July 2010

MEMBER NEWS

PRWeek recently announced its 2010 PR Power List where senior editors analyzed the attributes of 25 communications big hitters. The Power List assesses various facets of power including, "a quality shown by people who make things happen, demonstrate vitality and enthusiasm for what they do, and have an influence beyond their circle." Arthur W. Page Society members represent the best in the business and it's no surprise a large number of 2010 PR industry leaders are Page Society members. Page Society members who were selected as "Power principals" include:

Leslie Dach, EVP, corporate affairs and government relations, Wal-Mart
Richard Edelman, worldwide president and CEO, Edelman
Jon Iwata, VP, marketing and communications, IBM
Harris Diamond, CEO, Weber Shandwick Worldwide; CEO, IPG Constituency Management Group
Bill Margaritis, SVP, global communications and investor relations, FedEx
Gary Sheffer, VP, corporate communications and public affairs, GE
Julie Hamp, SVP, communications, PepsiCo
Mark Penn, worldwide president and CEO, Burson-Marsteller
Paul Taaffe, Chairman and CEO, Hill & Knowlton
Mike Fernandez, VP, public affairs, State Farm
Zenia Mucha, EVP, corporate communications, The Walt Disney Company
Margery Kraus, president and CEO, APCO Worldwide

Paul Gennaro, senior vice president and chief communications officer, at AECOM Technology Corp., accepted the 2010 American Business Award for Best Communications Department at an awards dinner in New York City on June 21. Established in 2002, the America Business Awards program is an all-encompassing program to recognize business excellence. More than 2,700 nominations were submitted for ABA awards this year, and about 650 people attended the event at the Marriott Marquis, which was broadcast live on radio. Fox Business Network anchor Cheryl Casone presented Paul with the award.

Steve Dishart has joined the Blue Ocean Institute (BOI) as executive director to lead BOI's efforts to inspire ocean conservation. He has taken over the day-to-day operation of the not-for profit organization which strives to help restore living abundance in the world's oceans. "In the insurance business, the risks posed by climate change are of acute concern," said Blue Ocean chairman Richard Reagan. "Steve's vast communications experience and global contacts will be invaluable to Blue Ocean." He can now be reached at sdishart@blueocean.org. Click here to read a blog post by Dishart about moving to not-for-profit.

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of fellow Page Society member, Marilyn Laurie at her home in Manhattan on July 14. She was 71 and had been battling brain cancer for the past year. Marilyn served as president of the Arthur W. Page Society (1993-1994) and was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame in 2002, the first woman to receive this honor. For the past five years, she was spearheading the Honors Committee that recognizes trailblazers whose service has strengthened the communications and public relations profession. As former executive vice president, brand strategy and public relations, and a member of AT&T's 10-person executive committee, Marilyn Laurie led AT&T's brand-building, advertising and corporate reputation activities worldwide. The first female senior vice president of AT&T, she headed their 500-person global communications organization and also served as chairman of the AT&T Foundation for a decade. Accountable for communications to the media, shareowners, employees and customers, Laurie managed AT&T's reputation through innumerable high-profile events. A co-founder of Earth Day in 1970, who handled all NYC communications, she was recruited by AT&T to create its first environmental policy.

Marilyn also served as chairman of the Public Relations Seminar, vice-chair of the board of Columbia University and a director of The New York City Ballet and New-York Presbyterian Hospital. She was recognized with numerous honors including "New York's 75 Most Influential Women" (Crain's); Woman of Achievement (Barnard College); "Power 50" (Ad Age); "Star" (New York Women's Agenda); Matrix Award (Women in Communications); Human Relations Award (American Jewish Committee); Community Impact Award (Columbia University) and the Hamilton Medal (Institute for PR). She was twice named "PR All Star" by Inside PR magazine. She has been featured in several books and a TV documentary. To read a statement from Bill Margaritis, chairman, Arthur W. Page Society and senior vice president global communications and investor relations, FedEx Corporation, click here. For the news release, click here.

PAGE SOCIETY NEWS, EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Message from New AWPS President, Julia Hood...
On July 12th I marked my first official day as President of the Arthur W. Page Society. I am honored to be working with this prestigious organization to advance a mission that I believe is truly important. The members of the Society are the unambiguous leaders of the communications and PR profession, and I am excited for the opportunity to work closely with you all on the many activities and projects that support the critical work you do. As I learn the ropes in my new job, I hope you will feel free to reach out to me with any comments, questions and advice you have. I look forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming events. I can be reached via email at jhood@awpagesociety.com and phone at 212-400-7959, ext 101. Thank you.

All Page Society members would have received an Update on Arthur W. Page Issues from Page Society Chairman, Bill Margaritis. In case you missed it, click here to read the full letter.

We are delighted to welcome the following New Members to the Arthur W. Page Society:

Jeff Leshay; SVP, public relations & corporate communications; Career Education Corporation
Kathryn H. Beiser; vice president, corporate communications; Discover Financial Services
Bill White; senior vice president, corporate communications; Sprint Nextel

Click on the links for more information about the new members in the Page Online Member Directory.

We're excited to announce the launch of the 2010 Annual Conference Web site - featuring comprehensive information on the conference program, speaker line-up, registration, accommodation as well as useful trip planning tips. We invite you to visit and explore at http://www.awpagesociety.com/events/content/overview/. You may also access this Web site anytime from the home page of the Arthur W. Page Society Web site at www.awpagesociety.com by clicking on the gold button at the bottom right for the conference. If you haven't registered yet, be sure to reserve your spot for "Being Indispensable: CCOs As Curators of Culture" on September 26-28, 2010 at the Terranea, Palos Verdes, California located just 20 miles south of LAX. Register before August 1st and take advantage of the early registration discount. Individual members can save $400 and educators can save $150 off of the registration fee by registering before August 1. To make hotel reservations, call the Terranea directly at (310) 265-2770. The Page Society has negotiated a favorable room rate of $265 (ROH room) per night plus taxes. Be sure to mention Arthur W. Page Society.

We would like to gratefully acknowledge our 2010 Annual Conference Sponsors and Partners:

Lynne & Roger Bolton
Greg Gable & Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
David A. Samson & Chevron
Sandra Macleod & Echo Research
William G. Margaritis & FedEx Corporation
Dave Senay & Fleishman-Hillard
Gary Sheffer & GE
Paul Taaffe & Jennifer Temple, Hill & Knowlton
Raymond C. Jordan & Johnson & Johnson
Raymond L. Kotcher & Ketchum
Richard S. Marshall & Korn/Ferry International
Sally Benjamin Young & Lundbeck Inc.
Rodolfo W. Guttilla & Natura, Inc.
Willard D. (Bill) Nielsen
Richard S. Kline & Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Helen Ostrowski and Richard Block
Julie Hamp & PepsiCo
Gerald Swerling & USC Annenberg School for Communication Public Relations Studies Program
Douglas Michelman & Visa

In-kind Partners

Davis & Gilbert
Ketchum
Text 100
Wieck Media

To view a current list of available sponsorships for the conference, please click here. Donations are tax-deductible. If you have any questions about Annual Conference sponsorship opportunities or the Development Fund, please contact Susan Chin at (212) 400-7959 ext (100) or by email at schin@awpagesociety.com. To download a pledge form, click here.

In an effort to help prepare for the future by educating and developing outstanding leaders in our field, the Arthur W. Page Society regularly joins forces with the Institute for Public Relations and the Council of Public Relations Firms to co-sponsor the Public Relations Leadership Forum. Our next Leadership Forum takes place August 25 - 27 in New York City. Now in its 6th successful year, the Leadership Forum provides opportunities where rising professional corporate communicators, with similar responsibilities, work experience, needs and ambitions can learn from each other and their colleagues from leading public relations firms. Attendees at this limited-enrollment event also enjoy enhanced networking possibilities similar to what many senior professionals receive from the Page Society and the Seminar. An impressive instructional team has been put together and includes Harold Burson, founder and chairman, Burson-Marsteller; Tom Kowaleski, vice president - corporate communications, BMW North America; Page Society past presidents Roger Bolton and Tom Martin; noted digital media expert Dallas Lawrence, MD of Proof Integrated Communications; among others. Complete details including registration information can be found at: http://www.instituteforpr.org/education/PRLF_east/ or from Page Society and Institute board member Dr. Don Wright of Boston University, who directs the program, at DonaldKWright@aol.com or 617-306-4006.

Be sure to explore the Arthur W. Page Society Blog, "Page Turner" - a thought leadership forum that offers you an invaluable opportunity to create meaningful dialogue and debate about corporate communications and the rapidly evolving role of the chief communications officer. The blog can be accessed anytime from the home page of the Page Society Web site - www.awpagesociety.com. Dick Martin, former EVP, PR and brand management, AT&T; Roger Bolton, senior counselor, RBC Strategic Consulting; Adele Ambrose, vice president and chief communications officer, Merck & Co. have contributed blog posts in memory of Marilyn Laurie. If you'd like to contribute a post, please email Julia Hood or Roger Bolton.

We are pleased to bring you an array of resources to recapture the highlights of the 25th Annual Spring Seminar "Becoming Indispensable to Your Organization" held April 8-9, 2010 at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York. Check out a video-like Photo Slide Show recounting the two- day event. Enjoy a Photo Gallery of more than 100 high-resolution digital photos including pictures of members and guests, conference sessions, awards ceremony and more. These are available free for you to download. Reflect on the best-practices, insights and strategies delivered by the conference speakers with Digital Audio Records available here for members to listen to or download free and listen to on-the-go, at your convenience. Click here for Synopsis Reports of Day 1 and Day 2 of the Conference. You can access these resources anytime on the Arthur W. Page Society Web site (www.awpagesociety.com) by going to the Past Events section under Members Only and clicking on the link for the 25th Annual Spring Seminar. Here's a direct link. We hope you find these resources beneficial.

All members have received a print copy of the 2009 Annual Report of the Arthur W. Page Society in the mail. This includes a comprehensive report of the key programs, milestones and initiatives of 2009, as well as detailed financial statements. We hope this document will inform you of the work the Board of Trustees have undertaken on behalf of the Page Society membership. To view or download a searchable PDF version, click here.

All Page Society members have received a Special Report on the Top CSR Organizations Worldwide. This report provides important input on one of the key ways in which Chief Communications Officers can add value to C-Suite activities: By recommending organizational affiliations that can enhance your company's CSR/sustainability initiatives. The report contains in-depth profiles of the leading global organizations focusing on Corporate Citizenship and Sustainable Business Practices, detailed information on the focus of each organization as well as membership, contact and forum data. This is the fourth in a series of Special Reports we are pleased to provide you as a free member benefit. Each of these reports can add value for you by amplifying your executive visibility strategy. You can access the previous reports anytime on the Page Society Web site by clicking on the Executive Visibility link of the Members Only section (http://www.awpagesociety.com/catchpole). Here you can read or download Special Reports on Top Sustainability Forums Worldwide, Top Women Executive Forums Worldwide as well as past issues of the quarterly e-publication, Executive Visibility Strategist. You can also sign up for the free executive visibility online research service that Catchpole provides you through the Arthur W. Page Society Web site. We hope you find these resources useful in managing your executive visibility programs.

If you'd like to share senior level communication job opportunities with fellow Page members, the Page Society is happy to publish these job listings that may be of interest to our members on our Web site (Job Listings section under Members Only tab on home page). To have a job opening listed, send the job description, requirements and contact information to amewawalla@awpagesociety.com. There is no charge to publish a job listing. Click here to view currently listed job postings.

We invite all Page Society members to update your profile and bio on the online member directory available on the Arthur W. Page Society Web site within the Members Only section to keep your colleagues at the Page Society informed of the latest, and to make your networking experience even more meaningful. The direct link for the Member Directory is: http://www.awpagesociety.com/member/memberlist/.

Please send your news for Page Member Notes to Anuneha Mewawalla, Page Society's Communications Director at amewawalla@awpagesociety.com.