Patricia
Block
Strategic Communications, Content Development and Copy
Writing Portfolio
CONTENTS
1.
Market Research Studies and White Papers
2.
Executive and Creative Briefs
3. Brochures and Company
Backgrounders
4.
Case Studies
5. Articles
6.
PR Communications Plan
7.
Messaging and Branding Copy
8.
Press and News Releases
9.
Newsletters
10.
Book Promotion
11.
Company and Event Collateral
12.
Web Content
13.
Sales and Slide Presentations
14.
PR and Media Outreach Campaigns
15.
Freelance Writing
NOTE: A link to materials is included with each
entry.
MARKET
RESEARCH STUDIES AND WHITE PAPERS
Spencer
Stuart
“Tier One Talent:
Investment Strategies for Human Capital: A Study of Portfolio
Company Leadership for Venture Capital and Private Equity
Industries”
This thought leadership market
study was one of six that Block led for executive search
firm Spencer Stuart's Technology, Communications &
Media practice. The study was co-sponsored by the National
Venture Capital Associating (NVCA), with whom we developed
a strong alliance. We electronically surveyed over 2,400
NVCA members, conducted email and telemarketing campaigns
and invited specific executives to attend a breakout session
at the NVCA annual conference in San Francisco.
Rick Smith, director and study co-sponsor presented study
top line findings to a standing-room-only crowd. We ended
up with over 30 qualified lead. Through this project we
established over 80 relationships with VCs and portfolio
company CEOs. Over the next year, the initiative generated
over $1 million in new client engagements.
"Will
You Be Ready?"
Block cultivated a strategic
alliance with the Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA) and we collaborated on a research study of the communication
systems and communication services markets. We used digital
copies of the study as part of an email campaign to make
contact with and secure telephone and face-to-face meetings
with clients and prospects. The project generated over
$250k incremental revenue.
“Easing
Out the Founder: Managing a Successful Founder/CEO Transition”
This market study included interviews
with a number of high-tech startup founders and CEOs.
Wrote the copy, designed and produced a slide presentation
that summarizes the study’s key findings and highlights
the strategies for a successful handoff. Study findings,
the final paper and press mentions were used to successfully
position the firm and Scott Gordon, Partner and leader
of the Internet Specialty Practice, as a thought leader
in Silicon Valley and in national media.
“Mastering
CRM: The latest technology, the right leadership team,
effectively managing change – all of that and more”
The purpose of this study, driven
by Spencer Stuart’s Direct & Interactive Marketing
Specialty Practice with support from the Technology, Communication
& Media Practice, was to better understand the elements
required for CRM success. Led all research and writing,
created the opening “scene” on page three
and also devised and created the “CRM Toolkit”
on pages 17-18 to help companies ensure a successful CRM
implementation.
“How
Sales Leadership Differentiates Top-Tier Software Companies”
Led research study sponsored by the firm’s Software
Specialty Practice Group to learn about the differences
between the most successful software companies and their
competitors. In other words, what distinguishes leaders
of the pack? The study uncovered that that sales leadership,
above all else, is the key differentiator. The white paper
offered candid snapshot on the thinking, approach and
best practices in sales leadership at top software companies.
Lee
Hecht Harrison
Block led the research
study and wrote this 14-page report on innovative leadership
development activities. Study included interviewing senior
executives with HP, Wells Fargo, Johnson & Johnson,
etc. These new relationships planted business development
seeds for the firm’s emerging Leadership Consulting
Practice.
EXECUTIVE
AND CREATIVE BRIEFS
Spencer Stuart
“Emerging
Company Boards Survey”
Spencer Stuart’s study on emerging
company boards uncovers what emerging company board directors
in the technology and life science industries are thinking
and what leading practices are shaping corporate governance
today.
“Will
You Be Ready?” Research Study Creative Brief
This is one example of a creative brief
that was developed for each of the market research projects
that Block led for Spencer Stuart’s Technology,
Communications & Media Practice. The brief outlines
project objectives and highlights “what, who and
when” in the following sections: Initiative, Internal
sponsors, Study target audience, Business goals, Key communications
and messaging, Marketing communications/creative program
components, Draft schedule, and Budget.
The brief highlights this executive search firm’s
study on how organizations are planning and managing their
CSR executive leadership needs now and going forward.
The white paper will describe the skill-set and competencies
required for a C-level CSR executive to successfully perform
and help an organization achieve its CSR objectives and
will also include a summary of CSR best practices.
BROCHURES
AND COMPANY BACKGROUNDERS
HNCL
Search
Wrote
all copy and designed this brochure for the HNCL Search
consultants to use in direct and email campaigns to secure
participation in the market study on Corporate Social
Responsibility.
Oracle
Oracle Retail Brochure
Block teamed with Retek Information Systems to draft oversee
copy writing of brochure. The piece was distributed at
RISCON ‘99 Conference (Retail Information Systems
Conference) to secure interest in Oracle Retail’s
industry application. Oracle Retail garnered the greatest
attention, buzz and booth traffic at the conference.
Meridian
Builders & Developers, Inc.
Meridian Builders &
Developers Tri-fold Brochure
Wrote the copy, selected the photos and helped design
page layout for brochure. Our goal: increase visibility
for this woman-owned construction company. Meridian achieved
remarkable PR visibility following Block’s PR pitch
to Sunset magazine: they chose Meridian to build the magazine’s
2007 San Francisco Idea House, their greenest Idea House
ever!
Please click on these icons/links for a sampling of PR
coverage achieved for the Sunset 2007 San Francisco Idea
House and Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
Video broadcast on CH. 7 KGO’s "The View from
the Bay," featuring Robin Wilson, CEO and General
Contractor, Meridian Builder & Developers and a tour
of the 2007 San Francisco Idea House.
Jeff
King & Company
Created
brand messaging, interviewed clients for testimonial and
wrote
copy for company backgrounder.
CASE
STUDIES
Block
crafted two case studies for executive search firm Spencer
Stuart, which included interviews with high-profile industry
executives and client endorsements.
Spencer Stuart
“Advancing
Growth through Leadership”
Block interviewed Anthony Perkins, former
Chairman, Red Herring Communications. Includes quotes
by Hilary A. Schneider, Red Herring CEO; and Steve Brooks,
Managing Director, Broadview Partners.
Block interviewed Rick White, former U.S.
Congressman and former CEO, TechNet, a bipartisan, political
network of CEOs and Senior Executives that promotes the
growth of technology and the innovation economy. Includes
quotes by Jim Barksdale, former Netscape CEO; and venture
capitalist John Doerr.
ARTICLES
Meridian
Builders & Developers, Inc.
“Living
Green in the City” – Sunset Magazine article
Sunset
created an Idea House in San Francisco that took the magazine's
Idea House Program into a dense urban area for the first
time, and demonstrated how to maximize construction on
a compact site.
The Mission District home was one of the first LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) certified residential
remodeled homes in the nation. In the United States, LEED
certification is the recognized standard for measuring
building sustainability.
Key features in the three-story remodeled home included
a spa and exercise space which opens onto an entertaining
patio, a dramatic glass and steel staircase, and an urban
roof garden atop the garage.
Lee Hecht Harrison
“Board
Leadership: A Mandate to Develop Future Leaders”
Block researched and ghostwrote this article
for the firm’s Leadership Consulting Practice and
secured placement in Directors Monthly, a publication
of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
The project included securing and conducting interviews
with high-profile corporate executives – e.g., John
E. Pepper, former chairman of the board and CEO, the Procter
& Gamble Company and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate
Dean for Executive Programs, Yale School of Management,
and founder and president of The Chief Executive Leadership
Institute.
Block Consulting
“Successful
Marketing in Six Easy Steps”
Follow
these steps to drive successful "closed-loop"
marketing and PR program
planning and execution – and achieve revenue-generating
results!
Block
is a contributor to HR.com, in business to help build
great companies by connecting them to the knowledge and
resources they need to effectively manage the people side
of business.
PR
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart Technology and Communications
Practice
PR Communications Plan
Worked with Ogilvy PR to build
the PR Communications Plan for this executive search
firm's Technology and Communications Practice. The plan
includes Communications Objectives and Strategies, Core
Messages, Target Media and Influencer Audiences, the
PR Plan, Program Management specifics, a Time Line and
List of Target Media.
Gripit Floss Holder
Gripit
Floss Holder
Marketing, PR and Communications Plan
Worked with client to launch a new tooth flossing device,
the Gripit Floss Holder. The plan includes company Mission
and Values, and Executive Summary, Core Messages, Competitive
Messaging, Target Audiences and Industry Influencers,
Marketing and PR Communications Plan, Calendar, Target
Media and Budget.
MESSAGING
AND BRANDING COPY
Gripit Floss Holder
Oracle
Oracle
Retail
Worked closely with Oracle Consumer
Sector senior management and Retek to create and deploy
the Oracle Retail application's value proposition and
messaging in all materials, including proposals, ad
campaigns, analyst press interviews and all marketing
collateral.
PRESS
AND NEWS RELEASES
Sand
Hill IT Security
“St.
Bernard Software Completes Merger With Sand Hill IT
Security Acquisition Corporation”
This
was one of 11 press releases that Block wrote for Sand
Hill IT Security, a public target acquisition company.
HNCL
Search
“HNCL
Search Announces Firm Growth and Name Change”
This was one of eight press releases
and news announcements that Block wrote for HNCL Search.
Please click on this link to view materials written
for the firm:
http://www.hnclsearch.com/news.html
Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
NEWSLETTERS
Spencer Stuart
inTerCoM
Internal newsletter that Block
designed, produced, edited and wrote over 50% of the
copy for Spencer Stuart's firm’s Technology, Communications
& Media (TCM) Practice. The piece was acknowledged
as a great digital device to share firm news and business
development best practices. (Includes edited cover page
only)
Southern
California Perspectives
External newsletter that Block
wrote and which Spencer Stuart used to generate awareness
for the firm’s newly opened Orange County office.
BOOK
PROMOTION
Spencer
Stuart
"The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary
Careers"
Block
led planning and execution of online promotion for the
book written by executive search consultants, Jim Citrin
and Rick Smith.
Activities
include extensive due diligence and contacting target
audiences to review, post links and secure speaking
opportunities. Block also researched leading book blogs
and posted comments, which helped secured a spike in
book sales!
COMPANY
AND EVENT COLLATERAL
Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
Meridian
Builders & Developers Post Card
Block wrote the copy and designed
post card, a version of which was distributed at the
2007
Sunset San Francisco Idea House home tours,
Nov. 2007-Jan. 2008.
Block
wrote this overview for Meridian Builders & Developers.
Worked as sales consultant and contacted project sponsors
and contributors about donating, or contributing at
cost, their products and services to the LEED-certified
San Francisco Idea House.
San
Francisco Idea House Green and “Smart Home”
Features
Block wrote this summary for distribution
over the 10 weeks of Sunset 2007 San Francisco Idea
House home tours.
Oracle
Oracle
CPG “Seed to Shelf” Demonstration
Oracle Consumer Packaged
Goods (CPG) “Seed to Shelf” exhibit was
held at Oracle World Headquarters in January and February
of 1998. The “Seed to Shelf” demonstration
was designed to provide a forum for dialogue with prospects
and internal audiences interested in learning about
the CPG solution. The objective was to demonstrate in
a very visible, tangible way, Oracle’s proven
ability to deliver the premier industry solution for
the consumer packaged goods industry
(Table of contents only).
Click here or on graphic below
to review Post Card Invitation to
Oracle's “Seed to Shelf” event.
Sand Hill IT Security
Block crafted the messaging and
wrote, designed and produced this two-page overview
for Sand Hill IT Security, a public target acquisition
company.
Spencer
Stuart
Media
Practice Overview
Block wrote collateral for Spencer
Stuart's Media & Communications Practice. The piece,
used at special events, as meeting leave-behind and
in email campaigns, enhanced visibility for the practice
and firm leaders, Harry Somerdyk and Judy Havas.
GEL
and BIG TEAM Regatta
BIG
TEAM Regatta 2005
Block wrote and designed all collateral
and this information kit to promote corporate sailing
challenge sponsored by GEL (Group Experiential Learning),
a team building and leadership training company. The
Information Kit includes a Letter of Invitation, Event
Summary (what, why, where, when how), Branding and Sponsorship
Benefits, Regatta Entry Form, and Participant Summary.
WEB
CONTENT
TRI Corporation
TRI
Corp. is an innovative Experiential Leadership and
Simulation Programs company.
Old site:
New site:
http://www.tri-simulation.com/
Block wrote messaging,
web copy and crafted tag line for
TRI Corp.’s new identity and web site. Also created
html META and ALT tags to enhance Search Engine Optimization
(SEO).
Sand
Hill IT Security
Block designed web site architecture,
crafted company messaging, merger model summary and
wrote all web copy and FAQs for this IT Security public
target acquisition company.
Company
Messaging and Merger Model
Web site FAQs
TSG
Block wrote all copy for web site
and designed page architecture and flow for this Venture
Capital (VC) and Private Equity search firm.
Created brand messaging...
“Leadership for
Private Equity”
...and tag line:
“Industry insight.
Accelerated Process. Business Results.”
SALES
AND SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
Spencer Stuart
“Venture
Backed Leadership:
Mastering the Investment in Human Capital”
This thought leadership market
study on VC-backed companies, “Tier One Talent:
Investment Strategies for Human Capital,” was
one of six that Block led for Spencer Stuart's Technology,
Communications & Media practice. The study’s
top-line findings were presented to a standing room
only crowd at the National Venture Capital Association’s
(NVCA) meeting in San Francisco. Over 80 new relationships
and 30 qualified leads resulted, which led to over $1
million in new client engagements.
“Easing
Out the Founder: Managing a Successful Founder/CEO Transition”
Slide Presentation
Block
wrote the copy, designed and produced this slide presentation
that summarized study key findings about startup company
founders’ “passing the baton.” This
executive summary was presented at a breakfast meeting,
“Human Capital in a Down Market: Strategies for
Tough Times,” attended by high-profile Venture
Capital (VC) partners, including April King, Sequoia
Capital, Jason Brickley, Garage Technology Ventures
and Margaret King, Lightspeed.
PR
AND MEDIA OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS
Spencer
Stuart
Technology,
Communications & Media Practice Press and PR Activities
Robert Damon, the search firm’s
WestPlex Regional Director, asked us to “Create
a PR machine!” – and we did! Crafted communications
plan and worked closely with firm leaders and Ogilvy
PR to formulate practice and regional messaging. Established
and nurtured relationships with media powerhouse editors
and reporters. Press mentions produced over 100% increase
in media hits and public relations ROI of almost 300%.
Scott Gordon, Partner and Executive Search Consultant,
Spencer Stuart Press Quotes and Media Appearances
Scott Gordon, Partner and Executive
Search Consultant, serves as a national spokesperson
for Spencer Stuart’s Technology Practice and the
Internet Specialty Practice Group.
Block contacted local, regional and national press and
pitched story ideas and presented Scott as the go-to
spokesperson who had access to High Tech and Internet
market leaders. We secured coverage in a vast array
of high-profile publications and media including the
Wall Street Journal, CNN, Business 2.0, Red Herring
and the San Francisco Business Times.
GEL and BIG TEAM Regatta
Block secured a complimentary
promotional radio interview
on KNBR Community Programming show hosted by Gimmy Park
Li and alliance for BIG TEAM Regatta with San Francisco
radio station KFOG.
How?
See below...
Block
attended a live KFOG event at the Little Fox Theater
in Redwood City. After speaking with KFOG’s Irish
Greg, Block emailed Irish Greg and later contacted Gimmy
Park Li about featuring GEL’s corporate sailing
challenge and fund-raiser, the BIG TEAM Regatta, on
KNBR's Community Programming show.
Our goal: raise funds for the Treasure Island Sailing
Center (TISC) underprivileged and adaptive youth sailing
programs.
Email
to KFOG’s Irish Greg
On August 20-21, 2005, GEL CEO Jay Palace, TISC Director
Carisa Harris and Block were featured
in a KNBR AM 68 interview, also broadcast on KFOG/KFFG
104.5/97.7 and The BONE FM 107.7. The following year
KFOG served as a major sponsor of San Francisco 2006
BIG TEAM Regatta.
KNBR
Community Programming Interview
In 2005, we raised over $50,000
for Treasure Island Sailing Center's sailing programs
and made a lot of kids and adaptive sailors very happy
through their sailing adventures.
FREELANCE
WRITING
Block is a Contributor to NiemanWatchdog.org,
“Questions the Press Should Ask,” a project
sponsored by the Nieman Foundation Journalism at Harvard
University. The site is dedicated to publishing articles
about important news and social issues of the day.
“Brain
Injuries: Something Soldiers and Athletes Have in Common”
Soldiers
may not be able to avoid traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Athletes can but too often won’t because their
response to a concussion is to get back on the field
as soon as they are able. The press, especially the
regional press, can help alert youngsters to the dangers
and consequences of TBI.
Block
is a Contributor to WomensRadio.com. This site is dedicated
to helping women writers and business professionals
succeed.
“End the War's Cognitive Carnage”
WomensRadio.com contributor Patricia
Block writes: "Much has been made about the number
of American soldiers who have died in the war on Iraq
– over 1,500 and counting. This sad statistic
begs the question..."
“Health
Care? What an Oxymoron.”
Who or what organization is auditing
the health care industry and medical institutions at
large – making certain that hospitals, doctors
and nurses operate authentically, provide compassionate
care.
“Walking
Wounded”
An estimated 1.5 million people
sustain a traumatic brain injury in the U.S. alone -
impacting them, there families, their communities and
the systems which serve them.
©
1999-2008 Block Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.
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