Strategic Communications Group

Why “Sell” Is Not a Four Letter Word in Social Media

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:39:05 +0000

You’d think public relations execs and marketers would wave the social media flag and point to its comprehensive and measurable return on investment. That’s not always the case though. In fact, many newly re-engineered social media practitioners fall back to a murky, difficult to measure value proposition. No…no…social media should not be evaluated by sales outcomes, they contend. It’s designed for community and conversation, and any contractor that employs social media for promotional purposes simply “doesn’t get it.”

When did “sell” become such a four-letter word?

Go to Article at Washington Business Journal

Strategic Promotes Ryan Schradin to Director

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:55:51 +0000

Silver Spring, MD February 13, 2012 — Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic) today announced the promotion of Ryan Schradin to Director.

In this senior client role, Schradin will lead the strategy, development and execution of social media marketing programs on behalf of a number of profile engagements, including Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, Pitney Bowes Software, iGate Technologies, and the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) – National Capital Chapter. He will also continue to provide content development and promotional support to clients such as Polycom and Edaptive Systems.

“In the five years we have worked together at Strategic, Ryan has consistently demonstrated an understanding of his clients’ business goals and how they can be supported through carefully crafted social media programs,” said Strategic president and CEO Marc Hausman. “I look forward to continuing to support his professional development and growth as he takes this next step in his career.”

Prior to joining Strategic in 2007, Ryan worked for several New York/New Jersey-based communications consultancies, including RLM Public Relations and Winning Strategies.

Ryan Schradin commented, “Strategic has very much been on the leading edge of aligning social media campaigns with measurable sales outcomes for clients in the business-to-business and technology sectors. In this senior role, my focus is to ensure a high level of delivery of service and that we make good on the promise of social media for sales.”

In addition to his role at Strategic, Schradin is also founder and commissioner of the DC Broomball sports league. He also organizes the Washington, D.C. Broomball Invitational (DCBI), an annual broomball tournament that raises money for a Washington, D.C.-based community charitable organization.

About Strategic Communications Group
Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic) is the only social media marketing consultancy of its size with an extensive track record helping the world’s largest and fastest growing technology, software, information security, telecommunications and systems integration companies achieve measurable return from participation in social networks and online communities. The agency’s client roster includes respected brands like Blue Coat Systems, British Telecom (BT), Intelsat, Iron Bow Technologies, Mandiant, Pitney Bowes, Polycom, among others.

What differentiates Strategic is its sales-oriented approach to social media engagement, and proven ability to leverage all of its industry connections and market relationships to identify sales, partnership, employee recruitment and financial/M&A opportunities. For more information about the agency, visit http://www.gotostrategic.com.

Associate

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:53:05 +0000

Now is the time to get on board with a leading social media and business development agency in the D.C. metro area. Strategic Communications Group, Inc. is seeking a Associate to join its team. The right candidate is a strong writer who has a strong interest in social media and is ready to boost their achievements, enjoy a real work/ life balance and creatively contribute to social media and public relations programs for exciting technology clients.

Requirements for the Associate position include 1-3 years experience, Bachelor’s degree or above, excellent writing and communication skills and an understanding and interest in social media.

Responsibilities:

Perform day-to-day tactical components of an integrated social media and business development program as directed by Managing Director and/or Director. These may include social media, corporate communications and PR counsel; writing, editing, proofreading; media relations; blog relations; thought leadership and other marketing communications related activities.
Support strategy, positioning, messaging and tactical priorities to guide implementation of campaigns.
Research, review and evaluate information about a client, its markets of focus, product and/or service offerings, competitive environment, and PR and marketing communications requirements.
Proactively interact with clients and contribute to productive client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor.

Requirements:

1-3 years of communications, marketing or social media experience
Bachelor’s degree or above
Strong writing, editing and communications skills
Collaborative skills with an ability to perform well in a team environment
Must possess a superior attention to detail with demonstrated success managing detail-oriented programs
Experience with social media platforms (i.e. WordPress, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

We offer excellent benefits, a collaborative environment with professional development opportunities.

How to Apply:

No phone calls please. To apply for the Associate position, please go to https://insperity.ats.hrsmart.com/cgi-bin/a/highlightjob.cgi?jobid=72761 to submit your resume. Please indicate which position you are applying for in your subject line as we have several openings. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

SOPA Opponents Aim to Mobilize Grass Roots Protest

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:32:26 +0000

As a way to dramatize the dangers they perceive in the SOPA antipiracy legislation pending in Congress, several websites are planning to shut down their operations for a 12-hour period, essentially going on strike. The move is meant to awaken consumers to what they stand to lose.

The tech companies have already done an admirable job of bringing awareness to the issue, Strategic Communications Group Managing Director Christopher G. Parente, who’s been blogging about the issue, told the E-Commerce Times. The fight also highlights the old-style versus the new style of PR war room tactics, he said.

Go to Article at Washington Business Journal

You Don’t Have to be a Market Leader to Win an Audience

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:25:25 +0000

Unless you are General Dynamics, HP, EMC or a company of equal pedigree, no one believes you are a world leader, regardless of what you trumpet on your website or in a proposal. Fall into this trap and you are destined to wallow in a self-induced lack of credibility.

A more effective approach for a fast-rising government contractor or technology vendor is to create a chorus of credible voices to raise awareness and to validate the company in the minds of key audiences. Here are four best practices to follow.

Go to Article at Washington Business Journal

High Value Exposure in Unexpected Places

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:20:07 +0000

As newsrooms cut back, there are fewer editors and reporters to target with a story idea. Of those remaining, the competition for attention has become obscene. This all while government budgets grow increasingly thin, making critical, credibility-building activities all the more essential. So how can a government contractor or systems integrator navigate this dilemma? Is a media relations program even still viable?

Go to Article at Washington Business Journal

Social Media and Sales Acceleration in the Public Sector

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:04:32 +0000

At Strategic Communications Group, the majority of our clients sell complex products and services to government agencies and business customers. As such, our social media focus and engagement methodology has gravitated towards the direct support of the three most important benchmarks for success in the sales process – lead generation, prospect cultivation and deal capture.

Yes…it is possible for executive management and marketers to align social media with sales by following four steps. Go to Article at Market Connections’ E-Newsletter

Real World Social Media Insight from Corporate and Government Marketers

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:55:12 +0000

At an event entitled “Public Sector in the Social Media” hosted by Market Connections and Strategic Communications Group, marketers from Deloitte, Intelsat General, Polycom, General Services Administration and the Department of Defense share advice on how to successfully integrate social media into the mix of external communications tactics. Go to Article at Social Media Today

Fast Growth Government Services Provider Taps Strategic For Web Development and Social Media Program

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:52:32 +0000

Silver Spring, MD November 28, 2011 — Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic) today announced it has been selected by ARServices, Limited to develop a new brand identity, tagline and social media-infused corporate Web site to position and differentiate the company in the competitive government contractor market.

ARServices provides management, professional and technology consulting services to government agencies. The company’s offerings include research and development services, human capital management, financial and procurement management, change management, and program and project management.

“We pride ourselves on being the ‘provider of choice’ for federal agencies and government-focused teaming partners that demand agility, reliability, and sustained quality performance from a proven small business,” said Jay McCargo, ARServices’ President and CEO. “Our company is uniquely qualified and must present itself in a fulsome, creative, and engaging manner. That’s what we have tasked Strategic to take on.”

The program for ARServices incorporates several innovative tactics that will meet the company’s immediate requirements, while creating a path for the implementation of effective, ongoing marketing programs. For instance, the brand identity and Web site creative will be crowdsourced in partnership with Chicago-based Crowdspring.

Plus, the corporate site will be constructed on the WordPress platform to allow for ease in integration with ARServices’ participation in influential online communities, such as Govwin, Govloop, LinkedIn and Facebook. The site will also feature a corporate blog which will serve as a publishing vehicle to promote ARServices’ executive, industry and technical thought leadership.

“Social media is more than followers, fans, friends, tweets and updates,” explained Ryan Schradin, the Strategic executive who leads the program being developed in partnership with ARServices. “At Strategic, we start with an intimate understanding of our client’s business goals and opportunities, and then put Web 2.0 technologies to work as part of a carefully aligned and targeted social media marketing campaign.”

Strategic’s representation of ARServices continues the firm’s extensive work on behalf of government contractors and professional services providers. Other Strategic clients include Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Iron Bow Technologies, Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, Deltek, Edaptive Systems, among others.

About Strategic Communications Group
Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic) is the only social media marketing consultancy of its size with an extensive track record helping the world’s largest and fastest growing technology, software, telecommunications and healthcare organizations achieve measurable return from participation in social networks and online communities. The agency’s client roster includes respected brands like British Telecom (BT), Cisco Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation, EMC, Microsoft, Monster, Neustar, Pitney Bowes, Polycom, among others.

About ARServices, Limited
ARServices is the management, professional and technology consulting services provider of choice by government agencies that demand agility, reliability, and sustained quality performance from a proven small business. The company’s extensive suite of offerings include: research and development services, human capital management, financial and procurement management, change management, and program and project management.

Based on a strong commitment from the company’s executive team, ARServices embraces a “people-centric” philosophy which has made it an employer of choice for qualified and experienced staff capable of delivering consistent, high level service. Headquartered in Lorton, VA, ARServices maintains a diverse portfolio of contract vehicles and clients across a wide geographic area. Learn more about the company at http://www.arslimited.com.

Social Media Usage by Government and Contractors Skyrockets

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:08:58 +0000

Although doubters of social media’s relevance have become increasingly marginalized, the questions they raise illustrate legitimate concerns about the place this emerging channel of communication should hold in a government contractor’s marketing mix. How truly engaged is the government community in social networking? And for those active and online, what is it they hope to accomplish?

Go to Article at Washington Business Journal