PR professionals are known for being good with our words—but that sometimes comes with the stigma that we’ll say anything to make our clients look good. We always want to position our clients for success, but how do we work around these preconceptions? By building meaningful connections. 

That’s particularly important when working with journalists who are constantly bombarded with pitches. Can you imagine if every email in your inbox was someone asking you for something? That’s why I always go out of my way to build a personal relationship with the reporters I work with. 

If I see an interesting article that they wrote, I’ll reach out with a greeting and attempt to form that connection. That way we already have a rapport if I reach back out to pitch a client story. Sometimes, a journalist will even come back to me because of that initial conversation, appreciating the fact that I complimented their recent work before making an ask of my own. 

My friends at Axios are a perfect example of this type of relationship-building outreach. I caught a trend piece in my daily news scans and reached out to the reporter, telling him I loved his perspective and that I couldn’t wait for his next column. This turned into a conversation, during which the reporter asked who I worked with and if anything was timely. This resulted in a newsletter and exclusive coverage for our client. To this day, I regularly check in with this reporter to say hello or ask if they have any fun vacation plans. 

Building personal relationships is just as important with clients. Getting to know clients on a deeper level allows me to more effectively work alongside them and assist in their growth and success. This can be as simple as starting a client call with “What did you do over the weekend?” or “Any fun vacations planned?” It seems simple, but these non-business conversions build relationships and, ultimately, trust. 

Trust improves our work together and drives tangible results. We become an extension of the client’s team. We know the message they want the world to hear. We know what makes them excited and what they celebrate as success. This comes with time, but it also comes as we open up and have real conversations. 

If you throw a dinner party with your closest friends and you know one of them is lactose intolerant, will you only be serving dairy heavy dishes? No, you anticipate their needs and prepare additional options for them to enjoy. It works the same way when you have a meaningful relationship with a client. Through emails, weekly calls and in-person opportunities, I better learn my clients’ preferences and anticipate their needs. When an opportunity comes across my desk, I can immediately gauge their interest level and how it fits into their larger goals and media strategy. Communications become quicker and more efficient. 

At a previous agency, I became particularly close with the team at a luxury wellness brand. The team and I had a great working relationship and they knew how passionate I was about getting them valuable coverage. Our relationship was so strong that they moved their business to N6A after I started my new position with the agency. We continue to work together to this day, where I focus solely on top tier podcast outreach and have garnered interest from Bloomberg, Men’s Journal and Benzinga. 

I view the PR professional and client relationship as a team, which stems from my decades of being on one. I started competitive cheerleading at five years old and didn’t stop until I graduated from the University of Connecticut at 22. One of the most important skills in cheerleading is called stunting, which are the lifts that consist of two bases, one back spot and a flyer. To properly and safely stunt, everyone must be on the same page and communicate clearly before, during and after the stunt. If someone doesn’t know what’s happening, they can get injured. Having had my fair share of falls, I’ve learned that communication brings the right outcome.

As AI tools like ChatGPT dominate the news cycle, the importance of human relationships are at risk of being devalued. But building relationships and trust doesn’t come automatically. Leading with empathy and compassion is—and will remain—critical to achieving PR success.

The post For PR, Human Connection Still Matters in the Age of Automation appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

But it is important for employees to prioritize their mental health in the workplace. That means taking advantage of employer-provided wellness programs and health services. It means taking breaks when you need them. It means checking in on coworkers. Not only does this allow for a more pleasant work environment but can lead to less burnout and increased productivity. 

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day, here are four things you can do to make sure you’re caring for yourself. 

1. Take advantage of wellness programs

As mental health becomes a more relevant topic in company culture conversations, many organizations are creating an internal wellness program or expanding what is currently in place. N6A, for example, has begun hosting bi-weekly wellness workshops where employees can learn about proper breathing techniques, how to optimize sleep, proper nutrition, and more. 

Ask your employer if they currently offer or plan to offer similar programming. Not only does this give you the building blocks to work on improving your wellbeing, it also serves as an opportunity for you to interact with coworkers outside of the typical day-to-day account work. 

2. Ask about health services your employer offers

If your employer offers healthcare coverage, usually therapy and psychiatric services are included. Make sure to call your insurance provider to get a list of in-network practitioners in your area.

If you’re not currently taking advantage of your employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, make sure you sign up!

3. Check in on coworkers

While this only takes a quick ping or email, checking in on your coworkers can go a long way. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of staying connected through tough times. Checking in with one another creates an emotionally safe space that ultimately allows for a deeper level of transparency between one another. 

4. Take a break!

Especially for those that may work remotely, taking a break can feel challenging when your computer is looming in the corner. But it is extremely important to step away from work when possible, even if just for a quick walk around the block. Find time to take off for lunch or grab a screen break, especially during busier days when time seems to fly. 

This list of action items comprehensive. It is just the start of the conversation… a conversation that has a long way to go. 

By acting on these steps, we can establish the need for growth in these initiatives to hopefully ripple to all companies and encourage them and their employees to prioritize mental wellbeing.

The post 4 Tips for Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

Unfortunately, I had the exact opposite feeling after I graduated. That excitement had been replaced with a big fat “Now what?”

Those first few steps after graduating NC State seemed crucial to setting up my long term success and I was overwhelmed with the amount of offers I had to sift through online. While scouring LinkedIn for award-winning PR agencies, I was lucky enough to come across an opening at the Account Coordinator level at N6A. 

As it turns out, N6A was the perfect choice for my first post-collegiate job. Here are three reasons why.

1. N6A has the perfect balance of independence and support.

I was worried that I would end up at a company that didn’t trust their employees to maintain efficiency in a remote setting. That’s not the case at N6A. There’s no hand holding, but there’s also never been a moment anyone made me feel like I couldn’t reach out for help. Heck, before I even had a chance to get started on Day 1, everyone was reaching out to ensure I felt supported and educated. 

That independence can feel daunting (kind of like leaving home for university!), but it’s good for you. With patience and the right people around you, this pathway is designed for you to flourish. 

2.  Everyone is committed to your growth. 

This is true at every level of the company. 

The fabulous Nina, our EVP of Talent Development, organizes regular professional development sessions that have allowed me to build real skills and taught me a lot about the industry. Day-to-day, my Account Managers and Directors are always looking for opportunities to provide teaching moments. And, notably, I don’t feel invisible to upper-level management. I’ve had numerous conversations with our executives that provided industry knowledge I wouldn’t necessarily have accessed through my direct manager. 

Insight and education is extremely helpful when you’re able to compile it from every level, since everyone brings something different to the equation. 

There are also plenty of opportunities for personal development. I’ve learned a lot more about self care in our monthly wellness sessions than I ever did scrolling TikTok.

3. This is what a healthy work-life balance looks like. 

It’s easy for companies to say they put employees first, but it’s their actions that truly indicate priorities. 

At a previous internship, I had convinced myself that I needed to work until 9 p.m. every day instead of telling my boss I needed more time. Based on everyone else at the company, I thought that my job was more important than my wellbeing. It wasn’t—I was just in a place that facilitated a poor work-life balance. 

It wasn’t until I started working at N6A that I realized what a healthy balance looks like. Logging off when work ends is a priority. Meeting virtually with coworkers to chat about something other than work is a priority. Flexing our work schedule around appointments and life events is a priority. My personal experience feels like a priority. 

Having such an excellent reference point for my first job has been critical to understanding my worth. How can you know what you deserve as a professional if you’ve never been given the opportunity to see how good it can get? 

My biggest recommendation for other recent grads looking for an ideal landing spot is to not sell yourself short. I didn’t expect a fancy, big-time NYC agency to be interested in me coming out of school. But the beauty of being inexperienced is that you have everything to learn and nothing to lose. 

So, apply for that great job. Yes, that one.

The post 3 Reasons Why N6A is the Perfect 1st Job Out of College appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

What makes N6A unique? 

Daniela Mancinelli
Chief Executive Officer
7 years at N6A

N6A is truly a special place—where talent, passion, care, and compassion combine to deliver stellar service and results at unrivaled speed. I started here seven years ago, and can honestly say that I had never experienced such a welcoming and warm culture of team spirit and camaraderie. I’m proud to be a part of the team that continues to build on this culture—we remain humble but hungry, win together, challenge and celebrate each other, and build enduring relationships through the work we do for all our amazing partners.  

Patrick Brady
Chief Revenue Officer
5 months at N6A

I was initially drawn to N6A by the Outcome Relations imperative, as I felt it was unique and differentiated. I’ve been amazed at how impactful the agency’s work with clients at every stage of their growth really upheld the Outcome Relations promise. To me, being part of an agency that inspires true growth for clients across literally every industry proves that I made the right choice in joining N6A.

John Hannaway
Chief Operating Officer
6+ years at N6A

What makes N6A unique is the people. I am proud to work for a company that is thoroughly invested in its staff. I couldn’t ask for better people to work alongside or a better environment in which to work each day.

Michelle O’Rourke
Account Director
3 months at N6A

Over the last three months, I’ve felt welcomed, understood, and cared for across teams and accounts. Despite experience or bandwidth, there’s a willingness to lend a hand when it’s needed, and to pick somebody up when they are nearing their low. There’s an air of appreciation and dedication to client work and team camaraderie that’s truly unique. While we remain remote, this feeling knows no bounds.  

Nina Velasquez
EVP Talent Development
9+ years at N6A

The laser focus on clients’ end-goals gives the team a story canvas of the best ideas to push brands into the mainstream. The collaborative environment at N6A is second to none, filled with extremely talented individuals who hype up each other and celebrate wins together.

Kevin Pryor
Account Manager
8 months at N6A

N6A’s commitment to helping its employees thrive is something I’ve noticed since my first day on the job and every day since. From “Start Strong & End Strong” written on the office’s elevator door to the guidelines we follow for communication, N6A has a clearly defined structure that helps us navigate challenges. For example, N6A’s Outcome Relations motto stood out to me before I was hired, and now as a team member, I’m able to see how we keep client outcome goals top of mind while working through the various stages of media relations, ranging from the language we use when drafting press releases to the types of angles we pitch to reporters.

Florence Lousqui
Vice President
6+ years at N6A

N6A is a special company to work for. The Outcome Relations model means everyone, no matter where they are on the org chart, fully understands our clients’ business objectives and how what we do every day impacts their big picture. The team is full of passionate storytellers who thrive on securing holy grail placements for each client and we always celebrate everyone’s wins as our own.

Lexi Fritz
Marketing Manager
5 months at Studios

Never before have I worked for a company that felt more like a family. Our team is supportive, caring, and always down to have fun while still keeping a client-focused mindset. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, N6A welcomes you with open arms and encourages your success!

Shayla Ridore
Account Manager
6+ years at N6A

What makes N6A unique is the culture that we’ve cultivated as an agency and as a team. I know that my team members always have my back, whether it’s personally or professionally, and we always work together to find a solution for anything. To me, that defines N6A as a place to work, as well as in the service we provide to our clients.

Kaitlyn McAndrew
Account Manager
3+ years at N6A

There are so many things about N6A that are unique but, for me, it boils down to the people. The culture that is fostered here is unlike anything else I’ve experienced. It is really special to work with people who you truly respect and admire not just for their work, but also as human beings. These are people who I can rely on to have great advice when I want to brainstorm or bounce ideas around, and they’re equally dependable for making sure we remember to laugh and have a little fun while we’re taking great care of our clients. I’ve found real friends here in my team members who provide support in so many ways. Through all different types of clients and projects, the emphasis on team remains strong, and that allows for true professional and personal growth.

The post The Key to N6A’s Longevity? Being Different appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

1. You just hit your 1 year anniversary with N6A! You joined right as the pandemic hit. What’s your biggest lesson learned this year? 

As someone who had to build new relationships with both teammates and clients, I learned that going beyond the typical co-worker or client-facing dynamics was key to keeping everyone motivated and enthusiastic about the work we’re doing. My philosophy is that you’re more likely to trust your friends over strangers, so it’s important to have a layer of friendliness in your work ethic to build trust and get things done. 

2. Despite the challenging year, do you have a favorite N6A memory that sticks out as we navigated the pandemic as a team? What are you most looking forward to this year?

I was lucky to be able to attend the last N6A Happy Hour before we went into lockdown and got a chance to bond with the team over drinks and pizza which made me feel really welcome at the company. 

I’m most looking forward to building upon the connections I’ve made online with the team and with clients in-person at some point this year. The N6A team has been awesome virtually so I’m excited to see what it’s actually like being in the office!

3. What advice do you have for managers  who need to onboard remote employees right now and for teams to create a semblance of culture despite distance? 

I think it’s important to make sure your employees know that they can come to you with any questions and challenges they are facing during this uncertain environment. Also, it’s important to make sure you are kind and personable when interacting online and not afraid to insert your personality into conversations. Also – nothing makes me more nervous than one-word answers! 

4. Looking back, what advice would you give February 2020 Paolo?

I would encourage him to do things with more conviction and confidence because he definitely has it in him and knows what he’s doing! 

5. Moving to NYC was a personal and professional goal of yours, what would you tell other young professionals who have the same goal? 

100%. One of my favorite quotes is from the musical RENT, and it says “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss” and it’s better to do it and see if it works or spend the rest of your life asking “what if.” That being said, make sure you have a gameplan before doing it to be somewhat prepared – NYC can be a confusing place to move to! 

6. Do you think the pandemic and remote work will impact the PR industry on an ongoing basis. If so, how? 

I think it will offer the industry a new layer of flexibility that will let us focus on the most important things wherever we are instead of having to do certain things in certain places. Work-life balance is hard to come by, and more flexibility will allow the industry to progress towards this much faster.

The post 6 Insights from N6A Account Manager Paolo Ramos appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, and Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday following in the subsequent weeks, it’s the perfect time to sit back and take heed of just what it’s taken to pull everything together in 2020. This year has put an even greater importance on connectivity in general, and team connectivity in particular. Who you surround yourself with has become increasingly more important to individuals throughout COVID-19 than what they are surrounded by — especially now when separated through Zoom calls and Slack channels.

In normal times, you spend more hours at work with your peers than you do outside of the office with many of your friends and family members. You usually go through life with these people just as much as with anyone. The pandemic may have flipped this notion on its head, but it remains important for individuals on teams to strive to become the most complete versions of themselves “inside the office” just like they want to become the most complete versions of themselves as people outside of the office.

N6A’s 2019 Thanksgiving Celebration

The shelter-in-place order has given each of us an opportunity to spend more time with some of our loved ones, and time to take care of our body, mind, and spirit. We have more downtime to do those things, which means we have an opportunity to positively impact others, our daily work routines, and on the way we collaborate with our teammates. 

N6A has been blessed to include some incredible people — over the last decade of the agency there have been many laughs, many shared strategies, and even more passion about working together for common goals that create a solid team bond. Business leaders know whether they’ve built a great culture based on how their teams respond to adversity, and that sentiment is being tested.

In this most unusual holiday season, taking stock of the teamwork initiatives that drive N6A’s spirit is more important than ever. 

N6A has tried to use COVID-19 to galvanize our teams, both when they’re logged on, and when they switch off at the end of the day, using everything from custom social media sharing campaigns, food deliveries, or even little impromptu things like shout-outs to top performers who are rising to the occasion each week in their remote environment. 

Our #Pitching4Purpose initiative, which was started in late 2019, is still going strong as a way to back up our hard work with actions that impact positive change. Each month, we continue to tally our secured client results and reflect those results in donations to a selected charity. All of the charities and organizations are selected by our employees, and hold a meaningful place in the hearts and minds of our team, clients, and colleagues.

We’ve had the pleasure of highlighting causes like Laughter Saves Lives, Camp Fatima of New Jersey, Citymeals on Wheels, Unity Performing Arts,  Black Visions Collective, Data for Black Lives , Equal Justice Initiative, Operation Backpack, the American Cancer Society, and the Loveland Foundation. 

One cause in particular we continue to spotlight is Al’s Angels, the non-profit founded by N6A President Al DiGuido that has grown to become one of the largest and most impactful charities for children suffering from cancer, rare blood disease and financial hardship across the country.

Another, which hits close to home for N6A founder and CEO Matt Rizzetta, was Quinn for the Win, the foundation founded by his friend and fellow Iona grad and N6A supporter Pat Quinn, who helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars to fight ALS by promoting the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. Quinn, who battled the disease for decades, passed away on November 22, 2020. 

Months before his passing, Quinn was slated to meet N6A-ers on March 13, 2020, and the company planned to unveil and dedicate one of our conference rooms — the “Pat Quinn Underdog Room” — to him while he visited. Right before his scheduled visit, COVID hit New York, and we had to postpone Pat’s visit. 

The Pat Quinn Underdog Room

In an op-ed honoring his late friend, Rizzetta said, “[Quinn] was steadfast in his commitment to share his mission and spread his message of hope with our staff…his spirit of hope, perseverance and optimism will live on forever in our company, and in so many millions of people across the world.”

The buck doesn’t stop internally either. This year, for example, we’re helping our client Mouse.org, a non-profit that brings technology to historically underserved youth, with a Giving Tuesday campaign. With less fundraising opportunities available this difficult year, they’re using N6A’s digital marketing team to create campaigns to drive support.

As the effects of COVID-19 continue to be dire, this pandemic will either pull the company culture apart or bring it together. If other companies are going to break through COVID-19, it’s going to require sacrifice, strategic ahead-of-the-curve decisions, and the ability to push beyond your limits at times. But we make sure to have our moments of laughter, our moments of thought, and our moments of tears. This has led us to develop the most special bonds across our agency and our pool of clients, and it has made our teams more connected in these trying times.

The post The Giving-Back Roadmap to Galvanize Your Team appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

Our Outcomes & Omelettes thought leadership series returned in November, and we flipped the script a little bit. In this era of social distancing, we typically love to host our guests on a livestream to discuss each guest’s background and career journey. While we did hit on some of that this time, instead the focus was primarily dedicated to the hard-working N6Aers discussing challenges, best practices and insights related to the virtual workplace during the pandemic. But it wasn’t completely different — obviously our beloved make-your-own-omelette-station was still delivered to N6A-ers via a Seamless credit!

In this open and honest conversation, N6A CEO Matt Rizzetta was joined by Tania Luna, the co-CEO of LifeLabs Learning, a consultancy that specializes in training that provides rapid skill-building in leadership, inclusion, and collaboration. Luna’s work has been featured in dozens of media outlets including Psychology Today, Harvard Business Review, TIME, NPR, Wharton Business Radio, HuffPost, O Magazine, Mashable, and The Wall Street Journal and her TED talk has over 1.8 million views.

As a psychology researcher, leadership trainer, podcast host, and co-author of the book Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable & Engineer the Unexpected, Luna’s unique voice and perspective on both professional and personal development helped the N6A team see through the pandemic work/life balance more clearly.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from our livestreamed O&O session, which is also available to watch above.

Overcoming COVID Productivity Struggles

It’s difficult to think that we’ve been working during this pandemic for nine months, and as we’ve settled into the new normal the galvanized teamwork spirit that typified the early days has somewhat tapered off.  

Luna explained that the March/April period of the pandemic exemplified what she called an “acute stress” period, or a panic response with a flurry of activity. In the subsequent handful of months since then, a more dangerous fatigue of “chronic stress” may have set in. 

Without the variety and stimulation of a pre-COVID workday when our brains are tuned to regular intervals, there’s a sameness to the challenges day in and day out, which could lead you to ask how can one thrive, grow, and connect when so much is uncertain yet predictable at the same time.

Luna explained that it’s important to understand the sources of stress in dealing with a variety of challenges, including enacting some sort of stop and start ritual to your day when the physical workspace doesn’t change; establish dark-time boundaries where teams know not to email, Slack, or call; or even create mental progress markers where you take heed of the small wins you’ve accomplished on a daily basis.  

Being a More Successful Leader to Empower the Workforce

Luna saw the biggest differentiator for business leaders as making the implicit, explicit. It’s important to establish norms and be overt with parameters because, let’s face it, none of this is normal! It’s essential for leaders to embrace the underlying principle to talk about how to set norms so there’s a shared agreement, which is regularly much easier to do in person. 

It’s also equally important in this non-normal time to debrief on what isn’t going right so that there’s a collective cognitive off-loading and opening up of team issues. Luna stressed that this shouldn’t consist of constant complaint sessions, nor should it just be a collective wallowing, but should be an open environment that constructively acknowledges potential negatives.

In balancing realism versus hope, Luna cited the Stockdale Paradox, which said, “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose —with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

Normalizing Mental Health Resources

A silver lining of the pandemic has been the widespread openness and normalization of addressing mental health in the workplace, especially when companies focus on benefits, wellness days, and create team wellness exercises such as yoga sessions for any participants feeling stranded.

Luna also said the same goes for being a good corporate citizen. In the pandemic and beyond, it’s important for companies to lead the way by thinking about how each can change the system from within, and reimagine corporate entities as an inclusive reflection of what they feel the world should be like. 

Being a Better Professional After the Pandemic

Lastly, Luna spoke about the potential for hitting a wall with the monotony and the grind, but making it out as a better professional once the pandemic is over. She cited three constructive ingredients for professional growth.

1. Reconnect with Meaning: Luna explained that most people think burnout is all about overwork, but it’s mostly about the loss of meaning in your work, or what she called “an existential vacuum.” To move forward, Luna said, “Ask what’s important with me, what you want to leave behind, what experience you want to collect, and who you want to have an impact on.” 
2. Forecast Forward: Control about what you can become, what bad habits to break and skills to dig into. 
3. Look Backward: Luna’s last message was to give yourself a “visual evidence of growth,” and a sense of progress, even by doing something as simple as writing out where you started versus where you’ve gotten to since the pandemic began.

Each Outcomes & Omelettes session is an educational and interactive discussion on each guest’s background and career journey to engage and inspire the N6A team. Check back soon for our next guest! You don’t know who will show up from the worlds of business, media, philanthropy, and beyond.

The post Embracing the Unpredictable in the Virtual Workplace During COVID appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

With COVID and this year’s election dominating the news, it’s important for companies to let internal teams and customers know what else happened in 2020. What newsworthy coverage did top teams get? Did the company receive new funding or sign some great new partners? What were the big milestone moments that need to be shared? Video can be a true differentiator when it’s used to not only market your organization’s products or services, but to market your company’s culture as well. 

It’s no surprise with this year’s shift to virtual that video is everywhere now, from the splash page on your website to everyone’s Facebook and LinkedIn feeds. In fact, 52 percent of marketers worldwide name video as the type of content with the highest ROI. But it’s not just a necessary content type, it is also an invaluable tool that can be used as a definitive teamwork and company culture asset, which can make all the difference.   

Photo by Marcos Rocha on Unsplash

Year-End Wins

Whether it’s an effort to revitalize a company’s homepage, recruit a targeted pool of new hires, or close much-needed deals, video is a useful platform to diversify a company’s marketing strategy. In particular, a year-in-review summary video, shared on social for customers and prospects alike, can promote a company’s achievements and extend an organization’s culture, making wins the focus of discussion as the year comes to a close. Highlighting the “Best of 2020” moments and releasing them to your community can be truly motivating as we prepare for exciting new challenges that await us next year.

Whether you are utilizing your own video resources or partnering with an external team like N6A, take the time to outline exactly what the last year held in terms of what major accomplishments should make the cut. A dedicated external video team can easily break down the barriers between a company and potential viewers through a mix of customizable messaging designed with the brand in mind, matching custom fonts, colors, logos and assets to produce something that represents a company’s exact style and culture for all to see. Just remember to keep focus on the positive elements including exceptional media coverage, product announcements, new partnerships and key client-adds or testimonials. 

As an alternative, we all know 2020 has been a tough year, so producing a leadership-led video outlining the plans and strategy initiatives of 2021 is another great way to give employees and customers alike a better sense of what your company is working towards in the coming year.

Who’s Who

While it’s novel to have the higher-ups talk about a company’s accomplishments, a truly great video asset lets the people speak for themselves. Consider crowd-sourcing content from your employees, giving them the chance to express how they overcame 2020 challenges, took part in community outreach techniques, or expanded major diversity initiatives within your organization. By giving employees a voice, the company culture is defined by the cohort driving that culture. 

As such, creating a video highlighting core values or challenges from an employee POV also gives companies the opportunity to share a customer story directly from employees throughout the organization. These options work incredibly well as internal pieces, but also for social channels to promote the outstanding people that work at the company for hiring initiatives.

Another possibility is to create a video focused on new employee introductions. It can be challenging in the WFH era to meet and greet new faces at a company. While you may see some fresh new faces on a Zoom call, it just isn’t the same as learning or hearing from colleagues directly, so it’s a great opportunity for companies to put together a video once a quarter to highlight new faces, roles they will play, and, more importantly, let them express something about themselves or show personality beyond a face in a digital grid of faces.

Being able to communicate clearly why a company does what it does, with the people doing it, is incredibly important — especially via video channels. Let N6A help tell your 2020 story and get in touch with us today!

The post Making Video Your End-of-Year Company Culture Secret Weapon appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

This year’s Marketing EDGE awards were a little different. Originally scheduled for June, the in-person ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, to ensure the safety and health of honorees and guests, the so-called Academy Awards of marketing, which pay tribute to the people who are dynamically moving the industry forward, were a little delayed but went on just as newly planned — virtually! 

The fifth annual event for the nonprofit organization, which seeks to “shape the future of marketing leadership by connecting students, academics and professionals to the resources and relationships they need,” saw a new batch of Rising Stars Award recipients, including our very own chief operating officer — Daniela Mancinelli. 

The award honors “talented professionals 40 years or younger who are leading the industry by disrupting the status quo and changing the way they market their organizations.” We spoke with Mancinelli to get some insights on being an industry rising star.

What does this recognition mean to you personally in your career?

I can recall a time when I was 18 years-old, determined and full of infinite dreams. I was required to make an appointment with my career counselor in hopes she could help carve out the right path for my future. I remember her asking me a series of questions that I assumed would spotlight my career path.

I stopped her midway through the session, and told her that I loved working with people, helping, and making a difference. I was creative, a curious soul, and when problems arose I didn’t shy away from them, but sought to solve them instead. I remember the look on her face — I had thrown her off her routine student Q&A session. She snapped back: “Daniela, if you think you’re going to conquer the world, and get all the things you want, you will be in for a huge disappointment. Simplify and set realistic expectations, or life will slap you hard in the face!”

I left the meeting confused and feeling discouraged. Wasn’t she supposed to motivate me, help me on my journey? I look back, and I actually believe she did. From that day on, I was set to prove her wrong. 

Today I feel I have accomplished all the things I set out to do. I work with an amazing team, full of talent and heart. They inspire me every day and drive me to continuously be a better version of myself. I solve problems of all sorts, every single day. 

Although that may sound exhausting, I think it’s fuel for my mind. I have the opportunity to think creatively and learn about businesses across the world. I get to travel not only recreationally, but also virtually as we interact with teams and clients all over the globe. 

To sum it all up, “Mrs. Career Counselor, I didn’t take your advice. I didn’t simplify. I followed my passion, my path and ended up exactly where I belong —  and although life at times has slapped me in the face, I’m grateful for the journey and everything I’ve learned along the way.”

What advice would you give to young people or students interested in the field of marketing? 

Be social and curious. Never stop researching, asking questions, learning about your industry. Fall in love with what you do, and enjoy every minute of the journey.

How do you foresee the marketing landscape changing — especially navigating the new normal of COVID-19?

As marketers, we’ll need to continue to be nimble and prepared to pivot quickly. It’s important we continuously monitor the market, the media, and be sensitive to the changes in the world. 

Consumers are shifting to online and contactless experiences. Security and safety will become more and more the priority. At the same time, there is an opportunity for brands to acquire new customers. Consumers are willing to try new products, services and experiences during this time given the disruption of this year’s events.

What’s the most valuable lesson and/or trait that you’ve learned that other marketers will be interested in hearing about from someone in your role?

Learn more about your clients’ business as a whole. Study their sales strategy, process and success rate. Learn about their team, culture, recruiting and internal goals. The more you are immersed in their business, the better it will assist with your marketing strategy.

Can you talk a little bit about what it’s like being a female business leader in particular, and the challenges you faced to get to these heights of your career?

 I wish I could just play a female power playlist for this answer, to really capture the energy I feel — I love being a female business leader! 

I’ve thought long and hard about management, and if gender played a role in my challenges or successes. The answer for me has been, no. I am who I am, and my accomplishments can be attributed to hard work, dedication, foresight and belief in others. 

Yes, I take things personal and carry things home with me. I worry all the time, and can’t help but run all scenarios, even the bad ones. My empathy meter is probably through the roof, but this is just Daniela; this is just who I am and who I will always be.

How has the company culture of N6A helped you in the path to your position as COO?

N6A has allowed me to fulfill my dream. It has given me the opportunity to make a difference and work alongside talented and wonderful people. The culture has allowed us all to be adventurous, whether it’s through Pace Points or Foul Shots. “Play in traffic” is what [CEO] Matt [Rizzetta] says  — a thought that never even crossed my mind. I’m usually the girl with the helmet, knee pads and elbow protectors.

N6A continues to push me to be the best version of myself. It has allowed me to be comfortable in the uncomfortable and to understand that defeat lives in the moment, but legacy and heart live on forever.

Learn more about N6A by dropping us a line. We’d love to hear from you!

The post COO Daniela Mancinelli on Her Breakout Career & Marketing Dreams appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.

Our Outcomes & Omelettes thought leadership series returned in September with some incredible leadership insights and some appropriate sports metaphors. Oh, and also, who could forget N6A’s make-your-own-omelette-station delivered via a Seamless credit!

N6A CEO Matt Rizzetta was joined this month by former CPG executive turned entrepreneur Keenan Beasley. Currently CEO of Supply Factory Brands, Beasley is also the founder and chairman of Venture Noire, a “venture catalyst” that helps founders from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds get in front of investors and VCs, providing support they might need in the early stages of business. Ultimately, the goal is to fuel the wealth-generating engine for historically disadvantaged communities.

The organization partners with industry experts across marketing, chain supply, and product development to design unique curriculums, and actively participates in entrepreneurial events focused on community building and education. One of its recent initiatives was partnering with the Walton Family Foundation on The BIG Pitch, a virtual pitch competition for entrepreneurs of color in Arkansas, which this year awarded $31,000 in grant funds in response to the current economic conditions.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from our latest livestreamed O&O session, which is also available to watch above. 

A Focus on Service 

For West Point grad former football player Beasley, his entrepreneurial spirit is rooted in a mission to lead through the lens of serving others. 

Recalling how this was instilled in him by his parents right through to his academic experience, Beasley noted that, “We’ve always done things to give back to the community at large, whether it was through church or feeding the homeless for Thanksgiving every year…it was always about the greater good.”

He explained that it’s a beneficial mindset that he still carries with him, and one that’s surprisingly easy to manage, even throughout the often difficult journey as an entrepreneur. “It takes all the pressure off me and removes any sense of ego,” he said. “It’s always about serving others, so I’ve continued that throughout my career.”

Creating an Inclusive Ecosystem

The main drive of Venture Noire’s mission revolves around closing the income inequality gap by helping to infuse much-needed funding into underrepresented groups within the community to create jobs, grow resource platforms, and subsequently create a shared resource ecosystem to create a continued cycle of success.

Beasley explained that the size of the gap is staggering. In fact, the average $171,000 net worth of a typical white family is nearly ten times greater than that of the $17,150 of a Black family. Considering that most businesses require around $10,000 to get started, someone risking over half of their personal net worth on their start-up idea is unrealistic.

Start-up funding is, unfortunately, still just as much about who you know as it is about what you know. In essence, the ecosystem is a more complex version of the type of networking focus that drove Beasley from the get-go.

“As an entrepreneur and building a business, it’s a lonely process at times, and you become isolated” he explained. “I saw that there was a chance to create an ecosystem for entrepreneurs of color so that we could start to build confidence in each other. I’m a firm believer that success begets success.”

Staying in the Game

It’s such an important, but complex vocation. Helping to create resources and support in the early-stage ecosystem of entrepreneurship exclusively available to Black founders, as well as developing programs to offset the socioeconomic issues that undermine Black innovation and business creation takes an incredible amount of time and effort. But Beasley pushes on toward these achievable goals. 

Using his football experience, he explained that we’re still in the “first quarter” of the hypothetical game. But, he offered an encouraging assessment of the future: “What’s good about that is that at least you’re in the game. A lot of progress has been made, and the digital environment has helped because it’s a lot easier now to start a business than it was 20 or 30 years ago.”   

Beasley stressed that businesses should actively seek diversity, and people with different points of view, which will not only help in the broader sense, but make businesses fundamentally better. To him, it’s about acknowledging that some things are not right but to continue to try shaping things moving forward.

Each Outcomes & Omelettes session is an educational and interactive discussion on each guest’s background and career journey to engage and inspire the N6A team. Check back soon for our next guest! You don’t know who will show up from the worlds of business, media, philanthropy, and beyond.

The post Entrepreneur Keenan Beasley on Diverse Leadership and Playing the Game appeared first on N6 Powered by KRMA | Fully Integrated Digital Marketing.