Join the conversation and learn how your role as a strategic business partner can help to elevate your executive’s communication efforts. During the Coffee Connection, Rachel will share insights and best practices when partnering with executives as they navigate through the challenges of an ever-changing and complex world.
The cost is $5 and will cover your cup of coffee onsite — register by clicking here. We hope you’ll join us for an engaging and informative conversation! (Note: I’m the vice president/president-elect of IABCLA, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
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 Image: Jenny Matkovich Is there a book that's made an impact in your comms career? Then bring it to IABCLA's
Book Exchange and take home a different title courtesy of another communicator! The gathering will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Urth Caffé in Pasadena. Deborah Hudson, former chapter president and current board member, will lead the tome swap. Click here to register. The cost is $5 and that covers your first cup of coffee! (Note: I’m the vice president/president-elect of IABCLA, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)  The IABCLA board gathered for a chapter planning retreat on June 11. The IABCLA board reviewed the chapter’s accomplishments during the first half of the year and began planning the remainder of 2019 at its semiannual retreat on June 11.
Looking back at the last six months, the group has much to be proud of. The chapter fulfilled its mission: “to heighten the skills, reputation and talents of the community through human connection. We do this by welcoming and inspiring LA’s professional communicators with targeted professional development events and honest conversations.” Between January and June, the chapter hosted several professional development functions — a Dine & Discuss, two Coffee Connections, and a case study. Discussion topics included "Brand Building in a Digital World," "PR in the Digital Age," and "Navigating the Comms Job Market in LA." A Spring Mixer was also held where guests networked at a popular bistro. In addition, the chapter is constantly looking for new ways to share chapter information and ideas. It now distributes a monthly newsletter — email Grant Skakun at grant.skakun@eucrest.com to subscribe. And, an Instagram account has been added — @IABCLosAngeles. Please follow! Several ideas were discussed at the retreat, and IABCLA will continue to have a full schedule of activities between now and December. Look for reoccurring favorites like Coffee Connection and Dine & Discuss, as well as new happenings. The group will, of course, continue to reach out to members and nonmembers and strengthen ties with communicators at all levels of their careers. To learn about the very latest, please follow the chapter on social media: ▪ Facebook: @IABCLosAngeles ▪ Twitter: @IABCLosAngeles ▪ Instagram: @IABCLosAngeles Thank you! IABCLA could not thrive without the participation of its members and supporters! (Note: I’m the vice president/president-elect of IABCLA, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)  Image: Tery Amaya Thank you to all who attended IABCLA’s Spring Mixer at The Cat & Fiddle Restaurant & Pub in Hollywood on June 4! Attendees enjoyed fish and chips, pints, and great conversation at the longtime British themed bar.
“It was a pleasure hosting and getting to know the guests,” said Tery Amaya, the chapter’s vice president of networking who planned the gathering. “We hope to see everyone again at our upcoming happenings this summer and fall.” Please stay in the loop by visiting IABCLA's website and by following the group on social media: Website: iabcla.com Facebook: @IABCLosAngeles Twitter: @IABCLosAngeles Instagram: @IABCLosAngeles (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.) Communicators in Southern California are encouraged to attend two upcoming IABCLA happenings:
Tuesday, June 25 5:30-6 p.m. Registration 6-6:30 p.m. Program Location: WeWork Gas Tower 555 West 5th Street, Room 1A Los Angeles, CA 90013 Click here to RSVP! (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
(Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
 IABCLA held a professional development function — “IABCLA Case Study: How to Entice a New Audience to a Traditional Treasure” — in partnership with the IW Group on April 11 at IW’s office in West LA.
The agency’s Lauren Alvermann, Eljay Feuerman, and Annie Zhao presented their successful campaign for the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden Magical Lantern Art Festival held between October 2018 and January 2019. The arboretum was filled with dozens of enormous glowing lanterns that included dragons, pandas, and flowers. Guests also enjoyed live performances by dancers and acrobats and sampled delicious cuisine. The venue is a 127 acre arboretum, botanical garden, and historical site in Arcadia. Attendees of the case study learned about IW’s integrated advertising and public relations initiative — videos were shot, radio spots were recorded, ads were placed, articles were written, signs were installed, and influencers were asked to influence. The result? The happening sold 153,000 tickets, garnered 133 million media impressions, and received 277,000 social media imprints — all of this far exceeded initial goals. “Congratulations to the IW Group!” said IABCLA’s Vice President Jenny Matkovich. “On behalf of the chapter, I want to thank them for sharing their amazing work and for being such gracious hosts. We look forward to collaborating with the firm again, and we wish them continued success as they begin preparations for the next festival." (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
The “speed mentoring” format allowed the students to seek advice from multiple people. They queried the professionals on various topics, including career paths in the communications field, qualities recruiters seek in candidates, and the current landscape for comms roles in Southern California.
Grant Wright, CEO at (W)right On Communications, was one of the mentors. He enjoyed taking part, and he described his conversations with this next generation of communicators as “vibrant and engaging.” Vinisha Kothari, head of the USC IABC chapter, coordinated the happening. She was also pleased by the success of the gathering and that meaningful connections were formed. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen, especially our wonderful mentors who volunteered their evening to share their wisdom,” she said. “When I became president of the USC IABC chapter, I knew my priority would be to set up a mentorship program — I was introduced to IABC through a mentor who has been instrumental to my success in my career and education, and I wanted to make sure other students had similar opportunities.” (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)  Image: Tery Amaya Should communicators communicate less? That was one of the many intriguing ideas that came up during IABCLA's Dine & Discuss on February 27 at TOMGEORGE in Downtown LA. Julie Wright, president and founder of (W)right On Communications, Inc., lead the conversation on “PR in the Digital Age.” Attendance was capped at 10 people; the chapter keeps the number small in order to facilitate a discussion in which everybody can participate. There were folks who were newer to the communications industry, as well as those who had been in the field for some time, and all with diverse career experiences – Wright said this mix led to a “thought-provoking” exchange. The group talked about issues from fake news and distrust in media to technology trends like content marketing, visual storytelling, and data-driven communications. There was general agreement around the notion that a compelling concept and story were at the heart of all successful campaigns and initiatives. Regardless of technology trends and changes in media consumption, well-crafted stories, and well-researched messages that speak to target audiences are what drives successful communication.
Wright was intrigued by the notion of being discrete and sparing in her digital communication, so she tried it the next day at her company. She made a point to talk to her colleagues more in person rather than through messaging. When Julie did email, she held onto her feedback longer than usual – she found that often issues had already been resolved by the time she weighed in.
Board member Ephraim Freed noted the counterintuitive nature of this suggestion: “As communicators, we assume everybody needs more communication, but often when you talk to your audiences you find out something different than what you assume.” New ways of thinking are just one of the many positives to come from Dine & Discuss, and that’s why it’s one of our most successful programs. Look for this and other upcoming events on our website, as well as social media – our group is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Instagram. We also send out regular emails to our members and supporters notifying them of activity. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list, please reach out to Grant Skakun: grant.skakun@eucrest.com. (Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.) |
AuthorI'm Eli Natinsky and I'm a marketing and communications professional. This blog explores my work and professional interests. I also delve into other topics, including media, marketing, pop culture, and technology. Archives
September 2019
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