's marketing, communications and research functions in its Americas region. Her responsibilities included advertising, business development, competitive intelligence, regional and local market research, community affairs, corporate philanthropy, social media, direct marketing, employee communications, event marketing, media relations, marketing collateral, property marketing and website development.

"We are thrilled once again to be partnering with Molly to grow our differentiated global real estate services company," comments Rose who, along with some other Avison Young executives, previously worked with Kelly at Jones Lang LaSalle. "Molly is one of the industry's premier marketing and communications leaders and her influence on our global strategy is immediate."

Kelly will be responsible for all strategic marketing and communications globally and will work closely with the firm's global marketing and communications teams.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of Avison Young completing its acquisition of U.K.-based GVA on January 31, 2019. As a result of the transaction, Avison Young has expanded to 5,000 real estate professionals in 120 offices in 20 countries.

"I am excited to join Avison Young at such a dynamic stage in the company's growth to further build and shape what is already a robust, differentiated brand," says Kelly, who is based in Jackson, Wyoming. "I am especially excited to be part of Avison Young's collaborative global culture, and look forward to partnering with the leadership team as we continue to increase our global footprint and expand awareness of Avison Young's Principal-led, client-centric business model while scaling our business through new and disruptive channels."

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and marketing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She is currently a board member of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation as well as a board member and chair of One22, a Wyoming-based charity that supports community members who face health, financial and cultural challenges. She is a recipient of the Women in Real Estate Impact Award (2010) and Jones Lang LaSalle's Champion of Excellence Award (2012).

Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its Principals. Founded in 1978, with legacies dating back more than 200 years, the company comprises approximately 5,000 real estate professionals in 120 offices in 20 countries. The firm's experts provide value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management and financing services to clients across the office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hospitality sectors.

For further information/comment/photos:

• Sherry Quan, Principal, Global Director of Communications & Media Relations,  Avison Young: 604.647.5098; cell: 604.726.0959 [email protected] 
• Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: 416.673.4028
• Molly Kelly, Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Avison Young: [email protected] 

www.avisonyoung.com

Avison Young is a 2018 winner of the Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years.

Follow Avison Young on Twitter:
For industry news, press releases and market reports: www.twitter.com/avisonyoung
For Avison Young listings and deals: www.twitter.com/AYListingsDeals 
Follow Avison Young Bloggers: http://blog.avisonyoung.com 
Follow Avison Young on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/avison-young-commercial-real-estate 
Follow Avison Young on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AvisonYoungRE 
Follow Avison Young on Instagram: www.instagram.com/avison_young_global 

Editors/Reporters
• Please click on link to view and download photo of Molly Kelly: https://www.avisonyoung.com/documents/20342/2631393/MollyKelly.jpg 

SOURCE Avison Young

Sherry Quan, 604.647.5098 or 604.726.0959, [email protected]