A recent article in the Wall Street Journal said that people who watch busy multimedia presentations remember less than those who take in information in a more sedate and focused manner. Adding to my growing anxiety, it said that people who juggle many tasks are less creative and less productive than those who do one thing at a time.
It’s always fun to talk about change intellectually, but when it comes right down to it, we are all creatures of habit, and significant change makes us all more anxious until it becomes part of who we are
So, it helped to understand that while the Internet is revolutionizing the way the world works, the anxiety about change is not new. I learned that every increase in freedom to create or consume media, from paperback books to YouTube, alarms people who are accustomed to the restrictions of the old system, convincing them that the new media will make young people stupid. This fear, the article said, dates back to at least the invention of movable type.
“As Gutenberg’s press spread through Europe, the Bible was translated into local languages, enabling direct encounters with the text; this was accompanied by a flood of contemporary literature, most of it mediocre. Vulgar versions of the Bible and distracting secular writings fueled religious unrest and civic confusion, leading to claims that the printing press, if not controlled, would lead to chaos and the dismemberment of European intellectual life.”
Sound familiar?
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As nonprofits approach the end of a fiscal year and gear up to begin a new one, fundraising campaigns are top of mind. This is the time of year when capital campaigns are launched and invitations to gala events are sent to loyal supporters.
A recent study, titled The Next Generation of American Giving, cites that the majority of fundraising targets older, more mature donors, but this segment of the population is quickly shrinking. Nonprofits are going to be forced to attract a new generation of donors. Generation Y, or the Millenniums, is a growing segment of the population with more than 71 million people compared to the 41 million Generation Xers before them.
The study also reports that matures give, on average, $1,066 per year to 6.3 charities, while baby boomers give $901 per year to 5.2 charities. Generation X gives $796 on average to 4.2 charities, and Generation Y gives $341 to 3.6 charities.
So the question is, how do we persuade Generation Y to give more? Consider the following recommendations to help attract young donors:
1) Host events that appeal to younger audiences. Each year, Allied Arts hosts their “ARTini” fundraiser, an event inspired by dedicated young professionals in the Oklahoma City metro area. This year, the event raised more than $20,000 to support arts programs in central Oklahoma.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum, a multi-dimensional creative, public relations and marketing firm, announced today it has selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma (BBBSOK) as the recipient of the firm’s $50,000 pro bono service grant for 2010-2011.
“Saxum is pleased to add Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma to our client roster,” said Saxum CEO Renzi Stone. “We look forward to a year-long partnership with this dynamic statewide organization, based in Tulsa. They have an important story to tell that we are excited to help share in the communities they serve.”
BBBSOK has offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, Claremore, Stillwater, Ada/Shawnee and Norman.
Step Up is a grant program that will provide BBBSOK with access to a suite of integrated public relations, marketing and creative services at Saxum that will include a combination of strategic counsel, media relations assistance and select creative services.
“We are so thrilled to have been chosen for the Saxum Step Up grant,” said Sharla Hall Owens, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma CEO. “We know that with Saxum’s expertise and guidance, the next year will be full of new opportunities to raise awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma and, ultimately, positively impact the lives of thousands of children in Oklahoma.”
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I was 25 years old when I started Saxum. Looking back, it was pretty presumptuous for someone who had been out of college only a minute (my term now, not then) to think that I could add value to would-be clients. Never one to think much about the competition, I was always somewhat offended by being called the “young” firm back then.
Recently, Saxum hired a professional services firm for some consulting. Sure enough, our small account was handed to a 25-year-old to serve as our account manager. Not too far removed from the days of being told I was too young, I found myself skeptically thinking that we had a “young” account representative.
Shame on me.
Five meetings later, I sat astonished at the resourcefulness, flair and confidence from this talented individual. It served as a good reminder that account managers can be just as effective (or ineffective) at 25 as they could be at 55.
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After reporting to a public relations office five days a week for the past six years (three of those years at Saxum PR), last year I ventured to a new office space – in my home. Making the switch from an agency account lead to a do-it-yourself freelancer is not uncommon in the PR industry, but it is an adjustment.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way
Establish a routine- As humans, we thrive on routine. Think of the fussy toddler who missed his usual daytime nap. Adults are no different – except that we may not roll around, kicking and screaming, on the floor as much.
In an April 1 interview with National Public Radio, Tina Brown said, “When my magazine Talk folded, it was very hard for me to get readjusted to not flying out the door in the morning and having my little routine: stopping at that coffee shop on the corner, picking up the paper. You think of them as chores, but actually when you’re not doing them you feel somewhat at a loss.”
For me, the biggest loss that you have to regain as soon as you start working from home is a routine.
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As a self-proclaimed intern junkie, I know the value of a high-quality internship. Prior to graduation, I had held three internship positions, including one at Saxum. I worked in health care, corporate and finally, agency. Had it not been for these three diverse experiences, I may not have known exactly what area of public relations was right for me.
I have managed Saxum’s internship program for the past three years and take great pride in seeing it grow and succeed. Since its inception in 2005, we have had nearly 40 interns go through our program. Of our current staff of 22, four were once interns. We treat our internship like an extended job interview. Interns have three to four months to show us exactly why they should be hired. At the end of their internship, if we are looking for an entry-level candidate, nine times out of 10 we will look to our intern candidate pool for applicants. It’s a win-win for the intern and for us.
So what does all this mean?
For the intern, I offer this advice:
- From day one, make yourself indispensable. Show your employer the value you bring to the table so when the time comes, they have no choice but to make you a full-time employment offer.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum Public Relations, an integrated public relations, strategic marketing and creative firm, today announced the hiring of Jeff Smith as senior vice president. He will be responsible for creative services integration, national account development and branding initiatives.
Smith has more than 25 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications, working with companies and organizations to help them achieve growth through promotional marketing concepts and communications strategies.
“We are excited to add Jeff to our talented team, especially because of his previous experience as a CEO,” said Saxum CEO Renzi Stone. “His leadership, innovative ideas and strategic approach have consistently improved performance for businesses and organizations of all types and sizes.
“His experience will play a key role in helping our clients with all aspects of their communications and marketing programs. Also, he will help grow our portfolio of regional and national clients.”
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum Public Relations, an integrated public relations, strategic marketing and creative firm, announced today it is accepting applications for the firm’s $50,000 pro bono service grant for 2010-2011.
Step Up is a public relations grant program that will provide the selected nonprofit with access to a suite of public relations services at Saxum|PR and its sister agency, Maxus Creative. Those services will include a combination of media relations assistance and select creative services.
Qualifying nonprofits must be agency members of United Way of Central Oklahoma or Allied Arts. Applications are due April 30. Applicants can visit www.saxumpr.com/stepup for details and to fill out an online application.
“We are excited to once again offer the Step Up service grant to an Oklahoma City area nonprofit,” said Saxum CEO Renzi Stone. “We believe this program is a great opportunity for local nonprofit organizations to focus their fundraising dollars on services and allow us to help them tell their story through strategic counseling and execution.”
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum Public Relations, an integrated public relations, strategic marketing and creative firm, today announced the opening of its new Tulsa office in the heart of the Brady Arts District, 200 E. Brady Street. Located on the ground floor of the Wallace Engineering Building, the approximately 3,000-square-foot space will be home to Saxum’s Tulsa office.
“We were strategic in our choice of the Brady District as home to Saxum’s new office,” said Christopher Payne, vice president and general manager in Tulsa. “While we are effectively a start-up in Tulsa, we wanted to be part of the Brady District, with its artistic roots and ongoing transformation. It is our plan for Saxum Tulsa to grow in tandem with the city’s revitalization efforts.”
Six weeks ago, Saxum announced the opening of the Tulsa office and the hiring of Christopher Payne, APR, formerly of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. Additionally, the firm has hired Christina Oden as account supervisor. She previously served as executive director of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Tulsa Young Professionals (TYPros) program.
“We are energized by being in this historic part of the city, just blocks away from the Brady Theater and Cain’s Ballroom and steps away from Tulsa’s ONEOK Field,” said Renzi Stone, Saxum president and CEO. “Given the proximity to downtown, the Blue Dome and Greenwood districts and a number of our Tulsa clients and the buzz of excitement in the Brady area, we found this location especially appealing.”
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum Public Relations, an integrated public relations, strategic marketing and creative firm, achieved 2009 revenue growth of 22.6 percent, which led to the firm being ranked 13th out of 135 independent public relations firms by O’Dwyer’s PR Services Report magazine.
The growth ranking was based on annual revenues, which were provided to O’Dwyer at no cost to Saxum and were verified by an independent certified public accountant.
Saxum has recorded year-over-year revenue growth of more than 20 percent each year since it was founded in 2003 by CEO C. Renzi Stone. Revenue increases in 2009 were primarily due to growth of the firm’s health care and social media practices, as well as a significant growth in revenues from creative services, including Web design, video and branding services.
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