2023 Educational Seminar: How to Position Your Brand for Success During a Recession

How to Position Your Brand for
Success During a Recession

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Your brand is what makes your company stand out from the competition. Your brand is as important as your product and services. Businesses must ensure that their brand is strong enough to survive any economic downfall.

During this seminar, branding experts will discuss different techniques to position your business for success through advertising, rebranding, customer service, and social reputation. Learn how to increase awareness, refresh your image, and sequentially grow your clientele. In the end, a business with memorable branding is likely to survive a recession.

Panelists:   
Jennie Westerman Diemont, President & Founder, Deep Fried Advertising
Richard Read, Director of Communications and Public Programs, NOCCA Foundation
Fallon Myers, Creative Director, Alliance Marketing Company

Moderator:
Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR, Vice President, Gambel Communications

About the Panelists

Jennie Westerman Diemont

Jennie founded Deep Fried in 2004 to help businesses ​reach their potential by building memorable brands and effective campaigns. A graduate of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, she is a purpose-driven problem solver endlessly inspired by client success. As a visionary president and devoted chief creative officer, she and her team have worked with numerous clients to craft their brand stories, marketing strategies, and online experiences, including Clover, Tulane Doctors, RESTORE the Mississippi River Delta, River District, Jefferson Parish, and the French Market.

Outside of the office, Jennie enjoys supporting her community by serving on several non-profit boards and seeking new professional enrichment opportunities. She is a smitten boy-mom of two, a lover of historic architecture and travel, and at her happiest spending weekends with family and friends, raiding her refrigerator to create dishes without recipes.

Richard Read

Richard Read is the Director of Communications and Public Programs for the NOCCA Foundation, the non-profit that provides support and advocacy for the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He is also an adjunct professor for the University of New Orleans’ master’s program in Art Administration, teaching courses in marketing, publicity, branding, arts technology, theatre management, and a capstone seminar, as well as the social media unit of UNO’s Certified Performing Arts Executive program.

Richard has worked as a marketing consultant for non-profits, for-profits, and individual artists, and he has served on the boards of Louisiana Citizens for the Arts, Louisiana Partnership for the Arts, Louisiana Presenters Network, the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans, and the Mayor’s Advisory Council for LGBT Issues. Richard previously held the positions of Managing Director for The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, Managing Director for the new-works festival DramaRama, and Program Manager for the International Theatre Institute of the United States. He holds a B.A. in English, an M.A. in theatre, a second M.A. in arts administration, and a certification from National Arts Strategies’ Senior Management Institute.

Fallon Myers

Fallon Myers is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Alliance Marketing Company. She has experience managing social media for fortune 500 companies such as ARAMARK, years of paid advertising experience with Facebook and Google, and experience branding start-ups and small businesses. She has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University. Fallon enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and helping small businesses attain BIG goals.

About the Moderator

Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR

Melissa Hodgson, ABC APR, is vice president of Gambel Communications, a leading full-service public relations agency in metro New Orleans. She has successfully represented employers and clients to media, governmental contacts, the public, and business leaders. She has more than 30 years of experience in management, strategic business communication, and public relations.

Melissa’s work has earned the highest honors including the international Gold Quill and recognition from the International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, American Marketing Association, Ad Club, Press Club, and Web Marketing Association.

Melissa is accredited by both International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) and Public Relations Society of America (APR). The dual accreditation indicates her commitment to the rigorous national and international standards for senior communicators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication theory and public relations from the University of Alabama. Melissa has served in leadership capacities for both IABC and PRSA chapters. She has led communication efforts for St. Tammany Parish government transition teams, boards of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Leadership St. Tammany, and Three Rivers Art Festival.

Melissa has a unique perspective on strategic communication, having led corporate, agency, and independent settings. Prior to her agency leadership role at Gambel, Melissa directed communication strategy for St. Tammany Health System, the most comprehensive community health system along the I-12 corridor.