By Rick Griffin
San Diego’s International Association of Business Communicators chapter announced that Margie Newman, founding partner and managing director of Intesa Communications Group, has been named the 2018 Communicator of the Year.
Newman will be honored at a networking reception and ceremony at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, at Karl Strauss Brewing Co.’s Garden Room, 9675 Scranton Road.
The IABC said recipients of the award are nominated by their peers. Judging is based on leadership, management and communication skills, strategy development and communicating to diverse audiences.
Intesa Communications Group is a San Diego-based communications and government relations firm serving clients nationwide. IABC officials said Newman is known for her methodical planning, thoughtful work approach and contagious enthusiasm. Working closely with senior management and stakeholders at all levels, she is adept at building consensus, aligning an organization around a strategic vision, and preparing it to deliver the message effectively.
“Margie is a trusted communications advisor for business executives, elected officials and nonprofit leaders in San Diego, and across the country,” said Kate Griffin, IABC/San Diego president. “In addition to her many professional accomplishments, she is highly engaged in the betterment of our city through her meaningful civic and volunteer service. We are thrilled to present her with our most prestigious annual award.”
A graduate of Auburn University and mother of two young children, Newman was named in 2008 among PR News’ “Top 15 to Watch,” a national award recognizing 15 of the country’s most outstanding PR professionals. She is a member of the YMCA of San Diego County board of directors, LEAD San Diego board of directors and San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Public Policy committee.
“Throughout my career, thanks to many supportive mentors, family and friends, I have had the opportunity to do my best work to advance issues, causes and client goals that I believe in,” Newman said. “To have a committee of my talented peers recognize this work is an honor, and a validation that one can be successful in business and leave the community better than you found it.”
Before launching Intesa in 2012, Newman served as media relations and social media manager for The Pew Center on the States, a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C. Before that, she was a principal at Tennessee-based public affairs firm Hall Strategies. Newman began her career in 2002 as a press aide to former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.
(W)right On Communications Wins Bulldog Reporter Award
(W)right On Communications, a Solana Beach public relations agency, said it recently received a 2018 Silver Bulldog Award from Bulldog Reporter, a PR trade industry publication. The award in the B2B product launch category was for (W)right On’s campaign to launch mobe3, an iOS-based warehouse management software developed by EVS of Boulder, CO.
The agency said Chance Shay, (W)right On director of B2B and infrastructure development, created an integrated program for EVS designed to attract media and industry attention based on a fresh new supply-chain software narrative that emphasized its iOS and artificial intelligence features. The campaign combined media and analyst research with visual storytelling supported by social media and paid strategies to drive awareness.
Within seven months of the launch, the agency had secured a recurring monthly column for EVS on CIO.com, resulting in a 600 percent increase in website referral traffic, 1,120 social shares of the media coverage, briefings with two major WMS analysts, a Cloud Computing Security Excellence Award and being named to a Top Software Technology Providers list. It also produced a cover feature in an influential trade magazine on a state-of-the-art warehouse deployment for one of EVS’ major customers.
“I’m extremely proud of the diligence, creativity and passion of (W)right On’s B2B practice area team,” said Julie Wright, president of the agency. “We have a great client partner in EVS who understands the need to be bold in its launch communications as well as an elegant and smart software solution.”
Founded in 1998, (W)right On Communications operates offices in San Diego, Vancouver and Los Angeles. The firm has clients in the business-to-business, energy, healthcare, hospitality, infrastructure development, nonprofit, professional services, technology and clean tech sectors.
J Public Relations Adds Pendry San Diego Hotel Chain
The San Diego office of J Public Relations said it has been named the agency of record for the new Pendry Hotels chain, which has properties in San Diego and Baltimore. The 317-room Pendry San Diego, located at 550 J Street in the Gaslamp, has six restaurants and bars. The 128-room Sagamore Pendry Baltimore sits on Recreation Pier in the waterfront community of Fell’s Point.
Last year, J Public Relations began working with two restaurants inside the Pendry San Diego, Provisional Kitchen and Nason’s Beer Hall.
“It’s fair to say that JPR was brought on as a result of our successful work to support Provisional Kitchen and Nason’s Beer Hall,” said Marrissa Mallory, JPR account director. “We’re quite excited to be representing the full Pendry Hotels portfolio as the brand continues to grow and create amazing, immersive destination travel experiences for its guests.”
Specializing in travel and hospitality clients, J Public Relations, with offices in California and New York, was founded in 2005.
SAFE Fundraiser Raised $12,000 for Marketers in Crisis
The San Diego Advertising Fund for Emergencies, a nonprofit that assists local marketing professionals, said it raised more than $12,000 at its recent fundraising party attended by more than 200 people on April 19 the Karl Strauss Tasting Room and Beer Garden.
SAFE is a volunteer, non-profit organization providing confidential financial assistance to local advertising and marketing professionals and their families facing a life crisis emergency. The SAFE fundraiser, now in its 16th year, featured food, craft beer, networking, a cornhole tournament and raffle to benefit grant recipients. The theme of the party was “SAFE & Sound.”
Since its founding in 2000, SAFE has helped more than 100 people in the advertising and marketing industry with more than $260,000 in grants.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
