Melissa Schenk

Is new media REALLY changing the way we communicate? 

Join us in March as we explore new media from the perspective of four local media personalities who have made a name for themselves using virtual communities and networks.

IABC London and Canadian Women in Communications and Technology will 

co-host this media panel event featuring Kate Dubinski (London Free Press), Nathan Smith (AM 980) and Mike Donachie (Metro London). The moderator for the event will be Melissa Schenk, TV personality and entrepreneur.

When: Thursday, March 20 @ 5:30p.m.

Where: Up Front at the market, 130 King Street (at the Covent Garden Market)

Tickets: $25 IABC/WCT members and students | $35 non-members

Learn more and register on the IABC website  

MORE.  

By: Raven Gagne, 2014 Virtuoso Committee Member

IABC London's Virtuoso Awards is a regional awards program that recognizes excellence in communications and the best in creative strategy and design. Award winners join "The Creative Class" - individuals and teams who advance best practices in business communications.

In 2013, Alison Webb from 3M Canada, Terry Rice from Western University and Kelly Ziegner from United Way of London & Middlesex were recognized at the Virtuoso Gala for their excellent work.

Webb received an Award of Excellence and Best of the Best winner for the entry "Get Some Holiday Help with Command(TM) Brand". Rice accepted an Award of Excellence for the entries "Western University Rebranding," "Western University Rebranding Launch Video" and "Western University Awareness Campaign." Ziegner was presented with the Award of Excellence for the entry "Camp changed who I am."

With the upcoming deadline for submissions on March 7, Webb, Rice and Ziegner reflect on their experiences with Virtuoso.

MORE.

By: Mark Brown, Partner, adHOME 

The conversation around social media has shifted as major platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, have made the transition from private to public companies.  Their imperative now is to monetize their platforms and drive quarterly results. This shift presents new opportunities for communicators and marketers to target millions of social media users - in new, highly efficient and cost-effective ways.

We've achieved success for our clients by including Facebook advertising as part of integrated digital campaigns.  With the cost-per-click (CPC) advertising model, where advertisers are only charged when someone clicks on their ad, Facebook has become an equalizer allowing small businesses to compete in the same space with large advertisers.

Position: PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lashbrook Marketing and Public Relations

How do you stay on top of communications trends?:

I really enjoy attending events through IABC. Not only do they provide me with an opportunity to network with fellow communications professionals, they also keep me up to date on best practices and trends in the field. Since these events cover a variety of topics, they allow me to learn new things and gain a more wholesome understanding of the world of communications.

I also enjoy looking at websites like PR daily throughout the week to see what is happening on a larger scale in the world of PR. There are always quirky and engaging articles to read.

I find that staying in the loop through social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter is always helpful, too. This way, I can hear about what others are up to and participate in ongoing discussions on industry trends.

Describe your current role:

My current role consists of a few different things- project coordination, writing/proofreading, client relations and more. It has a lot to offer and that's exactly why I love it!

MORE. 

Did you know Canadian IABC Members receive special discounts on a variety of services?  

Porter Airlines

Offering: 10% discount on Porter Flexible and Freedom Fares

Eligibility: All IABC/Canada Members

VIA Rail

 Offering: 7% discount on fares

 Eligibility: All IABC/Canada Members

Please visit IABC London website for more information on these and other special discounts

MORE. 

By: Liisa Sheldrick, IABC London President

Getting published, be it on Huffington Post, in an E-book or anywhere else, can be a great way to build your personal brand, improve SEO for your company website, and gain influence and authority in your field.  If you're not sure what to do next, and want to get published, IABC/London Connect is a great place to start. 

Here are some quick tips on getting published (in Connect, and elsewhere):

1. Read a few issues of Connect. Make yourself familiar with the stories that have already been seen in Connect. Let us know if we've missed a topic or idea that will improve the lives of communicators in London.
2. Don't send a Press Release. We want stories, images, narratives, news. Send a complete post, not the pieces of one. Which brings me to the next point...
3. Submit Original Writing. Write your piece exactly as you'd like it to appear in Connect. We might edit it, for length or content, but mostly we want to publish your work.
4. Send in Your Blog Post. If you've already written an interesting story, and published it on your own blog, we'd be happy to publish a preview in Connect and link to the larger story on your blog.
5. Use Photos or Videos to Illustrate Your Point. Please don't steal the image or video - share it, and give credit where credit is due.
6. Disclose Conflicts of Interest. If it's about a client or the company where you work, we need to know about it if we're going to run your piece.

I remember distinctly the Annual General Meeting at Aroma Restaurant enjoying the mingling with old friends and making some new ones.   The President was announcing the new Board of Directors and was disappointed to report that there was no Vice President to announce.   The Vice President is part of the executive team on the executive track to becoming President.

Not sure if it was the wine that I was drinking that night, the great experience I had that year as Accreditation Director or my expansion of network within IABC from Leadership Institute that made me have a weak moment and present myself that night as a candidate for this vacancy.  

Three short years later, I found myself as President leading the London chapter during the year of its 30th anniversary.

MORE.