One of my favorite moments in a strategic communication training is when the light bulbs start to glow – when participants gain a new perspective on the power of communication. Furrowed brows transition into faces of wonder with both eyebrows and hopes raised. These moments are a sure sign that a… (read more)
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Spark Change Blog
Archive for the ‘Client’ Category
Timing is Everything
It’s awards season, and whether you’re cheering for Leo to finally get his Oscar, or you’re in the #OscarsSoWhite camp, there is another award I’d like to propose over which we can hopefully find some common ground. In the imaginary category of 2015’s Best Grassroots Campaign, I’m nominating Greenpeace and… (read more)
Setting Up Your Visual Social Media Strategy
Social media platforms that rely heavily on images are on the rise. This is great news for nonprofits that want to engage their audiences with memorable content that compels action. Instagram, Pinterest and even SnapChat are keeping organizations on their toes and moving communicators in all issue areas to give… (read more)
15,000 Teachers, One Powerful Day of Learning and Four Major Takeaways
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This spring, a partnership of California education groups came to Spitfire with a big idea: bring together 15,000 California teachers at 33 sites across the state for a first-of-its-kind day of learning led by teachers, for teachers. The summit would give teachers an opportunity to share ideas, build their networks… (read more)
A Case for a Communication Cleanse
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When I started my career as a communicator, I spent a lot of time stuffing press kits and blast faxing headlines to news rooms throughout the country and across the globe. Today, I envy people who simply post documents and infographics to online news rooms – or hit send on… (read more)
How to Move an Issue Forward in a Polarized Congress
Lessons from the Children’s Health Insurance Program Recently, Congress and President Obama took a big step towards preserving the health and well-being of children across the nation by renewing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP has a long history of success and bipartisan support. It helps children… (read more)
Don’t Forget the Punchline
Have you ever sat down with a friend who is so excited to tell you a joke she forgets the punchline? Sometimes nonprofits and foundations are like that friend, eager to explain the remarkable causes they’re fighting for, but never quite making it to the punchline – whether it’s driving… (read more)
Winning the Web
February 26, 2014 As the FCC passes historic rules to protect the Internet from telecom giants like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T, the nonprofit groups who organized millions of Americans to engage on this issue issued the following statements. Center for Media Justice, home of the Media Action Grassroots Network“The passage… (read more)
Back in the Fight!
One of the best things about working at Spitfire is the chance to be part of truly inspirational campaigns. In the four years since I joined Spitfire, I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing activists to advance their work on everything from expanding access to health care to curbing… (read more)
The Depth of Clicktivism
Net neutrality faces off with big data Thanks to big data and analytics, people can see exactly who’s winning and who’s losing the public debate over net neutrality. A study recently released by the Sunlight Foundation found that of the 1M+ public comments on net neutrality submitted to the Federal… (read more)
“This is a truly transformative program and there is no question that it is preparing leaders to be courageous communicators.”
- Colleen Bailey, Executive Director, The National Steinbeck Center
Getting Your Story Covered: Tips for Top-Notch Media Pitching Part Two
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In the first installment of this two-part series, I shared some insights from my years working in TV news and media relations, focusing on the best methods to get your pitches seen by reporters. In this part, I review some strategies for increasing the odds those reporters will actually… (read more)
An E.D.’s Guide to Essential Strategic Communication Know-How, Compliments of Spitfire’s Executive Leadership Program
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I’ve been working with a number of new executive directors this past year. After years of hard work, or in some instances, after waking up from a dream about a new organization that MUST exist, these people found themselves with all eyes on them. From the moment they updated… (read more)
COAL + ICE: Overcoming Barriers to Spark Climate Action
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“One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from the [IPCC] report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes,” said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working… (read more)
