Lisa McKendall

President & Partner

Lisa is a communications professional with over 30 years of experience in developing strategic public relations and marketing communications campaigns specializing in branding and consumer products. Since its creation in 2001, McKendall Communications has developed and implemented strategic public relations programs for a variety of clients within the toy, kids, retail, fitness and consumer technology industries.

Previously, Lisa was a senior vice president at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide where she headed the consumer marketing practice for the Los Angeles office. She was named to the Ogilvy 50, recognizing the top 50 executives within the Ogilvy network worldwide.

Lisa joined Ogilvy following a successful eight years at Mattel, Inc., the largest toy manufacturer and marketer in the world. As director of marketing communications, her responsibilities included serving as a company spokesperson, media training for senior management, and developing targeted public relations programs relating to the reputation and visibility of the company’s most recognizable brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Cabbage Patch Kids, Disney and Matchbox. Additionally, she provided strategic communications counsel for the launch of new Mattel products.

Lisa began her career at Golin International. While at Golin she was responsible for managing several consumer accounts including General Foods, Bausch & Lomb and Playmates Toys, gaining expertise in national new product launches, media-driven special events, media training, the development of comprehensive public relations programs and media relations.

Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis at San Diego State University. She also graduated from the San Francisco Academy, an intensive nine-month program for senior public relations professionals and has completed several professional development courses at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the areas of public relations and communications.

LYDIA SMITH

Account Executive

Lydia Smith is a wonderful new addition to the McKendall Communications team. She brings to the company a wealth of real world experience with children and toys. She has been the owner and director of a play based, developmental preschool for the past 20 years. This realistic application of child development theories has proven to be an asset to McKendall Communications and its clients. She has a BA in developmental psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara and has completed her Masters coursework in Early Childhood Education from California State University Northridge. She has also maintained her professional development through courses at the University of California Los Angeles. She began her career in public relations at Golin working on projects with companies such as Bausch & Lomb and the California Avocado Commission and has most recently worked with clients including The Learning Journey and Pillow Pets.