“Communicating Innovation: Can You Hear Me Now?” Oct. 30

Event: It’s not just enough for companies to BE innovative but they also need to be PERCEIVED as innovative by the media – this is what drives business performance. Corey duBrowa, president, North America, of the public relations firm Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, will discuss the role of communication in driving innovation and how to effectively communicate your client’s innovation within today’s 24-hour continuous news cycle. His presentation is titled “Communicating Innovation: Can You Hear Me Now?”

When: Noon to 2 p.m., Oct. 30, 2007

Where: The Lady Bird Johnson Room (CMA 5.160).

Background: Communication plays a critical role in the success or failure of the adoption of innovation. Innovation plays a role in existing markets that are defined by constant change such as bioscience and technology. However, innovation is not limited to products. Innovation can also come in the form of process or business model innovation. For example, Ford’s process innovations for product assembly lines arguably revolutionized modern business. Wal-Mart is widely recognized for bringing innovation to the supply chain. Creativity, science and research are all necessary to bring a great idea or product to life, but none of that matters if the way for these inventions was not paved through communication.

duBrowa brings more than 15 years of experience in corporate communications, journalism, marketing and management to Waggener Edstrom Worldwide. Prior to joining Waggener Edstrom, he consulted numerous Fortune 500 companies on communication issues. He also is an accomplished freelance music journalist, having published in Rolling Stone, Magnet Magazine, Paste, the Seattle Weekly and The Oregonian, among others.

Contact:
Ron Anderson
(512) 471-1989