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VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | Feb. 06, 2025 | 12:00-5:00 PM ET
Brand Storytelling Virtual conference
Unlock the secrets to crafting compelling narratives that captivate your audience and drive brand loyalty. Learn innovative storytelling techniques from industry leaders to elevate your brand's presence and impact in 2025 and beyond.
Event Recording Included with Registration
SESSION 1 - 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. ET
The Art and Science of Brand Naming
Join Margaret Wolfson, founder and Chief Creative of the acclaimed naming agency River + Wolf, for an enlightening session where creativity meets strategy to master the art of brand naming. With a client list spanning global giants like Hyundai, De Beers, NBC Universal, and Philips, Margaret brings unparalleled expertise and a wealth of experience to the stage. Featured in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company, and a sought-after lecturer at institutions like Wharton and Columbia, Margaret will guide you through the nuanced process of creating names that resonate worldwide.
Key Takeaways:
- Master the Naming Process: Learn a step-by-step approach to crafting viable and memorable brand names.
- Understand the Ingredients of Great Names: Discover the four essential elements that make a name stand out.
- Supercharge Your Creativity: Gain tips and techniques to boost your creative naming capabilities.
- Navigate Trademark Basics: Build confidence in understanding key trademark principles to ensure your brand name’s longevity.
Margaret Wolfson,
Founder/Chief Creative Officer,
River + Wolf LLC
Session 2 - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Inside the Brand Newsroom: Lessons from Metropolitan State University of Denver
Discover how to create a brand newsroom that drives impactful storytelling and builds lasting audience connections. Led by brand journalism expert Jim Ylisela and featuring a case study from Laura Miller of Metropolitan State University of Denver, this session provides actionable insights into designing and running a newsroom that delivers results. From team collaboration to content integrity, learn how to make your brand’s narrative stand out in today’s crowded media landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Building a Brand Newsroom: Learn the foundational strategies for launching and managing a newsroom that aligns with your brand's goals.
- Insights from a Real-World Case Study: Gain practical lessons from Metropolitan State University of Denver’s newsroom success, shared by Laura Miller.
- Crafting Authentic Content: Explore how to balance compelling storytelling with journalistic integrity to enhance credibility and audience trust.
- Adapting to Change: Discover ways to stay agile and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital media environment.
SESSION 3 - 2:00 P.M. - 2:45 P.M. ET
How to Be a Better Editor of Others – and Yourself
Great editing is the backbone of exceptional storytelling. In this session, seasoned journalist, editor, and communication consultant Tom Corfman will share his insights from decades in journalism and consulting. Drawing on his expertise in brand journalism, public relations, and leadership communication, Tom will equip you with practical tools and strategies to elevate your editing skills—for your team and yourself. Whether refining your own writing or guiding others, this session will help you sharpen messages, enhance clarity, and ensure impactful storytelling.
Key Takeaways:
- Master the Art of Self-Editing: Learn techniques to critically evaluate your own writing, eliminating clutter and refining messages for clarity and impact.
- Elevate Team Communication: Discover how to guide others toward stronger, more cohesive storytelling while fostering a collaborative editing process.
- Balance Precision and Creativity: Explore strategies to ensure edited content is both accurate and engaging, maintaining the authenticity of the writer's voice.
Tom Corfman,
RCG
SESSION 4 - 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. ET
How to Incorporate Executive Comms and Thought Leadership into Your Brand Storytelling
Stephanie Johnson, an expert in strategic communications and thought leadership, will reveal how to seamlessly integrate executive voices into your brand storytelling. Drawing from her extensive experience with organizations like the American Medical Association, Advocate Health Care, and BrandDNA Group, Stephanie will share how to harness executive communications to humanize your brand and build trust. Learn to craft compelling narratives that position your leadership as authentic storytellers while driving engagement and credibility, particularly in industries like healthcare where trust is paramount.
Key Takeaways:
- Aligning Leadership and Storytelling: Discover how to weave executive communications into your brand narrative to create a unified and impactful story.
- Building Credibility Through Thought Leadership: Learn how to position your executives as relatable and trusted voices that elevate your brand’s reputation.
- Engaging Audiences with Human-Centric Stories: Explore techniques to tell authentic stories that resonate deeply, especially in healthcare and purpose-driven industries.
Stephanie Johnson,
BrandDNA Group
SESSION 5 - 3:30 P.M. - 4:15 P.M. ET
THE CONTENT MARKETING “SWEET SPOT”: CREATE BETTER CONTENT WITH THESE IDEATION HACKS
Jacqueline Lisk, a seasoned journalist, editor, and content strategist whose work appears in Inc., Fast Company, and Forbes, will guide you through discovering your brand’s “sweet spot”—the intersection of your audience’s needs and your company’s expertise. By honing in on this magical overlap, you’ll learn to generate fresh content ideas, apply storytelling best practices, and build more engaging thought leadership programs.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify Your Content Sweet Spot: Avoid common pitfalls in branded content by aligning your expertise with audience interests.
- Generate Endless Ideas: Use brainstorming prompts to create a content idea “bank” that resonates with your target audience.
- Simplify Content Development: Break content marketing into four easy-to-follow steps for consistent and effective execution.
- Adopt Writers’ Secrets: Apply proven storytelling techniques from journalists to create emotionally engaging content across formats.
Jacqueline Lisk,
JR Lisk, Inc.
SESSION 6 - 4:15 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. ET
Stand Out in 2025: Mastering Social Media for Authentic Brand Storytelling
Social media in 2025 is more competitive than ever, making it critical for brands to tell authentic, engaging stories that resonate. This session will explore what it takes to cut through the noise, build meaningful connections, and grow your audience by focusing on what works—and what doesn’t. Learn how to stop using social media as a content dumping ground and start creating responsive, purpose-driven stories that get noticed and drive engagement.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize Authentic Engagement: Focus on crafting genuine, human-centered stories and actively interact with your audience to foster real connections.
- Quality Over Quantity: Avoid using social media as a content dumping ground; tailor each post to the platform for maximum relevance and impact.
- Stop Outdated Practices: Move away from over-automation and overly polished posts in favor of more responsive, conversational content.
- Leverage 2025 Trends: Utilize emerging tools like short-form videos, live interactions, and platform-specific features to stay ahead of the curve and captivate your audience.
Alison Maloni
Owner of Alison May Communications,
Anchor & Contributor on Newsmax TV
