Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Year Winds Down as FCS Cranks It Up

Tonight is the FCS’s first Holiday Party in New York in two years, and we’re looking forward to a great event with a great turnout. We’re expecting more than 100 people at The Explorers Club – a wildly unique venue on the Upper East Side. Our supporting sponsor The New York Times has arranged for Patron to be on hand for a “top-shelf” pouring of its tequila, rum and brand new vodka. We’ll be raising money for our three children’s charities with a fun tricky tray raffle, featuring donated prizes from our Board of Directors and other friends of the FCS.

Our calendar year will close out with a very special luncheon, focused, as we do each December, on Strategic Philanthropy. On December 15th, the FCS welcomes Kimberly Davis, President of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation. Kim will talk about the firm’s great success in this field, and how strategic philanthropy fulfills the overall marketing objectives of JP Morgan Chase.

It’s been a whirlwind of a year for the FCS, with a record number of events, spanning from New York to Chicago to San Francisco. On November 1st, we held our inaugural event on the West Coast, with nearly 90 people attending our breakfast on Social Media. A San Francisco based steering committee is now working on plans for multiple events for 2012. The seeds for an official chapter there have been planted!

Meanwhile our Chicago Chapter has enjoyed a fantastic first year, staging event after event of truly compelling content. With major marquee names, like CBOE’s Bill Brodsky and CNBC’s Rick Santelli, and important topics like ETFs and global branding, each event affords the attendees a chance to build a tight-knit community, sharing the latest industry information.

In 2012, we hope to return to Boston, where we staged a successful luncheon in 2010 featuring Putnam Investments; the goal is for two events there next year. Also, plans are under way for our first-ever international event, as the FCS looks to host an event in Toronto. If you’re interested in working on the committee for either Boston or Toronto, please contact me.

In New York, we’re coming off of two great events this fall: In October, we held a Cocktails with Content reception focused on “Mobile 101.” About 100 guests attended the presentation/panel discussion hosted by CNBC.com at famed 30 Rock. The event featured Bryan Van Dyke, Prudential; Michael Lacorazza, TD Ameritrade; John Nitti, Zenith Media; Peter Kafka, All Things D; and Michael Ellison, Corporate Insight. Our November luncheon at the New York Yacht Club welcomed John Owens, head of marketing for ING DIRECT U.S. In all we will have held 16 content-driven events in New York this year, plus Bowling (twice), Golf, Wine Tasting, our legendary Portfolio Awards, and of course, tonight’s Holiday Party.

Next up for major events is our 13th annual FCS Race for Kids. We’re expecting more than 300 attendees again this year, including many corporate, agency and media friends and their families. I hope to see you at the Stowe Mountain Resort, January 5th through 8th. For full details, go to http://www.fcsraceforkids.org/ for details.

As always, I invite you to get involved in all that we do at the FCS. Just email me at kevin@fcsinteractive.com or follow me on Twitter, @FCS_Prez.

Monday, October 31, 2011

The Hits Just Keep on Comin'

I’m writing this on the last day of October – excited by the great momentum of FCS activities over the past two months, and thrilled to be on the eve of the first-ever FCS event on the West Coast. I’m flying to San Francisco to kick-off a breakfast event tomorrow, November 1. And I hope that with this trip, the seeds will be planted for a permanent chapter of the FCS in San Francisco.


But before I get ahead of myself, here’s a quick look back at September and October:


September Luncheon
On 9/21, a sold out crowd of nearly 200 welcomed our guest speaker Jim Speros, CMO of Fidelity Investments. Jim engaged the audience with great insights about the creation and success of Fidelity’s now famous “Turn Here” ad campaign, which moves its green arrow throughout the landscape… both financial and physical.

October Breakfast Club
On 10/4, a standing-room only audience enjoyed a very topical and timely presentation on “The New China.” With a lead-off presentation by John Pomfret, The Washington Post’s Asian Diplomatic Correspondent, the event provided an in-depth look at the cultural challenges of doing business with the superpower. John then joined on a panel discussion with Pablo Rasco, a senior investment strategist with HSBC, and Hongfei Huang, CEO of Insigma U.S. Kopin Tan, a senior editor with Barron’s, moderated the discussion, which provided great insights and information about the new business paradigm with China as an eager partner. While Jose offered a valuable economic perspective, Hongfei and John traded anecdotes about living and working in each other’s native land.

October Luncheon
On 10/20, Vanguard returned to the FCS stage for the first-time in many years, as Bert Dalby held court for an audience of more than 100. With a very informative presentation of the strategic philosophy of the legendary asset management firm, Bert talked about his focus on the all-important financial advisor marketplace.

FCS Charity Bowling Tournament

Since we can’t be all work and no play, the FCS was proud to host another successful Bowling night in Times Square. “Re-Racking” our January inaugural experience, John Derbick led the charge and more than 150 responded, including teams representing 15 sponsors. The camaraderie and laughs alone were worth the price of admission… saying nothing about the fashion statements and fancy shoes.

Now let’s take a look ahead…


Breakfast Club Goes to San Francisco
As I write this, some 85 guests are expected at tomorrow’s inaugural event on the West Coast. Just like June 2010, when we held our first event in Chicago, which ultimately spawned a full-blown, totally engaged chapter, I have high hopes for San Francisco. The topic is Social Media, with an industry perspective provided by Mike Ellison of Corporate Insight, followed by a panel discussion with Schwab’s Lindsay Tiles, BlackRock’s Pete Boland, Union Bank’s Juan Silvera, and Matt Day from SilverFox, who handles the digital work for Franklin Templeton. Well-deserved shout-outs to Barron’s, Investor’s Business Daily/investors.com, and The Week for being our inaugural sponsors. Look to this space for a recap of the event.

Cocktails with Content: Mobile 101
Speaking of sponsors, CNBC.com will host our next Cocktail reception at famed 30 Rock, home to the TV series “30 Rock.” Although Liz Lemon won’t be making an appearance, we will learn more about the growing interest and demand for mobile marketing from experts at TD Ameritrade, Zenithmeida, and others. I’m excited to announce that Peter Kafka of All Things Digital will be our moderator.

November Luncheon
Thinking digitally, we’re excited to welcome John Owens to be our November guest speaker at the New York Yacht Club. John heads up marketing for ING DIRECT US.

FCS Holiday Party
Before the year ends, we’ll look to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished at the (sort of) annual FCS Holiday Party. We’re proud to hold our event this year at the Explorer’s Club on the Upper East Side. The date is Tuesday, December 6th… stay tuned for special announcements!

While you’re considering your calendar, now’s the time to get involved in our January events.


FCS Race for Kids
Sure, it feels like months away, but now is the time to make your plans to be a participant in our famed Summit in the Snow. Pack your gear, bring the kids… this will be the biggest and best ever. Go to www.fcsraceforkids.org for details.

Financial Marketer of the Year
The sixth annual prize will be given out in January, but only because YOU made the right nomination by November 15. Don’t delay, send in your ballot today. Marketers can nominate themselves; media folk should think about honoring their best client. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.fcsinteractive.com. Be proud to pick this year’s winner.

As always, I invite you to get involved in all that we do at the FCS. Just email me at kevin@fcsinteractive.com or follow me on Twitter, @FCS_Prez.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The FCS Gets Down to Business (and Fun) in October

The FCS will stage three events in the month of October, each important in a unique way.

First up is a Tuesday Breakfast Club event called “Chinese Lessons: The Story of The New China.” On October 4th, we’ll host a first-time breakfast at the New York Yacht Club, when we welcome John Pomfret, Asia Diplomatic Correspondent for The Washington Post. Pomfret will present his insights on doing business in China, and give out copies of his book “Chinese Lessons.” He will then join a panel of experts to deepen the discussion. Hongfei Huang, CEO of Insigma USA and Jose Rasco, Senior Investment Strategist, HSBC Private Bank Americas will sit on the panel, to be moderated by Kobin Tan, Senior Editor at Barron’s.

On October 20th, we’re back at the New York Yacht Club for our monthly luncheon, when we'll welcome Bert Dalby of The Vanguard Group. Coupled with the surge of investor interest in ETFs, ongoing market volatility is making the marketing of any investment product a challenge. Dalby’s insights into how Vanguard is setting the course during these turbulent times will prove worthwhile for all financial marketers.

We’ll close out the month with some much needed fun. On October 26th, we’ll host our second FCS Charity Bowling Tournament at Bowlmor Times Square. Repeating the great success we had in January, this event will again pit teams of four in a high-stakes, big laughs competition for valuable prizes, while raising money for our three children’s charities: Hope & Heroes, Make A Wish, and Downey Side Adoption Agency.

Please visit the FCS website to signup for our October breakfast, lunch, and bowling night. To be a sponsor, please contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the chair for each event.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Fidelity’s Speros Says “Turn Here” for Successful Advertising

The FCS September luncheon at the New York Yacht Club welcomed Jim Speros, EVP/CMO of Fidelity Investments, and past winner of the FCS Financial Marketer of the Year. FCS President Kevin Windorf told the audience of more than 185 industry professionals, “It’s great to see so large a turnout today, and it’s not only because the spotlight is on one our industry’s leading brands, but because our guest speaker Jim Speros is one of our industry’s most respected leaders.”
In his presentation, Speros spoke of the origins of Fidelity’s award-winning “Turn Here” campaign, which was born in 2008, when he envisioned the company as a “financial GPS” for its 24 million customers. A lifelong marketer at major brands such as AT&T, Ernst & Young, and Marsh & McLennan, Speros joined Fidelity in August of 2008, only a month before the financial services industry imploded. He recognized that during such a crisis that even sophisticated investors look for guidance.
“Turn Here” and the now famous green line brought to life the concept of guidance and navigation, but also underscored the positioning that, “with Fidelity you get a financial partner that can help you now and at every stage of your life.”
A champion of true 360° marketing, Speros launched an integrated campaign despite the economic crisis, and Fidelity benefited as most competitors fled to the sidelines.
Speros credited the ever-creative executions of the campaign to Fidelity’s Boston-based agency Arnold, as well as its in-house agency of some 200 employees.
Always a candid speaker, Speros was proud to share his views on the core elements of a successful advertising campaign:
• Start with big ideas (to pull through all channels)
• Be focused
• Stay consistent: pick your theme and be continuous with it (2-3 years minimum)
• Stay engaged with your consumer
• Have a sufficient spend
In wrapping up, Speros reminded the audience (the majority of whom admitted to holding Fidelity products in their portfolios), “Marketing is only one part of a supply chain extending out to the customer.” He incited media partners to always look for creative ways to activate executions across platforms, and encouraged marketers to “embrace innovation and take risks,” but that “continuous measurement is critical.”
With the perennial success of “Turn Here,” Speros spoke knowingly when he emphasized, “Powerful ideas matter more now than ever.”
At FCS events time and time again, our audience of fellow marketers, agency and media reps, and communications professionals come to realize that “true leaders, like Jim Speros, matter more now than ever.”

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Welcome Back My Friends!

September 1 kicked off the 2011-2012 fiscal year for the FCS, and before it’s over, we will celebrate our 45th Anniversary. So we expect this to be a momentous time for the FCS, capitalizing on the momentum from a record-setting 2010-2011 year:

Over the last 12 months, we
• Launched an FCS Chapter in Chicago
• Reveled at our largest ever FCS Race for Kids ski weekend
• Threw a strike with our inaugural Charity Bowling Tournament
• Welcomed another sold-out crowd to our annual Financial Marketer of the Year Award luncheon
• Drove our most successful Charity Golf Tournament
• Toasted with a sold-out Wine Tasting event
• Hosted nine lunches in New York, averaging more than 100 guests
• Held three Tuesday Breakfast Club events on FinReg, Branding, and Trust
• Stirred up the conversation on Digital Marketing at a Cocktails with Content Reception
• Welcomed CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo and FT’s Gillian Tett’s as their respective book signings
• Got all revved up at our sold out 17th Annual Portfolio Awards
• Re-launched our web site
• Unveiled a new logo

Largest ever and Sold-out are labels that make us proud, but they only tell half the story. These events are the Best Ever. Thank you for supporting them and sponsoring them. Because of your participation and generosity, our 2011 donation of $150,000 to our three children’s charities — Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, Make-A-Wish, and Downey Side Adoption Agency — puts us over the $1.5 million mark for the past 12 years.

That’s the kind of momentum that propels the FCS forward as we truly make a difference with our mission of Community, Education and Philanthropy. There’s a lot more in store for this year, and we invite you to get involved. Committees are now forming for major events and activities – please join us for the camaraderie, the networking, and the satisfying fun for being a volunteer behind a worthy organization.

We’re proud to announce 3 new additions to our Board of Directors:

Chris Bacon, Morgan Stanley
RuthAnne Dreisbach, Dreisbach Design
• And Gordy Abel, who will join JP Morgan Chase later this month.
(For a full list of our hard-working, all volunteer Board, please visit our web site.)

KEY UPCOMING EVENTS

FCS Race for Kids, Jan. 5-8, 2012
I hope to see many of you at our 13th annual ski weekend at the Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. Last year, more than 340 guests enjoyed the revelry and the camaraderie of this now legendary event. Our “Summit in the Snow” again featured two days of "Fireside Forums," featuring panel discussions with industry leaders on the current state of affairs in financial services branding and media. The Race for Kids weekend is the primary fundraiser behind our annual support of our children’s charities. And this year, with many families in Vermont suffering devastation by Hurricane Irene, our efforts – and your support – will be especially meaningful.

Nominations for FCS Financial Marketer of the Year Award
Also in January of next year, we’ll bestow our 6th Annual Award to the Financial Marketer of 2011. But that celebration begins with the nomination process that will open in the next few weeks. Look to our web site and a special email blast for details. Is this year for your company, or your client, to win?

September Luncheon
Speaking of Financial Marketers of the Year, the winner from 2009, Jim Speros, CMO of Fidelity Investments, will be our featured luncheon speaker on September 21st at the New York Yacht Club. Reserve your tickets now on our web site. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact me directly.

The FCS remains committed to hosting valuable and topical events throughout the year, to help our members expand both their network of personal contacts and their wealth of professional knowledge… while helping us provide meaningful donations to our charities.

Thank you for your continued involvement and support.

Kevin Windorf
PresidentFinancial Communications Society
kevin@fcsinteractive.com
www.fcsprez.blogspot.com
@FCS_Prez
212-413-6044