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Beth Babyak Promoted to Chief of Staff

September 30, 2015

R. Christine Hershey

Beth Babyak Promoted to Chief of Staff

As Hershey Cause grows and evolves along with the pioneering field of social impact, I’m always looking for ways to create the best possible work environment that encourages innovations and consistent excellence for our clients, as well as continual growth and learning experiences for our staff. You’ll be hearing regular updates about the uniquely talented team here at Hershey Cause and how our company is growing to serve you better.

Beth Babyak is now Chief of Staff at Hershey Cause.

For many of you who have had the chance to work with Beth Babyak, our Vice President of Operations, it will come as no surprise that her leadership and steady hand here at Hershey Cause have helped guide our agency’s operations and client project management with consistency and rigor.

I’m pleased to announce Beth’s promotion from Vice President to Chief of Staff. Beyond overseeing specific projects, the Chief of Staff is the glue across the agency, from operations to client and project management best practices. In this expanded leadership role, Beth will play an even more active part in leading the teams in overall agency planning, team development and oversight of day-to-day operations. With her knowledge of our institutional history, Beth’s expanded role ensures that as we grow, we don’t lose our unique culture that makes us great.

Beth has a remarkable track record of success over the course of her six years with us, from project management and account leadership to coaching nonprofit staff in our Communicating for Results! training program. She loves problem solving and with a background in film production, Beth’s “producer” lens always manages to fit all of the pieces together with quick thinking and a seasoned eye for detail. For example, Beth played an instrumental role in our campaign for Kaiser Permanente to show screenings of Weight of the Nation across the country, resulting in real impact in multiple communities.

Please join me in congratulating Beth on her new position. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Beth to discuss how Hershey Cause can help your organization achieve its goals through strategic communications.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – But Getting the Term Right

September 30, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – But Getting the Term Right

In 1985, Frank del Olmo of the LA Times wrote an article that forever changed the way many of us refer to the diverse group of Americans often called “Hispanic.” He argued that there is no ethnic group that refers to itself as Hispanic; rather it was a bureaucratic misnomer used to lump together people descending from many countries and cultures across Latin America.

“Corporations and the media picked it up,” wrote del Olmo. “But beyond language and religion–and especially in politics–there is little commonality among U.S. Latinos. When they vote as a bloc, it is in local elections as a Chicano bloc, a Cuban bloc or a Puerto Rican bloc. They have never done it as a ‘Hispanic’ bloc in a national vote.”

This month as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I can’t help but think that Frank del Olmo wouldn’t be satisfied with the name. It also got me wondering if sentiments have changed since the seminal article first debuted 30 years ago. We asked some of our esteemed colleagues at nonprofits and foundations across Los Angeles what they think about the term and heard the following responses:

“I am pleased to see the term Latino gaining popularity across the U.S. Even as recent as 10 years ago the more conservative government-created word Hispanic was the go-to in business, especially on the East Coast. While it’s impossible to classify such a diverse group of people from a variety of origins, I’m thrilled the term Latino represents a source of pride in a common heritage.” – Valarie de la Garza, Director of Marketing & Communications at The California Community Foundation

“I do not like Hispanic at all, but I know colleagues of mine use it a ton on the East Coast. I can live with Latino, though it also doesn’t capture my identity. The ‘Latino’ community is extremely diverse. But both of these terms have a Euro-centric definition of people that does not recognize the indigenous ancestry many of us have. I prefer Chicano or Mexican-American.” – Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director at Leadership for Urban Renewal Network

At a time when communities across the country are being questioned about their nationality, identity and loyalty to the U.S., we pay special homage to our compatriots originally from Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Los Angeles, the City of Angels, would not be as beautiful and rich in culture and ideas without you.

Hershey Cause’s Top 5 Design “Pet” Peeves

September 30, 2015

Kristin Moore

Hershey Cause’s Top 5 Design “Pet” Peeves

Here at Hershey Cause, our design team is hard at work for our clients every day. But as designers, it’s hard not to notice the design elements in everything we see in the world. The Hershey Cause design team, including mascot Myko, present our top design pet peeves.

Myko, the Design Team Mascot.

Brand Inconsistency. When an organization does not have a consistent visual identity across its digital and print materials, it has no identity at all. It’s like mixing a ballgown with sneakers. By making the messaging and visuals consistent across platforms, it creates the desired impact and brand recognition you want for your organization.

Myko: Yes! Yes! I like consistency too, consistent walks and treats.

Confusing website navigation. It drives us crazy when we visit a website and can’t find what we’re looking for. Always hire an experienced web designer, but if that’s not within your budget, study how others in your field organize content. Also be sure to test your website with some friends, asking for their honest feedback.

Myko: Where is the belly rub section?

Mismatched visuals and messaging. There is something unsettling about a picture of an adorable puppy with the words “End Childhood Hunger.” An exaggerated example? Yes. But it’s a great way to see that communication is not just about words or just about pictures, it’s about the successful combination of the two.

Myko: That reminds me, I’m hungry again. Is it snack time?

Information overload. When we see materials too packed with information we don’t know where to look first. In a general marketing piece such as a website homepage, use just a few, well-written key messages to grab your audience’s attention, then draw them into the interior for more information. If you put everything on your homepage it becomes “information overload” and you leave your audiences confused instead of inspired.

Myko: Too much information makes me want to take a nap.

Scale all wrong. Have you ever seen a billboard with text too small to read from your car? Or had a pen with a logo so small you couldn’t even decipher the organization’s name? It’s important to consider the end usage of a product when designing it.

Myko: Did you say car? Are we going to the beach? I love the beach!

Rancho Rising 2020: Building on our History of Hope and Healing

August 27, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Rancho Rising 2020: Building on our History of Hope and Healing

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a long-time client of Hershey Cause Communications (HCC), is undergoing a state-of-the-art renovation to enhance care for patients with disabilities, and we are at the helm to provide external communications for the project. From conceiving the inspiring project name of “Rancho Rising 2020” to coordinating media outreach, HCC is honored to support the work of Rancho Los Amigos, a gem of LA County’s Department of Public Health.

Supervisor Don Knabe broke ground for a large construction project at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in August. Photos: Martin Zamora, County of Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, LA County Supervisor Don Knabe, a faithful advocate for Rancho for years, broke ground for the Wellness and Aquatic Therapy Center, which will be the first new building constructed under Rancho Rising 2020, due to be completed in August 2016. HCC secured media coverage before and after the event, facilitating a strong turnout of county officials, community members, Rancho staff and patients. The event was unique for a groundbreaking, convening speakers from across the city and county before Hector “Juice” Duron, a former patient and current peer mentor, concluded the ceremony with a moving rendition of Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying.”

Hector “Juice” Duron serenaded the crowd at the Rancho Rising 2020 groundbreaking ceremony.

The patient stories are the heart of what makes Rancho special. HCC has worked with officials from across LA County to promote Rancho’s legacy of care since 2012, and I’ve witnessed many of them moved to tears when sharing what they love about the hospital. Patients and their families have shared with me that the community at Rancho is their second family, and recovery after a life-changing illness or accident would not have been possible without the support and care provided at Rancho. Growing up with a brother with Down Syndrome, I understand the importance of ensuring the ones you love get the right care and the value of having a supportive community when the future is uncertain. Rancho ensures that emotional and physical care is in place for all patients who walk through its doors, and the renovations will ensure that Rancho can provide the best care available with technological updates and facility improvements.

Rancho Rising 2020 will usher in a new era of restoring health, rebuilding life and revitalizing hope in LA County. Recent legislation has expanded access for veterans to receive care at Rancho Los Amigos, which will be enhanced by the construction project. For more information about Rancho Rising 2020 including FAQs and flyers created by HCC, visit www.rancho.org.

Q&A: Meet the HCC Design Team

August 27, 2015

Ashley Traywick

Q&A: Meet the HCC Design Team

Design is a core service here at Hershey Cause, so we sat down with our dynamic in-house team to ask about the keys to a successful design project and what inspires them to do great work. Meet our design team: Kristin Moore, Creative Director; Jenna Schweitzer, Designer; and Myko Moore, team mascot.

From left, Jenna Schweitzer, Myko the dog, and Kristin Moore.

What drew you to work for Hershey Cause Communications?

Kristin: I discovered Hershey Cause about seven years ago and I was immediately attracted for a number of reasons. The first was the quality of the work; good work speaks for itself and the work by Hershey Cause speaks volumes. Second, I was really interested in focusing my talents to contribute to helping the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits have always been my favorite clients. I love knowing that what I do really helps people and communities; it inspires me to push myself creatively. And third, I really admire Chris Hershey, our company’s founder. She is a great example of a strong and empowering woman in this male-dominated business.

Jenna: From my very first interview I could tell that the people here really care about the work they are doing. The chance to help cause-oriented organizations really resonated with me because I believe good design can give a voice to people, and nonprofits and foundations are not heard as much as they should be. I love it here because I get to do the design work I love that is meaningful and creates a positive impact.

Myko: Snacks. They always have snacks at the office.

What is the best design advice you can give a nonprofit?

Kristin: Number one, absolutely, is to start with your strategic objectives, not with what materials or tactics you think you need. So often people think “I need a website” or “we must create a new brochure” without taking a step back to consider their goals. With a limited budget, as most nonprofits have, it’s important to get the biggest bang for your buck with your materials, and it may turn out that you don’t need everything you thought you did. An outside partner can be especially helpful to provide this strategic perspective, bringing together your goals, objectives and budget in a solution that works for you.

Jenna: Brand consistency should be a top priority. That means visually, in terms of colors and logo, but also your organization’s voice and tone. I think it’s especially important for nonprofits, because with limited dollars consistency can help you make a bigger, lasting impact. Even if it’s just your website and your business card, be consistent across all your materials to ensure that – no matter how your audiences interact with you – they “get” who you are and what you stand for.

Myko: Don’t rely too much on colors; not all of us can see them.

Where do you find inspiration?

Jenna: I find inspiration everywhere, but I love getting inspired by local neighborhoods. One of the great things about Los Angeles is that there are so many little neighborhoods that each has its own vibe, visual culture and environment. Some of my favorites are Venice, the arts district Downtown, and Los Feliz.

Kristin: As a designer I am constantly critiquing everything I see, from obvious things like billboards and websites, to film and TV shows and even menus and bumper stickers. I look at everything through the lens of design. But like Jenna, it’s LA itself that inspires me. I especially love Venice for the mix of people, the amazing graffiti walls and all the crazy weird things you can’t predict. The last time I was there I saw someone dressed in a cookie monster costume riding a bike. You just don’t see that anywhere else!

Myko: Shoes – tall ones, flat ones, strappy ones. I spend a lot of time looking at shoes.

What is your biggest design pet peeve?

Kristin: We could write a whole blog post just about these (editors note: keep an eye out next month). If I have to choose one, I’d say bad logos. A bad logo is one that doesn’t work well in all mediums, when made small, or in black and white, or is too intricate to embroider or be screenprinted. Creating a good logo, one that can be your organization’s signature no matter where it appears, really is an art.

Jenna: Bad type! Typography is such an integral part of good design. It’s not just about spacing or font choice. There is a skill to good typography and I hate when type is treated as an after thought or isn’t consistent with the tone of the visuals. I notice it all the time and it drives me crazy!

Myko: Things that look like food, but aren’t actually food.

Curious to learn more design tips from Hershey Cause? Check out our round-up of annual reports and see what makes these publications great.

Back to School Reading

August 27, 2015

Hershey Cause Communications

Back to School Reading

School is back in session and the buzz of learning is in the air. Even after those first book reports are turned in and pop quizzes are graded, here at Hershey Cause we like to keep learning at the center of the conversation all year round. From blogs and social media to research reports and the good old-fashioned newspaper, resources abound for those looking to learn and grow.

No doubt you’ve heard about the benefits of scanning the landscape: regularly carving out time to keep up with news, trends and best practices can inspire new ideas and improve your work. But where to turn for reliable sources of knowledge that won’t feel like a chore to read?

Here are just a few recommended sources we follow regularly that keep us updated on the latest news in Los Angeles and the nonprofit and communications fields:

LA Times Opinion Page – Always a reliable source for insightful or thought-provoking takes on local and national hot topics, the LA Times op-ed page features important voices and perspectives from across the city. We highly recommend a recent piece by Judy Belk, CEO of the California Wellness Foundation, about the social effects of drought and Belk’s own experiences with water poverty during her childhood.
The Goodman Center – Our friend and colleague, Andy Goodman, publishes a monthly newsletter that’s always chock-full of anecdotes and tips for effective storytelling practices. We love how “Free-Range Thinking” uses accessible, timely examples to break down the concepts and structure of strategic communications.
PhilanTopic – A blog of opinion and commentary by PND, a service of the Foundation Center, PhilanTopic features interviews with the movers and shakers of the social sector as well as a great “weekend round-up” of recommended reading from across the field.
Nonprofit With Balls – If you need encouragement to work for good, or just a good laugh, Nonprofit With Balls blog is a must-read. Vu Le shares useful insights for nonprofit leaders and funders, ranging from grant proposal tips to a healthy dose of sarcasm about the 990 process. What better way to start your Mondays?

Where do you go to get your “fix” of local, philanthropy and nonprofit news? Tweet us @causecomm and keep the circle of learning going strong!

Inside Our Services: Three Annual Reports Worth Sharing

August 26, 2015

Hershey Cause Communications

Inside Our Services: Three Annual Reports Worth Sharing

Many foundations are questioning the value of annual reports, wondering if a print version is worth the expense and whether digital has any impact. At Hershey Cause Communications, we advise our clients that annual reports offer high return on investment if approached strategically. Nobody likes a gray, boring annual report, least of all in the nonprofit world where inspiration fuels support, engagement and donations. But a report that tells a story both visually and narratively adds value beyond the numbers, giving a voice to your cause and using design to creatively express your priorities. Here are three annual reports worth sharing.

California Community Foundation: 2014 “Land of Dreams”

Print and digital formats brought out the best in each other for CCF’s 2014 annual report, which was built around vivid, relatable images of our fellow Angelenos in recognizable environments, accompanied by their personal “Stories of Impact.” This eye-catching publication exudes optimism with its bright photography, while infographics translate data quickly and clearly. The beauty and professionalism of the print version reinforces the effectiveness of the design, helping it to stand out in a sea of mail. The digital version presents the content in an accessible, engaging format for maximum impact for the web. The audience can read the content in bite-sized pieces and share a particular narrative that resonates with them—interactivity that also expands the foundation’s audience. By utilizing visual components from the printed version in the digital report the two pieces work together as well as independently.

California Wellness Foundation: 2013 “Wellness Evolution: Experience Ignites a New Grantmaking Chapter”

When selecting a creative concept for the California Wellness Foundation’s annual report, HCC sought to create an effective tool for conveying the organization’s progress over time in addition to reporting the events and outcomes within the specific year. Our solution, a visual representation of a wheel/burst signified the igniting of a new grantmaking chapter for CalWellness. From the unique die-cut cover design to the graphic depiction of the foundation’s grantmaking evolution, the 2013 report proves that good design can capture your year and captivate your audience.

From the archives: Liberty Hill Foundation: 2005 “Face of Giving, Face of Change”

We couldn’t resist highlighting an annual report from 2005 that illustrates how strategic positioning can forecast things to come. For the 30th anniversary issue, HCC’s concept was to highlight Liberty Hill’s role as incubator, via a strong photographic essay depicting some of the movers and shakers that Liberty Hill identified early and helped guide toward civic leadership. The future stars highlighted in the report included now Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and First Lady of Los Angeles Amy Wakeland; Principal Deputy for Policy and Strategy for LA County Supervisor Sheila Keuhl, Torie Osborn; U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D. – Los Angeles); and Los Angeles City Council member Marqueece Dawson.

At Hershey Cause Communications, we’ve designed award-winning annual reports for a range of nonprofit organizations and foundations. We bring together strategic components like those highlighted in this article that make certain your report resonates with key audiences: Breakthrough creative that best illustrates the concepts selected; intimate familiarity with a variety of print and digital formats; and a plan that fits your brand and your budget. From design concept to content development to photography, we guide you through every step to ensure your annual report is a source of pride and an important resource for attracting new donors and partners.

Contact us to learn more about how we can make your next annual report your best yet.

AltaSea: Reimagining LA’s Waterfront

July 27, 2015

John Stodder

AltaSea: Reimagining LA’s Waterfront

One of the reasons we love LA nonprofits is that so many of these organizations are not just changing the world, they are also changing the way we think about LA as a capital of creativity and innovation. AltaSea, a relatively new player in town, embodies these values and is poised to be a game-changer for the city.

An aerial view of the San Pedro Bay. AltaSea will be located at City Dock 1. Image courtesy of The Port of Los Angeles.

Over the past year, you might have started to hear about AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, a public-private partnership that brings together science, business and education to generate innovative solutions to global sustainability issues. Together with its partners and funders, AltaSea is going to change the face of Los Angeles – and the world – by reimagining the purpose and potential of a seaport.

Hershey Cause Communications is proud to give a voice to this ambitious and complex project, and we are excited to help AltaSea leverage the power of strategic communications to achieve its goals. Here is what you should know:

AltaSea is located on the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro, and will transform a historic pier into a waterfront “Silicon Valley.” The Port of Los Angeles is a partner in AltaSea, and respected Los Angeles leaders including the mayor are already sharing their enthusiasm.
The California-based global design firm Gensler will design the 35-acre AltaSea campus. The campus will be a model of sustainability and an iconic feature of the Los Angeles landscape. (Stay tuned for the reveal of the design renderings later this year.)
AltaSea will spur important discoveries about the ocean, catalyze new marine-related industries and connect science to the community through a world-class education and engagement center.
Groundbreaking for the first phase of AltaSea construction will take place in 2017. However, there is already activity underway at AltaSea, including the Discovery Lecture Series with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and several new partnerships on the verge of public announcement.

For those of us at Hershey Cause, AltaSea is a signature project, but it is also personal. We were especially moved by recent events saluting our friend Leonard Aube, the former executive director of The Annenberg Foundation who was AltaSea’s guiding visionary since its inception until his untimely passing earlier this year.

The Annenberg Foundation continues to champion AltaSea’s broader vision and current activities. As seasoned professionals in civic and environmental issues, we, too, are eager to see AltaSea turn Los Angeles into a global leader in sustainable solutions for the world’s most complex challenges.

Los Angeles has needed a catalyst for its future that exemplifies the values of innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability. We believe AltaSea is that spark, and we are excited to be a part of this historic transformation.

What is the Future of Social Impact? Ask a Millennial.

July 27, 2015

R. Christine Hershey

What is the Future of Social Impact? Ask a Millennial.

Last month I had the pleasure of attending MCON, a conference sponsored by the Case Foundation in Chicago with the purpose of convening the next generation of cause activists and business leaders. I felt like I was revisiting Woodstock. The fashion may have been different but the energy was all too familiar. The depth of passion, commitment and eagerness of the attendees – mostly Millennials – to improve our world was inspiring. There were so many amazing young people who want live a complete life of purpose, going beyond conventional charity to embrace authenticity across their work and personal lives.

If you’re currently between the ages of 18 and 34, you’re considered a Millennial. Much has been written about this group, and they are often generalized as either a mysterious “holy grail” of an audience that every nonprofit needs to engage, or as an impatient bunch eager for their next promotion to be handed to them. My experiences at MCON painted a very different picture.

MCON speakers were young entrepreneurs and change-makers. Photo by Jonathan Frey, courtesy of Achieve.

Research shared at the conference showed that 84% of Millennial employees gave a charitable donation in 2014, but I also learned that they want to do work that matters. Millennials don’t want to separate work from giving in their personal life – they want their work to be purposeful and aligned with their values. This holistic approach is long overdue, and we owe credit to the courage of this generation for living the philosophy.

As the largest generation in the U.S. work force, work satisfaction is crucial to Millennials. In my experience, they have more drive and zeal for doing their job well, and they are less likely to work somewhere they find intolerable. This is a good thing, because the output will be of a higher quality if employees are happy to be there. As a business owner, I hire people with an entrepreneurial spirit and encourage them to pursue their passions within the agency, which helps us grow in expertise and innovation.

As a society, we must encourage the confidence and optimism of this unique generation. We should nurture the Millennial desire for authenticity across their lives, in addition to encouraging transparency, inclusivity and positive impact within our businesses. I prefer to focus on what our generations have in common instead of the stereotypical differences that too often divide us. Let’s invite our Millennial employees into the conversation early and trust their leadership.

As for MCON 2016, how about Los Angeles?

Brand Evolution: The Eisner Foundation Launches Intergenerational Grantmaking

July 23, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Brand Evolution: The Eisner Foundation Launches Intergenerational Grantmaking

Last week, The Eisner Foundation officially announced its new focus to invest exclusively in intergenerational solutions – those that unite generations for the betterment of our communities. Every component of this evolution – including messaging, the website redesign and updated visual identity – were part of an overarching communications and branding strategy.

The Eisner Foundation now has a sharper focus on its funding priorities and a modern, appealing aesthetic to draw people in to learn more. We helped them use smart communications, proactive outreach and fresh design to make the most of this shift.

Because the website is the most widely visible public representation of an organization, we made sure The Eisner Foundation’s new site was ready and waiting for visitors when they first learned about the mission change. The new site provides information to help visitors learn more about the foundation’s strategic shift, and its freshened look and feel visually reinforces the exciting next chapter in the foundation’s life.

One tactic we used to enhance the user’s experience on the website was to create an infographic to illustrate the need for and potential impact of charitable programs committed to bridging generations. Infographics are a great way to tell a story, making facts accessible while drawing a conclusion and showing a way forward. The Eisner Foundation infographic does this by illustrating the trends, challenges and solutions that cross generations of citizens in Los Angeles. View the full infographic here.

If your organization is going through a transformation, it’s important to consider the audiences you are trying to reach and what they care about. Those insights should then inform a holistic approach to updating all of your communications tools. Messaging should always align with an organization’s visual brand, and any major shifts in one should be introduced in concert with the other. Take the time to ensure that the substance and content of your new materials are as strong as the design. After all, you can’t effectively engage visitors with a brand new website if the content still hails from 2012.

The process must also be comprehensive and thorough, giving equal attention to the “big picture” goals and the details of updating specific resources. If you change one visual element, you have to change them all. Everything from stationary to social media icons should be in sync with your new brand.

The result? An evolved brand that looks, sounds and projects one “voice.” Just take a look at The Eisner Foundation’s site: a consistent, strong presence that supports the organization’s admirable and ambitious goals.

For information about how we can help your organization make a strategic shift in mission and brand, contact us at info@causecommunications.com.

Annual Reports for California Community Foundation & The California Wellness Foundation Honored for Excellence

June 24, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Annual Reports for California Community Foundation & The California Wellness Foundation Honored for Excellence

Summer Activities With LA’s Nonprofits

June 23, 2015

Hershey Cause Communications

Summer Activities With LA’s Nonprofits

Los Angeles boasts an impressive landscape of nonprofit organizations, from small, community-based initiatives to international networks that impact global policy. The work of LA’s nonprofits touch every industry, neighborhood and part of life in our city, and many offer fun, unique activities open to the public, providing opportunities to both entertain and help the community.

What better way to spend your summer than with some of the nonprofits that make Los Angeles one of the most innovative and creative cities in the world?

Here are just a few of our favorite summer activities hosted by local nonprofits that we recommend checking out:

LA River

The LA River Corp works to transform the LA River to improve people’s lives by carrying out sustainable land use projects, advocacy for river-friendly policy and programs for community benefit. The LA River Corp offers many family-friendly ways to enjoy the river throughout the summer. Here are a few selections:

Night Run series: June 25 7:30pm-10:00pm, tickets $25
Bike Tour with Good Eggs LA: August 8, 4:30pm-7:30pm, tickets $10

LA Works

LA Works has been mobilizing volunteers in Los Angeles since 1991. The nonprofit features thousands of volunteer opportunities year round, and summer is the perfect season to spend some of your free time helping others. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Be a Kid Again: Children’s Creative Corner, July 14 (ages 18+)
Serve it up: Prep and Provide Meals for the Homeless @ LA Mission, July 18 (ages 13+)
Annual Print Fair & Exhibition: Self Help Graphics & Art, July 25 (ages 18+)

Tree People

Tree People is a nonprofit focused on growing a green and climate-resilient Los Angeles. This summer, Tree People will be hosting free and informative family tours and native plant exploration at their headquarters in Coldwater Canyon Park on July 19 and August 16 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn about the magic of mulch at Dr. Dirt’s laboratory and tour the urban watershed garden for a live demonstration of how rainwater flows in our city. You can even learn how to grow California native plants yourself!

Annenberg Community Beach House

Photo by Takashige Ikawa / Frederick Fisher and Partners

The Annenberg Community Beach House is a favorite summer destination for Angelenos. This family-friendly destination is open to all and no membership is required. With spectacular views, a splash pad, children’s play area, gallery, historic pool, and Marion Davies Guest House, there is something for everyone to enjoy! The pool is open for the summer June 6-September 7.

Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for youth ages 1-17, and $5 for Seniors 60+.

Tips for Securing Media Interest in Your Organization

June 23, 2015

Hershey Cause Communications

Tips for Securing Media Interest in Your Organization

At Hershey Cause Communications, many of our clients ask us about getting local and national media attention for their cause, which is seen as the golden ticket in public relations. Being featured on a national television broadcast for example can result in increased awareness and funding for your organization and raise your profile as a leader in your field.

We recently worked with our client, Sojourner Center, to get media coverage of an innovative initiative to study the link between domestic violence and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our proactive planning, comprehensive outreach and tailored pitches garnered significant media exposure for this launch, including The Huffington Post. Its first story about the Sojourner BRAIN Program led to an outpouring of responses from women who believed they had experienced a domestic violence-related TBI. The reporter followed up with a second story offering practical advice about what to do if you think you have suffered a TBI as a result of domestic violence, citing Sojourner Center and its BRAIN Program partners as the expert sources. In a third piece less than a week later, HuffPost Live interviewed Sojourner Center spokespeople for their livestream program on the topic.

The attention generated by The Huffington Post’s original article had a direct and positive impact on the lives of women that Sojourner Center serves, and we couldn’t have been more proud to be part of the momentum.

Here we share some of what Hershey Cause Communications has learned over the years on how to secure media interest in your organization or cause.

Step One: Gather your media assets

We recommend starting by gathering all of the items you will want to have in place and make available to reporters. Anticipate their needs. Do you have an electronic media kit that allows you to easily share background information on your organization and leadership? Are your key spokespeople media trained? What are your answers to FAQs?

Most reporters will ultimately want to know about real people that have been impacted by your organization’s work. Get a head start on this by developing a story bank to capture all of the amazing stories you hear along the way, and flagging people who would be interested in sharing their personal experiences with media. Keep this well curated with any visuals (photos, videos and/or charts) that help bring the story to life. Be sure to have updated contact information, personal history and any necessary release forms on file.

Step Two: Make a list of your top targets

Next, begin developing a list of your top media targets. They should include reporters who have already covered your organization, reporters who have covered your competitors or issue area, and those reporters or media outlets that you believe should be covering your cause. This list will evolve over time as journalists move beats and new outlets surface, so make sure to keep your list maintained on a regular basis. Because there are so many more freelancers providing important coverage these days, if you see a worthy story appear on your topic, capture as much information as you can about the reporter. Don’t be afraid to write the reporter a friendly note asking for that information.

After you have a good working list, take time to get to know these reporters and their outlets. Watch their segments, pay attention for news articles, and review their past coverage to familiarize yourself with their style, biases, interests, and anything else you could use to customize your pitch when reaching out to them.

Step Three: Introduce yourself and your organization

Once you have your list and know your media targets inside and out, you’re ready to put yourself in front of them! A strong introductory media pitch is one that concisely tells the reporter why they should care about your organization or your cause. Provide just enough of the who, what, when, where and how to get their attention and whet their appetite.

Consider providing a short list of initiatives that make your organization unique. Make sure to introduce your organization as a knowledgeable resource on the subject matter. After your initial e-mail, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and introduce yourself—it’s a great way to start building the relationship.

Step Four: Stay in front of media targets with a steady drumbeat of useful content

Media almost always cite communications pros that show creativity, are up to date on current topics, and know the reporter’s respective coverage/beat in their pitches as those who make it to the top of their inbox and have a lasting impact.

One key to cultivating lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with your media targets is to continuously provide them with timely, relevant information that will aid them in their reporting. Even when you don’t have breaking news, think of ways to stay in front of them and remind them of your resources.

Find additional resources about getting media coverage for your cause at CauseClarity.org, where you can watch a 3-minute video and download a worksheet to go through the process.

How the CA Drought Can Make Us Better Communicators

June 23, 2015

Vanessa Schnaidt

How the CA Drought Can Make Us Better Communicators

Ah, summer. The season of flip flops, sweet stone fruit, county fairs and Slip N Slides. But here in California—where Hershey Cause calls home—this summer marks the fourth consecutive year of a major drought. Residents of the Golden State are constantly reminded of the lack of water and all of the measures we should be taking to conserve this precious resource. Still, as someone who prefers to see the glass half full (an expression that feels especially decadent in this context), I can’t help but reflect on how this scarcity of water has also brought an abundance of lessons when it comes to being an effective communicator. Our garden hoses may have slowed to a trickle, but there is a steady stream of communications best practices just waiting to be tapped.

LA’s Save the Drop campaign has raised awareness about the drought, providing communications lessons along the way. Image via lamayor.org

Here are four ways the California drought can teach us to become better communicators.

Get the right spokesperson. Your message matters, but so does the messenger. Have you noticed how often Governor Jerry Brown has been out there on the frontlines of drought-related communications? By positioning Governor Brown as a spokesperson—rather than using a staffer or lesser-known water expert—the messages are delivered with authority and gravitas. Here in Los Angeles, Mayor Garcetti has tapped actor and comedian Steve Carell to narrate one of the city’s Save the Drop campaign videos. The warmth and familiarity of Carell’s voice is inviting and keeps us watching the video long enough to absorb the message. Brown and Carell were strategic choices, and nonprofit communicators need to be just as thoughtful when selecting who should represent their cause. The right messenger is essential for connecting with and influencing the behavior of your audiences.

Tailor messages to your audience. The Save the Drop campaign in Los Angeles has kept its target audiences in mind when creating content. Messages are framed in a way that encourages people to treat water like they’d treat a friend, appealing to one’s loyalty, empathy and commitment. Think of how resentful we’d be if all of the messages we heard took on a demanding, prescriptive tone that makes water conservation feel like a chore. Additionally, making these campaign messages and conservation resources available in Spanish helps ensure even more people receive this information. Customizing your message for your cause is essential if you want the value of your work to be understood and if you want to build a community of engaged advocates, volunteers and donors.

Visit CauseClarity.org for tips on how to manage your contacts.

Be more efficient. Tips on how to conserve water are everywhere. My favorite? Toilets account for more than 25% of a household’s indoor water use, so swapping out your regular toilet with a low flush model will save money and water. Increasing your efficiency is just as important in communications. In the social sector, time often feels like a commodity as rare as water—and goodness knows we’re always trying to do more with less when it comes to budgets. One of the best ways to bring greater efficiency to your organization is to develop a functional system for organizing and managing your contacts. Doing so can improve workflow, facilitate information sharing and help you engage those contacts strategically.

Offer an incentive. Water utilities in Southern California are now offering rebates to homeowners who remove their water-guzzling lawns, creating a financial incentive for those who answer the state’s call to action. In the nonprofit sector, effecting a behavioral change or convincing someone to support your cause also requires providing some sort of value to your audience. An incentive doesn’t have to be a tangible reward, but you do need to help your audience understand what’s in it for them and why they should care.

We’ve drawn the connection between the drought and good communications, but how do you put these best practices into action? Check out Cause Clarity, an initiative of Hershey Cause, for three-minute “How-To” videos and downloadable worksheets. These bite-sized courses in communications cover 15 topics, including those mentioned here.

We might not see the neighborhood kids glide across a Slip N Slide on the front lawn this summer (especially after their parents replace the grass with native cacti), but we can use communications to advance great causes and make those kids’ world a little better for many summers to come.

Cause Clarity: Resources for Today’s Communicators

May 29, 2015

Vanessa Schnaidt

Cause Clarity: Resources for Today’s Communicators

Cause Clarity, an initiative of Hershey Cause, makes the power of good communications accessible to all. Our bite-sized courses in communications are fast, fun and make sure you have the skills you need for today’s fast-paced, connected world.

Why Cause Clarity? We live in a new communications environment where everyone can engage, participate and communicate with almost any audience. The way we interact with information and with each other has changed. Most of us now use multiple platforms—Twitter, Facebook, in-person meetings, etc.—to communicate with our networks of professional colleagues, constituents and friends. As a result, conversations about the issues that are most important to us begin at all levels of organizations and in neighborhoods, homes, schools or public forums. Because of this, communications is even more vital to being a successful nonprofit or social venture. Good communication and information sharing strengthens internal capacity, promotes programs to the community and contributes to having a strong and sustainable funding base.

The good news is that communications is no longer a person or even a department; it’s a practice that everyone can and should be a part of. Your organization or cause can use communications to meet your goals with greater effectiveness by ensuring your team understands the essentials and then coordinates on how to put their talents to good use. The resources on Cause Clarity are designed to do just that.

So what exactly can you find on CauseClarity.org? Our three-minute “How-To” videos summarize key communications principles covering messaging, branding, fundraising, marketing and tactics such as social media and media coverage. Downloadable worksheets complementing each of the 15 videos help you apply the lessons to your own work while providing additional references and resources. And opportunities exist throughout the site to take these lessons one step further and engage with us about your questions and experiences.

We’ve recently added eight new videos to the site, so now there are more tips and topics than ever. Check out the full list below and then start exploring today!

How to Choose a Messenger for Your Cause
How to Turn Board Members to Ambassadors
How to Maintain a Consistent Brand for Your Cause
How to Choose Social Media for Your Cause
How to Tell Your Story
How to Customize Your Message
How to Identify Audiences for Your Cause
How to Create a Core Message for Your Cause
How to Get Better Media Coverage for Your Cause
How to Be Wonderfabulous on Digital Media
How to Manage Your Contacts
How to Attract New Donors
How to Write a Social Media Plan
How to Maximize Donors
How to Evaluate Your Brand

Celebrating 38 Years of Communicating for Good

May 19, 2015

R. Christine Hershey

Celebrating 38 Years of Communicating for Good

This month we celebrate 38 years since I started what has become Hershey Cause Communications (HCC) with the mission to communicate for good and elevate the nonprofit sector through best practices, tools and training. Nearly four decades later, strategic thinking is still mandatory. For important ideas to cut through the clutter, it is more important than ever to make certain the right message reaches the right audience.

HCC Founder Chris Hershey with a life-size cut out of herself in 1977.

At HCC one of the ways we ensure this is through our commitment to strong design work. Having started out as a creative director, I’m witnessing a full circle return to design thinking as a way to solve problems. For example, infographics and interactive displays are now popular ways to share information. In 1977 the creative industry was tactile and based in a physical studio where texture, material and color made all the difference. Today it’s a business of technology – which has opened doors for art and design – but I also think an overemphasis on digital screens has endangered the elegance of a beautifully crafted product. From my viewpoint, the industry is beginning to swing back to a hybrid of material and digital, and it’s exciting to see where this will lead.

As we look to the next 38 years, HCC continues to embrace our role as an advocate for the importance of “communications for good.” When I first started the agency, I worked for a wide variety of clients big and small, corporate, public and nonprofit. I immediately realized that the work I cared about most was that which made a difference. Since there were no best practices for cause-centered communications at the time, I became known as an “evangelist for communications,” carrying forward ideas that worked from the corporate to the nonprofit sector. There is still a long way to go. Communications aimed at changing behaviors require up to a 10-year arc for results, but communications projects in the social impact sector are only funded for one to two years. That disconnect reinforces how critical it is to demonstrate the value of communications.

To celebrate our anniversary this month, the HCC team threw me a surprise party themed “1977,” complete with disco lights, fondue and Stevie Wonder. Everyone dressed up in their 70s best. We were hippies, disco divas and Deadheads, and it couldn’t have been a better gift. The pictures tell all!

Partying like it’s 1977!

It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come, and I’m grateful to the many individuals and organizations that have helped and supported me along the journey. As time has revealed, good communication never goes out of style!

The Evolving Nonprofit: Q&A with Regina Birdsell of CNM SoCal

May 19, 2015

Hannah Lainer

The Evolving Nonprofit: Q&A with Regina Birdsell of CNM SoCal

The Center for Nonprofit Management of Southern California (CNM) is a vital organization here in Los Angeles designed to provide resources and knowledge to nonprofits throughout the community, and this year they celebrate their 35^th anniversary. With CNM’s annual 501(c)onference around the corner, we sat down with President and CEO Regina Birdsell to get her take on the past and future trends of local nonprofits.

Regina Birdsell is President and CEO of the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Q: How have the needs of nonprofits changed over the past 35 years, and what are their greatest needs today?

While the focus is still on mission, over time there has been an evolution away from the charity model to a more professionalized sector that provides essential services. There is an increased mandate to achieve measureable outcomes, which is also led by the interests of investors, funders, and donors. In the aftermath of the recession, we find that the giving public wants to see more results for their money.

Q: What role does strategic communications play in your job at CNM?

It’s one of the most important responsibilities I have, because I’m constantly making the case for why professional development matters. It’s a priority of mine to promote the work of CNM and convey that training and consulting resources designed specifically for nonprofits are available in our community. In my role, I have the opportunity to talk about our sector to new audiences, such as business leaders who don’t realize that we are a significant employer in the region. Another important audience is government. I like to think of government as partners in delivering social services; nonprofits can be the R&D. Nonprofits are on the ground and have a local perspective, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, but government can help scale solutions. It’s important to make sure they have the right information from those of us who are in the weeds every day.

Q: What are the most exciting developments on the horizon for nonprofits in SoCal?

We are setting the pace for the rest of the country. It’s so diverse here, plus we welcome new ideas. We’re innovative and creative, which has translated to forward-thinking practices in the nonprofit sector, especially in the areas of community policing, immigration, homelessness, and veteran services.

Nonprofits in Southern California are structured to encourage partnerships. Since systems have to be efficient and impactful, we’re seeing sectors cross-pollinate to create more hybrid models of for-profit and nonprofit entities that partner for results. I like these hybrid models and strategic alliances, which are sometimes unexpected but inspiring.

Finally, I sense that there’s an impatience to make a difference, and there’s a bridge being drawn between those who want to move quickly and those who know that real change takes time. This is the new trend to watch, and it’s a really exciting time.

Guarding Nonprofits’ Reputations in Times of Crisis

May 18, 2015

John Stodder

Guarding Nonprofits’ Reputations in Times of Crisis

To most news consumers, crisis communications is something for wayward football players, politicians and manufacturers of defective products. But a crisis can hit any company – and any nonprofit. And just as nonprofits are learning the importance of building a brand and a reputation through communications, they must understand the importance of protecting that reputation when bad luck or mistakes cause concern.

A crisis is any situation that threatens an organization’s integrity or reputation, a threat magnified by the potential for negative media attention. A crisis is usually unexpected and often escalates, with unpredictable elements increasing the stress and anxiety a nonprofit’s officers will experience as they respond. Today’s media environment, a 24/7 multi-media echo chamber of hashtags, viral video and capitalized outrage, has the potential to amplify bad news even more. To get a fair hearing for one’s side in a sensitive situation requires planning and discipline.

Any nonprofit is susceptible to a crisis. Many provide direct services to members of the public, often to the most vulnerable populations. Like all businesses, nonprofits put human beings capable of erring in positions of responsibility. Nonprofits raise and spend money, manage property and are subject to laws and regulations. By default, a nonprofit’s activities expose it to multiple levels of risk.

Some nonprofit leaders have already experienced a situation that posed a serious danger, and most others can easily imagine one. Imagining is one thing, but have you prepared?

Even if you feel prepared, having a detailed plan in place is essential. Preparing for a crisis is the best way to ensure that when one materializes, it can be minimized. Our founder Chris Hershey’s mantra that “Strategic Communications Starts at the Top” is particularly germane to crisis situations. An organization’s most senior leadership should be responsible for ensuring that crisis communications plans are in place.

Increasingly, our clients who engage Hershey Cause to create a communications plan are asking for a crisis preparation element. As part of the development process, we ask our clients what potential threats keep them up at night, and work with them to assess the likelihood of different “worst case” scenarios actually taking place. For the most likely occurrences, we show our clients how to develop messages and press statements in advance that can easily be adapted to real-world situations. We also teach them how to build a crisis team and what steps to take when a potentially damaging incident occurs.

The essence of effective crisis communications management is summarized by the maxim: “Tell it all, tell it fast, and tell the truth.” When something bad happens, a nonprofit’s strongest supporters will want to learn the news about it directly from the organization itself – first – whenever possible. As communications consultants to nonprofits, our job is to put our clients in position to react rapidly without sacrificing strategic focus. Preparation is the key to achieving a neutral or positive outcome at the end of a crisis.

Design Excellence Goes Beyond Guesswork

April 23, 2015

Kristin Moore

Design Excellence Goes Beyond Guesswork

When it comes to branding and marketing, there is plenty of theory around color and psychology and how to evoke certain emotions by using certain colors. As a communications firm with a strong design practice, Hershey Cause Communications (HCC) understands that color choices must be strategic. But our seasoned experience has shown that color is too subjective to be universally translated to specific feelings.

When our team is working with clients, we take into account universally accepted concepts, but we know how wide-ranging those concepts can be. For example, some people claim that red evokes passion and boldness while others think it’s youthful and carefree. Our approach is to start with the general perceptions of the target audience. From a design standpoint, it’s important to remember that the audience is our client’s audience – not the client themselves. Even though clients make the ultimate decisions on color and branding, they have to remember that results are achieved when they consider how the brand will resonate with those they’re trying to reach.

Therefore, your organization’s branding and color scheme should support the personality you want to portray and what will resonate best with the intended audience, instead of relying on stereotypical color associations. In my experience, the studies that say men prefer bold, primary colors, and women prefer pastels are not as definitive as the person’s age, generation and cultural experience of those colors. Also, keep in mind the audience’s expectations in relation to the industry. Environmental organizations use green for a reason, but don’t let this assumption lead you to blend in with competitors.

In short, we keep in mind all of these components when coming up with a visual identity solution for an organization. Here are three color exercises that we like to go through with clients at HCC:

Especially within the world of nonprofit branding, it’s important to start by looking at the landscape. You want to stand out from others in your space, so we make sure to look at the logos and visual identity of likeminded organizations to be sure our idea and colors are different.

If we’re evolving an existing logo and identity, we determine whether there is equity in the existing colors. There might be a strategic reason to keep the same color or only add an accent color. For example, a client had asked us to update their current logo, which was a traditional brick red, to better reach a younger audience. In the refresh, we chose not to abandon the red, but we brightened it and made it more energetic and eye-catching.

Overall, we seek to understand the adjectives the client is aiming to capture and who their audience is, especially the audience’s gender and age. By considering unique perspectives alongside conventional wisdom about generations and populations, we help clients choose colors and designs that suit their desired personality and public perception.

As Creative Director, my job is about balancing strategy with the dynamics of personal bias. It’s challenging but always fun and stimulating!

Better Storytellers, Better Results

April 23, 2015

Beth Babyak

Better Storytellers, Better Results

In a few weeks, Hershey Cause will be wrapping up another successful round of our Communicating for Results! training program for nonprofits. I was proud to co-lead another Dwight Stuart Youth Fund training this past year with my colleague Jan Kern, and I’m reflecting on the experience, especially as I celebrate five years working at Hershey Cause Communications.

Our founder R. Christine Hershey started the nonprofit arm of our company, Cause Communications (Cause), 16 years ago when she saw the need to educate nonprofits on communications best practices. Since many nonprofits need to focus most of their budgets on program costs and funding requests, they often don’t think they can afford to spend money on communications. But in reality, they’re using communications daily in almost everything they do – from how they answer the phone, to their Facebook posts and Tweets, to the annual appeal letters they send to donors.

Cause set out to develop a series of tools and trainings to help nonprofits learn some of the most important fundamentals regarding communications. Over the years, with generous support from our funders, Cause has been able to develop resource books such as The Communications Toolkit: A Guide to Navigating Communications for the Nonprofit World and the 2 Minute Nonprofit Answer Guide for Nonprofits, and most recently the Cause Clarity video series. The positive feedback we continue to receive on these materials only reinforces that there is a great need for communications knowledge in the nonprofit sector.

It’s the hands-on aspect of our Communicating for Results! training series that has impacted me the most. Our curriculum is made up of three group training sessions with about 10 nonprofits at each session. In the group trainings we provide an overview of topics such as how to create a compelling core message, and how to identify your key audiences. We then segue into how to develop a communications plan, sharing sample objectives, strategies and tactics from our for-profit work with our own clients.

One of the most compelling aspects of these group trainings is the opportunity for peer learning among the nonprofits. When each group has a chance to hear the challenges and successes of other groups and brainstorm solutions together, they are reminded they’re not alone and are often inspired to reach new levels in their own communications.

Many of our trainees told me that the turning point for them was having someone from outside their organization provide direct feedback on their core message. They start to realize that their messages should be clear, compelling and free from jargon, which is drastically different from the formal language used in grant applications. It’s inspiring to help someone create a new message that they are excited about and that they know will be the basis for better communications in their organization.

All the groups we work with are passionate about their causes, and the tools and counsel we are able to provide allow them to see how they can be even more effective. After each coaching session, I’m more inspired by the work the nonprofit world is doing, and I’m proud that Cause Communications is able to provide our support to their efforts. I am confident in saying we are truly fulfilling the mission of our cause.

Webinars that Work: Helpful Hints for Promoting and Hosting a Webinar

April 23, 2015

Hershey Cause Communications

Webinars that Work: Helpful Hints for Promoting and Hosting a Webinar

We all wish we could be in four places at once, but physics – and L.A. traffic – make this impossible. Instead, communicators must be selective about allocating time and budget to hosting educational events for their key audiences. In our experience at Hershey Cause Communications, webinars can be a great cost-effective tool for sharing information with large audiences, and they don’t even require us to leave our desks. Here are some tips to consider before hosting your own webinar.

Choosing to do a Webinar

Webinars are best when you’re trying to share information with a large group of people who are hard to reach because of their demanding schedules. HCC recently hosted a webinar with L.A. Care Health Plan to inform physician staff about Cal MediConnect and California’s Coordinated Care Initiative. Doctors’ offices often close for an hour at lunch, so we scheduled the webinar to take place from noon to 1 p.m. on a Thursday. The turnout was great because it was a time that the audience could be at their desks, tuned into the webinar.

You will need to identify a service and set up an account to organize and broadcast your webinar. GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting, and WebEx are some of the best-known providers for professional webinars.

Promoting a Webinar

It’s likely you will never meet the individuals who participate in your webinar, and if you’re hoping to build a relationship with them, you might not use this method to reach them the first time. But if you’re looking to disseminate information they will find useful, a webinar is a beneficial way to do so.

As a general rule of thumb, send your first promotion e-mail two weeks in advance, and then a follow-up promotion the week of the webinar. The majority of webinar attendees will register the week of. Your promotion e-mails should include the registration link, which interested participants can click to easily register for the event. We also suggest considering other channels for promotion, such as flyers, social media, and inclusion in partner communications.

Just Before and During Webinar

Each service has different features to customize and make the most of your webinar experience. We recommend doing an organizer run-through before the actual event to be sure you have experimented with all the tools and know which features to turn on and off during the event.

On the day of your webinar, be sure the organizing team convenes at least an hour before the webinar is scheduled to start. Just because participants can’t see you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show up early and be ready to address their needs in a professional manner.

After the Webinar

Another benefit of webinars is that they offer a good opportunity to stay in touch with your participants. Most services enable you to survey participants when the webinar ends, and you can also send a customized follow-up note to webinar attendees. You may choose to include a link to the survey in this e-mail, as well as upload a recording of the presentation, which many participants will likely find useful and pass onto their colleagues. Read the feedback you receive from the surveys and be sure to follow up if anyone had additional questions or requested more information.

See, not so bad! Webinars are a useful tool for sharing information without the cost or complicated logistics of an in-person event.

For more information about how HCC can help you market your cause to the right audience, contact Lindsay Kurs at lkurs@causecommunications.com.

Supporting Powerful Women Leaders

March 20, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Supporting Powerful Women Leaders

The organizations we work with here at Hershey Cause are innovative, bold and committed to tackling the most pressing issues of our time, and it’s no surprise that many of them have a strong woman leader at the helm. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are just a few of the incredible women who are driving positive social change at organizations we are proud to call our partners:

Maria Garay, M.S.W., Ph.D. is CEO of Sojourner Center, one of the nation’s largest domestic violence shelters. She is changing the conversation on domestic violence by promoting understanding of its root causes and strengthening the services shelters provide for victims. Dr. Garay recently received a standing ovation at the CACTIS Foundation Concussions: 2015 Symposium for sharing her heroic personal story to overcome violence in her own family. We’re inspired by Dr. Garay’s strength and commitment to ending the cycle of domestic violence.

Surina Khan was appointed CEO of the Women’s Foundation of California (WFC) in 2014 and is leading the foundation into a new era of policy and philanthropy that strengthens the economic well-being of women and their families. Recent op-eds and appearances at statewide events have fortified her position as a respected voice in the field and bold advocate for a more just and equitable California. We are excited to work with Surina and WFC as they enter this new phase.

Celia Ayala, Ph.D. is CEO of LAUP, which has provided more than 100,000 children with quality preschool. With more than 35 years of experience in education, Dr. Ayala is a nationally recognized leader in the field of early childhood education and learning. Under her leadership, she has helped LAUP develop a national model for quality preschool as well as a robust quality rating system and workforce development program, striving to make quality early education available to all children. We were privileged to attend the recent White House Summit on Early Childhood Education together and are proud to work with Dr. Ayala and her team.

Susan Love, M.D., MBA, founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, has dedicated her life’s work to eradicating breast cancer within our lifetime. Dr. Love is a pioneer and an entrepreneur known worldwide as a founder of the breast cancer advocacy movement. She is currently working on the 6^th edition of Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book, a New York Times Bestseller and “bible for women with breast cancer.” Dr. Love gives new meaning to the word efficient, stirring us to make the most of every activity during the day.

Advocating for Children: A Commitment That’s Come Full Circle

March 20, 2015

John Stodder

Advocating for Children: A Commitment That’s Come Full Circle

The issues of early childhood have been a consistent theme throughout my career. During my first month as Assistant Press Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman, the “Eyewitness News” was airing the first of five reports about child abuse and the way the Department of Public Social Services was handling cases. The reporter had called to alert us, and hoped that we could get Ed to react.

This TV clip set the tone for the next three years of my career, and gave me the opportunity to learn the PR trade while fighting for a cause I believed would help the abused and neglected children of LA County – the creation of a separate department of Children’s Services (now the Department of Children’s and Family Services). Despite a difficult political climate, the measure was passed with a 4-1 vote.

Photo of MacLaren Hall, a former facility for abused children that closed in 2003.

I know the turning point was an epic hearing I helped organize that featured social workers, clergy, LAPD officers, as well as a good turnout of figures in sports and entertainment. These celebrities, who included “Happy Days” star Henry Winkler, comic Carol Burnett and the Raiders’ defensive end Lyle Alzado, were part of an informal Hollywood network of children’s advocates led by the late philanthropist Nancy Daly. Her group regularly volunteered to help the kids at MacLaren Hall, an El Monte facility that was intended as a short-term refuge for abused children, but had turned into a nightmarishly overcrowded human warehouse that was worse than prison. The volunteers’ presence at the hearing was much more than window-dressing; they spoke knowledgeably, and were able to project passion and concern based on their direct experiences of providing care to kids in crisis.

Fast-forward several decades: I am now working with Hershey Cause Communications where we target clients in the social and health issue space who can make the world a better place for children. Two examples of organizations doing great work in this field are our nonprofit clients EMQ FamiliesFirst and Sojourner Center.

So much has changed in the social services space. There is far less reliance on warehousing foster youth and victims of abuse. Residential treatment has been largely replaced by concepts like “Wraparound,” which prioritizes helping children in crisis by keeping them in their homes or in the homes of other relatives whenever possible, and bringing mental health and social services to the entire family, rather than isolating the child from his or her community.

To fight for abused, neglected and traumatized children requires the toughest skin imaginable. I feel fortunate to be able to work with leaders like that again, including EMQ’s current CEO, Darrell Evora and Sojourner Center’s Dr. Maria Garay.

I am glad to see this field evolving, and I am glad that it is now clearer that the true divide in American society is the one separating children who suffer trauma and violence in their formative years, and the ones who are fortunate enough to escape such circumstances.

To save children from such suffering and misfortune is the noblest cause there could be. I’m grateful to Chris Hershey and Hershey Cause for giving me the unexpected opportunity to explore my own roots as a communicator, by allowing me to help clients who are seeking to continue that crusade.

From the Desk of R. Christine Hershey: Making the Most of Conference Season

March 20, 2015

R. Christine Hershey

From the Desk of R. Christine Hershey: Making the Most of Conference Season

This time of year it feels like each day brings a new invitation to a national conference or multi-day symposium that promises to reinvigorate our work force, stir our momentum and boost our success rates. But with so many choices – and such busy schedules in our own organizations, are conferences worth the high price spent in time and money to attend? Here are a few tips my colleagues and I use to evaluate which conferences to pursue and how to make the most of them once you’re there. Most importantly, be clear about your objectives for attending before you go, and be sure you or whomever you’re sending is the right person to represent your organization’s brand.

Choose wisely

Every conference has a value to the right participant. For those in the early stages of their careers, does the conference provide appropriate opportunities for professional development? For executives, is there a high-level, innovative agenda that will recharge and inspire you and therefore your staff? Would you do better to stay at home and watch a TED talk on the same topic? Don’t just go because everyone else is going, but choose conferences that help you achieve your strategic goals, both personally and organizationally.

At the CEO level, we like to say the richest experiences at conferences are in the halls as we often bump into people we’ve been trying to book lunch with for weeks. If it seems the other participants will make it worthwhile to take time away from your normal, hectic schedule, then you already have a great reason to attend. Try to space out the events you go to during the year, and if it seems worth the expense, use the opportunity to travel to new places and meet with new people.

Fill the days

When you do decide to attend a conference, don’t rely on hallway run-ins alone and do your homework before arriving. Make sure you’ve signed up for the appropriate track for your level, and research the attendee and participant list. Book meetings with targeted people for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Set goals for the number of people you want to meet each day. If you leave a conference having made two or three valuable professional relationships, you are on the right path. If you attend the conference with a colleague, be sure you don’t go to all the same sessions. Having the benefit of an additional person means you can cover more ground.

Remember, even if you’re not presenting at the conference, you’re publicly representing your organization. Build awareness for yourself and your organization’s brand by nailing your elevator pitch by the time you walk in the front door. You and your staff are your own best brand ambassadors!

Follow through

The only way that networking becomes advantageous is to follow through after meeting someone. Don’t forget to exchange business cards and establish next steps then and there if the opportunity is ripe. Within a week of returning home, reach out to your new contacts to keep that momentum going and strengthen those new relationships.

Conferences are also an important opportunity for knowledge sharing. Bring back to the office all those new ideas and the energy that was hopefully alive at the conference. You might have a brown bag lunch with the rest of your staff to share the highlights and takeaways so that everyone can learn for the price of one attendee.

Two to consider in our backyard

Of all the conferences coming up in the next few months, we’d like to highlight two in particular that we think would be of value, especially for those of us located in Southern California. Whether you’re looking to build civic engagement into your philanthropy or want to learn about new approaches to solving the most pressing issues facing nonprofits today – we encourage you to check them out and see if they might be a good fit for you:

SoCal Grantmakers 2015 Public Policy Conference, April 13, 2015. More details and registration available here.

Center for Nonprofit Management 501(c)onference, “Roads to Greater Impact,” June 2-3, 2015. Register here.

Strategic Communications Starts at the Top

March 6, 2015

R. Christine Hershey

Strategic Communications Starts at the Top

Download the extended version of Strategic Communications Starts at the Top.

In today’s world, limited resources force everyone to work smarter and focus on impact, outcomes and results. It doesn’t matter if you are a nonprofit CEO, a business executive, or a leader in government or philanthropy: you are working with less and you have to achieve more.

Strategic communications is a valuable tool that should be on your “mandatory” list. Do you have a Chief Communications Officer (CCO), like Apple or Google or the Gates Foundation? Do you realize the cost benefits when you align marketing, public relations and corporate social responsibility? Do you fully leverage your development and fundraising activities by connecting all the dots to tell a holistic story about who you are and what you do?

When it comes to measuring brand impact, increasing transparency, improving services, demonstrating value, recruiting employees, building partnerships and ensuring that programs are successfully integrated, funded and leveraged, strategic communications is the glue that can connect those dots.

It’s about connecting ALL the dots

So what is strategic communications? It’s a way of connecting your marketing and communications planning to organization strategy and business goals. It’s a way of thoughtfully, methodically shaping consistent messages and tactics to reach your key audiences—internally and out in the world. It’s a way to plan, execute and drive a conversation about who you are in order to efficiently achieve results and maximize your return on communications investment (ROCI).

Strategic communications is the meta thinking behind the “stuff” you create

A logo? A tagline? A brochure? All good. But they are not strategic unless they are part of a larger vision for the organization, one that is integrated across all types of traditional and interpersonal communications channels and dedicated to achieving measurable outcomes.

Why is this so important? Because in today’s world everyone is a communicator with the power to instantly reach millions of others 24/7. Without strategic communications, organizations risk having attitudes and perceptions about their products, brands or issues driven by those who know the least about them.

Strategic communications doesn’t just happen

Strategic communications happens when communications strategy is respected in the C-suite and throughout the organization. Early in the process and at the highest level, goals are set, success metrics are determined, target audiences are identified, messages are developed and communications channels are selected. And not just for external audiences. Employee communication has moved from a perfunctory component of human resources to a means of supporting organizational objectives and strategies. Collaboration and partnership opportunities are also stronger with strategic communications at the helm. That happens at the vision level, not the implementation level.

Fireside Tweets?

Learn from the best: the Obama administration has established a rapid-response media team to strategically coordinate social media messages in real time for citizens and stakeholders worldwide. For example, they immediately tweeted a picture of the President in his chair in the Oval Office during Clint Eastwood’s “empty chair” speech at the GOP convention.

Investing in strategic communications for grantees

A foundation can demonstrate understanding of a grantee’s needs and the communications challenges for an issue by identifying integrated strategic communications as an initiative requirement before the program is launched. No matter the size of the foundation or the issue at hand, strategic communications can be a hub for enhanced coordination among grantees.

As the Annie E. Casey Foundation has shared with child welfare agencies that are grantees of its Family to Family initiative: “The best media relations are neither automatic nor accidental but result from planned, targeted, and continuous attention from every agency employee. Agency leaders need to plan in advance, with full staff involvement, for dealing with the media during an agency crisis. By cultivating personal relationships with interested reporters, an agency can use the media to advance many of its own goals—public awareness of the need for foster/adoptive parents and support for the agency’s work and policy initiatives.”

Where do you start? At the top

Successful companies that recognize the value of strategic communications increasingly have a Chief Communications Officer (CCO) in the C-suite. When technology became a must-have core competency, technology leaders migrated to the C-suite and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) became the norm. Like technology, strategic communications is cross-disciplinary and integrated across traditional silos.

An organization’s CCO develops a program to communicate a vision of the organization and its objectives. With communications staff, an external and internal plan is developed and implemented.

The importance of strategic communications cannot be underestimated. In changing environments, people have questions. Their level of understanding, trust and action will vary based on how many versions of the message they hear from different sources. Control the message by communicating consistently with a predetermined and honest message.

Here are four important steps you can take immediately to ready your organization for strategic communications:

1. Assess where you are now

Use consultants or internal resources for a formal assessment. Who is saying what to whom and how often? Do all of your silos (PR, marketing, advertising, sales) collaborate? Is communications strategy embedded in your grant making? Does communications include development? Whatever sector, establish where you are and, more importantly, are not connecting the dots.

2. Determine required skill sets and assess leadership

Unless you’re already connecting all the dots, you need to look at who is leading. The CCO often takes responsibility for social media, community relations, corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy. Do your senior people in communications roles have these diverse skill sets? Do they have the skills and leadership necessary to bring these historically disconnected teams together?

3. Create an implementation plan

This will likely involve organizational development, restructuring roles and reporting chains. Building robust, fully functioning communications capacity takes skills. And you need to budget accordingly.

4. Read the survey of COOs

Talent management solution provider Korn/Ferry conducted a survey of COOs and their challenges in 2012 entitled “The Chief Communications Officer.” Read about everything from the evolving job description to salary and compensation packages.

HCC Celebrates 2015 With the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

February 20, 2015

Hannah Lainer

HCC Celebrates 2015 With the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

HCC attended the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 Inaugural Dinner, one of the city’s premier business and civic leadership events. Wallis Annenberg of HCC client The Annenberg Foundation was honored with the Civic Medal of Honor, and Rachel Etherington, CEO of HCC client AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles was installed on the Board.

HCC joined client Kaiser Permanente’s table which was front and center as William Caswell, SVP Operations and COO of Kaiser Permanente, was inaugurated as the Chamber’s 2015 Board Chair.

“We were honored to celebrate with friends and partners whose civic efforts are driving progress in L.A.,” said Chris Hershey. “Clearly, Los Angeles is being driven by innovative cross-sector partnerships, the business community, the philanthropic community, and the public sector. We are proud to work with all three.”

The evening also featured athletes participating in the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles this summer, which will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, hosting 7,000 athletes and an anticipated 500,000 spectators.

Welcome and Q&A with our new Account Director, Vanessa Schnaidt

February 20, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Welcome and Q&A with our new Account Director, Vanessa Schnaidt

This week we welcome our new Account Director, Vanessa Schnaidt, to the marketing and communications team at Hershey Cause. Vanessa is a California native who most recently held the Director of Communications position at Foundation Center. She graduated from Scripps College in Claremont and the Pratt Institute in New York City and has strong experience working with nonprofits and foundations, especially women’s organizations. We asked Vanessa some questions to get to know her better.

Vanessa Schnaidt, HCC’s new Account Director. Photo by Ben Asen.

What attracted you to work for Hershey Cause Communications?

For the past ten years I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to nonprofit organizations large and small, and I am so grateful that these professional experiences have enabled me to play a proactive role in making the world a better place. Working in the social sector means that I don’t have to check my values at the door when I step into the office. So, when I discovered that Hershey Cause Communications is a place where vision and values are cornerstones of the way it approaches every project, I knew I’d found a team where my skills could have an impact and my heart would feel at home.

From your experience, what are foundations and nonprofits most often lacking when it comes to communications?

One of the biggest “aha” moments a nonprofit or foundation can have is realizing that the power and potential of strong communications extends far beyond a single department. Staff with “communications” in their title provide much-needed leadership and strategic oversight, but everyone in the organization can use communications as a tool for driving positive change. When everyone from the program manager to the receptionist is equipped to tell your story, you’re creating a network of ambassadors and a culture that draws people to your cause.

What is your favorite thing about Los Angeles?

The LA art scene continues to amaze and surprise me. I love that in a single day I can chat with artists at a nonprofit gallery space, drive by a half-dozen murals on my way to the grocery store, and visit renowned museums whose paintings are so familiar they feel like old friends. The cultural community here fuels my creativity and feeds my appetite for new ways of looking at the world.

Learn more about Vanessa here. She can be reached at vschnaidt@causecommunications.com

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center: Restoring Health, Rebuilding Life and Revitalizing Hope

February 20, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center: Restoring Health, Rebuilding Life and Revitalizing Hope

HCC client, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a Department of Health Services (DHS) hospital, is known as an international leader in rehabilitation medicine and cutting-edge clinical research. Located in Downey, Rancho is about to undergo massive reconstruction over the next five years to improve facilities and infrastructure, and Hershey Cause is on board to support internal and external communications during the renovation.

As Rancho’s long time strategic communications partner, HCC has helped develop communications and marketing strategies to position the hospital to be competitive in this new era of health reform. In addition to strategy and planning, we have conducted brand-building workshops, created new messaging platforms, and organized a Town Hall to better engage employees. Look for project updates as we help Rancho Los Amigos – a little known jewel in the County healthcare system – become widely recognized for their excellence in acute care and rehabilitation.

R. Christine Hershey selected for L.A. County Small Business Commission by the Board of Supervisors

February 20, 2015

Hannah Lainer

R. Christine Hershey selected for L.A. County Small Business Commission by the Board of Supervisors

HCC Founder and President R. Christine Hershey was nominated this month to the Small Business Commission of Los Angeles County by newly-elected Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and approved by the Board of Supervisors. Chris was selected for her progressive perspective on business, her experience working with other women-led businesses in Southern California, and her success as a small business owner who has survived and thrived through many business cycles for 37 years.

Chris Hershey, left with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, center and Susan Van Horn.

Chris is honored to be nominated by her longtime friend and colleague, Sheila Kuehl, who recently won a competitive battle to represent the Third District, which covers West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Supervisor Kuehl, a veteran of the California State Senate and State Assembly, is known for getting more bipartisan bills passed than any other elected official. She is the first woman in California history to serve as speaker pro tempore of the Assembly. She is also the first openly gay or lesbian person to be elected to the California Legislature.

“I have watched Chris build, lead and advocate for both her own business(es) and a variety of small business and women’s business groups for many years,” said Matt Toledo, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal. “I congratulate her on this impressive appointment and I know the County Small Business Commission will be stronger as a result of her involvement. In the constellation of L.A. business leaders, Chris is one of the brightest stars.”

Chris’ work as a professional communicator has helped shift the debate on issues encompassing social justice, racial equality, health care, domestic abuse, LGBT rights, and immigration reform. Her experience in the corporate sectors includes such Fortune 500 companies as Disney, Wells Fargo, and AT&T, and she has received many business honors over the years. She is Founder of Hershey Cause Communications, a mission-driven organization and hybrid social venture united under one mission: to communicate for good and elevate the nonprofit sector through best practices, tools and training.

“12 Reasons to Celebrate Los Angeles” Poster

January 30, 2015

Hannah Lainer

“12 Reasons to Celebrate Los Angeles” Poster

Every year around the holidays we like to give back in some way and throw a spotlight on the power of philanthropy to change Los Angeles. In December we decided to spotlight 12 local projects in Los Angeles that we found worthy of celebrating. Members of our staff hand-delivered more than 20 boxes of freshly baked cookies from the renowned Beckers Bakery in Manhattan Beach with images depicting each of the projects we believe are making Los Angeles a better place. We recently turned the cookie idea into a beautiful, shareable poster that you can download here.

Use it as your desktop background, print it and hang it on your wall, or tweet it! The design has brought more attention to important projects that are transforming our city, many of which are already well-known endeavors that we are honored to be part of, such as AltaSea, L.A. Care, LAUP, and Smart Growth L.A.

12_Reasons_Poster copy

Images by Susan Van Horn

HCC Joins White House Summit on Early Education

January 30, 2015

Hannah Lainer

HCC Joins White House Summit on Early Education

HCC Founder and President Chris Hershey last month attended the White House Summit on Early Education in December, accompanied by LAUP CEO, Dr. Celia Ayala. Because of their joint leadership behind access to quality early education, they both had the privilege of being part of the small group invited to hear President Obama deliver remarks at the White House, during which he allocated grant money to states and communities working in this space.

Chris Hershey with Dr. Celia Ayala, CEO of LAUP

“We were thrilled to hear that organizations in Los Angeles alone were allocated $9.5 million through the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion grants,” Chris Hershey said. The summit crystallized the President’s call to expand access to preschool to every child in America, especially those in high-need communities. HCC is honored to work with LAUP to promote this important cause and raise public awareness around why quality preschool should be available and accessible to every child and family.

Transformative AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

January 30, 2015

Hannah Lainer

Transformative AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Last month Hershey Cause Communications joined a full house to mark the official ribbon cutting of AltaSea’s downtown San Pedro offices. AltaSea CEO Rachel Etherington shared her vision for redeveloping an historic 35-acre dock at the Port of Los Angeles into the only urban, ocean-based ideas and innovation center in the world. In addition to HCC Founder and President Chris Hershey and two staff members, attendees included Councilman Joe Buscaino, Port Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi, and San Pedro Chamber CEO Elisa Swanson.

AltaSea will bring together science, business and education to generate innovative solutions to global sustainability issues while breathing economic vitality into San Pedro and the surrounding harbor communities. Etherington underscored, “AltaSea will prove that economic progress and environmental sustainability can, and must, happen hand in hand.” Discover how AltaSea, a client of HCC, is making waves in Los Angeles by visiting www.AltaSea.org.

For more information contact Lindsay Kurs, lkurs@causecommunications.com.

Design Director

December 23, 2014

Hannah Lainer

Design Director

We are looking to hire a full-time Director of Design & Creative Services for our company to work on-site in our offices in West LA. Please send resumes and a cover letter as well as links to your design portfolio. Please also include a list of references.

The Director of Design at Hershey|Cause Communications manages all creative projects at HCC. This is a hands on position, approximately 50% actually hands on projects and 50% managing others on creative teams. Strong organization skills, the ability to multitask and the ability to build and lead teams is essential.

As a creative leader, the Director of Design is the Brand Steward for Hershey|Cause Communications, as well as for all key clients. This position is responsible for creative ideas and innovations for clients, as well as for developing and coaching the design team(s) and collaborating with marketing team(s).

Must be knowledgeable about ALL creative platforms: Print, Web, Media, Technology and Social Media. Candidate must be able to create and/or oversee designs using html. They must also have experience working in PowerPoint/Keynote.

Critical Job Responsibilities

Team Leader: Supervise/support

Build, manage and nurture all design resources- staff, vendors, freelancers, interns
Stay one step ahead of work flow/staff needs
Ability to mentor
Must know job cost accounting and have excellent project management skills
Interview/recruit designers, interns and freelancers
Review performance of design team members

Creative Lead

Manage all creative projects from start to finish
Provide quality control (ensure quality of the work product and environment)
Coordinate with project manager on production schedules
Work with Marketing team to meet creative/project guidelines
Hands on ability for design/production/press checks
Be passionate about innovative creative
Knowledgeable information architect
Have ability to implement strategic direction from concept to finish

Account Lead/ Presentations

Possess great presentation skills
Excellent written/verbal communication skills
Good client management skills
Be able to finesse clients/staff
Provide design solutions for clients

Project Management

Must be highly organized and detail oriented
Ability to plan, build and handle a variety of projects

Minimum Requirements

Education and/or Experience

7 or more years experience in an agency
Degree from an “A” list design school or equivalent experience

Skills and Abilities

Strong managerial skills
Ability to multi-task
Strong organizational skills – digital files/paperwork
Positive attitude
Extremely detail oriented
Work well under pressure
Be a team player
Stay current with latest trends in design and technology
Hands on ability for design/production/press checks
Trade organization involvement
Teach or give back professionally
Geographically desirable (live locally)

EXPERTISE: Advertising, Print Collateral, Packaging Design, Identity/Branding, Web Design, Digital Advertising

SKILL-SET: Graphic Design, Digital Prepress, Typography, Web and Social Media

SOFTWARE: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, HTML, Adobe Creative Cloud, WordPress, Mac/OS, Microsoft Office

Great Westside Location. Competitive Salary & benefits. Progressive creative environment. All candidates must include a cover letter, resume and work samples (PDF or web link).

All team members should strive to consistently exhibit our core values and guiding principles.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The following are essential to HCC as a company, in our work, with our clients, and within and among ourselves:

Consistent Excellence. Timeless Quality. Best-in-class pros.

Intelligence permeates everything we do. Thoughtful.

Always thinking ahead. Vision. First to spot big ideas.

Energy. Excited about our work. Passionate about what we do.

Warmth. A “realness” in ourselves, our work and our clients. Authentic.

CORE VALUES

The following are qualities that we embrace in our team and in our clients:

Positive
Energetic
Approachable
Passionate
Accountability
Authenticity
Collaboration
Quality
Vision
Clarity
Honest
Diverse
Humor
Creative
Intelligent

Team members are expected to collaborate and participate fully to build an organization that, with a focus on our mission and values, drives toward healthy growth.

TO APPLY: Email résumé, references and portfolio to kkorgan@causecommunications.com.

The year of advancing wellness

November 18, 2014

Beth Babyak

The year of advancing wellness

A sneak peek at CauseClarity, our new tool for cause communicators

November 13, 2014

Hershey Cause Communications

A sneak peek at CauseClarity, our new tool for cause communicators

Capturing the spirit of Los Angeles—California Community Foundation’s annual report

November 10, 2014

Hershey Cause Communications

Capturing the spirit of Los Angeles—California Community Foundation’s annual report

The California Community Foundation’s (CCF) 2014 Annual Report tells a compelling story. Hershey Cause Communications helped CCF create a powerful, eye-catching and compelling anthology that brought needed attention to the optimistic spirit of Los Angeles philanthropy they embody.

“Land of Dreams” captures the story of CCF’s impact in Los Angeles through the candid first-person stories and unflinching portraits of the donors and program teams who make CCF’s work possible, and the individuals they serve. Our concept was inspired by a popular photoblog, Humans of New York (HumansOfNewYork.com). The award-winning blog, which has been turned into a New York Times Best Seller book, features street photographs and brief interview excerpts. The photos we chose to feature in the print and digital versions of the Annual Report capture something essential about the indomitable human spirit, and, in combination with powerful quotes, illustrate how a city’s progress can be measured one person at a time.

Bold, memorable and persuasive, the full online report is available at: CalFund.org/2014AnnualReport /index.html.

Prioritizing “place” in philanthropy: upcoming event at USC

November 7, 2014

Hershey Cause Communications

Prioritizing “place” in philanthropy: upcoming event at USC

Account Director

October 25, 2014

Hannah Lainer

Account Director

Are you seeking projects that make the world a better place? Have you honed your communications expertise at a big agency and want to work with clients that feed your soul? Do you have strong opinions about what makes day-to-day operations of an agency work well and what doesn’t, with evidence to back you up? Are you the one your clients count on to keep complex projects organized and make sure every deadline is met? Do you frequently end your tweets with #ILoveLA?

Hershey Cause Communications is seeking an Account Director. A seasoned communication and marketing professional, the Director is responsible for leading account management of clients and the development and implementation of strategic communication projects.

Critical Job Responsibilities

Strategic Marketing/Communications

Manage and lead strategy development and execution of a full range of marketing and communications projects and campaigns including public relations, branding, advertising, digital and social media, event planning, collateral development and more
Provide creative solutions to client projects, grounded in knowledge and experience communicating to the diverse populations of California

Account Management

Primary point of contact for client, ensuring their project goals are achieved and exceeding their expectations of service and quality
Build and supervise teams of people necessary for client accounts and projects
Develop and manage project timelines and production schedules and ensure that projects are delivered on-time
Establish client budgets and monitor job cost accounting

New Business Development

Generate new business with current client accounts
Lead/assist in the preparation and implementation of new business proposals and pitches
Participate in networking opportunities including trainings and speaking engagements development of white papers, etc.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of experience in marketing communications, public relations, advertising or related field, including supervising projects and teams. Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Public Relations or related field preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Record of achievement in marketing communications, media relations and creative services.

Proven expertise in reaching the diverse communities of California.
Expertise/industry knowledge in philanthropy, public policy and/or social entrepreneurship.
Strong organizational, follow-through and time management skills.
Impeccable speaking and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain client relations and direct project members.
Proficient with MS Word, Excel and PPT.

About Hershey Cause Communications

Hershey Cause Communications is a mission-driven strategic marketing and communications agency that creates positive social change on behalf of companies, foundations, nonprofits and the public sector. Based in Los Angeles, the agency also provides communication tools and training to over 20,000 nonprofit organizations in over 25 countries. For more information, visit hersheycause.com.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Vice President of Operations Bethany Babyak, bbabyak@causecommunications.com.

Sojourner Center unveils new identity, future plans to help create a world free from domestic violence

October 22, 2014

Hershey Cause Communications

Sojourner Center unveils new identity, future plans to help create a world free from domestic violence

On Oct. 22, Sojourner Center, one of the largest providers of services of women and children impacted by domestic violence in the country, unveiled a new identity and strategic direction to a crowd of over 400 supporters at their 13th Annual Hope Luncheon fundraising event in Phoenix, AZ.

Over the past 10 months, Hershey Cause Communications has led Sojourner Center through a strategic planning and rebranding process, including a new visual identity, collateral and website, to more effectively communicate their expanded view of services. Sojourner Center provides a continuum of services for women and children impacted by domestic violence, as well as prevention and education programs for the broader community. The organization’s expanding advocacy efforts and field leadership emphasize the importance of moving beyond shelter and intervention and into the community in order to achieve a world free from domestic violence.

For more information, contact Lindsay Kurs, lkurs@causecommunications.com.

National philanthropy leaders discuss new research findings of Communications Strategies that Fast Track Policy Change

October 22, 2014

Hershey Cause Communications

National philanthropy leaders discuss new research findings of Communications Strategies that Fast Track Policy Change

Hershey Cause Communications and partner Media Impact Funders rolled out findings of our new research funded by The California Endowment on Communication Strategies that Fast Track Policy Change during a sold-out breakfast at the Communications Network Conference on Oct. 9.

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Mary Lou Fulton, Senior Program Manager at The California Endowment and Martha Davis, Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, discussed how their support of innovative communications campaigns is effectively shifting policy and opinion on issues like school discipline reform and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A group of nonprofit and foundation communicators eager to learn how to better integrate communications into their foundation’s work joined the conversation, which covered topics such as evaluating the impact of funding communications projects and shared best practices from the field. Fast Track cases can be viewed and downloaded by visiting MediaImpactFunders.org/FastTrack/. Follow the conversation on Twitter with #FastTrack4Policy. For more information, contact Lindsay Kurs, lkurs@causecommunications.com.