Fundraising Conference Takes on a 'Second Life'
ATLANTA, March 26, 2009 — Grizzard Communications Group recently held a conference, Winning Strategies in Challenging Times, focusing on effective and efficient ways of communicating to donors during difficult economic times. The conference was held February 24th – 26th and featured a live panel discussion presented in the online virtual world of Second Life. Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary of The Salvation Army, along with other IT communications associates from Alexandria, VA and Reston, PA participated in a panel discussion as animated “Avatars.”
According to Joanne DelGiorno, Vice President, Online Solutions at Grizzard, “Our purpose was two-fold. First, to provide an example of advanced social networking technology as an option for fundraising. Second, this platform allowed guest speakers from anywhere on the globe to join us in this learning experience.” Second Life, a social networking platform developed by Linden Labs, allows users to create and interface with millions of others via the web in an animated environment. For Grizzard, this provided a fitting platform to cost effectively bring together communications experts.
The conference discussed the value of social networking as an instant opportunity to engage donors when specific or general needs arise. “We realize there is a cultural technology shift taking place, and we have to continue speaking to our friends, donors and future supporters through many channels, especially at a time when The Salvation Army’s services are so desperately needed,” said Major Hood.
About Grizzard
The 90-year-old Grizzard Communications Group works with more nonprofits than any other agency in the United States.
Through offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles and several other major U.S. cities, Grizzard Communications Group serves nonprofits across America. Clients include: AARP Foundation, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Rescue Missions, Food Banks, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, State Sheriffs’ Associations, Prostate Cancer Foundation, National Urban League and various Animal Welfare and Humane Societies. More information can be found at www.grizzard.com.
Grizzard Communications Group is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com). Omnicom Group Inc. is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to more than 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
