Joint Agency Information Session – Thornley Fallis and Hill & Knowlton

When? Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Where? Thornley Fallis, 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 730 (session one)
Where? Hill & Knowlton, 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1100 (session two)
CPRS student member cost? Free
Student non-member cost? $20

About the Presentation
Are you interested in an intern position with a PR agency? Would you like to know what it’s like to be part of an agency team? Perhaps you’re curious to learn how your PR/communications program is preparing you for agency work? Then this joint information session is designed for you!

Thornley Fallis Communications helps organizations solve business problems using leading-edge communications tools and practices. Hill & Knowlton Ottawa is the nation capital’s leading full-service strategic public affairs, communications and government procurement consultancy. Join us as seasoned professionals and recent graduates employed at both organizations discuss the thrills of working at two of Ottawa’s trailblazing agencies!

Registration
The event is free for CPRS student members. The non-student member fee is $20 (via credit card) for this event. There are 40 spots available on a first-come basis. Please register by Tuesday, November 15, at the following EventBrite link: http://cprsnovember2011student.eventbrite.com/

Visit http://www.cprsottawa.ca/index.php/students-en/ for more information on the benefits of CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau student membership.

Interested candidates should email their CV and/or portfolio to laura@76design.ca.

Candidates should be prepared to work in collaboration with other developers, graphic designers, marketers and public relations experts towards the development and implementation of industry-leading communications solutions.

Here is an overview of the experience, qualifications and abilities we are looking for.

Leadership

• Maintain visibility and respect in the online community
• Contribute to the development of the Studio’s culture and quality standards

Strategic and Analytical Thinking

• Understanding of fundamentals of new marketing and communications principles
• A solid understanding of informational architecture practices
• Gathering, reviewing and validating project requirements

Skills and Assets

• Demonstrated experience with the following: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP5
• Experience with a modern MVC web framework like Zend Framework, Java Spring, etc.
• Background in web API programming; do you prefer api.twitter to twitter.com? code.google to google.com?
• Polylingual programming beyond PHP considered an asset (Java, .Net, Ruby, etc)
• Comfortable with use and function of a variety of modern CMS: WordPress, Drupal;
• Direct experience with social media tools and platforms, such as WordPress, Google+, Twitter, etc.
• Work with tiered deployment environments.
• Experience with a version control system like SVN.
• Experience with automated deployment using tools like Phing, Ant considered an asset.
• University degree in computer science or software engineering
• Use of OO and design patterns
• Working knowledge of web standards, SEO and accessibility
• Front end development experience working with XHTML, CSS, Javascript, Ajax
• Agency experience an asset
• A relentless and visible passion for and participation social and community engagement
• Experience and confidence presenting to clients

Bonus Points

• Unix system maintenance, shell scripting
• Apache web server configuration, virtual host management

Super Bonus Points

• Experience with Microsoft SilverStripe CMS
• Experience with modern ORM such as Doctrine
• Knowledge of Apache Software Foundation Projects: Lucene / Mahout

About Us

Thornley Fallis Group, which consists of Thornley Fallis Communications, 76design and Corum, provides organizations with the tools, platforms and methods to succeed in the Connected Era.

Thornley Fallis Communications helps organizations solve business problems using leading-edge communications tools and practices.

76design creates the tools and online spaces that lead to remarkable experiences.

Corum provides a platform and methodology to build public engagement online.

What we offer our employees:

• The opportunity to create amazing work and solve our clients’ problems in the coolest ways possible.
• Coaching, training and career growth.
• Centrally-located, well-appointed office space that is easy to get to.
• A relaxed, collaborative and creative work environment.
• When you are here, we want you to be comfortable, so we provide Herman Miller chairs and large 24″ to 32″ flat screen monitors.
• You’ll never wonder how fresh that pot of coffee is. Our Starbucks coffee machine grinds fresh Starbucks coffee beans for every single cup and makes a tasty cup of cocoa.
• TGIF starts first thing in the morning with breakfast treats. In the afternoon, the team caps off the week by kicking back with a few drinks in office. Frequently, this spills over to one of the many nearby pubs and restaurants.
• You work hard, so we provide our team with a little extra time off to recharge the day before all long weekends and stat holidays, and between Christmas and New Year’s. Of course, this is in addition to your regular vacation time.
• While we expect everyone to arrive at the office at a reasonable hour, we don’t ask you to use an hour of vacation time to go to the dentist.  We’ll trust you to make good decisions and organize yourself to get your work done on time.
• Oh yeah, and we’ll pay you too. We offer competitive salaries, attractive bonuses, recruitment and referral incentives, rewards for extra effort as well as a comprehensive medical and dental benefits program.

Interested candidates should email their CV and/or portfolio to laura@76design.ca.

Candidates should be prepared to work in collaboration with other developers, graphic designers, marketers and public relations experts towards the development and implementation of industry-leading communications solutions.

Here is an overview of the experience, qualifications and abilities we are looking for.

Required:

• Experience customizing WordPress development, themes, and plugins
• Front end development experience working with XHTML, CSS, Javascript, Ajax
• 4+ years with strong core PHP related development  
• Ability to work with and modify existing code
• Ability to develop applications from scratch
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment
• Ability to understand and work with people in a creative environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience with MySQL

Bonus Points:

• Familiarity with object-oriented programming style
• Understanding and awareness of web application security
• Self-motivated and excellent problem solver
• Self-manageable with an ability to multi-task
• Experience with WordPress VIP a plus
• Direct experience with social media tools and platforms, Google+, Twitter, etc.
• Working knowledge of web standards, SEO and accessibility

About Us

Thornley Fallis Group, which consists of Thornley Fallis Communications, 76design and Corum, provides organizations with the tools, platforms and methods to succeed in the Connected Era.

Thornley Fallis Communications helps organizations solve business problems using leading-edge communications tools and practices.

76design creates the tools and online spaces that lead to remarkable experiences.

Corum provides a platform and methodology to build public engagement online.

What we offer our employees:

• The opportunity to create amazing work and solve our clients’ problems in the coolest ways possible.
• Coaching, training and career growth.
• Centrally-located, well-appointed office space that is easy to get to.
• A relaxed, collaborative and creative work environment.
• When you are here, we want you to be comfortable, so we provide Herman Miller chairs and large 24″ to 32″ flat screen monitors.
• You’ll never wonder how fresh that pot of coffee is. Our Starbucks coffee machine grinds fresh Starbucks coffee beans for every single cup and makes a tasty cup of cocoa.
• TGIF starts first thing in the morning with breakfast treats. In the afternoon, the team caps off the week by kicking back with a few drinks in office. Frequently, this spills over to one of the many nearby pubs and restaurants.
• You work hard, so we provide our team with a little extra time off to recharge the day before all long weekends and stat holidays, and between Christmas and New Year’s. Of course, this is in addition to your regular vacation time.
• While we expect everyone to arrive at the office at a reasonable hour, we don’t ask you to use an hour of vacation time to go to the dentist.  We’ll trust you to make good decisions and organize yourself to get your work done on time.
• Oh yeah, and we’ll pay you too. We offer competitive salaries, attractive bonuses, recruitment and referral incentives, rewards for extra effort as well as a comprehensive medical and dental benefits program.

From 2006 to 2011, Sherrilynne was the owner and manager of Strive Public Relations, a boutique communications services company in the UK offering specialist services in corporate reputation management, digital public relations and social media engagement. During this time Sherrilynne was also the technology columnist for the Isle of Man Examiner, was named in the top three of the UK PR Weeks’ Power Players of Social Media Index and was No.1 on ZDnet UK Tech PR list.

From 2000 to 2003 she was Chief Operation Officer for Ignition Strategic Communications, a Washington DC-based PR agency (now part of The Chandler Chicco Agency) serving technology and start-up firms across the nation.

From 1994 to 1999, Sherrilynne held a variety of roles with UK-based public relations agencies including The Reputation Managers (then a PR Week Top 10 Agency) and with AIMM Limited (now part of The Sequel Group). 

For almost 20 years, Sherrilynne has been advising blue-chip organisations on both sides of the pond…covering Britain, Canada and the United States. She brings to Thornley Fallis a wide breadth of international experience in strategic communications, media relations, social media strategy, and in employee and stakeholder engagement. Her track record for success covers such industries as Internet, IT, financial services, postal services and  travel and tourism.

An Ottawa native, Sherrilynne graduated from Algonquin College Public Relations Program. You can connect with Sherrilyne online: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn.

From 2008 to 2011, Darren served as Director of Communications then Chief of Staff to Industry Minister Tony Clement.  

During the period 2006 to 2008, he was Chief of Staff to Minister of National Revenue Gordon O’Connor, Director of Issues Management and Parliamentary Affairs to Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, and Senior Media Advance for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

From 2003 to 2006, Darren held a variety of roles with the Conservative Party of Canada, including Manager of Media Relations, Director of Public Communications and Director of Operations.

Darren brings an exceptional track record in strategic communications, media relations, crisis and issue management to the Thornley Fallis team. As a determined brand and reputation manager, Darren has implemented creative media strategies, ethnic outreach programs, and social media strategies to ensure Canadians better understand their government.  He has also helped define what accountable and transparent government means while handling some of the government’s most controversial, including the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler — recognized as the 2009 business story of the year by the Canadian Press.

Originally from Calgary, Darren graduated from the University of Regina, before starting his career in the financial services sector, first with TD then with Fidelity Investments.

Yesterday, I came across this blog thanks to one of my colleagues (@vincentwhite) on the CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau Board.

How smart is this idea by these seven Algonquin College PR students? I guess pretty smart as it got the attention of the President of a PR and communications agency and enough so for me to take the time to write a post about it.

#ACPR Networking is a blog for Algonquin College PR students to share their experiences about networking with communications professionals in Ottawa.

Laura, Derek, Famia, Daniela, Meg, Omar, Lacey: Great idea and initiative!

Of course, now you have the challenge of keeping your site up to date with new posts and updates on a regular basis;)

I will offer you one tip. Each of you should include a link to your CV, your email adddress and links to your online profile, that is, the social media properties you use such as Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. so potential employers can contact you directly.

Sean Howard joins as Vice-President of Digital Communications.  For over 15 years Sean has delivered insight and innovation to clients in the digital marketing space including Aeroplan, Aviva, Unilever, Microsoft Xbox, Pfizer and TD Bank. Most recently Sean was Strategy Director at Twist Image, where he was co-creator of the emerging strategy discipline.  Prior to that he was Director of Strategy and Innovation at Lift and he also ran his own digital media firm, Spinglobe Inc, from 2002-2007.  Sean has worked with clients and agencies on product innovation, UX and the development of digital strategies.  He also helped plan and launch TVO’s AgendaCamp where they used open innovation techniques to engage Canadians across Ontario.

Sean’s immediate responsibilities will include taking on the social media/digital communications team lead role, but he will also be driving new business in the digital space.

Deborah Knight has joined as a Senior Consultant in the traditional communications practice.  Deborah is an experienced publicity, promotions and marketing strategist with a solid track record in the arts, corporate and entrepreneurial environments.  Her category expertise includes B2C package goods, beverage and alcohol, automotive, telecoms, financial, food, retail, airline, healthcare and entertainment.  Prior to joining Thornley Fallis & 76design, Deborah ran her own firm, dkpr public relations, and she also spent two years at WestJet as National Manager, Public Relations and Communications, and three years at SkyDome Corporation as Public Relations Manager.

Deborah will step in immediately to take media relations capabilities to the next level.

Thornley Fallis

IT GRINDS FRESH BEANS FOR EVERY CUP!!!

So far the new machine (we currently have one from another company) is getting rave reviews. Here are a few of the comments we received when we asked our team in Ottawa what they thought:

• Best thing since sliced bread.
• It is the ray of sunshine that I look forward too while on the long bus ride.
• It’s like a triple rainbow.
• I selected “Max Buzz” 12 oz feature and I just stopped vibrating. My teeth—which are still humming—feel like I’ve been chewing coffee grounds most of the morning.
• I think we could use the starbucks machine as a hiring perk. It’s that good.
• It’s uber fantastic, and you know I mean business with a word like uber!

 Looks likew we’ll be keeping it and looking at getting one for our Toronto office.

Jo Langham, ABC has more than 20 years of marketing communications experience spanning the agency, consulting and corporate environments and joins Thornley Fallis as Senior Vice-President & General Manager, Toronto.   With an award-winning reputation for planning and leading innovative, high-impact strategic communications campaigns, Jo will share responsibility for the overall performance and strategic direction of the agency, provide senior client counsel and manage professional development for Toronto staff.

“Thornley Fallis & 76design has established an excellent reputation built on our commitment to provide smart thinking, deliver creative solutions, achieve spectacular results, and exceed our
clients’ expectations. The company has the ability to do this because we have assembled an exceptional team of senior counsellors, strategists, project leaders, designers and developers with a wealth of communications expertise and experience,” said Joseph Thornley, Chairman & CEO of Thornley Fallis Communications Inc.   “In hiring Jo we reiterate our commitment to providing truly integrated communications solutions to our clients.”

Prior to joining Thornley Fallis Jo spent the last four years with a leading independent communications company where she managed the consumer marketing practice and was a member of the senior leadership team. She has experience in a broad range of industries including food & beverage, health & wellness, financial, leisure, beauty and energy and has worked with a variety of internationally recognized brands including Coca-Cola, CIBC VISA, Kellogg Canada, International Schizophrenia Foundation, Toronto Hydro and Unilever.

Jo is an accredited member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), serves on the Accreditation Council of the IABC and is Secretary to the Board of Central Eglinton Children’s Centre.

Thornley Fallis is an innovative, full-service public relations, communications and marketing agency that helps organizations reach, connect with, and build and sustain positive relationships with their communities through the integrated use of on-line and off-line communications tactics.

76design is a creative services and web development agency that conceptualizes, designs and develops brands, identities, print materials, website applications, videos, widgets and tools that enable organizations to reach, connect with and create value for their communities.

Pierre Killeen, LL.B, LL.L. – Vice-President, Public Engagement
Pierre is a leader and innovator in the field of online public engagement. Trained as a lawyer and fluently bilingual, Pierre has more than ten years of business experience with online communities, public consultations and crowd-sourcing. Since 2006, he has been conducting large-scale online public consultations for cities, public agencies and government departments across Canada. Pierre joins Thornley Fallis from Nanos Research, where he co-created and then led the development, sales and marketing of Nanos’ online consultation service to a range of clients, including the City of Ottawa, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Industry Canada, the City of Edmonton and Waterfront Toronto.  Prior to his time at Nanos, Pierre served as the Vice-President of Business Development at Jobshark.com (now jobserve.com). From 2000 to 2004, he helped ePALS Classroom Exchange (epals.com) become the world’s largest K-12 online education community. Before that he was the Government Relations Officer for the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

Carrie Croft, Consultant
Carrie is an experienced communications, media relations and event management professional. She joins Thornley Fallis following her role as Supervisor of Operations Communications for the Vancouver Organizing Committee at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Carrie’s other professional experience includes Regional Event Director for the Mitsubishi City Chase and Campus Chase, Press Manager for the FIL Veissmann Luge World Cup, Media Services Manager for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, and Consultant with Interplay Creative Media.  Carrie volunteers her time for numerous organizations and charity events, including the 2011 Canada Games, The Hill Fights Hunger, Capital Fashion Week, the Ontario Summer Games, the FIFA U20 World Cup, and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa Chapter, where she has been instrumental in the organization and execution of the annual awards gala. She was a 2009 YMCA Women of Distinction nominee.

Samantha Hartley, Account Coordinator
Samantha joins us from the Public Relations program at Algonquin College. She did her co-op placement with us this winter and now we have hired her on full-time. A social media enthusiast, Sam maintains a personal blog. She also enjoys writing about communication practices, social media, health and lifestyle, and has had articles appear in several local print publications and online news sources.