The third quarter of 2011 delivered new ventures for WPNT. We welcomed every opportunity to serve our clients with uniquely tailored and highly-interactive communications coaching. Below are some highlights:*
- As a guest on Fareed Zakaria’s Global Public Square on CNN, WPNT helped prepare an economist, and member of the President’s Council on Community Solutions, for a segment and interview on the economy and job creation. The program was conducted in Washington, D.C.
- A US-based multinational company contracted WPNT to provide Advanced Presentation Skills Training to senior managers and government relations advisors in the Asia Pacific region. The program, which took place in Singapore, was led by WPNT’s Houston partner, Ray Thompson, and associate, Alison Freeman, and provided hands-on experience delivering pre-approved presentations.
- As the U.S. nuclear industry battles the backlash from the Japan tsunami and nuclear disaster of March, drills and exercises are more critical than ever before. Jim Hibbs, Lauri Freking and Wixted Associates provided mock media support and critique during FEMA-evaluated drills for one of the largest nuclear energy companies in the U.S. A constant flow of mock blogs, simulated reporter phone calls and tough questions during mock press conferences test the nuclear team’s ability to communicate during a nuclear crisis.
- One of the largest private, not-for-profit, academic medical centers in California continued its Leadership Communication series with Alison Gregory Pope and Scott Pope providing Executive Communications Coaching for 25 of its up and coming leaders. Nursing managers, department managers and senior staff participated in a Phase II program of skill building, emphasizing communication upward, team leadership communication and dealing with controversy in a full day program in San Francisco.
- New York and Florida-based financial journalists of a consumer website traveled to Chicago to participate in WPNT’s Executive Media Training for the Content Expert designed. These print reporters are being groomed to serve as content experts in business and news cable programs on CNN, CNBC and Bloombergs, among others.
- Dallas- and Houston-based associates convened to conduct Crisis Communications Training for a prominent research and pediatric care facility in Houston. We provided strategic and tactical crisis management experience to representatives from public relations, marketing, and legal. One participant found her training “eye-opening” and another commented, “I found it to be a great situational exercise about dealing with negativity.”
- One of the largest mining companies in the world turned to our team to prepare for meetings in Shanghai, China. Eileen Wixted prepped a senior company leader in a series of Executive Leadership Sessions that combine lecture, on-camera exercises and critique.
- A renewable fuels company with refineries in seven states engaged WPNT’s Alison Gregory Pope and Scott Pope to prepare their plant managers for crisis response during a full day Crisis Communications Training session in Iowa. The training included a customized crisis scenario which tested the plant managers' ability to quickly establish themselves as the information source in the early stages of an unfolding crisis, and to successfully transition communication to corporate spokespersons and senior executives.
- In preparation for live broadcasts from the company’s Wisconsin headquarters, WPNT counseled three senior leaders of a Fortune 1000, global manufacturer for multiple satellite cut-ins throughout the Fox Business morning line up.
- WPNT travelled to Melbourne, Australia to complete three programs comprised of Stakeholder Engagement Training, Advanced Media Training, and Executive Speech Coaching. A one-on-one session with the Chairman and CEO of a prominent company elicited this feedback: “Essential to discharging my responsibilities as chairman and CEO of Australia companies.”
- Hurricane Irene left millions of dollars in damage for residents on the East Coast. It also created reputational damage for companies who failed to communicate well during the storm. Eileen Wixted and Jeff Johnson worked with a major company under siege from regulators, media and customers. During a Stakeholder Engagement Training program, our team prepared company leaders to address tough questions and begin the importance task of rebuilding trust with stakeholders.
- More than a dozen top leaders of a Chicago-based Fortune 100 company underwent private, Executive Communications Coaching sessions in preparation for a strategy planning meeting with the Board of Directors. Select members of this group also received coaching earlier in the quarter in advance of the company leadership meeting to 600 colleagues.
- A senior WPNT associate, and former member of the White House Press Corps, joined us in Washington, DC to provide Advanced Media Training for Senior Vice Presidents, Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents of an influential trade association. In recommending the training to his colleagues, the Vice President of Communications said, “Enjoy it and don’t be afraid of feedback.”
- Healthcare reform continues to create tension for hospitals and healthcare systems. In this time of uncertainty heath leaders recognize the importance of clear, compelling and strong communication skills. Health systems in California, Texas and the Midwest are participating in our new Healthcare Leadership Communication Training program. This curriculum was developed by Eileen Wixted, former medical reporter and consultant to 500 hospitals. Participants learn how to communicate using emotional intelligence, advocacy and directive messages to improve acceptance and change. These highly interactive sessions utilize on-camera exercises combined with real hospital-based initiatives.
- Marketing directors and product planning managers, some from France, Britain and New Zealand, participated in WPNT Presentation Skills Training over two days at company headquarters in Milwaukee. Participants focused on internal, senior leadership audiences during the programs.
- WPNT’s Ray Thompson was accompanied by London-based associate Neil Chapman for two days of Stakeholder Engagement Training in Calgary. The client was preparing for outreach to local, provincial and federal government leaders, First Nation representatives, special interest groups and the media.
- Foreclosures continue to be a sign of the times. A leader in home mortgages called upon Lauri Freking, Jeff Johnson and Eileen Wixted to provide coaching to their national team. The program focused on ways to communicate a home preservation initiative. Participants in the Stakeholder Engagement Training program learned how to communicate with compassion and discipline to homeowners, advocacy groups, angry elected officials and regulators.
- Senior operations leaders of six regional airlines from around the country gathered in Minneapolis for a Crisis Communications Training program with members of WPNT’s Press Corps. Representing print, social and broadcast media, the Press Corps helped implement a multi-development simulation requiring participant interviews in various formats.
- In August, a prominent Washington, DC- based trade association sought Advanced Media Training for its President and a Senior Director. The executives were preparing for network television appearances and Congressional testimony as the association engages with policymakers on federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting its member companies. Both participants found the training “Extremely relevant” to their current and future assignments. The company's President extended the following endorsement, "If you speak to media, congress, etc. you need to do this!"
- As part of on-going relationship with a Fortune 200 CEO, WPNT provided Executive Communications Coaching for his upcoming regional company meeting. The session focused on enhancing and broadening his vocal capabilities.
- WPNT welcomed a new business consulting client with Executive Communications Coaching.
- After spinning off from a Fortune 100 technology company, this newly-independent business turned to WPNT for Executive Media Training for their Chief Financial Officer. The executive of this East Coast Company is preparing for a more public-facing role. His ambition to move way from the script and become comfortable speaking extemporaneously promted him to request coaching from a WPNT expert.
- WPNT Associate Rebecca Theim and Stephanie Nora White penned "Seven Communications Rules" for the Debt Super Committee currently featured on Business Insider, a leading on-line resource for business leaders and opinion makers around the globe. Please click here to read the article. You may also view it here under "Articles & Tips."
- WPNT provided Presentation Skills Training to an organization whose mission is to prevent today’s students from falling behind in essential subjects of study. Rhonda Hughes conducted a one-on-one morning session with the President and CEO. In the afternoon, she offered a similar program to other leaders within the organization. Participants focused on targeting messages to non-academic audiences. Following her training, the Communications Director of this non-profit institute commented, “great training; a real asset for anyone in the business or non-profit world.” Other feedback included, "This program gave me a very useful framework that I can apply to any kind of meeting, presentation or speaking opportunity.”
- WPNT in Houston welcomed its newest Associate, Monica Steiner. Monica has been in the communications field for over 25 years. As a reporter, she covered beats ranging from city government and presidential campaigns to investigative reporting on environmental issues, crime and medicine. Currently Monica is a freelance journalist. In addition, she specializes in Spanish language voice-overs as well as translation services.