About two months ago, my role at Mullen changed quite a bit. I’ve moved from concentrating on one portion of the marketing mix – PR – to another – advertising.
I still help develop social media strategy for clients, but I now spend the biggest chunk of my days helping plan and execute integrated campaigns with the help of a ridiculously talented team – everything from branding to digital strategy to offline and online advertising. And, of course, our PR teammates are right in the thick of things with us.
I’ve been really excited about the opportunity. Communicators of all backgrounds need to become more diverse in their knowledge and skill sets to help clients succeed in today’s market by bringing ideas to life through integrated channels with cohesive, compelling messages.
I’ve heard many people in our industry scoff at the idea of integrated marketing communications. It was always great in theory, but hard and messy in practice. But I believe in integrated communications. In fact, the description of this blog has been and remains “PR and Integrated Communications.” I’ll admit, though, that I’ve focused more on PR than integrated communications here so far.
So that will change a little. There will still be plenty of PR discussions here. It’s my first love, after all, and I’ve got no shortage of opinions on the topic. But I also plan on writing posts aimed at achieving more integrated communications, too. I’ll ask for your thoughts, challenge the status quo and share what I learn along the way. I’m hoping that we’ll all become more well-rounded marketers through our conversations here moving forward.
To clarify, I haven’t really taken off my PR hat. It’s still up there. What I’ve done is put several other hats on my noggin, as well.
Ok, enough about me. What’s new with you? Feel free to share something new going on in your world that you’re excited about.
*Image by Striatic.
David spends his days focused on marketing communications strategies and execution. He blogs here regularly about integrated communications, PR and social media.
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I’m so happy for you! I love that so many people I know and admire are stepping up to new challenges. Best of luck to you in your new role.
Happy Monday indeed!
Thanks, Shannon! I appreciate the support. Congrats to you on your new moves, too. I’m excited to see what it has in store for you.
David, making the transition to integrated communications will be fun for you! My career is in integrated communications, and it’s a new way of thinking. You have to look at the big picture a lot more, like a puzzle and how it all works together to accomplish goals. It also sounds like you’re working with a great group of people, which is key to success.
If you ever have any questions, let me know.
Best of luck to you1
Careful what you offer, Anna. I may take you up on that!
Congrats, David. Great to see you seizing an opportunity in an area in which you clearly have a great deal of passion. Opportunity doesn’t come by accident. It comes with hard work, preparation and vision. And it usually comes to very smart people. Sums up you pretty fairly, wouldn’t you say?
Enjoy the moment (and if I remember anything from my agency days, that’s about what it will be–a moment!) You so richly deserve it.
@arikhanson
Congrats! And great news for the Ad Dept. Hope they’re ready for you, and they stock Mr.Pibb. Good luck.
Wow — congratulations David! I can’t wait to learn from you as you embark on this new adventure. I know you’ll continue to be generous in sharing your experiences and insights, and the rest of us will be soaking up the knowledge! Did I mention I can’t wait?
Hats off to ya!
Many congrats David! As a fellow integrated communications professional, I’m truly looking forward to your insight and thoughts in this area. You state the concept so eloquently “bringing ideas to life through integrated channels with cohesive, compelling messages,” it’s clear you’ll find success in this new role.
Congratulations again!
Congratulations on the new position, David. I find it is always fun to explore new challenges. I am happy to hear that you will still write about PR, as I always enjoy your insights.
I look foward to more integrated marketing discussions and wish you the best of luck!
-JGrass
That’s awesome, David! We all know you as a smart guy that has the ability to venture out into new waters. BIG Congrats!
Grats David! Integrated communications is a different can of worms from strict PR engagement but it is one that I think you will actually find more interesting (it tends to be more complicated from my experiences).
Now you get to deal with crazy amounts of streams…enjoy the A.D.D.!
Thanks for all the encouragement! Appreciate all the support and kind words more than you know.
David – congrats on the new role. You’re obviously OVER qualified and will likely be a roaring success. Cheers!
oh geez… my condolences.
Kidding!!! As usual I have several things to say. This time, however, brevityis key…
1. Best of luck!! Though I know you don’t need luck and will do swimmingly.
2. True integrated MarComm isn’t some ‘Holy Grail’ it just takes a bit of foresight. Consider yourself lucky to be someplace that is doing “real” IMC.
3. head over to http://www.buysafemedia.com … in advertising so much is about accountability and transparency!
Thanks, Jack, for the support and resource. I’ll head on over and check that out.
Congrats, David! I look forward to more insights. I think all marketing tools are valuable. Sometimes you need a hammer; sometimes a saw. Integration to me means you consider all the tools in the toolbox, and select the ones best for each job. I’ve never agreed with the opinion that some tools are better than others. They are simply intended for different purposes. Good luck!
Cheers David, great to hear. Sounds like a really interesting change of pace and I’m sure the ad team will be grateful to have you onboard.
WOW — I have always heard about this heaven that can (and should) be integrated communications, and I have caught rare glimpses of it on occasion, but not with any regularity. I don’t know you well, but what I know I like, and am impressed by — so I am so glad to hear that you are moving in this direction, and sure that we will be impacted positively as a result.
Congratulations David! Looking forward to seeing how you enjoy wearing all these new hats!
And for most PR/marketing folks that’s the fun of it all…a different hat an hour or a day!
Like you and I discussed on Twitter, I found this line “I’ve heard many people in our industry scoff at the idea of integrated marketing communications. It was always great in theory, but hard and messy in practice” quite interesting…
That’s the only way I know how to practice marcom. I never realized it was such a challenge for some agencies. But now that you’ve pointed it out, it does answer a lot of questions I’ve had through the years!
Thanks for the insight!