Communications Strategy

Built Volvo's Subscription Communications from Zero

Created the entire customer communications system for Volvo Cars' first-ever subscription model. Designed how a 90+ year old ownership brand should talk to customers in an ongoing subscription relationship.

What I Did

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Designed the complete lifecycle from consideration through renewal across 5 key stages

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Created hundreds of communications covering every customer touchpoint and moment

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Orchestrated cross-functional teams across product, legal, dealerships, and markets

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Built governance and templates enabling scale across European markets

The Challenge

No CRM infrastructure existed. Customers wouldn't understand unlimited mileage, car swaps, or bundled insurance without deliberately designed communications building understanding over time. Had to work across multiple markets with different regulations while launching fast.

What I Designed

The 5-Stage Lifecycle

Mapped every moment customers needed information, reassurance, or action, then created the messaging strategy for each stage.

Subscription Lifecycle

From consideration to renewal and beyond

1
Acquisition
How does this work?
2
Onboarding
What to expect
3
Education
How to use it
4
In-Life
Proactive support
5
Renewal
Continue value

Hundreds of Communications

Transactional

  • Bookings & payments
  • Swap notifications
  • Service confirmations

Educational

  • How-to guides
  • Feature explainers
  • Usage tips

Proactive

  • Service reminders
  • Renewal nudges
  • Value reinforcement

Reactive

  • Problem resolution
  • Change requests
  • Support responses
Methodology

How I Did It

1. Lifecycle Mapping

Identified every moment customers needed information or action. Designed messaging strategy for each stage: what to say, when, and why it mattered.

2. Content at Scale

Created modular communications designed to work together as a system. Built templates and tone guidelines so communications felt consistent but could be localized without losing clarity.

3. Cross-Functional Alignment

Ran workshops to align product, legal, dealerships, and markets on messaging strategy. Established approval workflows and governance so the system could evolve without breaking.

4. Test & Refine

Launched in select markets first. Used feedback and data to refine messaging, simplify explanations, and fix gaps before wider rollout.

Impact

What This Achieved

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Complete communications system for an entirely new business model from day one

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Framework working across European markets with local adaptation capability

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Scalable governance and templates enabling ongoing optimization

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Validated approach in early markets before successful wider rollout

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Foundation for how Volvo talks to subscribers continues to evolve today

Why It Matters

This wasn't just creating content—it was defining how a subscription relationship should work for a brand built on ownership. It demonstrated how strategic communication design can enable new business models, not just support existing ones.