We’re Listening …

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Well, we’re on the verge of another program year for IABC Philadelphia. As always, we’re working hard to put together some excellent events, starting with our networking meeting scheduled for September. More details on that will follow later this month.

The past few years, we’ve strengthened IABC Philadelphia both locally and nationwide. Our redesigned website, our branding efforts, and some of our programs—like Coffee Connections, an informal networking program, and our newsletter, CLICK—have been recognized by other chapters. We take pride in what we contribute to the communication field, and we’ll continue to focus on developing ideas that fit the changing landscape of the communication field.

At our annual summer meeting, we had spirited conversations about plans for the upcoming year. You will see us more active in social media spaces—both to share our news and also to hear your feedback—and we have some innovative ideas for programs that I think you’ll like. This board of directors has a lot of energy, and I’m excited to see what we can do.

Our dialogue with you is off to a great start. We’ve seen an increase in emails to iabcphilly@gmail.com, whether it’s folks interested in volunteering, sending us suggestions or just saying hi! Please keep it coming.

We’re listening.

Chris LentzChris Lentz, President, IABC Philadelphia

Filed Under: President's Message, What's New in the Chapter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tony DeFazio Named Communications Director for IABC Heritage Region

July 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Former IABC Philadelphia President’s Successful Leadership Elicits Regional Recognition

Philadelphia, Pa., July 14, 2011 – IABC Heritage Region, the northeast region of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), has named Tony DeFazio as the Communications Director for the 2011-2012 program year. DeFazio is a public relations professional with more than 20 years of industry experience, and is president of DeFazio Communications, LLC, a Conshohocken, Pa.-based public relations agency. He will report directly to the IABC Heritage Region Director and will supervise the Communications Chair.

DeFazio’s successful leadership of IABC Philadelphia over the last two years attracted the attention of the trade group’s regional chapter, which represents 20 chapters spanning 17 states.  IABC Heritage Region, comprised of regional communication professionals well-versed in various disciplines of corporate communication, is responsible for serving Region members, primarily through providing guidance, support, and development opportunities for chapter leaders. The group also fosters growth within the Region and serves as the communication mouthpiece between members, chapters and the IABC Executive Board.

“Tony has exemplary communications leadership skills,” says Gary Spondike, Region Director of IABC Heritage Region. “During his tenure as president, the Philadelphia chapter emerged as one of the most recognizable in the world in terms of proactive and impactful communications programs. We are grateful to have him as an officer of the Heritage Region board of directors and look forward to seeing him elevate our communication programs across the region.”

DeFazio is an active member of IABC Philadelphia, 230 members in full, where he served as chapter president from 2009-2011. During this time, DeFazio was instrumental in building the chapter’s brand awareness, and was a speaker on branding strategies at the IABC Leadership Institute.

In his new role, DeFazio will develop a strategic communication plan for the Region, which will include designing and maintaining the Region’s website, and the implementation of a newsletter. DeFazio will oversee internal and external communications, monitoring and resolving existing communication issues, and maintaining contact lists for distribution to Region leaders, Region members and Chapter leaders. DeFazio will also manage the Region’s social networking sites.

Requirements to be nominated for the position of Communications Director include possessing a strong background in strategic communications, being able to translate strategy into practical applications, as well as having experience in organizational development and change management.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as the president of IABC Philadelphia for the last two years,” DeFazio said. “To be recognized by the Heritage Region chapter is indeed an honor. I look forward to taking our best practices locally and applying them to a much larger constituency.”

DeFazio lives and works in Conshohocken, Pa., where he founded his agency in 2008. He previously served as Director of Public Relations for American Financial Realty Trust from 2005 to 2008.  Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Partner at Gregory FCA Communications. DeFazio began his career managing public affairs campaigns in Washington D.C. He is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications.

About IABC Heritage Region

IABC Heritage Region, the northeast region of IABC, supports IABC’s mission by serving Region members, primarily through providing guidance, support, and development opportunities for Chapter leaders; fostering growth within the Region; and serving as a communication conduit between members, chapters and the IABC Executive Board. The IABC Heritage Region has the largest number of members of any region, serving 17 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C.  The region covers Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.  For more information, please visit http://heritageregion.iabc.com.

About IABC

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in over 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.iabc.com.

Press Inquiries:

Elizabeth Trubey
(484) 532-7783
etrubey@defaziocommunications.com

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Filed Under: Heritage Region, What's New in the Chapter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

July 2011 Issue of CLICK

July 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

July 2011 Issue of CLICK

Filed Under: CLICK newsletter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meaning Matters – Cast Communication – May 24, 2011

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Meaning Matters

We all want to do something that matters.  It is one of the deepest and truest things about what it means to be human.

And so if we spend most of our lives working, it follows that we want our work to matter.  To contribute to something bigger than themselves, to be a part of a meaningful effort, to know that their efforts are making some difference in the world.

The best companies and leaders understand this.  They understand how to connect employees to a larger purpose and story, and how to give each the opportunity to make a difference.  This is what employee engagement is really about, and the discipline and practice of Communications is at the heart of all successful organizational efforts to engage and connect.

This presentation is built for high-level communicators with internal responsibilities and access to senior leadership.  It will:

  • Provide grounding in the concept of meaning as the heart of successful corporate communications
  • Offer quantitative ways to operationalize the principle, including steps, methods, models & processes
  • Share examples of companies that do it well and how
  • Help participants make the case for meaning to senior leadership
  • Present activities to begin immediately to create more meaningful communications

About Cast Communication Design

Cast Communication Design is an internal communication consulting firm that helps organizations engage and align their employees.  We design internal communication solutions that help build relationships–between the company and its employees, among leaders and teams, and across peer communities—and unleash the collective power of employees.

The following is the presentation: Cast Comm Design – Meaning Matters presented by Cast Communication Design the speaker (Jim Knutsen)

Filed Under: Event Handout, What's New in the Chapter Tagged With: , , , ,

Public Relations Assistant/PT

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Objective:
To support the public relations team in the implementation and delivery of communications vehicles that effectively promotes the value of PMA membership as well as advocating on behalf of the industry.

Relationships:
Works under the general direction of the Manager of Public Relations. Provides administrative support for member communications, media relations and internal processes to Senior Director and Manager as needed. Provides support to other staff groups on various projects as assigned.

Responsibilities and Duties

General duties to include:
• Supports administration and monitoring effectiveness of public relations-created member communications, including but not limited to regular industry news, social media postings, issue alerts, and general crisis communications as needed.
• Provide copyediting and content drafting duties as directed by Manager or Senior Director, included but not limited to press releases, web content, scripts and PowerPoint presentations
• Conducts research to update, maintain and enhance multi-modal media lists.
• Updates public relations and member communication information on pma.com as directed by Manager or Senior Director
• Post press releases, PMA in the News and images/video to pma.com and maintain PMA press room and “About” section in conjunction with content owners
• Maintain logs of media contacts made and received by public relations and association staff using Vocus media relations software
• Search business, national, produce, supermarket, foodservice and floral publications and web sites (including blogs) to identify coverage of and garnered by PMA
• Support media events as directed by Manager or Senior Director
• Support invoice and purchase order processing and records retention as directed by Manager or Senior Director
• Other duties as assigned

Time Allotment
In general the responsibilities described above can be grouped as follows with allotted time percentages to complete tasks:

Media Relations (e.g., Vocus lists and distributions, pitches, etc.) 20%
Copyediting/Writing/Posting (to web and social media) 50%
News monitoring via Vocus and other sources 20%
Invoice/Purchase Order Administration 5%
Records Retention 5%

Measures for Success
• Contributes to effectiveness of public relations team by providing outstanding administrative and research support
• Ensures scheduled member communications meet required deadlines
• Ensures member communications, alerts and crisis communications are distributed in a timely manner
• Web site is kept up to date

Selection Criteria/Minimum Requirements
• Strong computer and research skills (Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database experience)
• Skills using Vocus media relations software and wire service distribution outlets
• Experience in associations or equivalent organization is highly desirable.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team setting, be flexible, and meet deadlines
• Detail oriented, and highly organized, ability to handle multiple tasks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including phone manner.
• Strong team philosophy required
• Experience working with and editing video desired
• Ability to work on site

Send resume to: mmiller@pma.com

Filed Under: Job Listings Tagged With: , , , , ,

Account Executive: Philadelphia, PA

February 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

KYW Newsradio 1060 is seeking an Account Executives

KYW Newsradio 1060 is adding to its sales staff. If you have a passion for radio, imagine how well you could do selling advertising at the most prestigious radio station in Philadelphia.

We are looking for passionate salespeople to join the regions most talented team of sellers immediately. You can make great money and work in a fun environment selling advertising on the station that offers clients the opportunity to place their commercials next to unique content like Traffic on the Twos, Accu-Weather Reports, and the KYW Newsradio Business Report.

In addition to on-air commercials, youll also sell event sponsorships, commercials on KYW Newsradios Internet radio broadcast, banner ads, Podcast pre-rolls, and other products on www.cbsphilly.com.

Were looking for people who possess the ambition and fearlessness to find companies that can benefit by communicating with KYW Newsradios 1.1 million listeners. In return, we pay high commission rates and offer limitless earning potential. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. All resumes received will be treated with strict confidentiality. CBS Radio is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact: If youre the right person for the job, send your resume to Dave Scopinich, local sales manager, at scopinich@kyw.com. Even better, call Dave Scopinich directly at 215-238-4614.

Filed Under: Job Listings Tagged With: , , , , ,

January 2011 Issue of CLICK

January 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

January 2011 Issue of CLICK!

Filed Under: CLICK newsletter Tagged With: , , , , ,

Local IABC Board Member Earns International Accreditation

November 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

abc_logoPHILADELPHIA, PA – 17 November 2010 – Chris Lentz, President-elect of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and Internal Communications Leader at Educational Testing Service (ETS), has earned the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation from IABC.

In order to become accredited, a candidate must demonstrate the ability to plan, direct, implement and evaluate a broad range of communication programs in practical, real-life situations. Lentz has shown an understanding of the philosophy of organizational communication and the role of the professional communicator in assisting today’s organizations with meeting their goals and objectives. He received the ABC designation by successfully completing IABC’s Executive Accreditation Seminar (EAS), held in Victoria, British Columbia, September 19–24, 2010.

“The accreditation represents a high level of commitment to the communication field, and I’m honored to join the list of ABCs both here in Philadelphia and on our board, but also around the world,” says Lentz.

IABC’s accreditation process measures the strategic abilities and technical skills of a communicator. The EAS is an intensive six-day program for senior-level communicators, offered in partnership with Royal Roads University in Victoria. The seminar combines an elegant and efficient pathway to accreditation with a leadership development curriculum that recognizes the experience, responsibilities and strategic intelligence of the senior-level practitioner. After successful completion of the pre-seminar work assignment and the various rigorous elements of the accreditation process offered during the seminar, the candidate receives the ABC designation.

“This is the global standard for organizational communication professionals around the world,” said Mary Hills, ABC, chair of the IABC accreditation council. “Through this process of application, portfolio preparation and examination, Chris’ work and communication acumen have been reviewed and evaluated by at least eight peers to determine if he meets that standard. It is a professional accomplishment that he has met the standard, but moreover it is a personal statement about the value he brings to their workplace.”

“We see accreditation as an integral part of IABC’s commitment to the education of its members and the development of the profession in general. The accreditation program is a gateway to learning and advancing the practice of strategic communication management,” said IABC President Julie Freeman, ABC, APR. “Research confirms the value of accreditation to both individuals and employers, providing credibility to our members and the profession.”

In a recent study of ABCs in seven countries, a large majority of the respondents said that becoming accredited improved their résumés, increased their confidence, enhanced their credibility and gave them peer approval and recognition. A majority of current and former supervisors who participated in the study said ABCs provided more credibility to their departments or organizations, while a majority of clients perceived ABCs as having an increased understanding of effective communication practices.

Tony DeFazio, president of IABC Philadelphia, center, presents Chris Lentz, ABC, vice president of IABC Philadelphia, and Christine Kuhinka, ABC, with Accredited Business Communicator certificates during the chapter’s holiday networking party at Rock Bottom Brewery in December. Congratulations to Chris and Christine on this outstanding achievement.

There are more than 900 accredited business communicators throughout the world. For more information about IABC accreditation, visit www.iabc.com/abc.

About IABC

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in over 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.iabc.com.

Filed Under: Accreditation from IABC, IABC Philadelphia News, What's New in the Chapter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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