Category: Communications
Test Your Digital Fitness
What's Next DC took place Jan. 23 at George Washington University.
Most organizations have failed to evolve and are stuck in the Jurassic period, says B. Bonin Bough, PepsiCo’s global head of digital marketing. So, let’s think about this. Is your personal technology a step or even light years ahead of the technology you use at work? Are you Blackberry by day and iPhone by night? How can you push your organization forward beyond a point of comfort?
These are the questions I pondered during What’s Next DC, a one-day strategy conference for marketing and communication professionals. We are living in a digital age of mass consumption. Ninety-six percent of adults aged 18-29 use mobile devices, and last year, people downloaded more apps than songs. Whether it’s through Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest or YouTube, consumers and organizations have the opportunity to be more connected than ever before. The core question is how do you create and maintain a connection? You can start by using Bough’s Digital Fitness Model to assess and update your strategies.
Digital Fitness Model
Sketch note from Bough's Digital Fitness presentation
- Invite Innovation – Be open to trying new things.
- Challenge Convention – Traditional media is still an effective way to reach a target audience, but are there ways to be more efficient and effective?
- Experiment – Test new technologies. If needed, start small and launch pilot projects.
- Don’t Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Good – Technology is always changing, so don’t delay a project. Get it out on the market and make continuous updates.
- Learn, Rinse, Repeat – Share your successes and even failures with others. We’re all here to experiment and learn.
What’s Next DC convened Jan. 23 and featured digital strategists from a variety of companies and organizations including The Salvation Army, Facebook, Klout and the General Services Administration. To learn more, go to http://www.whatsnextdc.com/
Ripple Effect honored for Plain Language and Clear Communications
Congratulations to the Ripple Effect – NIH Loan Repayment Program team, awarded a Silver Award during the NIH Celebration of Plain Language and Clear Communication on May 17, 2011. The team, which included Monika Ellis (Ripple Effect), Margie Beaudry (Ripple Effect), Erica Husser (Ripple Effect), Milton Hernandez (NIH/OER), and Steve Boehlert (NIH/OER), received the award for the LRP Flyer, an introductory document for potential applicants to the NIH Loan Repayment Programs.
The team focused on creating compelling imagery and simple copy to alert health professionals that they can connect with the NIH to pursue careers in research and have assistance with repaying their student loans. The Loan Repayment Program flyer uses imagery and text on the front to immediately convey a message of debt reduction to researchers; on the back side, a succinct summary of program areas, benefits and eligibility with resources for additional information.
The flyer is used by the Division of Loan Repayment in the Office of Extramural Research, and also by the 24 NIH Institutes and Centers that provide Loan Repayment Program support. To learn more about the flyer development, please see our case study.
Dr. Lawrence Tabak (left), Dr. Sally Rockey, Dr. Milton Hernandez, Dr. Erica Husser, Ms. Monika Ellis, Ms. Margie Beaudry, Ms. Maggie Fox, and Mr. John Burklow (right). Ms. Ellis led the project that received the Plain Language and Clear Communication Award on May 17, 2011.
“All About Grants” Podcast honored with NIH Plain Language Award
Congratulations to Kerry Gorelick, who received a Silver Award during the NIH Celebration of Plain Language and Clear Communication on May 17, 2011. During her tenure at Ripple Effect as Communications Director, Kerry developed the All About Grants Podcast with the NIH Office of Extramural Research Communications Director, Megan Columbus. Kerry is now employed directly by the NIH Office of Extramural Research as a Senior Writer and Editor.
The All About Grants podcasts were recognized because they present information about extramural grants in an easy-to-understand, conversational style for use by scientific investigators, fellows, students, research administrators, and others.
Former Ripple Effect employee recognized for podcast development
Dr. Lawrence Tabak (left), joined by Dr. Sally Rockey, Ms. Maggie Fox, and Mr. John Burklow (right), presents Ms. Megan Columbus and Dr. Kerry Gorelick (second and third from left) with the Plain Language and Clear Communication Award on May 17, 2011. Mr. DeRon Turner, award recipient, was not present for the photo.
Area of Expertise: Webinars
Try a new way to reach a captive audience
What solution can Ripple Effect Offer?
Ripple Effect can help you plan and promote a webinar from start to finish. This includes creating slide presentations, writing scripts, developing a promotional strategy, registering participants and working with IT vendors.
What is it?
A webinar is an online seminar that audiences participate in through the Web and/or by telephone. Most often, there are one or two main speakers, and the content includes a slide presentation as well as an interactive Q&A session. Check out an example from the NIH Loan Repayment Programs: “Mapping Your Career to the NIH.”
Why is it important?
Hosting this type of an event allows you to reach audience members who may not be able to connect with you face-to-face.
What problems does this solve?
If your travel funds are limited, this is a cost effective way of communicating with your target audience. Also, you may reach a broader audience by recording the event, posting it on your Web site and allowing others to access it on demand. In some cases, it may even go viral.
Scary Truth about Conference Calls
Do your conference calls sound like this?
Headquarters
2400 Research Boulevard, Suite 305
Rockville, MD 20850
Fax: 240.745.3777
Phone: 800.277.5708
E-mail Us
Directions
 |
 |
 |
 |