International Association of Business Communicators
September 2009 is a Worldwide Membership Month! 
 
This means that for new or lapsed members who join or re-join IABC, we'll waive the application fee.  And, once again, there's a bonus...we're hosting an open house of the "members-only" IABC web site in September. More details will come next month. Invite a friend to join IABC Lincoln!
Join Us for the Next IABC Lincoln Meeting
Communicating Beyond the 'Hudl' - August 27
 

Come take a look inside a unique local company that's definitely scoring.

 

Agile Sports Technologies, located in Lincoln's Haymarket District, has transformed the way coaches in all sports are interacting with their players by creating an Internet portal facilitating communication and athlete preparation. David Graff, CEO, will introduce us to Hudl Pro-part video library, picture montage, video game, instant messenger, calendar, playbook-essentially an online community for athletes and coaches.

 

Already used by the Huskers, NFL teams and high school programs around the country, Agile Sports helps teams reach their full potential through a new level of interactive communication. Graff will take us inside the powerful system and share information about the company's marketing, promotion and communications.

 

Join us as we kick off the 2009-2010 season of IABC Lincoln programming with Agile Sports Technologies, and be ready to do some tailgating!

 

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Location: NET, 1800 North 33rd Street, Lincoln

Meeting sponsor: Fuehrer's Market, maker of Fuehrer's Cheespred

 

Cost: Members - $17; Guests - $22; Students - $15

 

Registration deadline: 5 p.m., Monday, August 24, 2009.  Register online at:  www.lincoln.iabc.com/events

 
2009-2010 IABC Lincoln Board
 
Our slate of officers was approved for the 2009-2010 year. Thanks for responding with your vote to support the board!  The board had its first planning session in July and is looking forward to a great year full of exciting professional development and networking opportunities.
 
Members of the 2009-2010 board include:
President
Jacque Smith
Union College
jasmith@ucollege.edu
(402) 486-2538

President-elect
Lisa Sedivy
Olsson Associates
lsedivy@oaconsulting.com
402-458-5992

Senior Delegate
Jacque Smith
Union College
jasmith@ucollege.edu
(402) 486-2538

VP Finance
Dee Fuehrer
Cetero Research
dee.fuehrer@cetero.com
402-476-6863
 
VP Membership
Angela Barry
Engineering Technologies, Inc.
abarry@eti-engineers.com
(402) 476-1273
 
VP Membership
Christy Rasmussen
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
crasmussen1@stez.org
402-440-7799
 
VP Communication
Sue Riedman
Nebraska Book Company
sriedman@nebook.com
402-421-0450
 
VP Professional Development
Janet Denison
Vision Exhibits, Inc.
janetd@visionexhibits.com
402-477-1050
 
VP Professional Development
Molly Nance
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
mnance@madonna.org
402-483-9572

VP Professional Development
Robb Crouch
University of Nebraska Foundation
rcrouch@nufoundation.org
402-458-1142
 
VP Administration
Trudy Burge
University of Nebraska
gburge2@unlnotes.unl.edu
(402) 472-7077
 
Webmaster
Holly Woldt
Nebraska United Methodist Conference
hwoldt@umcneb.org
402-464-5994
 
ABC Liaison
Marcia White
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
mwhite2@unl.edu
402-472-0074
 
Awards Chair
Kathryn Witte
Nebraska United Methodist Conference
kwitte@umcneb.org
402-464-5994
 
Educational Relations Chair
Michelle Velazquez Mesnard
Union College
mimesnar@ucollege.edu
402.486.2600
 
Receives Rebate
Dee Fuehrer
Cetero Research
dee.fuehrer@cetero.com
402-476-6863
 
VP Sponsorship
Joyce Halvorsen
Community Blood Bank
jhalvorsen@don8bld.org
402.486.9401
 
Branding Champion
Lisa Sedivy
Olsson Associates
lsedivy@oaconsulting.com
402-458-5992
Be Heard
 
Meet Lincoln IABC Member Benjamin Kiser, Nelnet
Angela 
 
Ben Kiser
Director of Communication Services
Nelnet
121 South 13th Street
Lincoln, NE
402.458.3024
402.304.0722
Ben.kiser@nelnet.net
 
What historical figure do you most identify with and why?
I enjoy learning about Churchill. He led such an important role in the history of the 20th century and had such a remarkable personality. Very few people are able to identify with him; however, it would have been compelling, entertaining and interesting to have had dinner with him. 
 
Which word or phrase do you think is overused right now?
"I would like a social media campaign." Too often people think social media campaigns will be free and easy.
 
"...because of the economy."  The current state of the economy definitely influences our decisions, but it shouldn't be used as a fallback excuse for why something didn't succeed or why we didn't try something.
 
How would you explain your profession to a child?
I help people say and write what they are thinking.
 
What did you have to learn the hard way?
It seems like I have learned too many lessons the hard way. I must have understanding bosses.
 
One lesson in particular is that public relations professionals need to approach every reporter, even those from seemingly less influential publications, with the same rules, respect, and professionalism as a reporter from a national publication such as The New York Times. This can take time and patience, but it is necessary to avoid embarrassing mistakes and represent your organization well. If you cannot meet this commitment, it is better to not engage the reporter at all.
 
What do you sing or hum when you're alone?
My musical skills are minimal; however, I enjoy a broad range of music, from Jimmy Buffett to Green Day to Waylon Jennings. Instead of singing or humming, I am more likely to be aimlessly thinking about something I read, my golf swing or what to have for dinner.
 
What talent would you most like to have?
If only I could be a better public speaker. Of all the talents I wish I had, this one frustrates me the most. In my line of work, it is something I should be working harder to improve, but it's hard to motivate myself to practice because it is outside my comfort zone. 
 
If you could choose another profession, what would it be?
I have many: professional golfer, physician, history professor, author, restaurateur or scientist. 
 
What movie character would you like to portray and why?
I recently took the "Which 'Lonesome Dove' (one of the best novels ever written and a good movie too) Character Are You?" quiz on Facebook. It said I am most like Gus McCrae. It's hard to go wrong with Gus. 
 
Is there a book that changed your perspective on life?
It's hard to focus on one book that changed my perspective on life. I read a lot of books from all kinds of genre, and hopefully I am taking something away from each of them. For example, I really value the incredible passion with which Greg Mortenson pursued his work in "Three Cups of Tea." And, William Manchester's memoir "Goodbye, Darkness" gave me a stark reminder of the courage and horror of the war in the Pacific. Finally, "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" scared me with challenges young girls face growing up today and the critical role fathers have in their lives.
 
What's the best reward for a job well done?
For me, it's the personal satisfaction of doing something well.
 
What is your personal motto?
I talk to my girls (my wife and I have three great girls) about choices. We are a collection of the choices we make. Our choices determine our attitude and behavior. As a result, we believe in personal responsibility for our successes and disappointments.
 
It is also important to me to work hard and to have fun and laugh, even when circumstances are difficult.

IABC National News
Mark Schumann, ABC, Takes Over as 2009-2010 Chair; Robin McCasland is Research Foundation Chair
 
Mark Schumann, ABC, officially took the helm as the 2009-2010 chair of IABC during the recent World Conference in San Francisco. Also during the conference, the IABC Research Foundation welcomed Robin McCasland as the 2009-2010 chair of its Board of Trustees.
 
Schumann is communication consultant for Towers Perrin, and managing principal of the firm's office in Houston. He is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) and has been an IABC member since 1977. He has around 30 years of experience in employee, change and human resource communication. He recently co-authored Brand from the Inside with Libby Sartain, and is currently working on a second book with Sartain, Brand for Talent. Schumann is the winner of 13 IABC Gold Quill Awards and was named Communicator of the Year of Houston in 1988 and Communicator of the Year of Dallas in 1990.
 
The Research Foundation board will be led by Robin McCasland, who takes over as 2009-2010 chair. McCasland has 25 years of experience in all facets of employee communication, marketing, event planning and media relations. She is an expert in developing creative approaches to internal/employer branding, talent management and strategic HR communication. An IABC member for 17 years, McCasland has served as a trustee for the IABC Research Foundation, and held board positions for IABC's Southern Region.
 
Do's and Don'ts When Working with Bloggers
by Lin Grensing-Pophal

In the Web 2.0 world, gaining exposure for your company or clients is no longer limited to traditional media. In fact, bloggers represent a great source of exposure. Communication professionals, however, need to exercise the same level of attention to detail and professionalism when dealing with these "cyber-editors," however, as when dealing with the mainstream media. Many don't, and that can be a big mistake.
 
Jill Nussinow is "the veggie queen"-a vegetable, vegetarian, vegan and pressure-cooking expert and blogger. "I posted a request to HARO specifically looking for information regarding the western U.S.," she says. "I wonder if about 50 percent of the PR people can actually read. I got replies from all over the globe-New York, the Caribbean, Belize, Pennsylvania, Florida."
 
Whitney Keyes is a blogger for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (The Biz Bite). Her top three pitching pet peeves are:
  • Receiving releases that have nothing to do with the subject matter of her blog
  • Receiving e-mail pitches that go on and on and on...
  • Receiving releases that are all about selling a product and have nothing to do with sharing compelling news. "Go and buy an ad if you must!," suggests Keyes.
 
Divya Gugnani is CEO of Behind the Burner and in charge of the blog, which focuses on the culinary arts. Gugnani says that she receives numerous pitches from chefs, restaurants, food vendors and writers. What works best:
  • Short, concise e-mails that have a point
  • Relevant links
  • Personal notes
  • Links to existing press coverage or ratings
  • Product samples sent to our office
  • Original ideas
  • Cutting edge news or information
 
What doesn't work:
  • Long rambling e-mails
  • Phone calls to my office-I don't return them
  • Repeated pitches when I haven't responded or I have turned them down
  • An old story or product that doesn't hold any new charm or value for my audience
 
Steve Schwartz, a professional LSAT tutor with an LSAT blog, has similar comments. "I regularly receive pitches from competing LSAT companies as well as those who are just looking to reach the pre-law or college demographic," he says.
 
What works, he says, is when: "the person pitching has actually read several of my blog posts and understands the kind of posts I make, and when the product or service might actually be of use to my blog audience and is appropriately targeted."
 
The bottom line: Whether pitching traditional or new media sources, the "old rules" apply.
 

This and That
 
While the Bronze Quill Awards have past, it's not too early to be thinking about what projects you plan to enter in next year's competition!

IABC/Lincoln
Providing professional tools and resources to communicators for more than 25 years. Through IABC/Lincoln, you'll find valuable networking opportunities, friends and recognition in the communications field. Online at lincoln.iabc.com.