A few years ago, when people were still using the term “Web 2.0” to describe interactive and user-generated online content, the Communications Network produced a report encouraging foundations to take the plunge. “Come On In the Water’s Fine” said that there was far more to be gained than what some feared would result from not [...]
Archive for Communications Network Articles
Debating the “Merits” of Jargon
What follows is a post by Bruce Trachtenberg, one of my favorite clients and Executive Director of the Communications Network:
We’re all familiar with the expression “fighting words,” but even I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of the verbal exchange that occurred when Communications Network contributor Susan Herr, and producer of our ongoing series of video [...]
Digital Media is NOT the Same Thing as Digital Distribution
If the past fifteen years has been about disseminating content in new ways (think site design, search engine optimization and social networking) the next fifteen will force fundamental changes in how we produce what we produce. Central to this position — advanced by Jeff Stanger in the most recent episode of the Communication Network’s [...]
Here’s Why I Like Foundation Communicators!
During the four years I served as a head of a 10-year, $30 million grantmaking initiative at the Chicago Community Trust, I attended my fair share of both local and national meetings with program officers. Contrasting that experience with the past two Communications Network conferences in New York and Chicago, I have found that communication [...]
Diavlogs Capture Notable Insights
If you are like the Communications Network, your constituents can and should be your best advocates. If you are smart like ComNet’s Bruce Trachtenberg, you give them the microphone.
Over the past six months, Bruce has given me the honor of interviewing some of his best and brightest on the intersection between communications and foundation impact. [...]
If a Research Report Falls in the Forest…
One of the ways that foundations help advance social issues is to commission research. However, to fully take advantage of the opportunity that high-quality research has to offer — both to advance issues and demonstrate the foundation as a leader in topic areas — there are more effective ways to get attention than simply posting [...]
Whose Job Is It to Speak Up for Philanthropy?
In this conversation, Phil Buchanan, President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, and Communications Network Contributor Susan Herr, explore attacks on philanthropy, what is motivating these charges, and why it is important for more of us to challenge broad stereotypes that aren’t based on evidence.
In addition to serving as President for the Center for Effective [...]
Why Do So Few Care About What Foundations Really Do?
In this conversation, Mark Sedway, Project Director of the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI) and Communications Network Contributor Susan Herr, explore the challenges foundations face in informing both the larger public, and in particular, “influential” Americans about the many important contributions philanthropy makes to the nation and world. That said, Sedway says new research shows that [...]
Beyond Branding- A Conversation with Cheryl Heller
When foundation communicators get together to talk about the work they do, branding is often a topic that dominates their conversation. But is the way most people understand and practice branding today still relevant or is it time for some new approaches? In this conversation, Chery Heller, president of Heller Communication Design and Communications Network [...]
