AMA Fairfield County News

Innovative Ideas for Innovating
February 17, 2005
Presentation by: Brian Mattimore and Gary Fraser of the Growth Engine Company
          

Norwalk, Conn., February 17, 2005 — The Fairfield County Chapter of The American Marketing Association is proud to welcome Brian Mattimore and Gary Fraser of The Growth Engine Company to speak at their March 2005 meeting. Brian and Gary will discuss innovative ways to create breakthrough new product ideas. They will use case studies from such companies as Sears/Craftsman, Thomas’ (muffins), and Unilever.

Before co-founding the Growth Engine Co. in 1999, Bryan Mattimore was founder and President of the Mattimore Group, an 18-year-old creativity consulting and ideation facilitation company. He is one of America's top experts in applied creativity, ideation facilitation and innovation management. In his career, he has facilitated more than 1,500 marketing and business strategy ideation sessions. He is the author of the bestselling book, "99% Inspiration, A Real World Guide to Business Creativity". His articles on applied creativity have appeared in dozens of magazines including Advertising Age, Reader's Digest, The Futurist, Omni and Success. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, with a major in psychology.
           
Gary Fraser, co-founder of The Growth Engine Company, is a 25 year veteran of creative marketing and branding at top consumer products firms, including General Foods (Kraft), Chesebrough Ponds, and Unilever. He launched Mentadent Toothpaste, a billion dollar brand in three years. During his career, Gary received two Golden Effie Awards, was named Marketer of the Year by Brandweek Magazine, and won three Edison awards. Gary is a graduate of Middlebury College with a major in economics, and received his MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2005 from 6pm – 8pm at the Courtyard at Marriott, located at 474 Main Avenue in Norwalk. Attendees will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar.           

The American Marketing Association attracts executives from Fairfield, Westchester and New Haven counties. It is dedicated to keeping marketing professionals up-to-date on the latest business trends. Chapter members, non-members, business associates, and friends are invited to attend.

Attendees can pre-register for a discounted rate online at www.amafairfieldcounty.org.  Payment at the door is $30 for AMA members, $40 for non-members and $15 for students with ID’s. Online registration is highly recommended. Additionally, you can RSVP to AMA.RSVP@hotmail.com by Tuesday, March11, 2005 to receive the discounted rate. Corporate discounts are also available; please contact Jim Cioban at (203) 470-2623 for group rates and any additional information.

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Branded Entertainment – James Bond re-born in the last decade

Special Interactive Presentation by: Karen Sortito, Independent Entertainment Marketing Consultant
            

Norwalk, Conn., October 17, 2007 — The Fairfield County Chapter of The American Marketing Association welcomes Karen Sortito, Independent Entertainment Marketing Consultant to speak at the organization’s November meeting. Sortito will talk about “Product Placement – the new Branded Entertainment” and how to revive a 40 year old franchise – James Bond re-born in the last decade. The November 14th meeting will be held at special venue -- the newly renovated Palace Digital Studios in South Norwalk.

Karen Sortito most recently held the position of Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for Spyglass Entertainment. Prior to that, Sortito was an entertainment marketing consultant specializing in promoting high profile films for Hollywood studios and production companies.  Her clients included Sony Pictures Entertainment, Revolution Studios, IMAX, and New Line Cinema among others. Sortito also worked at MGM/UA film studios, where she was Executive Vice President, Worldwide Promotions.  During her tenure there she won several national awards and was named Brand Week magazine’s Entertainment “Marketer of the Year” for her breakthrough promotional tie-ins with BMW and other luxury brands in the revitalized James Bond films. Sortito also held key positions at Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, and MTV networks.

Palace Digital Studios is one of the most advanced digital media production centers in all of New England. Palace’s multi-purpose theatre/sound stage will play host to this special AMA event. The studio is outfit with a large shooting stage, motorized lighting grid, and a full compliment of High Definition & Standard Definition television production services.

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The Networking Alphabet
Networker of the Year: Using Improv Techniques for Networking

Special Interactive Presentation by: Melanie Szlucha/Owner

Norwalk, Conn., October 10, 2007 — A…. B….C…..Doh!  What’s the next letter again? That was the common response from attendees as Melanie Szlucha introduced the alphabet of networking.  Szlucha is the owner of Red Inc., a firm specializing in coaching and helping people become more relaxed and prepared during the job interview process.

The lesson in session was how to network utilizing improv techniques. Szlucha shared that attendees needed to re-set their mindset when attending networking events. Attendees should steer clear of becoming the classic-business-card-spewing-sales-focused professional at events.  Instead, attendees should focus on building relationships through active listening when attending networking events.

First lesson: pay attention.  Szlucha stated it sounded simple but demonstrated how little people actively paid attention to speakers when their focus is misplaced.  Szlucha shared techniques in making people remember you through topics of common interests or common dislikes.  Szlucha also shared subtle methods of meeting (or subtly escaping) attendees at events. If you do not know anyone at events, tips on stepping out your comfort zone and planting relationship-building seeds through shared tasks like grocery shopping or dry cleaning were shared.

Szlucha shared improv techniques associated with comedic and drama theatre groups to teach active listening focused networking skills and networking do’s and don’ts.  No lesson plans or blackboards were present at this event.  Attendees were set up in groups to put the lessons in action.  It was interactive, fun and educational. 

Laughter and chatter were the constant buzz in this classroom.  Members shared past experiences, networking fears and lessons learned during the improv sessions. Throughout the laughter, attendees came away with the lesson of make folks remember you by building relationships — not quotas.

Don’t miss next month’s meeting where AMA gets a little taste of Hollywood.  Hollywood is not just for the actors. Karen Sortito will be the guest speaker who will share information on “Product Placement – the new Branded Entertainment”. Bring a friend and we’ll provide the popcorn. 

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And the Networker of the Year Award Goes To…
Presentation by: Melanie Szlucha, Owner of Red Inc.

Norwalk, Conn., September 17, 2007 — The Fairfield County Chapter of The American Marketing Association welcomes Melanie Szlucha of Red Inc. to speak at the organization’s October meeting. Szlucha will use improv techniques to demonstrate various networking do’s and don’ts. Attendees will learn to become more confident at events, avoid networking “sins”, and actually look forward to the opportunity to meet new people and even do business with them in the future. 

Melanie Szlucha has coached numerous job seekers to become more confident and prepared during the job interview process. Her career spanned the arts working for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, then relocating to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Georgia, and then became Marketing Director for the Garde Arts Center in New London CT. After being in the art world she transitioned into a career in Market Research with a for-profit company in New York City.  Then, ready to move in another direction, she began to use her experience as a hiring manager and giving presentations to develop her own method of preparing candidates for job interviews.

Retail as the New Communication Network 
-The Key to Driving Sales-

Presentation by: Catapult Marketing Chief Operating Officer Paul Kramer

Norwalk, Conn., August 20, 2007 — The Fairfield County Chapter of The American Marketing Association is proud to welcome Paul Kramer of Catapult Marketing to speak at the organization’s September meeting. Kramer will discuss how retail is the new communication network and the key to driving sales.

Paul Kramer is a 17-year Catapult veteran. His award-winning and distinguished career is characterized by a long track record of building efficient and profitable sales and marketing programs and communication organizations.  His expertise is a unique blend of creativity, technical marketing analysis, and a keen business sense for strategic positioning.  Kramer has worked with some of the world's greatest communication companies, including Grey Advertising, Bates Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, and D.L. Ryan Companies. The beneficiaries of his marketing acumen include Johnson & Johnson, M&M Mars, Cadbury Schweppes, Toyota Motor Sales, The Stanley Works, Timex Corporation, Wal*Mart, Alcoa Consumer Products, and Novartis.
           

New Blog for AMA Fairfield County
November 24, 2006

The Fairfield County Chapter of the American Marketing Association proudly announces its brand new Blog, www.amafairfieldcounty.blogspot.com

Speaking at the November meeting, Kim Kiriazidis, President of the chapter, said "I'm really excited about our new Blog. I think it will make it much easier for members and area marketing professionals to post their comments about chapter meetings and to get information and opinions on the latest marketing topics discussed. We're grateful to the members for helping to develop the Blog, especially our Board Member, Caitlin McConoughey. We look forward to making the Blog even more useful in the future."

Chapter members who contributed to developing the site include: Caitlin McConoughey, Alecia Coffin, and GC Vellutino.

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AMA Offers Corporate Exposure
November 15, 2006

The Fairfield County Chapter of the American Marketing Association has announced a new opportunity for Corporations to gain exposure and advertising.

Kim Kiriazidis, President of the chapter, revealed a new sponsorship plan, beginning January 1, 2007 that allows companies to sponsor a meeting in exchange for banner displays, etc. at meetings. This offers a corporation the opportunity to create awareness, and gain exposure and advertising.

Look for more details on www.amafairfieldcounty.org or contact Kim Kiriazidis at (203) 803-4844.

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