It is exciting to see the diverse range of individuals and teams who enter the competition, from corporate communicators and public relations professionals, to independent writers and academic institutions. Even though they all have different specialties, the one thing they have in common is a passion for developing communications that produce results and capture an audience’s attention. 

Out of the 55 entries submitted in this year’s competition, 35 were selected to receive an award, including one Best of Best awarded to American Traffic Solutions. Last week, those winners were recognized by our chapter and fellow colleagues at the annual Copper Quill Awards ceremony. For those of you able to attended, we hope you enjoyed the celebration and had the opportunity to network with other award winning communications professionals. You can view winner photos and photos of the event on our Facebook page.   

As a non-profit organization we are reliant on our supporters for making programs like this possible. We would like to thank our dedicated volunteers who have been working on the program year-round – on top of their full time jobs. Also, thanks to this year’s sponsors for their support and donations. As a non-profit organization we do not strive to make a profit on our awards program, we purely do it to give the recognition our fellow communications professionals deserve! 

Last but not least, our most important supporters, YOU! Without your participation the Copper Quills wouldn’t exist. We hope this year’s program provided value to all who participated and we encourage participation again next year. 

Congratulations to all 2012 Copper Quill Award winners! 

Genuinely,
Cory Craft
2011-2012 IABC Phoenix Chapter President 

Megan Dean
2011-2012 VP Copper Quill Awards Program 

Read the official winner announcement and make your voice heard by posting a comment.

Please send or email resume to:

Teresa Coury Davia

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center

350 W. Thomas Road

Phoenix, AZ 85013

602-406-4190 (fax)

tdavia@chw.edu

Responsibilities:

· Assists with events, promotions and marketing projects

· Assists in writing and proofreading copy for news releases, brochures, flyers and newsletters.

· Assist with media visit, compiles and records news coverage and materials.

1.     Identify and develop strategies to effectively engage primary care patients and/or their caregivers, along with their medical providers, in the needs of their health covering a wide variety of disease and health care settings.

2.     Leads the development and implementation of broad organizational and targeted marketing and communication tools for JCLPN patients and target markets in support of the strategic plan goals.

3.     Practices professionalism and accountability as it relates to all assigned duties.
 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in health care marketing/marketing, communications or social science disciplines (e.g. psychology, education/health education, medical, nursing, public health, communications or related disciplines).
• Five years progressive experience and demonstrated success in patient/consumer relations.
• Experience working successfully with community organizations and committees.
• Experience working effectively with multi-generational and ethnically diverse patient/consumer groups including disadvantaged and under-represented communities.

Apply Here:  http://www.Click2Apply.net/znjw3mb

We are currently looking for a Marketing Coordinator for our growing team in Scottsdale, AZ.  In this position, you will provide a full range of support and coordination of marketing initiatives and assist with execution of marketing programs.

Responsibilities:

 Supports the website update process, including updating documentation and making site modifications through the admin tool.

• Coordinates with PR agency and wire organizations on press efforts and provides reporting of PR initiatives.
• Provides writing support by writing simple drafts and proof-reading copy.
• Supports and coordinates events by assisting in the management of schedules and deadlines and providing sales support.  May represent the company at events.
• Coordinates e-mail marketing list development and management.  Serves as administrator on e-mail campaign management and reporting exercises.
• Assists in the administration needs related to SEO and social media efforts.
• Provides administrative support related to marketing planning and budgeting.
• Provides research and analysis in support of sales, marketing and PR activities.  Monitors earnings calls and gathers information on target companies and specific currencies. Enters information in to data base and assists in the development of ongoing reporting.
• Performs special projects and other duties, as assigned.

FiREapps is a growing entrepreneurial company in a niche market.  If you are looking for an opportunity to join an exciting company, we want to hear from you!  Please send your resume to careers@fireapps.com for immediate consideration.

Lilian was instrumental in planning the Adrian Cropley event and assisting with promotion, logistics and support on the day of the event. She has always been eager to volunteer and assist the chapter in any way and she continues to seek opportunities to volunteer in other areas.

Thank you, Lilian, for all you do for the chapter!

The announcement will close at 5 p.m. (Arizona time) on May 25, 2012.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an equal employment opportunity agency.

All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program.  The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package, including a top-ranked retirement plan, low-cost health and dental coverage, supplemental policies such as vision and short-term disability, and generous leave programs. Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

To submit your resume for consideration, visit www.azstatejobs.gov. Click on “Search for Jobs” and then enter either AGF or PIO 2 in the Keywords box.

“It is becoming more and more important in our profession to focus on the work that will make a difference. That means working on the things that not only provide the most value and achieve our objectives, but those that move an audience to take action. This is what all of tonight’s winners achieved” said Megan Dean, Vice President of the Copper Quill Award program. “In addition, award recipients being honored this year stood out from the rest by being creative, unique and effective.”

IABC would like to congratulate the Best of the Best winner for 2012, American Traffic Solutions for the redesign of violationinfo.com. This campaign was submitted in the Electronic Communication, Marketing Communications category. 

The 2012 Copper Quill Award winners of Excellence and Merit are:

Awards of Excellence

Communication Management

• Subcategory: Community & Government Relations
• The Allstate Foundation, Renew, Honor, Play: The Christina – Taylor Green Little Hands Playground
• R&R Partners, Valley Metro Notes
• Subcategory: Employee/Member Communication
• Allison+Partners, COPD Prepared
• The Allstate Foundation, Renew, Honor, Play: The Christina – Taylor Green Little Hands Playground
• Intel Corporation, Leslie Rogal, Intel 2011 Heath for Life Centers, Grand Opening
• Subcategory: Media Relations
• Allison+Partners, From Unknown to Must-Know: Debuting the Inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Audiovisual  

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and the Lavidge Company, “Ask Blue” Medicare Video
• R&R Partners, Valley Metro Notes

Design/Photo/Illustration

• Subcategory: Special Publication Design
• IDEA Lab NAU, Tony DeLuz and Dan Boone, Genes to Ecosystems Illustration

• Subcategory: Illustration

• R&R Partners, Valley Metro Notes

Print Publications

• Subcategory: Special Publications
  • University of Phoenix, Tracy Nita Pender and Jason Pochert, Faculty Matters
  • Subcategory: Magazines
    • University of Phoenix, Alumni Relations Team, Phoenix Focus
    • Stephanie Conner and Cheriese Chambers, Hopes & Dreams, Winter 2011

Awards of Merit

Communication Management

• Subcategory: Community & Government Relations
• Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, 2011 Fix A Leak Week AZ Campaign
• Subcategory: Employee/Member Communications
• Apollo Group/University of Phoenix, External Affairs Intranet
• Univita, Sarah McLeod, Integrating four diverse companies into the Univita brand
• Subcategory: Media Relations
• Allison+Partners, Bringing the King to Phoenix
• Allison+Partners, Best Western launches three types of hotels
• Intel, Jessica Hansen, Intel 2011 Mobile Etiquette Campaign
• The Allstate Foundation, Renew, Honor, Play: The Christina-Taylor Green Little Hands Playground
•  Subcategory: Marketing Communications
• Allison+Partners, International Game Technology, IGT Launches Its Ghostbusters TM Slot Machine at G2E, Slimes the Competition.

Audiovisual 

• Apollo Group, External Affairs, Road to the Gulf
• IDEA Lab NAU, Dan Boone and Ryan Belnap, Babbitt Ranches Promo Video
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Susan de Queljoe, SVdP Program Overview 2011
• Defero, IGT: G2E 2011 Video Series 

Design/Photo/Illustration

• Subcategory: Illustration  
• IDEA Lab NAU, Tony DeLuz, Genes to Ecosystems Illustration

Writing

• Subcategory: Features
• Stephanie Conner, Stroke of Insight
• HMA Public Relations, Designer Drugs: from Faux to Fact

• Subcategory: Personality Profiles
  • HMA Public Relations, Driving into Life…and Life Saving

Electronic Communication

• Subcategory: Intranet/Internal Affairs
• Apollo Group, External Affairs, Launch of External Affairs Intranet
• Subcategory: Electronic Newsletters
• American Traffic Solutions, Road Safety Ink Newsletter
• Defero, Purex LaundryHelp eNewsletter Campaign
• Subcategory: Social Media
• Defero, Right Guard “Love in the Shower”
• American Traffic Solutions, Utilizing Social Media to Compel Driver to Stop on Red
• Subcategory: Marketing Communications
• Defero, Right Guard “Love in the Shower”

IABC chapters in Chicago, Brazos County Texas and Arkansas judged this year’s entries, which included a multitude of categories, divisions and campaigns. Each entry was evaluated by at least two seasoned communications professionals with years of experience in the communications industry, including many with Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) certification.

Cory McCloskey, Fox 10 Arizona’s weekday meteorologist, was emcee for the evening and focused on the power of communication, and connecting people during such a rough economic time. This acapella singer also began his speech by singing the beginning of “Wimoweh.” The program sponsor for the evening was Process Magazine, other sponsors included Allstate, Loren Anderson Photography, Boomvang Creative Group, APS, Print Time and Liquis Design.

You can view photos of the event on the IABC Phoenix Facebook page.

Communicators from Valley nonprofits took advantage of the opportunity to attend the 4^th Annual Nonprofit Communications Seminar hosted by IABC Phoenix. If you missed the event, here are a few key takeaways that our volunteer guest speakers provided.

Telling Your Story
Abbie Fink, Vice President/General Manager, HMA Public Relations

• Everyone in your organization is responsible for messaging.
• Good PR cannot be bought. It must be earned.
• Definitions of media are changing. Don’t forget to develop relationships with online journalists.
• Use your volunteers to help tell your organization’s stories.
• Don’t forget that TV is visually driven. Offer visuals!
• Always have goals for your messages and measure against those objectives.
• Oh, and when the phone rings at 5 a.m. and it’s a morning show producer on the line, answer the phone and give them what they need.

Build Fundraising Muscle with Benchmarking
Diana Hoyt, President, Heritage Designs, LLC

•  It’s cheaper to keep the donors you have than to go get new ones.
• On average, nonprofits are keeping just 41 percent of their donors.
• Why don’t donors keep giving? A lot of reasons, but the No. 1 complaint is that the organization didn’t tell them how their money was used.
• Donors want to hear a thank-you and to know that you received the money — and they want to know you spent it the way you said you would.
• When it comes to communications, don’t forget the basics. One of the best things you can do is call and say “thank you.”

Harnessing the Power of Social Media
Kristin Slice, M.A., Three Dog Marketing

• Social media doesn’t replace traditional media. It’s just one more tool.
• Add your social media links to your email signature and letterhead.
• Remember to post content that is valuable to your target audience.
• Nonprofits are using social media for:
• Growing the base
• Engaging donors and volunteers
• Promoting events
• If someone posts on your social media page, post a response.
• Be authentic, and have fun.

Events with Impact
Laura Rolfe, Development Director, Arthritis Foundation Arizona

• Corporate dollars can come from sponsorships, corporate participants, vendor booths and more.
• Individuals can provide donations, purchase tickets or tables, pay entry fees or participate in raffles and auctions.
• For each event you do, you should have a target audience as well as strategic fundraising goals.
• Why companies become sponsors:
• Good “Corporate Citizen”
• Aligns with corporate focus, mission
• 
Customers support companies that are involved with their community
• Employees impacted by cause
• 
Networking
• Tax purposes
• 
Make sure your board of directors and community ambassadors know their responsibilities from filling tables to making donations.

Responsibilities: 

·         Assist Chapter Communications Officer in carrying out chapter’s communications strategy and messaging.

·         Identify Red Cross stories and tell them through all appropriate media venues.

·         Provide public affairs support to disaster response volunteers and paid staff.

·         Take shifts on public affairs call schedule, which includes nights, weekends and holidays.  Respond to media calls and handle public affairs issues that occur during those shifts.

·         Provide communications support to all Red Cross lines of service as directed by Chapter Communications Officer.

·          Assist in building and maintaining volunteer public affairs team through recruitment, training and coordination of efforts.

·         Maintain media distribution lists, schedule volunteer public information officer call coverage, schedule meetings and classes.

·         Develop effective working relationships with volunteers, paid staff, community members and media to ensure all move the Red Cross mission forward.

Qualifications: 

·         At least two years of experience in journalism or public affairs.

·         Ability to respond to public affairs and media issues throughout service area on nights, weekends and holidays as needed.

·         Strong, quick writing skills with ability to determine audience and target communication effectively to that audience. Must know and use AP style.

·         Photography, video and basic graphic design skills.

·         Ability to utilize technology effectively and appropriately.

·         Excellent communications and team-building skills.

·         Ability to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment.

·         Ability to be on call 24/7 as circumstances dictate.

Send resume and cover letter :  Trudy Thompson Rice, ABC, Chapter Communications Officer, American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter, Trudy.thompsonrice@redcross.org