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Thursday, July 14, 2011 - Howard Williamson of
Williamson Consulting Inc.
Williamson Consulting Inc. (WCI) is a communications planning, media relations and public consultation firm in Ottawa. The firm provides communications services to both private and public sector organizations.
The communications services offered by Williamson Consulting Inc. are as varied as their clients' needs. They can help provide facilitation and Partnering services for meetings, develop detailed internal and external communications plans, develop community engagement plans, provide media relations services and devise public and government relations programs.
At last week's luncheon Howard started his craft talk by giving the group an introduction to Williamson Consulting Inc. a bilingual public relations firm specializing in communications planning, media relations and public consultation that was established in 1994. The company currently has 1 full-time employee and 5 contract associates.
He went on to tell members a bit about his educational background and work experience, some of which is highlighted below:
- McMaster University-Political Science
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -community engagement/communications courses in Philadelphia and Jacksonville
- International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)-certified public consultation practitioner
- Political Organizer Hamilton West 1982
- Political Aide to the Leader of the Opposition - Queen's Park 1982-84
- Campaign organizer Carleton East 1985
- Campaign Manager for Mayoral candidate Jim Durrell 1985
- Chief of staff to Ottawa Mayor Jim Durrell 1985-1990
- Communications Consultant 1990-2011
Howard introduced members to the extensive range of communications services the firm has to offer such as:
- Media Relations (around product or service changes)
- Special event planning
- Preparing media advisories
- Media releases
- Contacting local media outlets to "pitch" stories
- Preparing articles for trade publications
- Preparing speaking notes for public speaking
- Communications Planning
- Internal communications plans for owners and management
- External communications plans for private companies wishing to improve their image and brand
- Community Engagement plans for environmental assessments
- Media Training (for company owners and managers)
- Half day or full day media training sessions
- Preparing key messages for media interviews
- Developing Qs and As for potential media interviews
- Mock interviews with clients using a video camera for review and assessment
- contacting key reporters for interviews
- Crisis Communication
- Working with business owners to react to negative media coverage
- Preparing key messages and speaking notes for owners reacting to a crisis in their company
- Dealing with reporters to counter negative coverage
- Organizing media events such as press conferences to counter negative media coverage
Howard then presented members with 2 case studies using his actual clients in order to provide an idea of how Williamson Consulting could/would deal with specific situations.
If you would like to learn more about Williamson Consulting and the services they provide visit their website www.williamsonconsulting.ca or if you have questions specific to your business contact Howard (613) 590-7880 to see how he can help.
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