By Rick Griffin
Sheila Fox, a recognized leader in the San Diego advertising industry for the past 30 years, is leaving as executive director of SDX, formerly the San Diego Ad Club, to focus on her marketing consulting business.
“It’s been great to be associated with SDX and working with the brightest, funniest and coolest people in the world,” said Fox. “As much as I love SDX, and I always will, I’m excited to focus on my other clients and have time to pursue new adventures.”
Considered by many as the face of the local ad industry, Fox is staying on with SDX until mid-May, following the conclusion of SDX’s Interactive Day on May 6, an annual event which draws crowds of more than 1,200 people.
Fox took the Ad Club job in 2004, while continuing to operate her own consulting company, Fox Marketing Network. At SDX, she manages the organization and has been responsible for event planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, membership development and communications.
She arrived in San Diego in 1979, after working at Leo Burnett and BBDO, two large, Los Angeles-based advertising agencies, in the creative, media and account service departments. In San Diego, she joined Chapman Warwick, an advertising agency, and was promoted to president of the agency, serving there from 1984 to June 1997. It became one of San Diego’s largest ad agencies with annual billings rising from $3 million to $15 million under her direction. After leaving Chapman Warwick, she founded Fox Marketing Network in January 1998. Her firm focuses on brand development, strategic planning, account management, media planning and buying, sales promotion, cooperative advertising and creative conception.
“My other Fox Marketing clients have grown in recent years and require more of my time, so I’ve been working longer hours and weeks,” said Fox. “In a moment of clarity, I realized that SDX requires on-site attention and attendance for many meetings and events every week. For the most part I can work with my other clients no matter where I am in the world. And that sounds like fun to me.”
Interested candidates can find more information on the SDX executive director position at www.sandiegox.org.
Founded in 1911, SDX is San Diego’s oldest continuously operating business association. It also is San Diego’s largest local networking and professional group for advertising and marketing executives with more than 250 companies representing about 600 members.
Radio Trade Group Seeks ‘EAR’ Entries
The San Diego Radio Broadcasters Association, a local industry trade group of 25 radio stations that promotes the use of radio for advertising, is seeking entries for its 2016 EAR (Effective Advertising on Radio) awards. Any commercial that aired on a San Diego radio station or was written or produced locally between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015 is eligible. Awards will be presented for both English- and Spanish-language commercials. There is no cost to enter. The deadline is Feb. 24.
Last year’s winners include the following: Excalibur Roofing (KCBQ AM-1170); Global Laser Vision (KMYI FM-94.1); Palomar Solar (KOGO AM-600); Sid’s Carpet Barn (Suncoast Marketing); Timeshare Exit Team (KOGO AM-600). Spanish-language winners included Sevilla Night Club (Uniradio Corp.) and Honda Dealers of San Diego (MeadsDurket).
This is broadcasters association’s 19th year for its EAR awards program. Entries will be evaluated primarily for measurable results and secondarily for creative, writing and production values. “Each advertiser will need to document a measurable increase to the bottom-line as a result of their radio advertising,” Nikki Vilven, marketing coordinator for the association.
Founded in 1983, the association exists to promote the use of radio as a primary advertising medium. It also works towards creating cooperation, professionalism and integrity within the entire radio market and supports civic and charitable causes that benefit the San Diego community.
Direct Marketers Looking to Avoid User Experience Mistakes
SD Direct, formerly the San Diego Direct Marketing Association, will host “Enhancing your Visitor Experience Optimization” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at UCSD Extension, Room #317, 6526 Greenwich Dr., San Diego.
Speaker will be Brian Lewis, founder and CEO of Wolfhound Interactive, a San Diego strategic digital marketing firm. Topics will include how to improve online channels and avoid UX (user experience) mistakes that chase away web visitors and hurt conversion. Cost to attend is $20 for members, $40 for guests and $12 for students. Lunch is included. To RSVP, visit www.sddma.org/events.
IABC Members to Discuss LinkedIn
San Diego’s International Association of Business Communicators chapter will present “Increase your online visibility, authority and reputation with LinkedIn,” a program about the popular social network, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at AMN Healthcare Services, 12400 High Bluff Dr. in San Diego.
Topics will include how to navigate and leverage new hidden features, optimize your profile, avoid common mistakes and adopt best practices. Speaking will be Raleigh Gerber, social media strategist and consultant and member of IABC’s Orange County chapter. Cost to attend is $20 for members, $30 for non members. For event information, visit http://sandiego.iabc.com.
San Diego Press Club to Learn About Being on Live TV
The San Diego Press Club will host “Learn to Love Live Appearances,” a program with tips on live TV interviews and other public speaking opportunities, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Press Club office at the Spreckels Theatre building, 121 Broadway, Suite 640, in Downtown San Diego.
Speakers will include: Bobbii Kincaid, a fashion consultant; Skyler McCurine, a leadership and style coach and founder of Le Red Balloon; former TV reporter Vic Salazar of Vic Salazar Communications, a PR and media training firm. Moderator will be Barbarella Fokos, TV producer and Press Club board member. Topics will include how to look comfortable and feel confident before live audiences and in front of TV and social media cameras, as well as radio and podcast microphones.
Cost to attend is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. To RSVP, contact Terry Williams at (619) 231-4340 or sdpressclub@cox.net. For more info, visitwww.sdpressclub.org. The program is part of the Press Club’s “Nuts & Bolts” series.
Main Path Marketing Offers Free Digital Marketing Boot Camp
Main Path Marketing, a San Diego digital marketing agency, is offering a free “Digital Marketing 101 Boot Camp” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at its offices, 10590 West Ocean Dr., San Diego. Company representatives with small- and mid-sized businesses are invited to attend. Topics will include digital marketing industry trends and disciples (8-8:30 a.m.), website and marketing strategies (8:30-9 a.m.) and case study of a successful online campaign (9-9:30 a.m.).
Event organizer is Darryl Gordon, Main Path VP of marketing and operations. Gordon, with 20 years of experience in marketing, lead generation, strategy building and management, oversees marketing, operations and client relations at Main Path. To RSVP, send an email to phunt@mainpath.com. Founded in 2007, Main Path serves small- to mid-sized companies with annual revenues of between $1 million to $250 million. Services include search engine and conversation rate optimization, social media and content marketing, paid advertising, e-mail marketing, analytics and reporting and distribution and outreach.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
