e-Newsletter: A Brand Promise

4/2008

Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.

The promises that organizations make to customers and other constituencies are captured in the brand they use in the marketplace. The brand establishes this "promise" in all it does and sets the baseline for what customers will expect. Brand assets consist of 3 things -- the words we use, the visuals that represent the brand through identity and other assets, and finally the people and systems that deliver on the promise.

Dan Rogers, a Seattle-based, nationally-recognized brand strategist will be the featured speaker at the 7:30 a.m. Friday, April 4 PRSA/MarCom breakfast meeting in Cataldo Hall on the campus of Gonzaga University. His presentation will use a range of current organizational example case studies to demonstrate this process and you will learn how to use this knowledge to help your organization and your clients!

Dan has vertical expertise in healthcare, financial services, technology and not-for-profit marketing. He is also deeply involved in employee engagement and brand education.

His recent work in and around Spokane includes Shriners Hospitals for Children (their Spokane hospital is part of a 22-hospital system of care), brand development and ongoing work for Avista, Itron, AdvantageIQ, Rockwood Clinic, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Idaho Power, St. Luke’s Health System, and Blue Cross of Idaho. You can learn more about Dan at www.modernmind.com, or better yet, come to the April 4 breakfast meeting. This is also the culmination of Day on the Job so a large audience is expected, so RSVP early!

WHEN: Friday, April 4, 7:30-9 a.m.
WHERE: Cataldo Room, Gonzaga University
COST: $10 (member RSVP/student member RSVP), $13 (non-member RSVP/student non-member RSVP), $15 at the door.

RSVP by March 31 and save money by logging onto: http://www.spokanemarcom.org/meetings/rsvp.asp?id=56

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April's breakfast meeting will focus on the promises our companies and organizations make to their constiuencies through a "brand." Over the past few months, Spokane PRSA has been developing and revitalizing its own distinct brand, which will soon be unveiled to the chapter membership through the strategic plan.

Speaking of the strategic plan... please take two minutes of your time to answer a few questions in an upcoming survey (we promise this is the last one), that will help us clarify a few points. The board is extremely grateful for those of you who were able to attend the focus groups that were recently conducted. After reviewing the notes, the board decided to gather just a little bit more feedback from all of you. Once we've received your survey responses, we will finalize the strategic plan and put it out to the membership for a vote.

We'd like to thank everyone who has taken time during this process to share their ideas and knowledge. Your contributions now will shape the future of this amazing organization. So once again, thanks for all of your help -- and please respond to the survey forthcoming.

Sincerely,
Lance Kissler
chapter president

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Avista and Desautel Hege Communications are supporting future professionals by making a financial contribution to Spokane PRSA. Their generous support helps make the day on the job and holiday wine tasting/auction possible. You, too, can support Spokane PRSA! Consider making a tax-deductible gift today, contact a board member for more information.

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The WSU Murrow Symposium will be held on Thursday, April 3 in Pullman, WA. For information about the event, please go to www.wsu.edu/murrow

Desautel Hege Communications will be hosting a workshop that day at the symposium. If you are interested in the workshop or carpooling to the event, please contact Sara Desautel at 509.444.2350 or e-mail sarad@desautelhege.com

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Why not contact a few of your Spokane PRSA or workplace colleagues and carpool to the North Pacific District Conference in Portland? Registration is now open and is as low as $250! Several Spokane chapter members will be attending. If you are interested in attending, please contact Lance Kissler at 503-352-2007 or lkissler@pacificu.edu for additional information.

The Communicator’s Conference is an annual professional development conference held each spring in Portland for area, senior-level communications professionals. The North Pacific District of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Oregon Columbia Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) host the event, which will attract more than 200 professionals in Alaska, central and northern California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Nevada.

For more information about the conference, visit www.pdxcommconf.org

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The board of directors met on March 11 to discuss feedback given during the strategic planning focus groups as well as details for the upcoming April 4 breakfast meeting. After reviewing the focus group notes, the board decided to seek out additional feedback on a few points (survey coming soon). The board will meet before the April breakfast meeting to review this informaiton and finalize the strategic plan before presenting it to the chapter membership for vote.

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Have a story idea for the Spokane PRSA newsletter? Send your article, announcement or shameless plug to Lance Kissler by the 15th of the month.

Contact:
Lance Kissler
lkissler@pacificu.edu

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