SpeakerBox Communications is a B2B technology PR firm founded in 1997 with 17 employees located in McLean, VA. The Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) is an industry association represented by SpeakerBox that is dedicated to fostering cloud communications services. The CCA's goals for 2013 include growing membership and establishing itself as a thought leader in the industry through marketing initiatives like media relations, social media, and white papers.
2. Introductions…
Elizabeth Shea: President & CEO
of SpeakerBox, founded in 1997
(Competes with Elizabeth Shea,
country-western singer, for first page ranking)
SpeakerBox Communications is a B2B
technology PR firm
(Competes with subwoofers and the Bud
Light Speaker Box tailgate toy).
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
3. SpeakerBox Fast Facts
Founded: 1997
Employees: 17
Specialties: B2B Tech and Telco
Office: McLean, VA
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
4. Why Are We Here?
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
5. What Is the CCA?
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
6. The CCA: New Messaging
The Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) is an industry peer
association dedicated to fostering the growth of cloud
communications – hosted communications services that offer
enterprises the best in voice and data
communications and storage while at the same time reducing costs.
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
7. CCA: New Messaging/Goals
Promote awareness and advance the adoption and understanding of cloud
communications services and their benefits
Educate businesses about the ways to build, deploy and scale enterprise
communications systems
Provide a forum where industry leaders can come together to discuss key
topics and goals – and give them the infrastructure to collectively share
solutions that will help them (and the industry) achieve those goals
Create and adopt standards for cloud communications technologies
Present and promote the best in class companies to the public
Ensure the public of high standards in all dealings with CCA members by
pledging to adhere to an Ethical Code of Conduct
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
8. 2013 CCA Marketing Goals
Membership Goal:
6-8 New Members
2 New Vendor Members (Sponsors)
Be Recognized as the Gold Seal of Approval by customers,
providing third party credibility for its members.
Be seen as a thought leader for the industry
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
9. 2012 Highlights: Website Changes
Website Changes:
Written to showcase
CCA benefits to
customers, members.
New messaging
reflects association
focus
Calls to action more Next Up:
obvious to drive
membership Personalize with
Vendor members pictures, clean up
represented as logos.
sponsors Photo roll from
events showcasing
past meetings.
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
10. 2012 Highlights: Conference Support
ITEXPO Media Coverage/Interviews
New Collateral
ITEXPO Podcasts
– Sean Burke, Telovations
– Dave Gilbert, SimpleSignal
– Dean Parker, Callis
– Evin Hunt, Shango
– Jim Kaiser, J-Curve
– Mike Timar, Alteva
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
11. WIIFM? (What’s In It For Me?)
Higher/deeper membership represents greater networking,
greater strength as an organization (and better quarterly
meetings!)
Opportunity to leverage CCA infrastructure for member
benefit in marketing, sales and support.
Affiliation with a world-class organization that represents the
best of the best.
Did we mention the great quarterly meetings?
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
12. How We’ll Reach Our Goal
Refresh CCA messaging: “Association” Versus “Alliance”
Enhance Thought Leadership of CCA
Aggressive Outreach to Industry:
Membership
Drive
Promote CCA Media
Members Relations
Social Media Email
Initiatives Campaigns
White Paper Call
to Action
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
13. Association Versus Alliance
Promote Board of Directors as Steering Committee for CCA Mission.
Opportunities for Members to Participate in BOD over time. Volunteer
positions.
Still the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA): but referred to as non-profit
association.
Vendor Members Become “Sponsors” which signifies support for the
membership base.
Promote image of advocacy-based, forward-thinking membership organization
rather than a buying entity or strictly a teaming arrangement.
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
14. Case in Point
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
15. Leverage The CCA For Your Business!
Send your company news to CCA and we’ll promote on the Cloud Communications
News Portal blog, TelecomReseller and other social media channels.
Byline a blog post on a topic on cloud communications and we’ll publish it on the
TelecomReseller blog and Cloud Communications blog.
Participate in a podcast for TelecomReseller, leverage links to your site.
Follow @cloudnewsportal on Twitter, we’ll follow you back.
Send us your blog address and we’ll include on the CCA website.
Leverage the CCA media list for telecom and cloud communications reporters,
analysts and influencers. Put your marketing person in touch with CCA.
The CCA will manage a speaking database of opportunities; leverage for your own
company!
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
16. Let’s Build Our Community
Support other members
by subscribing to their
blog and social media
channels (Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube
channels).
Add the CCA Membership
Seal to your website to
signify inclusion in the
CCA.
Include the CCA on your
media list for news,
upcoming
announcements, speaking
engagements, awards.
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
17. Member Resources
Joe Marion, President, Executive Director
jmarion@cloudcommunications.com
www.cloudcommunications.com
Doug Green
TelecomReseller
publisher@usernews.com
www.telecomreseller.com
Larry Lisser
Embrase
Larry.lisser@embrase.com
www.embrase.com
Elizabeth Shea
SpeakerBox Communications
eshea@speakerboxpr.com
cca@speakerboxpr.com
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
18. Brainstorm
What do YOU want to
see?
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
19. Appendix: Tactical Marketing Plan
Tactic Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Website Add BOD page, more Add Resources
call to action pages Page; build out
member data
White Paper Write cloud Pitch to media Call-to-action
communications white outlets for campaign for
paper publication customers
CCA Media Proactive pitching on Issue one press Issue one press Issue one press
relations trends, CCA thought release per month release per month release per month
leadership
Member Media Promote and pitch Promote and pitch Promote and pitch Promote and pitch
Relations member news as member news as member news as member news as
needed needed needed needed
Blogging 1 post per month 1 post per month 1 post per month 1 post per month
Podcasts Coordinate 1 Coordinate 1 Coordinate 1 Coordinate 1
podcast/month with podcast/month podcast/month podcast/month
members with members with members with members
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com
20. Appendix: Tactical Marketing Plan
Tactic Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Email Add BOD page, more Add Resources Capture inbound
Campaign call to action pages Page; build out data
member data
Social Media Write cloud Pitch to media Call-to-action
communications white outlets for campaign for
paper publication customers
Member Case Promote member Promote member Promote member Promote member
Studies case studies to media case studies to case studies to case studies to
media media media
Trade Shows TBD: Discussion TBD: Discussion TBD: Discussion TBD: Discussion
Member Revise with new
Materials messaging
7900 Westpark Drive > Suite T410 > McLean, VA 22102 > www.speakerboxpr.com