Each month, IABC/Tulsa features one of its members in the “Meet A Member” section of the newsletter. This month, we learn more about Rick Ayre, who has held just about every position on the chapter’s board of directors at some point or another. Today, he quietly supports IABC/Tulsa behind-the-scenes, helping with the upkeep of our website.  

IABC/Tulsa: How long have you been with IABC?
Rick: I have been a member of IABC for 12 years. All with IABC/Tulsa.

IABC/Tulsa: Tell us about the work you’ve done on the Board.
Rick: I have served on the IABC/Tulsa board in several roles – marketing/communications, professional development and president. I also have had the pleasure of serving on several bronze quill committees. I have supported the district and then the region websites. 

IABC/Tulsa: What is the best meeting/seminar/conference you have ever attended?
Rick: I have attended a couple regional conferences and one international conference. Although both are exceptional opportunities to learn from communications experts, the international conference was by far the best. The quality of speakers was very good, but the opportunity to meet other communication professionals from around the world and learn from their expertise really added to the experience.

IABC/Tulsa: How has IABC played a part in your professional development?
Rick: IABC has provided leadership opportunities I might not otherwise have had. Its publications, research foundation, conferences and chapter meetings give many opportunities to continue to learn.

IABC/Tulsa: Ok, so you clearly love IABC. Now tell us why you love your job – the one that pays the bills.
Rick: I’m the manager of Electronic Communications at ONEOK, which is great for me. Throughout my career I have always been in a role that has let me take advantage of technology and new trends to assist in achieving communication initiatives. 

IABC/Tulsa: When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
Rick: When not working I will usually have a camera in my hands. I enjoy photographing about anything – landscapes, still life and plants and flowers in Tana’s, my wife, gardens. Lately I have been focusing on details.

IABC/Tulsa: What’s your favorite restaurant?
Rick: My favorite place to eat is at home. Tana is a terrific cook and is always trying a new recipe. When we do go out we will meet up with Leon and Cindy Bolen at El Fogon in Owasso. Good Mexican food and a spicy green salsa that is addicting. 

IABC/Tulsa: Favorite musical artist?
Rick: I like variety – jazz, piano and classic rock – so I do not have a favorite artist. I will go with Four Play, David Lanz and Led Zeppelin. 

IABC/Tulsa: Favorite movie?
Rick: Can a favorite be three movies? If so, then the Bourne series is my favorite. I watch them whenever on TV. 

IABC/Tulsa: The future of the field of communications…
Rick: …is not that different than 10, 20 or 50 years ago. People want information. They want it in a timely manner. They want it to be open and honest. The tools we use may be different, but the basic premise is the same.

What will change and become ever more challenging will be meeting expectations for information immediacy. 

IABC/Tulsa: What advice would you give to communications professionals who are just entering the workforce?
Rick: Never stop learning. No matter how long you are in this business, there will always be new trends, technologies and research to understand and apply.

And love what you do. If you don’t, find another field.

by Steve Higgins, IABC/Tulsa President

Actor Rainn Wilson (a.k.a. “Dwight Schrute”) recently dispatched the following tweet: “I’m not on Facebook” is the new “I don’t even own a TV.”

Apparently, in Wilson’s mind, the only people left who could possibly resist the allure of Facebook are the smug, the superior and the self-consciously hip. They are individualists who hope to elevate themselves above the riff raff by rejecting what everyone else is into.

These are the same people who still listen to vinyl records, shoot 35mm film and read books made of dead trees.

People, I suppose, like me.

I’m no Luddite. I can set alarm clocks in hotel rooms. I know my way around the interwebs. I even tweet occasionally. Facebook, though, just doesn’t grab me.

So I’m not sure it’s fair of Wilson to disparage people as snobs just because they’re not active on Facebook.

There’s no doubt social media is a proverbial “game changer,” not just in communication, but in politics, business and society in general. It’s hard to argue with the power of something that brings together 500 million people.

Our third annual OkieSMart event in August will explore how communication professionals can tap into that power. There’s a convincing business case to be made for Facebook as the single most efficient, targeted communication channel out there.

Still, there are people who simply aren’t interested in spending their precious personal time online. Do these people deserve to be marginalized, ridiculed and insulted?

Feel free to comment on our IABC Tulsa Facebook page.

I may or may not see it. Especially if you post on Thursday night, when “The Office” comes on.

See, I do own a TV.

In February 2008, ONEOK launched its ONE in Energy advertising campaign to increase brand awareness, enhance employee morale and support its recruiting efforts. The campaign has evolved over the last three years, and the campaign for 2011 is no exception.

The first year of the campaign, ONEOK introduced the company. The 2009 and 2010 campaigns explained its business. The 2011 campaign showcases the company’s personality by featuring its employees as spokespeople.

Join IABC/Tulsa in July and learn more about the ONE in Energy campaign as well as the video competition ONEOK launched to pick its new television stars for its 2011 campaign.  

Megan Washbourne, manager of corporate communications for ONEOK, joined the company in 2002. Prior to that, she worked in the insurance and non-profit industries. Megan earned a bachelor’s in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Oklahoma. She is a previous recipient of IABC/Tulsa’s John Hartman award and is a past president of the chapter. Megan currently serves on the board of the Tulsa Press Club and also volunteers her time with Tulsa Sports Charities.

Rick Ayre, manager of electronic communications for ONEOK, has been with the company for more than 30 years in a variety of roles within corporate communications. Rick earned a bachelor’s degree in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s in communications with an emphasis in organizational communications from Wichita State University. He is also a past president of IABC/Tulsa.

Be sure to reserve your seat today. We look forward to seeing you there.

 It’s time to grab some business cards and join IABC/Tulsa for a Happy Hour Thursday, July 14 at Fassler Hall. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. Register now, spread the word and bring your friends.

Please RVSP through IABC/Tulsa’s registration system. Attendees may purchase their drinks at the bar. Come and enjoy!

The 2011-12 board slate for IABC/Tulsa was approved at the chapter’s June meeting. Beginning next month, the new board will be:
President: Shannon Frederick
Past President: Steve Higgins
VP, Finance: Tom Droege
VP, Professional Development: Phillip Harris and Rachel Payne
VP, Communications: Jennifer Pigeon
VP, Membership: Summer Austin and Stephanie Cole
VP, Hospitality: Lucia O’Connor
VP, Special Projects: Dena Wind
Member at Large: Megan Lewis
Secretary: Amethyst Cavallaro
VP, Awards: Angela Byers

Congratulations to this team of communicators, and a big “thank you” to the outgoing board for all of their work!

Join fellow communicators at the third annual OkieSMart social media conference coming to Tulsa Community College’s Center for Creativity Aug. 4. This year’s event is presented by IABC/Tulsa, PRSA Tulsa and Tulsa Press Club. Tulsa Press Club is hosting a reception for all attendees after the conference.

Here are the details:

Featured speakers:

• Geno Church, Brains on Fire – All attendees receive the Brains on Fire book as part of the registration fee.
• Cathy Taylor, MediaPost’s Social Media Insider

Registration rates:
Members (IABC/Tulsa, PRSA Tulsa, Tulsa Press Club): $40
Non-members: $50
Students: $20

Social networks: Follow: www.twitter.com/okiesmart or Friend us on Facebook

More information and the link to register is coming soon.

IABC WORLD CONFERENCE 2011: A MEMBER’S PERSPECTIVE

In April, IABC/Tulsa and IABC Southern Region paired up to offer one person an opportunity to attend his or her first IABC World Conference. In order to win the trip to San Diego, all IABC/Tulsa members were invited to show a little creativity in the social media world. Jennifer Pigeon – known as @journaljenn in the Twitter world – was the winning member. Just in case you didn’t follow her tweets from sunny California, she offers the highlights of the conference in this month’s newsletter.

Greetings fellow Tulsa-chapter IABC members! I wanted to share with you some details from my recent trip to the world conference. It’s hard for me personally to not feel completely overwhelmed and out of my element in environments I am unfamiliar with. Part of my personal development involves pushing myself out of my comfort zones and experiencing new things.

I admit that part of me was a little intimidated upon my arrival to the IABC World Conference (or #iabc11 if you followed the event via Twitter). But, as I began to meet new people I found myself becoming more and more intrigued by the amount of talent all gathered in one place.

I wore with pride my badge declaring that I was a member of the recently announced “Small Chapter of the Year.” I met some awesome people from literally all across this country and around the globe, and brought back valuable information about communications, strategy and engagement.

So many conferences and training sessions I have been to in the past have been little more than how-to guides on popular social media tactics. I am happy to report that is not the case with IABC! 

Many of the sessions I attended focused on message, which we all know is the root of our business. Without a strong message, all of the latest tools and technologies really don’t amount to much.

Content, feedback, creativity and merging new media with traditional practices all have a place at the table of what we now have to consider “the new normal.”

We may not be completely sure where the tech world is heading, but I am positive with industry leaders like ours we will be guided down an innovative path, which will help us to give ALL our stakeholders a voice!

Thank you for this experience and the opportunity to be your Tulsa-chapter representative this year. I look forward to working with all of you as I assume my new position as Communications VP on our chapter board!

I’d like to end with a small summary of the conference – in 140 characters or less!

Innovative leaders strategically guiding business communicators toward an uncertain, but exciting future! #iabc11

Connect with your fellow IABC members in more ways than ever before. We’ve established a presence on the most popular social media platforms available. We invite you to join and connect with us through these groups.

Facebook
More than 3,000 people have joined IABC International’s Facebook page, and our local page is growing as well. Just search under “International Association of Business Communicators, Tulsa chapter” and you will see our page. Become a fan and get the latest IABC/Tulsa news and connect with current and prospective members.

Twitter
Do you Tweet? Twitter is one of the hottest tools in social media. You can now follow IABC/Tulsa and get instant updates on the chapter news and other communication related items. Follow IABC/Tulsa on Twitter @IABCTulsa.

Wednesday, June 15
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tei Kei’s
1616 South Utica Avenue
(918) 382-7777

After embarking on a multi-year employee communication strategy, Verizon has launched the major piece of its multi-thronged integrated employee communication: the Enterprise Homepage. It provides a consistent experience for all employees, no matter where they are organizationally. Business groups can personalize content, and employees can customize their experience. And it has earned recognition from the Nielsen Norman Group as one of the year’s Top 10 Intranets in the world.

Verizon’s Director of Corporate Communications Donna Itzoe Long will discuss this not-so-easy journey of extensive employee research, a massive “clutter-removal,” and entertaining ways to engage employees. She will discuss the project – the successes and the pain points – and demonstrate the resulting homepage, so you can get ideas for your organization.

Since 2001, Donna has been integral to the development and launch of various intranet and web-based applications and programs for Verizon. This includes the birth of Verizon’s employee website and the Digital Workplace, which was cited by Forester as a Best Practice, citing Donna’s role as lead communication strategist. Prior to her current role as Director of Corporate Communications at Verizon, she was a communications manager for EDS in Plano, Texas, for five years and held a similar position at Dallas-based Internet marketing firm imc2. She was named 2003 Communicator of the Year by the Dallas chapter of IABC and served on the Board of Directors for several board terms, most recently as the 2010 president of the chapter.

Be sure to reserve your seat today. We look forward to seeing you there.

by Steve Higgins, IABC/Tulsa President

A recent New York Times article pondered the unlikely staying power of the Drudge Report, the politically conservative website that first gained attention during the Clinton years.

The Drudge Report, according to the Times, drives more online news traffic than any other website except Google.

Whatever you think of Drudge’s political leanings, you have to be impressed with what he’s accomplished with a simple, plain-Jane home page inelegantly crammed full of text links. (The look and feel of the Drudge Report is grayer than the Gray Lady herself.) He’s basically created an enduring, trusted, popular news brand – using other people’s reporting.

He does it, apparently, by knowing his audience and collecting content that matters to them. Yes, he is known for writing his own sensational, even inflammatory, headlines to the stories he links to – that’s his way of further customizing the news to engage (or enrage) his readers. Yet the vast majority of the content on his page is not his own.

So what do you call what Drudge does? It’s not reporting. It’s not editing. It’s not journalism at all, per se. It’s “content curation.”

IABC President Julie Freeman talked about content curation at our May luncheon meeting during her speech on trends in business communication. Julie gave several examples of companies that are attracting followers by establishing themselves as the go-to content source for their customers or stakeholders.

Most of these companies appear to be doing basically what Matt Drudge has been doing for years – providing an aggregation point for headlines and links that appeal to a defined audience. What they’re not doing, for the most part, is creating original content of their own.

Long associated with museums, the word curation is kind of a buzzword right now. It’s being applied to everything from music festivals to clothing retailers to restaurant menus.

Nevertheless, the concept of content curation makes sense at a time when the competition for the public’s attention is greater than ever.

Many of us may not be fans of Drudge’s partisan political posturing. But you’d be hard pressed to find a better example of content curation building a massive, loyal audience – and without a speck of color on the page.