Quick Summary
Dave is a former print journalist who made a mid-career switch to corporate communications, rising to the senior executive level before launching his own communications consulting practice. A proven leader, Dave has worked at all levels of the communications business, from writing and editing copy to developing complex communications campaigns and setting strategic directions for various companies and organizations. As an independent contractor, Dave enjoys working with people who want to use today's technology to make sure their messages get to their audience in the most effective way possible.
Professional Skills
- A proven leader
- Ability to work efficiently in team or independent settings
- Former journalist covering politics and government
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent analytical, research and strategic planning skills
- Extensive experience in print and electronic communications and media relations
Relevant Experience
Advocis (The Financial Advisors Association of Canada)
Vice President, Programs, Toronto, Ontario
November, 2002 to March, 2004
Advocis was formed by the merger of CAIFA (see below) with the Canadian Association of Financial Planners (CAFP) in late 2002. As VP, Programs, I ensured that the new brand was visible and understood by all of Advocis' members, as well as the financial services industry and the general public. As the executive in charge of Advocis' communications group, I was responsible for Advocis' various print and electronic communication vehicles (including the website), membership marketing and communications programs, external marketing campaigns, advertising and media relations. I also oversaw Advocis' various professional development and accreditation programs. As a senior member of Advocis' management team, I worked closely with the CEO and the Board of Directors on the development of Advocis' strategic direction and the executiion of relevant business plans.
Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CAIFA),
Director of Communications, Toronto, Ontario
February, 1999 to November, 2002
CAIFA was a non-profit association for financial advisors, with 18,000 members across Canada. I was responsible for developing and implementing a wide variety of communication activities, supervising a team that includes eight staff and a variety of consultants and freelancers. Our group prepared internal communications services for staff and members and external communications with consumers, the media, financial regulators and the financial services industry. Activities included a monthly four-colour magazine, a weekly e-mail newsletter, specialized publications for accredited members, a website with public information and a members-only section, as well as a complete range of marketing and communication support for CAIFA's 51 local Chapters. I also provided communications counselling and media training to CAIFA's senior management team and members of the board of directors.
Stentor Communications
Manager, Internal Communications, Ottawa, Ontario.
I teleworked from my office in Hamilton, Ontario.
September, 1997 to December, 1998
At Stentor Communications, I led a four-person team that delivered internal communications to the three companies that made up Stentor. Stentor was an alliance of Canada's nine provincial phone companies. It was created to find new and innovative ways of delivering telecommunication services to all Canadians. Unfortunately, the Alliance split up with the advent of competition in Canada's telecommunications sector. Our team was responsible for a variety of communication vehicles, including:
- an employee newsletter, The Front Page , distributed in printed form and available on-line;
- Stentranet , Stentor's corporate intranet;
- quarterly highlight publications on the activities of the Stentor companies;
- Lotus Notes Bulletin Boards for employees;
- A Stentor-wide voicemail broadcast system;
- A business television (BTV) system, which delivered special video broadcasts to all Stentor employees located in cities across the country.
We also offered communications counseling to various clients throughout the company, especially human resources and the executive. We used a full range of communication vehicles to deliver our client's messages, including on-line, video and a variety of print products.
SaskTel
Manager of Corporate Affairs (Internal), Regina, Saskatchewan
November, 1995 to August, 1997
- a monthly meeting package for managers to be delivered each month at regular staff meetings;
- planning, development and implementation of a Corporate Intranet, linking all employees to critical competitive information in a real-time format;
- planning, development and publication of The Exchange , a monthly corporate newsletter, highlighting company internal and external activities in a competitive environment;
- planning and development of a quarterly video series, featuring high-quality, motivational videos designed to convey SaskTel's corporate vision to all employees
Leader-Star News Service
Legislative Bureau Chief,
Regina, Saskatchewan
July 1993 to November 1995
Leader-Star News was created in 1993 by merging the political bureaus of two daily newspapers, the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. With a staff of six reporters, based in Regina, Saskatoon and Ottawa, Leader-Star offered a complete package of daily news, analysis and in-depth stories on provincial and national politics for both newspapers. As Bureau Chief, I managed a staff of three reporters. This included: planning, assigning and editing stories; developing and implementing long-term projects; co-ordinating the flow of information to both newspapers; communicating with both city desks on a regular basis; managing the budget; handling office administrative duties, including the computers; and maintaining a full reporting load.
Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Legislative Reporter,
Regina, Saskatchewan
January 1988 to July 1993
Based in Regina full-time, I covered politics and government for the Star-Phoenix. During these five and a half years, I developed an extensive knowledge of the inside workings of the governmental system, especially the way politics is practiced at the heart of the government. I have an in-depth understanding of the policy development process as a policy or practice moves from the idea stage through the bureaucratic and political stages before implementation.As Regina correspondent, I worked largely on my own, without close supervision, developing my own contacts and resources at the Legislature and in the local and national media. I also covered a variety of other issues and events outside of the political arena, both in Regina and across southern Saskatchewan.
Farm Light & Power
Editor,
Regina, Saskatchewan
December 1981 to January 1988
For four of these six years, I was editor of Farm Light & Power, a monthly farm newspaper delivered to farmers in all three prairie provinces and based in Regina. I was responsible for co-ordinating all of the editorial material for each issue, including copy, pictures and graphics, planning the page layouts of the tabloid-style paper and supervising the final production. I was in charge of co-ordinating the work of a large number of freelance writers and columnists, including editing the copy, assigning artwork, suggesting assignments and handling their administration. I also wrote much of the material which appeared in the paper, including at least one on-farm feature story each month.From Jan. 1984 to Jan. 1986, I was self-employed as a freelance photographer, editor and writer in Regina, I was also involved in a Regina photographic business as a director, and sold photographs at local craft shows.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, (English), with distinction
University of Regina,
1977 to 1981
Sheldon Williams Collegiate
Regina, Saskatchewan
1971 to 1975
Professional Associations
IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)
Member since 1995
Canadian Telework Association
Member since 1997
Saskatchewan Writers' Guild
Member since 1981
Executive Committee member, Treasurer, 1987- 1993
Saskatchewan Legislative Press Gallery Association
Member, 1988 to 1995
President, 1990 to 1993
Canadian Association of Journalists
Member, 1982 to 1997
Canadian Farm Writers Association
Member, 1981 to 1988