WVU Marketing Communications Today

Public Relations Student Society of America National Committee members and undergraduate PR student, Zane Landin, will discuss how young professionals are breaking into the marketing communications industry and adapting during these times. Zane will be discussing how young pros can stand out, contribute to the evolution of traditional ideas of marketing, and overcome obstacles in professional development in the face of COVID-19. WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Matthew Cummings from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.      About Matthew's guest: Zane David Landin, PRSSA 2020–2021 vice president of career services, is a non-graduating senior from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He will graduate in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. He has a strong passion for academics, design, social issues, creative writing, and learning new things all the time. Upon graduation, he hopes to be accepted into the master’s program in strategic communication from Columbia University to work at a public relations firm, the government, a nonprofit, or a university. He plans on working in the industry, earning his PR Accreditation, and eventually completing his Ph.D. in either Disability Studies with an emphasis in Communication Disorders or Public Relations to become a university professor and conduct research on accessible communication practices advocating for universal design. Landin recently joined PRSSA this year, and has grown a passion for the club and organization as a whole. Landin’s passion for career services grew from his involvement in PRSSA and acknowledging how important and vital internship opportunities are. Landin has served in multiple internship roles all ranging from different agencies, departments, and companies. He has interned at the Environmental Protection Agency, Pomona Hope, the County of Orange local government, Access Services, the NASA CPP Business Startup Program, Score A Friend, and many departments on his campus. He wants to help students prepare for a job in the public relations industry. His multiple internship experiences and involvement in PRSSA has improved his skills in the workplace, interviewing, cover letter writing, refining resumes, and general professional etiquette. He plans to bring these experiences to advise and assist students to land their dream internship. Landin is always available whenever you need him to help you highlight your skills and showcase them on Portfolium, help start your LinkedIn account, personal website development, review your cover letters and resumes, aid with social media branding, personal and professional development, etc. Landin is excited to serve on the national committee and looks forward to working with the amazing members of PRSSA and PRSA.

  COVID-19 has forced marketing teams to rapidly adapt their communication and operational strategies to a work from home environment. With these highly collaborative teams forced to adapt to virtual methods how do they preserve productivity and inspire creativity? Join special guest Xenia Muntean, CEO of Planable, for a discussion about how effective teams are overcoming obstacles and achieving great success in a world of forced innovation and adaption. ----more---- About Cyndi's guest: Xenia is the CEO and Co-Founder of Planable, a content review and marketing collaboration platform used by over 5,000 teams behind brands such as Hyundai, Christian Louboutin, Viber, and the United Nations. Prior to launching Planable, at 20 y.o. she built a digital marketing agency and led social for clients such as Coca-Cola. Xenia has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and she spoke on the Innovation Stage at Cannes Lions in 2018. Xenia graduated Tim Draper's startup academy in Silicon Valley and took Planable through the Techstars London accelerator in 2017. She has also published a book – The Manifesto on Content Marketing Teams and has launched her own podcast – People of Marketing. WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Cyndi Greenglass from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

The ability to integrate different viewpoints enhances creativity or brings a creative solution to a problem. But why is it more relevant today? The world is way more diverse today, and the need to gauge the various groups’ dynamics is by building a team that has a better understanding of the mindsets. Crafting messages and setting a tone that resonates with these groups are no more an option. ----more---- WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Michael Lynch from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

In the immortal words of Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Covid-19 is challenging businesses and careers at an unprecedented rate. Organizations are transforming to meet previously unfathomable needs of their stakeholders. New skillsets are required to deliver experiences in a virtual world. How are you responding to all these changes? Whether you are a seasoned professional or early in your career, what your business and personal brand project will determine if this is the best or worst of times for you. ----more---- About Whitney's Guest: Jacelyn Swenson leads Strategic Partnerships and Events for IBM Corporate Communications, working with senior leaders across the business to drive IBM thought leadership. Previously she led global brand programs on the IBM Corporate Marketing team where she created social, digital, and immersive experiences to make the IBM brand more relevant and engaging with its stakeholders. Prior to these roles, she developed community-based marketing and communications initiatives and led global teams that generated award-winning market presence, delivered sales pipeline, and exceeded revenue targets for the IBM Software Group. Ms. Swenson held several marketing and communications leadership positions at GE to help strengthen its brand prior to IBM. She started her career at a worldwide public relations and advertising agency. She has delivered speeches at industry conferences, client events, and academic institutions around the world. WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Whitney Drake from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

Katie Gilstrap is the founder of The Barre Boutique, a studio fitness center (recently sold to the Richmond Ballet), is a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University and serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Richmond at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels as well as at The College of William and Mary in the Online MBA program. Her teaching areas include marketing principles, marketing strategy, marketing research, services marketing, retailing and communications; and she regularly advises MBA thesis projects aimed at solving strategic dilemmas for locally headquartered companies. ----more---- In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has developed and led new programs for VCU. More specifically, she designed the new Business Foundations course for the Office of Undergraduate Studies and has designed, led, and secured grant funding for study abroad programs focused on international business in Greece, Spain, Prague and Scotland. She also represents VCU as a part of the Henry Ford Foundation’s Leadership Academy in the Middle East. Prior to her academic and entrepreneurial career, Katie served as Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing at First Market Bank, overseeing marketing strategy, product development, advertising, community outreach, and business analysis. During her time at First Market Bank, her work was recognized by Financial Brand magazine, and she became the youngest person in the company’s history to be appointed to Executive Committee, with responsibility for developing and steering the corporate strategy of the organization. In addition to her academic and professional responsibilities, Katie actively consults in the areas of corporate and consumer communications and communication strategy development and has served as a regular columnist for the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Health Journal, GRID Magazine and Caring Voice Coalition’s Community Magazine. Recently,

Lindsay Tjepkema is a 2016 alum of the WVU IMC master's program and has spent nearly twenty years in B2B marketing. In 2018, as the VP of Brand and Content at a global enterprise SaaS company, she launched a podcast as part of the brand's integrated marketing strategy. That podcast would not only make a big impact on the brand, but would forever change the trajectory of Lindsay's career. ----more---- In launching that podcast, Lindsay saw both a shocking gap in the market and a massive opportunity for brands, which led her to start a software company, Casted, that would empower marketers to harness podcasts - and the conversations within them - as foundational parts of their integrated marketing strategies. In this podcast, Lindsay will talk about the transition from marketing leader to CEO of a venture-backed tech company. She'll also dig into the important role podcasts play in the next generation of brand strategy. About Cyndi's guest: Lindsay Tjepkema is the CEO and co-founder of Casted, the first and only marketing platform built around branded podcasts. With more than 15 years of experience in B2B marketing, including running her own consulting agency, she’s a dynamic leader who’s had tremendous success building and growing marketing teams on a local and global level. After launching a branded podcast for a global marketing company, Lindsay realized her passion for authentic conversations. This led her to founding Casted to help marketers unlock the full potential of their content by harnessing the power of podcasting. The company has since gained rapid traction among brands that wish to create greater connection with their audiences through authentic conversation. Today, with Casted, marketers can manage, activate, and measure podcasts from end-to- end while engaging their audience, increasing sales alignment, and quantifying podcast value with metrics that matter. Learn more at casted.us and engage with Lindsay on Twitter @CastedLindsay

Due to the current global health crisis and concerns around the spread of COVID-19, events, both large and small have been canceled across the United States. Where does the industry go from here? How has event planning changed and adapted? In this podcast, Deidre West, director of special events and celebrity relations at the Children’s Health Fund, will discuss her experience navigating this new reality. ----more---- Deidre West DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND CELEBRITY RELATIONS FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH FUND M.A. (New York University) Deidre West's experience in event planning includes a wide range from luncheons, dinner and conferences to high-profile events for celebrities and professional athletes, product launches, consumer brands in fashion, food and beverages industries, galas, retail stores, and a hotel grand reopening. West is a native Ohioan and has always had an interest in conceptualizing an idea and bringing it to life. At Ohio University she created a multidisciplinary Bachelor of Specialized Studies degree in Advertising that included courses from Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Journalism, Telecommunications, and Interpersonal Communications. West's love of music and understanding the business aspect of identifying talent and marketing artists piqued her interest. After graduating from OU, she went on to study Music Business and Entertainment Professions at New York University, where she received a master’s degree. During graduate school, West had the opportunity to plan events for the NYU community as the Special Events Graduate Assistant in NYU’s Program Office. Her team was responsible for planning “Big Fun Days” around campus for students, faculty and staff. These events included All Hallow’s Eve, Chill Out Day (during finals) and Strawberry Fest. Working for Sony Music enabled West to gain event experience during her first full-time job out of grad school. As the label representative for The Source magazine’s “Fashion Nation Tour,” she was involved in on-site execution of the tour at college campuses. This lead to her next role at a men’s magazine where she served as marketing/promotion and event manager, conceptualizing, planning and implementing various integrated marketing programs and events. In addition to the events in NYC, West planned events across the country (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, Miami, and Boston) as well as in Puerto Rico. At Metropolitan Home and ELLE Decor magazines, West wrote integrated marketing proposals for advertisers and planned events in NYC, Los Angeles and Miami. The largest project that she managed was two months of private parties and public walking tours, as well as third-party rentals for the Metropolitan Home and Showtime Networks' Showhouse . The launch event won the Silver Award for "Best First Time Event" at the FOLIO: FAME Awards. After leaving the publishing industry, West spent more than five years at NYU planning large scale events that included Open House, Junior Day, and CSAW Cybersecurity Conference and Competition - the largest cybersecurity competition and conference in the world – and many other events. West is currently the Director of Special Events and Celebrity Relations for Children’s Health Fund, a New York City based nonprofit that provides medical, dental and mental health services across the country via state-of-the-art mobile medical clinics. She is responsible for planning fundraising, donor and other special events, and finding ways to engage celebrities for events as well as awareness campaigns.   WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Michael Lynch from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

Social media is free right? Surely it can solve all my sales and marketing goals. Wrong! Digital Marketing in 2020 requires a strong brand messaging architecture and paid media strategy to supplement an organic social media strategy. In this podcast, we will learn how brands need to evolve their social media thinking and approach in order to stay relevant and achieve KPIs that matter. ----more---- About Susan's guest: During my 15+ year career, I’ve become accustomed to working with big brands and iconic organizations. My journey began in college athletics as a sports information director with stops at SMU, the Missouri Valley Conference, and Conference USA. While I’ve made a strong impact within college athletics, I’ve also created relationships with professional organizations in the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. My experiences are diverse when it comes to branding and advertising, with stints at boutique agencies such as Verge Pipe Media and MM2 PR, as well as working client-side for Associa in Dallas. I began at Aflac in 2017 working with the digital expansion team, helping with agent recruiting lead generation efforts. I am now Associate Brand Manager, leading and driving the company’s social media strategy. I am a leader worth following. I possess a deep level of self-awareness honed through the 100X Leadership System by Culture Wins and I practice its teachings daily. Its philosophies encourage me to support and challenge myself, as well as the individuals around me, to become the best versions of ourselves. A proud ESFJ and Nurturer, I’m also a challenger of people. I remain deeply concerned about the relational health and harmony of my teams. I am committed to protecting values and principles while understanding how certain actions, behaviors and initiatives affect people. Let's connect on Twitter: @todmeisner WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Susan Jones from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

Rex Repass, a native West Virginian, is President of Research America Inc. In this podcast, Rex will tell us about his life-long interest in the effects of media and marketing on consumer decision making – from the cars they drive to the candidates they support. He has an interesting story to share from his first market research venture in the early 1980s to now leading a Top 50 research firm in the U.S. ----more---- About Matthew's guest: Rex Repass is President of Research America Inc. The company has 250 employees in the U.S., with locations in Philadelphia, metro New York, Cincinnati, Detroit, Orlando, and Sacramento. The Research America teams have designed and led market research and consumer insights projects for some of the leading corporations in the world including Walgreens, Pfizer, Honda, Facebook, and Hilton Hotels. In addition, over the years Rex and his teams have conducted public opinion and user experience research for more than 40 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada, and the Reuters News Agency. Rex is a life-long entrepreneur. He has been an owner in three market research firms during his career. Companies he has led have been named to Inc. magazine’s annual list of the fastest-growing, privately-held companies in America multiple times. In 2020, Research America was also named one of the Top 50 market research firms in the U.S. based on annual revenue by the GreenBook Research Industry Trends Report (GRIT). A native of Charleston, West Virginia Rex remains close to his roots. For many years he has directed The West Virginia Poll™ sponsored by the MetroNews Radio Network. Rex received an undergraduate degree from Marshall University and in 2017 was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Marshall’s College of Arts and Media. He is also a former Marshall athlete and was a member of Coach Jack Lengyel’s Young Thundering Herd football team in the early 1970s. In 1977, Rex received a Master of Science degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee, with an emphasis in public opinion and advertising research methods. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of UT’s College of Communications & Information Sciences Board of Visitors. Rex is based in Research America’s Cincinnati office and he and his wife Theresa are the parents of four adult daughters. WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Matthew Cummings from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.     

Crisis management expert, consultant, and author Edward Segal talks about the publication of his new book on crisis management — Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies (Nicholas Brealey). ----more---- About Susan's Guest: Edward Segal has more than 30 years' experience as a crisis management expert. He managed crisis situations as the CEO of two trade associations; advised and helped organizations survive disasters, scandals, and emergencies including the arrest and firing of corporate officers, hate crimes, and sexual harassment; and conducted crisis management and communication training for hundreds of executives and their staffs. Segal is the former marketing strategies columnist for The Wall Street Journal's StartUpJournal.com and senior media relations consultant for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. He has provided expert PR advice and counsel to more than 500 corporations and organizations. For more information, visit EdwardSegal.com. WVU Marketing Communications Today is hosted by Susan Jones from West Virginia University which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.