Áine O'Neill

Available to hire

B2B Digital Marketing and Communications professional with ten years' experience translating complex technical and scientific information into clear, audience-driven content.

About

B2B Digital Marketing and Communications professional with ten years’ experience translating complex technical and scientific information into clear, audience-driven content.

New to freelancing, with ten years’ experience project-managing agencies and production teams to deliver video, reports, strategy documents, and PR assets.

Launched Bernal Institute’s website and LinkedIn page. Led digital marketing and multichannel content strategy, growing website domain authority from 31 to 75 and LinkedIn impressions by 30%.

Also delivers video production and stakeholder communications for research, life sciences, and health and wellness organisations.

Built a social media presence from zero for an independent pilates instructor — 61,419 Instagram views in 73 days and a 3% TikTok engagement rate.

Managed end-to-end production of the Irish shoot for a Nestlé TV commercial. Twenty-four million people have viewed the commercial.

Available for digital marketing strategy, social media strategy, content creation, analysis, and video production.

Memberships
American Marketing Association, AMA
Public Relations Institute of Ireland, PRII

Industry experience

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Life Sciences
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Professional Services
  • Government

Projects · 5

Period: March 2026 – Present (ongoing)

THE BRIEF
Valerie Hayes is an established pilates instructor — trusted by medical professionals, physiotherapists and nutritionists — with no digital presence. My brief was to build her brand online from zero: create a consistent, reputable social media presence on Instagram and TikTok that would expand her profile beyond her existing network.

WHAT I DID
Designed and executed a social media strategy, including platform selection, content pillars, and publishing cadence
Developed 60 Reel scripts using AI-assisted research tools, manually writing captions and subtitles for accuracy, authenticity and tone.
Planned, filmed (iPhone, DJI microphone), edited and published vertical video content using CapCut
Set up and managed both Instagram and TikTok accounts, establishing brand identity and visual consistency
Tracked and reported on performance weekly, adapting content based on traction

RESULTS
61,419 Instagram views in 73 days · 65.6% reach from non-followers · 3% TikTok engagement rate from a standing start · 60 Reels produced

View the social media strategy here, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nAkArGMddn2OQn2QPLCyBXYu-t8w7ArU

View the video content plan here,
https://oneill3795.github.io/Pilates-2026_social_index.html/

  • Content Creator
  • Content Producer
  • Content Strategist
  • +6

THE BRIEF
Nestlé Development Centre (NDC) Askeaton was Nestlé’s key global R&D site for infant nutrition. I led the annual multichannel communications strategy; covering LinkedIn, Workplace, the Nestlé R&D website, newsletters, brochures, and a quarterly magazine in alignment with Nestlé brand and compliance requirements.

Worked with Nestlé Corporate Communications and the Head of NDC to align with global identity, compliance, and business strategy.

Led video content from concept to delivery, working with internal teams and external agencies.
Conducted communications audits and stakeholder analysis to improve internal communications.

NOTABLE OUTCOMES
Managed end-to-end production of the Irish shoot for a Nestlé TV commercial, collaborating with colleagues in the Philippines on storyboard and filming spec. Viewed by 24 million people.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1laOXqdpMskByo85i9CTyG5erstVvBrol/view?usp=drivesdk

Delivered crisis communications following Nestlé’s decision to close NDC Askeaton — staff forums and Q&A for 54 employees. No negative media impact; NDC included in IBEC’s 2024 Leading in Wellbeing Top 100 Companies.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HVPB0VzJeYuiEghXKKKJwJKm1TcBXJMj/view?usp=drivesdk

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Established the channel and edited 19 seminar recordings in Premiere Pro.
Bernal YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@bernalinstitute6619

VIDEO PROJECTS

Produced a testimonial video featuring young engineers and scientists — led from concept through to publication

Managed production of a video for EU policy makers on sustainable research

Co-produced researcher videos within cross-functional teams

PODCAST

Sourced researchers, authored questions, and edited the Bernal Research Podcast series for Spotify:

Prof. Vivek Ranade — Chemical Engineering
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2z0uovXB86GnQk38q2nEwv?si=50ab808c0bf3479d
Dr Eoghan Cunnane — Biomedical Engineering
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3eZt8GwXmmdEz2wfoUmLxv?si=a489330ca99d4d53
Prof. Sarah Hudson — Pharmaceutical Sciences
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YUlpKtaPZRgngw4TmnttD?si=as2i_N0RQG-z4JZmND5xFA
Dr George Barreto — Neuroscience & Brain Health
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4R36i7XrzTsE92ooBaLGJP?si=b5c3601580ef4e08
Prof. Walter Stanley — Materials Science
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gCp1f4R14YyMnLLfIuyGW?si=1aead16c3e264058

BROADCAST COVERAGE

RTE News: Limerick institute turning plastic into car parts
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0204/1027491-limerick-plastic/
UL scientists develop new material to capture cancer-causing toxin Benzene (May 2022)
https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2022/0527/1301609-scientists-limerick/

The Bernal Institute is a €100m+ investment in world-class materials science research at University of Limerick, home to 65 members and 250 researchers. I was responsible for the communications strategy, implementation, campaign analysis, measurement and evaluation — sourcing and translating complex scientific, medical device and pharmaceutical research into clear, audience-focused content for students, industry, academic partners, policymakers, and funding bodies.

PUBLICATIONS

Managed production of the Bernal brochures, Strategic Plan and annual reports from 2017 to 2024:
Bernal Annual Report 2020
https://issuu.com/uoflfoundation/docs/bernal_ar_fa_web_dbl
Bernal Annual Report 2021
https://issuu.com/uoflfoundation/docs/ul_bernal_2021

Created a podcast library and publications repository on the Bernal website. Established the Bernal YouTube channel and edited 19 seminar recordings using Premiere Pro.
Bernal YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@bernalinstitute6619

STRATEGY KPIS

Bernal Digital Marketing Strategy 2022–2023
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hxzeGNinTvNDzgete3CixOMN0ANcBwMf/view?usp=drive_link

Website: Grow domain authority from 31 to 75; impressions from 30k to 90k/month; CTR from 3.4% to 6.8%
LinkedIn: +30% impressions to 408k; engagement rate from 3.63% to 4%; +501 new followers
Twitter/X: Benchmarked against comparable institutes — Bernal was already outperforming established peers

The Bernal Institute’s research spans nanomaterials, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy aligned with SDGs in health, energy and environment.

I started the institute’s LinkedIn page, building its content, style, and audience — translating complex science into clear, relatable stories. I pitched stories to national media, securing coverage on Futureproof, Newstalk Radio, RTE and SiliconRepublic.com. I implemented communications evaluations using Ruepoint media monitoring, Altmetrics and Hootsuite.

LINKEDIN PERFORMANCE (ENGAGEMENT RATE CONSISTENTLY 3–4%; INDUSTRY AVERAGE 1–2%)
https://www.twine.net/signin

Research fellowship announcement — 300 engagements (291 reactions, 9 comments)
Research Ireland funding awards — 216 engagements
Nanomaterials researcher profile — 210 engagements
Process engineering researcher profile — 207 engagements
Health research for autoimmune diseases — 180 engagements

View LinkedIn content portfolio
https://www.twine.net/signin

View Bernal Institute LinkedIn page
https://www.twine.net/signin

MEDIA COVERAGE

RTE: Limerick institute turning plastic into car parts
https://www.twine.net/signin

SiliconRepublic.com: Dr Joseph Mooney — water desalination and sustainable technology
SiliconRepublic.com: Dr Shalini Singh — nanoscience and materials energy

LINKEDIN PAID CAMPAIGN

Managed a targeted LinkedIn paid campaign for a virtual conference — €100/day budget over three days, targeting leading international universities and key industry sectors. Delivered 20,000 peak live audience.

Work experience· 5 roles

Freelance Digital Communications Strategist · Áine O'NeillMar 2026 – Present · 9 mos

●Designing and executing a social media strategy for an established business building its digital presence: Valerie Hayes Pilates and Valerie's Video Content Plan (March 2026, ongoing) ●Planning, filming (iPhone, DJI mic), editing and publishing vertical video using CapCut; 60 Reels scripts developed using AI research tools with manually reviewed captions/subtitles, for Instagram and TikTok ●Track performance; achieving 61,419 Instagram views in 73 days, with 65.6% from non-followers, and a 3% TikTok engagement rate from a standing start on March 31st 2026

Digital Communications and Engagement Specialist · Nestlé Development Centre, Nutrition, AskeatonApr 2023 – Mar 2025 · 2 yrs

●Create and execute the multichannel Communications Strategy and content for Nestlé Development Centre (NDC) ●Collaborate with the Head of NDC and Nestlé Corporate Communications to align with the organisation's global identity, compliance, business strategy and evolving digital media trends ●Develop demand supporting digital content to promote research expertise ●Create the centre’s digital media calendar and content: video, Workplace, LinkedIn, Nestlé R&D website, brochures, newsletters, and quarterly magazine ●Lead video content from concept to delivery, working with internal teams and external agencies ●Track and evaluate engagement, audience profiles, online journeys, and sought-after content to build measurable, data-driven campaigns and optimise performance ●Initiate and manage a collaboration with SSPC, Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals, to design a STEM programme for school children ●Procure and manage external agencies to deliver compliant communications assets ●Manage the annual communications and engagement budget in alignment with Nestlé's global procurement policy

Digital Communications Officer · Bernal Institute, University of Limerick. www.bernalinstitute.comJul 2017 – Mar 2023 · 5 yrs 9 mos

●Own and deliver the Bernal Institute Communications Strategy in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in health, energy, and environment ●Own the institute's digital media calendar and demand supporting content: LinkedIn (paid and organic), Twitter, YouTube, website (WordPress), strategic plan, brochures, and annual reports ●Manage digital marketing campaigns using HubSpot, Mailchimp and Hootsuite, including email marketing, contact management and campaign analytics ●Source and translate complex scientific, medical device and pharmaceutical research into clear, audience focused content for students, industry and academic partners, policymakers, and funding bodies ●Project managed the institute's website build and research group websites to improve organic search performance, domain authority and WCAG compliance ●Collaborate with key academics from the Bernal Institute, Research Ireland and Enterprise Ireland funded research centres (SSPC, DPTC, PMTC) and industry partners to maximise publicity and collate news stories ●Liaise with journalists, radio producers, media production companies and RTE to pitch stories and plan interviews ●Moderate webinars with international scientists communicating research to solve global grand challenges ●Manage the annual communications budget ●Use competitor and performance analytics to optimise content strategy, with independent analysis showing Bernal outperforming established peers on X (Twitter) and consistently achieving LinkedIn engagement rates above 3%

Communications Adminstrator · Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of LimerickFeb 2015 – Jul 2017 · 2 yrs 6 mos
Specialist, Educational Programs, Vista Collaboration and Learning Program · Cook Medical. www.vista.cookmedical.comMay 2013 – Jul 2014 · 1 yr 3 mos

Education

Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing · UCD Professional Academy2022 – 2025
PRII Chartered Diploma in PR Honours (NFQ 8) · Public Relations Institute of Ireland2022 – 2025
Applied Project Management Certificate · UL2016 – 2026
DELF B1 · Alliance Française2012 – 2026

Certifications and awards

PRII Chartered Diploma in PR Honours2022 – 2025
Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing (Distinction)2022
Alliance Française DELF B12012
Applied Project Management Certificate2016

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