Best of Core Forum: Cut Through the Noise; Strategic Promotion

Registration coming soon--check back later this week.

Description: Today's libraries are challenged with engaging busy customers who see thousands of ads per day. This session will provide key promotional strategies for staff at all levels to cut through the noise to increase customer engagement. Panelists will cover award-winning library marketing methods as well as introducing innovative marketing ideas used by other industries.

This webinar was previously presented in-person as a session at the 2024 Core Forum. We are hosting this webinar, with the session adapted and presented live as a virtual event, to extend its reach.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the webinar, attendees will be able to:

Create their own data-driven strategic marketing strategies unique to their community;
Establish ways to measure impact and analyze results of marketing techniques;
Learn to tell the library's story more effectively through customer and staff engagement;
Advocate for marketing dollars or resources to help meet the goals of your institution; and
Build skills, implement actionable steps, and empower self and staff at all levels.

Who Should Attend: This session targets public library staff and leaders. However, anyone who works in libraries should be working to get the word out about all the library has to offer.

Presenters:

Gregg Dodd joined the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) in 2013 as the Director of Marketing & Communications. Dodd leads the development, planning and implementation of the library’s comprehensive and aligned strategic marketing strategy ensuring that all communications appropriately and accurately express the organization’s vision, community image, position and values. Dodd’s work includes crisis communication, media training, community relations and management of CML’s premier partnerships with local and regional business and cultural organizations. Dodd served as CML’s Interim Director of Development and Affinity from Nov. 2014 to July 2015. Prior to joining CML, Gregg spent seven years as the Deputy Director of Communications, Marketing and Events for the Ohio Statehouse and seven years with the Ohio Arts Council serving as their Director of Public Information and Legislative Affairs. Gregg holds a BA in Communications from the University of Toledo. Outside of work, Gregg enjoys traveling, kayaking, cooking and wine tastings.

Kelly Sitzman is the Director of Communications & Employee Development for Pioneer Library System in Norman, Oklahoma. She oversees brand strategy and professional development for PLS’s three-county system. Kelly graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2015 with an MLIS in Library and Information Studies. Kelly is a graduate of the American Library Association(ALA) Leadership Institute, Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) Gold Leadership Institute, and civic leadership programs. She served as the ALA Chapter Councilor for the Oklahoma Library Association. She was named a Journal Record Achiever Under 40, recognized as OLA's Outstanding New Librarian, and awarded "NEXT Under 40" by the Norman NEXT young professionals group. She currently co-chairs the ALA’s John Cotton Dana Award Committee.

Tech Requirements

Core Webinars are held in Zoom. Speakers or a headset for listening to the presentation are required. You may interact with the presenter and ask questions through text-based chat. Closed captioning is available in the Zoom platform. The webcast will be recorded and the link to the recording shared with registrants shortly after the live event.