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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

Jeff King & Company Backgrounder

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.

“URBAN GREEN:
Sunset's Idea House Brings Energy Efficiency to Living in the City”


Article published in the Silicon Valley Mercury News featuring the Idea House.






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.



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