Crisis communications, branding experts to be featured at ALA Annual Conference

Contact: Deborah Davis/Marci Merola


312-280-2148/2431


For Immediate Release


June 4, 2002

Crisis communications, branding experts to be featured at ALA Annual Conference

The ALA Public Awareness Committee will be sponsoring two exciting programs at the ALA Annual Conference in Atlanta.

On Saturday, June 15, will be Crisis Communications After 9/11 @ your library, which was first offered at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in New Orleans and is back by popular demand. The session will be held from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Georgia World Convention Center, Suite B312.

Professional trainer Bryan Specht, director of the Weber Shandwick Global Crisis Management Practice and former member of the Clinton/Gore campaign communications team, will discuss what "crisis communications" is, how libraries can effectively respond to crisis situations and what skills librarians need. Participants will receive a variety of handouts, including tips for dealing with crises and advocacy materials prepared by ALA to address key issues.

This year's Public Relations Forum, one of the most popular conference programs for library PR and marketing professionals, is entitled "Strategies from the Experts on Branding @ your library" and features marketing gurus Al and Laura Ries. The program will be held on Sunday, June 16, from 9 to 11a.m. in the Georgia World Convention Center, Suite A301.

Al and Laura Ries have helped marketers cut through the clutter in today's overly crowded marketplace with books such as "22 Immutable Laws of Branding." During the PR Forum, they will help attendees apply these laws to marketing challenges faced in the library community. The first 200 people to attend the session will each receive an autographed copy of their book, "The 11 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding," donated by Harper Collins.

The PR Forum also will include an update on the @ your library™ campaign, including information on the Rediscover America @ your library initiative and the Join the Major Leagues @ your library partnership with Major League Baseball. A panel of librarians will discuss how they are successfully using the @ your library brand at their libraries. They include: Brad Baker, university librarian, Ronald Williams Library, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago; Dr. Ron Heezen, director, Omaha (Neb.) Public Library, and Donna Ewoldt, director of Library Media Services, Lincoln (Neb.) Public Schools. The Omaha Public Library, winner of the 2002 Grolier Grant for the best National Library Week promotion tied to the @ your library campaign, also will be recognized for its efforts.

For more information about either of these sessions, contact the ALA Public Information at 800-545-2433, ext. 5041/5044.