Stella Low

Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer
HP
US

The former head of global communications at Apple, and SVP and chief communications officer at Cisco, Stella Low joined HP in August 2022 as chief corporate affairs and communications officer. She manages HP’s reputation and brand management, and oversees all internal and external comms, the company’s sustainable impact strategy and the HP Foundation.

UK-born Low is a Silicon Valley veteran, and her experience also encompasses leading global comms at EMC and Dell Technologies. She became Apple’s first comms head in nearly two years, following the departure of Steve Dowling in 2019, but spent just eight months in post before moving on.

She has more than three decades of experience in marketing and communications and a strong track record of creating worldwide campaigns. In her personal life, she’s an advocate for heart health awareness and serves on the board of directors for the Bay Area Division of the American Heart Association.

Can you share a moment in your career when you saw PR's direct impact on business performance?
There is no doubt that communications plays a crucial role in the success of a business. There are so many examples from the company’s narrative, inform, excite and energize employees, and even impact the communities around us by rallying a company around a disaster or special cause. But one of the most memorable moments in my career was witnessing the power of communications during a major product launch. Working closely with marketing and engineering, we were able to educate and influence key players in the industry, including media, analysts, and reviewers. This had a direct impact on sales, and within a single quarter, we surpassed our competition, even though their product had been on the market for some time.

What are the communications industry's biggest challenges and opportunities in the year ahead?
Generative AI presents a significant opportunity in the coming years. In the next year, we will continue to focus on educating and inspiring our teams, developing use cases for incorporating gen AI into communications, and transitioning to a model where gen AI can handle routine tasks, freeing up our teams to focus on more meaningful work. However, there are also challenges to consider, such as regulatory issues, the potential for increased fake news, and the need to ensure that gen AI is used responsibly. 

What work from your team are you most proud of over the past year?
The work I am most proud of over the last year has been on the Work Relationship Index. Examining how individuals and businesses are navigating the changing world of work, the launch of our first annual Work Relationship Index provided a definitive view of our relationship with work today, across multiple vectors. Based on a global study of business leaders, knowledge workers and IT decision-makers, the index identified six primary drivers of a healthy relationship with work – and how to improve that health over time. The second index will be launch later this year goes even deeper into the impact of the hybrid work, growth and fulfilment of work and examines the impact of AI on the future of work.

How have you switched off from work and maintained wellness over the past year?
Gardening is my go-to activity when I want to unwind. I take great pleasure in planting and nurturing a variety of plants, from fruits like figs, lemons, oranges, and strawberries to beautiful blooms and flowers to succulents of all kinds. I love that you can apply a combination of smarts and creativity. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to see them flourish over time. Not only does it create a lovely space for my family and friends to enjoy, but it also attracts butterflies, bees, and birds to our outside space. There’s nothing quite like getting my hands dirty and connecting with nature. 

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
Gardening or running a garden center or flower store.