Member Spotlight: Diana Sanchez-Vega, Owner of Sanchez-Vega Communications

By Kristin Appelman

On a continuous basis, IABC Nashville spotlights its diverse members through a Q & A feature. We are pleased to showcase new IABC member Diana Sanchez-Vega, Owner of Sanchez-Vega Communications! 

When did you join IABC Nashville?
I joined IABC in the fall of 2019

What is your current position? How long have you been in this role?

I am the owner of a small business called Sanchez-Vega Communications. I have been a business owner since 2003 (my business had a different name back then).

How did you get started in this business?

I actually started a communications business in my native Argentina prior to moving to the US in 1999. A colleague and I, both of us English language teachers down there, were approached by an international concert promoter to manage communications between all parties involved in his projects. Our operations organically grew and developed from there. Once in the US, I set up my own business to facilitate and strengthen cross-cultural communications, and to train bilingual employees.

What lesson(s) have you learned along the way that you believe has made you a better communications professional?

I have learned to listen differently. As an interpreter and translator, active listening is a skill that I apply daily but, because of that, it can become stale. I have learned how to “hit the reset” button before I listen to any new utterance/read any new written message, rather than assume what is coming based on how it is presented. I have also learned that the key to effective communication is not always the same, and the fun is to figure out what works!

What makes an effective communications leader?

For me, an effective communications leader empowers others to find their own voice and guides them on how to use it.

If you could describe yourself in three (3) words, what would they be?

Driven, persistent, fun

Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn.

When I was in middle school, I was in a top-performing field hockey team. 

What three (3) things are you most excited to gain from IABC Nashville (in ranking order)?

  1.  To learn from other professionals in the industry. I am an eternal student!
  2.  To network with other members and guests, both locally and in other chapters
  3. To participate in building a community amongst communications professionals

Bonus:  What’s your favorite productivity hack that’s kept you successful working remotely in COVID-19? (i.e. favorite app, time-shaving method, a part of your daily routine, etc.)
Sharing my daily goals with my roommate (who is now home every day), has been a great way to set boundaries for both of us. It has also made both of us more productive as it’s almost like having someone to be accountable to (besides yourself) – even if your daily activities are not connected!

 

Kristin Appelman is the marketing manager for Concept Technology, Inc., and serves on the IABC Nashville board of directors as Vice President of Membership. 

 

 

 

 

Professional Development Luncheon: The Power of Podcasting

Get into the heads of your audience, literally! Podcasting has become one of the most effective ways to foster brand loyalty with existing customers and build relationships with new ones. Learn how to harness the power of one of the most effective content marketing tools in existence.

Join us Wednesday, February 19 as Christopher Foust guides us through the strategy, tactics and technology of podcasting. If your 2020 marketing goals include trying new platforms or finding creative ways to reach your audiences, this presentation will jump-start your path to achieving those goals.

Event Information

11:30 a.m. – Noon: Networking
Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch and presentation

Location

Channel to Channel inside the Packaging Plant
Wedgewood-Houston
507 Hagan Street, Suite A
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(Parking available in the gravel lot across the street)

Speaker

Christopher J. Foust
Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Founder
Motus Creative Group

About our speaker: Christopher J. Foust

Christopher J. Foust is the co-founder of Motus Creative Group, a podcast and marketing agency working with some of the largest brands in healthcare, entertainment, retail, and politics. He brings over 17 years of entrepreneurial and marketing experience, assisting organizations of all sizes connect with their ideal clients, mobilize their employees as advocates and do more good in the world through effective branding.

Foust utilizes a diverse background as a touring musician and competitive boxer to construct a fresh outlook and approach to branding and marketing, where innovation and creativity are the most effective forces in achieving success.

Motus Creative Group harnesses the power of podcasting and content marketing to help their partners define their brand message in the marketplace, solidify their authority in their respective industries, and use the podcast platform to increase employee engagement.

Reserve your spot for this informative event. See you there.

That’s a wrap on the 2019 Music City Gold Pen Awards!

Thank you for joining us in recognizing business communicators from across Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky for their professional achievements and brand campaigns.

About the event

We presented the 2019 Music City Gold Pen Awards on August 28 in Nashville. Danielle Breezy, Chief Meteorologist from WKRN-TV Nashville News 2, served as emcee and presented 38 awards in categories ranging from internal communications to nonprofit campaigns. Photos from the event are posted on IABC Nashville’s Facebook page.

From our president 

“It is an honor for our chapter to recognize these communications professionals for their outstanding work and campaigns,” said Sarah “Birdie” Loeffler, IABC Nashville president. “From internal communications to public relations agencies, this year’s group of winners displayed the very best in business communications throughout Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky and are paving the way for our region to be recognized as one of the nation’s top locations to be a communications professional.” 

Thank you to our sponsors! 

This year’s event was sponsored by Keycom, a lifestyle marketing communications firm, and Tracy K. Johnson from Camera Sutra Stud.io photography.

Congratulations to our award winners! 

The award winners represented a range of industries, including strategic communications, public relations, non-profit, marketing, media relations, health care, and more. The teams at Keycom and McNeely, Pigott and Fox (MP&F) Strategic Communications both took home numerous awards for their work in change communication, community relations, government communications, communication research, nonprofit campaigns, media relations, corporate social responsibility, and special events. This year’s award winners include:

  • Kerry Burke, Cigna
  • Jacob Burns, MP&F Strategic Communications
  • Nancy Cooper & Dr. Forbes Walker, Aries Clean Energy
  • Kellie Davie, Keycom, Nashville Fashion Week
  • Julie Davis & Sharon Harper, Brookdale Senior Living
  • Laura Haynes, MP&F Strategic Communications, First Bank
  • Drew Ruble & Carol Stuart, Middle Tennessee State University
  • Genma Holmes, GSH Media
  • Jessica Hopson, Lovell Communications
  • Sarah Hunt-Blackwell, MP&F Strategic Communications
  • Paul Ladd, World Christian Broadcasting
  • Birdie Loeffler, NDC, Inc.
  • Sara Salisbury, MP&F Strategic Communications
  • Julia Stump, Volkert
  • Millie Wert, MP&F Strategic Communications

 

Upcoming ALI conference in Nashville: Elevating Employee Experience & Cultivating Workplace Culture

November 6 – 7, 2019 | Nashville

Strategies to maximize employee engagement and drive behavior with cutting-edge people programs and culture initiatives

Pre-Conference Workshop Day: Wednesday, November 6 
Main Day Conference: Thursday, November 7

Since our IABC Nashville chapter is supporting this conference, IABC Nashville members who register will receive a $200 discount! When registering use the code “IABCNashville“.

At the event, you will discover proven strategies that work, and how to create an employee experience that engages employees and drives a strong customer experience.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be surrounded by your employee experience and internal communications peers, learn best practices from leading organizations, and walk away with practical tips and tools to implement when you return to the office! 

Visit the ALI conference website to learn more!

2019 Music City Gold Pen Awards

Come celebrate with the stars at the Music City Gold Pen Awards Luncheon! 

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | 11:30am – 1pm

Noah Liff Opera Center, 3622 Redmon St, Nashville, TN 37209

Tickets are $45 for members, $55 for non-members, and $30 for students 

Register today

Join IABC Nashville for the 2019 Music City Gold Pen Awards luncheon, where we recognize the often unsung heroes who write, edit, create, and bring to life the many programs, special events, and powerful stories that punctuate life across Middle Tennessee. 

We are excited to welcome the talented Danielle Breezy, Chief Meteorologist at WKRN-TV Nashville, as our EMCEE! 

With over 25 awards categories, ranging from complex communications campaigns to single news articles (and much more!) you’ll get to celebrate with leading communications professionals and learn about their award-winning projects! 

Why should you attend? 

Even if you decided not to submit an entry, the Music City Gold Pen Awards ceremony is an event you won’t want to miss. Here’s why you need to be there:

  • Mix and mingle with leaders in communications, public relations, marketing, etc. from Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky
  • Learn about the award-winning communications projects and what made them successful
  • Gain exclusive insight about current communications trends, best practices, and how the industry’s stars are shaping our field for the future

Register today – We can’t wait to see you there! 

Check out our 2018 MCGPA photo gallery and see why this is an event you don’t want to miss! 

 

About our emcee 

Danielle Breezy is the Chief Meteorologist at News 2. She earned her atmospheric science degree from Cornell University. After that, it was stops in Salisbury, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Boston before landing in Nashville. Danielle has the CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) Seal, which is the highest seal a meteorologist can have and currently is the on the American Meteorological Society Board of Broadcast. On a personal note, she is married to Joe Breezy who does afternoons at i106.7 and is also the brand manager. They have a fur baby named Lucy and together they are happy to call Nashville home!

Website – Instagram @daniellebreezytv 
Facebook – Twitter @DanielleBreezy

Special thanks to our event sponsors! 

WebsiteLinkedIn 

About Keycom:

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Keycom is a lifestyle marketing and public relations firm dedicated to providing businesses with creative services to reach their audiences and goals. From enhancing a brand’s reputation to promoting services, we work with clients to create solutions that are authentic and efficient. Let the Keycom team of experienced strategists and storytellers take your brand to the next level.

Photography sponsor: Camera Sutra Stud.io 

Owner / Photographer: Tracy K. Johnson

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