4. If companies or individuals wish to get ready, market, and safeguard their
brand, they should work with a public relations firm. Hiring a PR agency is
essential to spreading the word about your story and raising the profile of your
company.
PR firms employ specialists with extensive training in media relations, crisis
management, and communication tactics. They can offer firms in need of
greater internal PR experience invaluable advice and assistance. When an in-
house communications staff is unable to handle the workload or lacks media
contacts, hiring a PR firm should also be taken into consideration. PR firms
frequently provide additional assistance to internal communications teams,
enabling companies to meet their communication objectives.
A company with other objectives may find it difficult to devote the time and
money necessary to managing an effective public relations strategy. These
duties can be handled by PR firms, freeing up corporations to concentrate on
other facets of their operations. Fortunes Time's latest edition “The 10 Most
Influential Leaders in PR & Communication 2024”, has featured leading PR
experts from the vast industry who have extensive industry knowledge,
experience, and connections to create a appealing brand image that can attract
target audience of the a brand.
The cover has Mark Dollins who stands at the helm as the President of North
Star Communications Consulting. Founded in 2011, North Star has become a
go-to consultancy, recognized for its expertise in employee/change
communications strategy and communications talent development. Mark's
leadership has been instrumental in shaping the consultancy's trajectory and
fostering enduring partnerships with notable clients such as Raytheon, Visa,
Toyota, Louis Vuitton, Xerox, and Keep America Beautiful. Before charting
the course for North Star, Mark's journey in communications began with a role
in broadcast media, working as a production assistant for ABC News on iconic
programs such as Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and
Nightline. Subsequently, his path led him to general assignment daily
newspaper reporting for a midwestern US newspaper, where he covered
courts, the police beat, and city government.
Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created
by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts.
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Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Graves
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Assistant Editor
Art & Design Director Charles Lee
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10. Mark shares lessons from wrestling in
business communications with
University of Missouri wrestling team
head coach Brian Smith and team.
10 | January 2024
11. Where communication strategy and
talent development intersect, Mark
Dollins stands at the helm as the
President of North Star
Communications Consulting.
Founded in 2011, North Star has
become a go-to consultancy,
recognized for its expertise in
employee/change communications
strategy and communications talent
development. Mark's leadership has
been instrumental in shaping the
consultancy's trajectory and fostering
enduring partnerships with notable
clients such as Raytheon, Visa,
Toyota, Louis Vuitton, Xerox, and
Keep America Beautiful.
Before charting the course for North
Star, Mark's journey in
communications began with a role in
broadcast media, working as a
production assistant for ABC News
on iconic programs such as Good
Morning America, World News
Tonight, and Nightline.
Subsequently, his path led him to
general assignment daily newspaper
reporting for a midwestern US
newspaper, where he covered courts,
the police beat, and city government.
Mark's early experiences underscored
the power of storytelling, the art of
crafting narratives under tight
deadlines, and the importance of
embracing diverse perspectives—a
foundation that continues to shape
his approach to communications
strategy. Join us in exploring the
remarkable journey and leadership
insights of Mark Dollins, a seasoned
professional at the forefront of the
communications consulting
landscape.
Journey from Journalist to
Communication Innovator
Mark's passion for effective
communication traces back to his
upbringing in Alexandria, Va., a
suburb of Washington, DC. Starting
as the editor of his high school
newspaper, he progressed to pursue a
degree in radio and television,
launching his career as a journalist.
While covering diverse topics proved
captivating, he sought a more
impactful role beyond reporting past
events.
This quest led Mark on a new
journey, merging storytelling with
purposeful communication as a 35+
year communications senior
executive at The Quaker Oats
Company, PepsiCo, DuPont and
Accenture. Opting for an
unconventional path, he studied
organizational communications not at
a tradition communication graduate
school, but at Purdue University,
better known for excellence in
science and engineering. Through the
art and science of communications,
he has applied his skills to diverse
industries and brands, from Cap'n
Crunch to Kevlar, and credit cards to
Corollas. Recognizing the universal
need for guidance in navigating
change, Mark envisioned creating a
consultancy as a North Star for
organizations after leaving his
Corporate career.
Specializing in change management
communications, Mark's consultancy
implements strategies for leader and
employee engagement, delivering
measurable returns tied to vital
business metrics. In talent
Fortunestime.com | 11
12. 2023, North Star conducted groundbreaking research on
AI and how communicators are adapting to it. This
commitment to pioneering insights will persist,
illustrating the consultancy's ability to guide new clients
in emerging markets. The mission is to continue
illuminating the path forward and demonstrating how
North Star can effectively steer organizations through the
complexities of change.
A Perpetual Quest for Learning, Empathy, and
Innovation
Mark views his journey as a perpetual learning
experience, valuing insights from everyone. His innate
curiosity drives a quest to understand how things work
and why people think the way they do, reflected in his
consistent pursuit of deeper insights through questioning.
In any career, Mark emphasizes the need to stay updated
by not just monitoring competitors but also being
receptive to innovations beyond the usual competitive
set.
development, North Star uniquely identifies marketing
and communication competencies, deploys assessment
tools, and provides change management and coaching
for individuals and teams, driving successful talent
management capabilities.
Mark's consultancy combines insightful strategy, creative
storytelling, and metrics-driven communication
programming—a distinctive fusion of art and science.
This approach, aligned with Mark's vision, seeks to yield
innovative business performance in unconventional
ways, positioning North Star as a guiding force in the
ever-evolving landscape of communication and change
management.
Illuminating the Path Forward in a World of Change
Mark has had the privilege of collaborating with
companies worldwide, including those with global
operations. The overarching vision for North Star is to
persist as a beacon, a guiding force for every
organization navigating change. In the ever-evolving
landscape of business, change remains the sole constant.
Organizations not adept at navigating change are at risk
of falling behind, stagnating, or becoming obsolete. Both
large and small companies frequently grapple with the
challenge of being agile, nimble, and flexible. Many
struggle to align heads, hands, and hearts with the
imminent or ongoing changes they face.
This is where North Star excels. The consultancy is
dedicated to developing and delivering strategies that
intricately balance the art and science of communication,
engaging teams at all levels in the unfolding mission.
The key to this lies in staying ahead of the change curve,
consistently bringing fresh insights to the industry. In
12 | January 2024
13. Maintaining connections with universities and business
schools is vital for Mark, recognizing the benefits of
understanding ongoing research for his clients. This
practice enhances credibility, positioning himself and his
firm as innovative entities always striving for the next
milestone ahead of the curve. He sits on the University
of Virginia's Darden School of Business
Communications Leadership Council, and the Forbes
Communications council.
Mark places a significant focus on the human side of
business, stressing the challenge of teaching empathy. He
notes the tendency of emerging leaders to overlook the
importance of showing empathy, particularly when
demanding much from their organizations. In an era of
heightened stress and time constraints for employees,
Mark advocates for leaders to lean into the human side
of business and change. Effective leadership involves
acknowledging, listening, and taking action to
demonstrate care. Despite technology's potential to
increase social distance, Mark underscores the need for
leaders to be intentional in creating and maintaining
human connections with their teams. “Mark knows how
to provide his client with the correct answer even when
his client does not know how to articulate the question,”
said Toyota's Nancy Banks. “He is a deep, strategic
thinker who understands the value of measurable results
vs. volume of activity.”
Insights on the Responsibility of Employers and the
Role
Mark underlines that the future of work is likely to
involve a hybrid solution, combining in-office and
remote work for the foreseeable future. While providing
flexibility in work options is crucial for retaining talent,
it places a significant responsibility on employers to be
intentional about cultivating and maintaining
organizational culture.
Mark highlights the importance of not leaving
organizational culture unattended, especially as new
generations of talent enter the workforce. The
experiences of new employees, particularly those in
hybrid or remote settings, may not naturally reinforce the
desired organizational culture. In the absence of direct
exposure to the behaviors of others who embody the
brand, it becomes challenging for employees to fully
comprehend or support the established "way we do
things.”
To address this challenge, Mark suggests that employers
must double down on reinforcing their culture to instill
the desired behaviors, such as collaboration and
innovation. He acknowledges that significant ideas often
Fortunestime.com | 13
14. emerge through the collaboration of
individuals working together,
emphasizing the need for
intentionality in fostering such
collaboration. This intentional
approach to reinforcing culture and
encouraging collaborative behaviors
is a core aspect of what North Star
specializes in. Tod MacKenzie,
former Chief Corporate Affairs
officer for companies that include
Aramark, PepsiCo and Dine Brands,
said,“Mark is an exceptional
strategic partner and counselor
across the entire communications
spectrum and diverse industries
globally. His deep expertise in
change management is unmatched,
and his grasp of employee
messaging and engagement is
second to none, including
developing and grooming highly
qualified talent. Mark's visionary
leadership is grounded in careful
analysis and insights, pragmatic
strategy, thoughtful discipline, and
practical application of critical
competencies to deliver maximum
impact. Simply stated, it does not get
any better than Mark Dollins and
North Star.”
Triumphs Beyond the Boardroom
Mark's involvement as a youth
wrestling coach and his impressive
achievement as a 4-time national USA
Wrestling National Masters champion,
including winning the title in 2023,
adds a distinctive and noteworthy
dimension to his profile. Moreover, his
Silver certification as a USA Wrestling
Coach, the second-highest level of
certification, reflects a deep
commitment to the discipline and the
sport.
Wrestling has served as a guiding
force for Mark, offering valuable
lessons in agility, constant learning,
and the importance of trying different
14 | January 2024
15. approaches. Engaging with youth athletes has provided a
unique perspective, fostering adaptability and a continual
pursuit of improvement. This experience in the world of
wrestling not only showcases Mark's dedication to
personal growth but also underscores his ability to transfer
these principles to other aspects of his life and career.
Career Wisdom from Mark
Mark advises those starting their careers to proactively
own their development. While organizations often provide
leadership training, function-specific skills may lack
internal development opportunities. He emphasizes the
value of cultivating a "hip-pocket skill," excelling
uniquely, and continuously investing in it, echoing advice
he received from a CEO.
In communication and marketing, Mark stresses the need
for ongoing self-assessment to deepen, broaden, and
integrate technical competencies. His practice involves
identifying and articulating current and emerging skills,
outlining progression, and establishing talent assessment
methods.
Mark recognizes the dynamic nature of skills, urging
professionals to stay on the leading edge. What's expert
today may be average soon, emphasizing the importance
of proactive skill development. Waiting for feedback isn't
advised; instead, taking the initiative ensures relevance
and success in the evolving communication and marketing
landscape.
Landscape of AI in Marketing and Communications
Mark acknowledges AI's transformative impact in
marketing and communications, presenting both
opportunities and ethical challenges. He urges
communicators to proactively engage with AI, providing
crucial perspectives on its potential effects. Waiting for
guidance from outside or other internal functions may
limit AI's full potential in communications, so he
emphasizes the need for collaboration among key
functions to ethically implement AI. Mark also notes a
trend in prioritizing communication with front-line
employees, stressing the importance of understanding
their unique needs for effective engagement. He
underscores staying ahead in the field by observing trends
and embracing innovations, emphasizing the value of
continual learning and proactive thinking for lasting
success in marketing and communications.
Fortunestime.com | 15
19. As a full-time mother, Alice Weigthman
is the CEO and founder of The Work
Crowd. She started her own executive
search company because she noticed
problems everywhere. Alice was aware
of numerous intelligent, gifted women
who desired to continue their careers
but were unwilling to put their families
at risk. Her clients, who were all in the
marketing and communications
industries, were having trouble getting
the talent they required at the same
time. Additionally, they were concerned
about losing the powerful women in
their industries. Alice made the decision
that it was time for work to improve at
that point. Thus, Alice established The
Work Crowd, a global marketplace that
would assist individuals in finding
employment that suits them and match
companies with talent.
Currently, the idea is a reality. Alice says,
"And although we may have begun in the
UK, our goals are now focused on
improving work everywhere." “As a
matter of fact, about 25% of our
members are currently located in
Europe and the Middle East, and the
number is growing daily. It is our belief
that excellent work comes from doing it,
not from where you do it. We don't
appear to be alone in that.”
Fortunestime.com | 19
20. The Work Crowd is an interactive
marketplace that connects companies
with a worldwide network of
knowledgeable advisors, mentors, and
independent contractors. It brings
together one of the largest communities
of pre-screened, on-demand talent in
the industry, powered by human
intelligence and cutting-edge
technology. This platform, which has
won multiple awards, encourages
growth via teamwork and provides
services that can jumpstart projects and
improve teamwork, leadership, and
critical skills.
The Work Crowd offers businesses
access to competent workers across
several sectors for important roles that
generate revenue, reputation, and risk
management. The company prides
itself on its unique blend of
international talent from the UK, USA,
Europe, and the Middle East.
The Work Crowd's skill has been used
to generate thought leadership content,
build agile marketing functions, obtain
coverage in local and international
press, and drive sustainability
programs. Leading organizations,
brands, and government departments
trust The Work Crowd.
About The
Work Crowd
20 | January 2024
23. As a result of the fast-changing
landscape, training and educational
approaches should involve the best of
the two worlds – the benefits of
conventional educational environments
and the benefits of the world of online
learning. It gives rise to the idea of
blended learning, which is a mix
framework that combines conventional
and online learning methods.
Conversation between people is unable
to removed through advances in
technology. In order to understand
online lectures, learners require
fundamental advice, setting, and
guidance, which only a real teacher can
supply. Since access to educational
material on device is beneficial, led by
instructors’ collaboration in the limits
of a physical classroom needs to
combine various abilities and assure
team learning for best results.
This kind of learning combines
personal interaction with extensive use
of eLearning materials. The use of
blended learning helps learners to
direct their own learning experience by
utilizing interesting, contextual, and
relevant online learning materials.
Also, it combines the function of an
instructor for human connection,
brainstorming, team learning, and so
on.
Defining Blended Learning
A combination of offline and online
training methods gives learners the
best of both worlds. Similar to a single-
method strategy, blended learning is
more able to adapt. It caters to all types
of learners, no matter if they prefer the
traditional classroom, online sessions,
or a combination of both, ensuring that
no student falls behind.
With a variety of training modalities
such as multimedia content, talks,
guidance from instructors, class
seminars, real-life projects, and so on,
the correct blended learning model
may help businesses break the pattern
of corporate education and achieve
better levels of employee engagement.
What is changing?
Learners who’re interesting to distance
learning need to adapt to the way of
delivery, which usually demands more
reading and writing than face-to-face
courses. Learners additionally need
effective time management skills since
remote education requires them to
combine online and in-person course
activities with outside commitments.
Because students have limited access
to the knowledge offered by the
lecturer, classroom instruction can
sometimes be rote learning.
Meanwhile, with blended learning,
teachers may engage students by
assigning tasks that require them to go
outside the boundaries of the
classroom and learn by doing. This
also increases their research abilities
and capacity to find the materials they
require to achieve their objectives.
If the curriculum is delivered online or
in person, an educator’s main duty is
that of a learning facilitator. Although
the educator builds the blended
learning environment, learners use
technology through its delivery,
accessibility, movement, material, and
exercises.
Implementing Blended Learning
Effectively
Pairing classroom instruction with
distance learning programs provides a
unique chance to tailor training to
users’ specific abilities and expertise
levels.
Businesses may use blended learning
to sets up many channels that change
to each employee’s style of learning
and needs. Whichever are someone’s
preferences for learning and objectives,
details about specific training courses
can be given in a variety of forms.
Learners may obtain knowledge
through online resources, webinars,
books, and so on, thanks to the
customized learning program. Learners
may enjoy the benefits of traditional
instruction as well as the adaptability
of e-learning with such an approach.
Future Aspects
Many primary and secondary schools
currently offer online access to
classrooms in an effort to maintain
instruction and avoid the academic
year from being lost. However, since
many students and families have no
access to devices as well as the the
web, blended learning is the ideal
approach for ensuring everyone’s right
to an education.
Many schools are trying to use online
resources to provide instruction on
real-life tasks that students may
complete at home, as part of their
routine. Long theory lessons, which are
impossible for primary school students
who’s focus is hard to keep for a long
period of time, are therefore avoided,
in favor of experimentation-based
exercises.
Companies are rapidly recognizing that
blended learning, or a combination
between traditional and virtual
learning, is the best way ahead. Since
distance education allows learners to
study at their own rate, whenever and
wherever they want, as well as hone
their abilities through exercises and
gaming, mentoring and mentoring
programs in traditional classroom
settings provide much-needed human
interaction and more possibilities to
interact and thinking with both teach
and others when working toward a
common goal.
While education authorities argue what
to do if the isolation suggestions are
upheld, each school seeks a solution
and rushes to convert its lessons to the
digital format.
Fortunestime.com | 24
25. Jennifer Berson is the President and Founder
of Jeneration Academy, an online learning
platform for entrepreneurs that offers
resources, courses, and the Jeneration Insiders
Facebook community. Jeneration PR is a Public
Relations and Social Media Marketing firm that
specializes in promoting beauty, baby, and
lifestyle brands. Before Jen started Jeneration
PR in 2005, she practiced civil litigation law in
Los Angeles.
In addition to being covered on Apple.com, Jen
has appeared in the New York Times, Forbes,
Inc., Business Insider, Yahoo!, Entrepreneur
Magazine, PR Week, Huffington Post, Fox 11
News, TV Guide Network's "Hollywood 411,"
and PR Web. Additionally, Babble.com named
Jen one of the ten "Mompreneurs Who Made it
Big!”
The New York Times, Forbes, Inc.com, Business
Insider, Yahoo! Finance, Entrepreneur
Magazine, Huffington Post, Mind Your
Business Podcast with James Wedmore,
Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy
Porterfield, and EOFire have all highlighted
Jen's public relations prowess, entrepreneurial
acumen, and distinctive approach to business-
building. The mother of two boys was chosen
by Babble.com to be one of the 10
"Mompreneurs Who Made it Big!" and was
featured on Apple.com as a "entrepreneur on
the go" who uses Apple devices to run her
business. She resides in Los Angeles together
with her two young boys and husband Kevin,
who is also an entrepreneur (I'm sure you can
image their dinner chats!).
Jen
Berson
President & Founder of
JENERATION PR, LLC
Fortunestime.com | 25
26. About Jeneration PR
Jeneration PR is a creative small-
scale PR, marketing, and social
media firm that specializes in
children's, beauty, and lifestyle
products. Its professionals are
hardworking, enthusiastic,
proficient, and entertaining
communicators. Beyond the typical
agency position, it wants to provide
its clients focused tactics that yield
quantifiable outcomes.
Since its founding in 2005,
Jeneration PR has worked to grow
with its clients' brands, assisting in
the integration of marketing and
sales objectives into a well-thought-
out public relations and social
media strategy that boosts demand
from customers, raises brand awareness, and
boosts revenue.
A wide range of public relations and
communications services are offered by Jeneration
PR, including cause marketing, event
management, celebrity seeding, social media
strategy and execution, traditional and digital
media relations, and more.
26 | January 2024
29. Since 2010, Katherine Long has
worked with Margulies
Communications Group as the
director of public relations. She has
experience working with customers
in a range of US media sectors and
industries. Her areas of competence
are crisis management, content
creation, media relations, and
project and event planning for our
customers. Her diligence,
organization, and upbeat demeanor
are strengths for any endeavor.
Katherine graduated from Texas
A&M with a bachelor's degree and
the University of Dallas with an
MBA.
Katherine has experience working
with customers in a range of US
media sectors and industries. Her
diligence, organization, and upbeat
demeanor are strengths for any
endeavor. She graduated with a
bachelor's degree in
communications from Texas A&M
and an MBA from the University of
Dallas.
Public Relations Director
at Margulies
Communications Group
About Margulies
Communications Group
Since 1986, the MCG team has provided
creative ideas and wise counsel to some of
the most prosperous businesses in the world,
helping them expand and safeguard their
brands. Fortune 500 companies, emergent
growth businesses, trade associations, law
firms, non-profits, professions, and state and
local governments have all benefited from the
firm's strategic PR advice. To provide
outcomes for its clients, it makes use of tried-
and-true best practices in social media, crisis
management, and media relations.
Save Your Business, Save Your Job: Crisis
Management in the Internet Age was written
by the company's President and CEO, David
Margulies. He was once a longstanding TV
journalist and is often quoted in print and on
network television. David is a national
speaker on media relations, internet and
social media effect, and crisis prevention and
management. Never Say "No Comment" and
Media Savvy Litigation in the Social Media
Age are two of his lectures.
Public relations, crisis management and
prevention, crisis communication plans,
special events, litigation support, community
philanthropic initiatives, video production,
cause marketing, branding, social media, and
government and media relations are among
the areas of expertise for the MCG team.
Fortunestime.com | 29
30. E-commerce security is a collection of
procedures that enable secure e-
commerce transactions, safeguarding
consumers’ and businesses’ data from
dangers such as phishing attempts,
hacking, credit card fraud, data
mistakes, or unsecured internet
services. Failure to offer a safe
atmosphere can not only reduce an e-
commerce store’s income, but will also
cause its consumers to lose faith.
Regular Security Audits and
Updates
Online merchants can help protect
themselves toward fraudulent
purchases by keeping an eye on their
stores for unusual behaviour. Accounts
and transactions can be monitored for
red flags such as incorrect billing and
shipping information and the
customer’s actual location. Also,
retailers can utilize software tools that
track consumer IP numbers and inform
them if the addresses reflect nations
with a high fraud rate. As a result,
frequent surveillance of sites may
In this digital age, the conventional
idea of commerce has found its way
through e-commerce. And, while
the retail sector experiences a
record amount of innovation, e-
commerce is on the increase.
However, the development of e-
commerce as a whole and
possibilities it brings with it comes
with a significant duty for online
shop owners: putting up safety
measures and securing important
client data to protect both
themselves and their consumers.
This implies that e-commerce
security is a major priority for all
online retailers.
30 | January 2024
31. E-commerce Security by
Protecting Customer Data and
Preventing Fraud
assist organizations in protecting themselves against
potentially suspicious behaviour that could lead to
measurable frauds in the future.
Fraud Detection and Prevention Systems
According to statistics, the level of E-commerce fraud is
considerable. According to Cybersource, corporations
would lose 2.9% of worldwide income to fraud in 2022.
Companies lost 3.6% of their worldwide sales in 2021, thus
this is an improvement.
Things are improving since the market is expanding and
modern solutions to this problem are developing. According
to 360iResearch, the worldwide eCommerce fraud detection
and prevention industry is valued $47.93 billion. In 2023,
the market is expected to be worth $47.93 billion.
According to a 20.35% CAGR, the industry might be valued
$102.28 billion by 2030.
Crowe UK and the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies
(CCFS) developed Europe’s largest comprehensive database
of fraud information, comprising data from over 1,300
businesses from nearly every economic sector. According to
the surveys, 21% of customers are concerned that their
credit card information would be stolen, and 19% are
concerned that their sensitive information will be exploited.
People reported experiencing illegal or suspicious behavior
over the Internet at a higher rate than through mobile spam
calls (18%), door-to-door sales (13%), postal mail (12%), or
businesses (5%).
According to reports and user surveys, E-commerce
enterprises should be aware of the possible hazards of fraud,
as well as the tools and solutions to counteract them, so that
customers feel more at ease and trusting while making
purchases.
Privacy Protection
Whichever techniques and processes you devise, the most
essential thing is that the rules be followed. And it all starts
with the person in charge of the e-commerce platform. To
error is human, so having a robust tool to assist you
maintain your platform secure is essential. Many systems
ensure that all sensitive data is kept in an encryption
hardware service, that all ports are automatically closed, that
security fixes and firewalls are immediately implemented to
all computers, and that users can create SSL certificates with
a single click. All of this while automatic monitoring is in
place. Having so many things to do, it may be challenging
to manage use to each of your tools and ensure safe
deployments, which is where tools come in.
What Lies Ahead?
The global number of ecommerce enterprises is increasing.
Because of the current COVID-19 epidemic, the amount of
online sales and transactions is particularly high. This
development, however, has resulted in an increase in
fraudulent operations. As a result, internet firms must
employ fraud detection and avoidance software. They
should use algorithms based on machine learning that can
learn, adapt, and improve over time. Such technologies may
detect new fraudulent patterns without the need for human
interaction. Also, in order to make their company more safe
and dependable for clients, online businesses should follow
common security policies and PCI requirements.
Fortunestime.com | 31
33. Keith Nealon is an accomplished entrepreneur with more than two decades of
expertise propelling growth in international technology organizations. He has
excelled in management, sales, marketing, services, and technology roles. Before
coming to Bazaarvoice, he was the Chairman and CEO of Vyze, a well-known
financial technology platform that allowed customers to finance purchases in-
store and at the point of sale, increasing sales and customer loyalty for retailers. In
April 2019, Mastercard purchased Vyze. Before then, he was in executive
positions at a number of public and private software firms, such as Conductor,
Eloqua, ShoreTel, Adaptive Insights, and NaviSite.
Apart from his position at Bazaarvoice, Keith is a member of several software
businesses' advisory boards. Keith graduated from Trinity College, University of
Dublin, with a double major in math and computer science.
Thousands of the biggest brands and merchants in the
world rely on Bazaarvoice's technology, services, and
experience to increase sales, broaden their customer
base, obtain useful insights, and cultivate devoted
supporters. Bazaarvoice offers brands and retailers the
resources they need to build smarter shopper
experiences across the full customer journey with its
broad global retail, social, and search syndication
network, product-passionate community, and enterprise-
level technology.
Bazaarvoice was established in 2005 and has locations
around North America, Europe, and Australia in addition
to its headquarters in Austin, Texas. With offices all
around the world, Bazaarvoice connects thousands of
brands and merchants to their consumers' voices by
putting people first and utilizing cutting edge
technology. On the 12,000+ brand and retail websites in
our network, over a billion consumers read and share
real user-generated content every month, which ranges
from reviews and ratings to carefully chosen social
media photographs and more.
Bazaarvoice is here to be a true strategic partner for
clients' businesses, whether that means growing
worldwide multichannel strategy or launching customer-
generated content programs from the ground up. With
the help of Bazaarvoice, the brand offers its consumers
smarter purchasing experiences while also expanding its
clientele.
About Bazaarvoice
Chief Executive Officer at Bazaarvoice
Fortunestime.com | 33
37. Patrice Tartt is a bestselling author, speaker,
entrepreneur, and the Dream Big Writing Coach® in
addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief of MillBuzz.com.
In order to deal with her dad's demise and the problems
that followed, Patrice began writing. On the day of his
funeral, she declared she was going to write a book
while standing outside his house, hurt, angry, and
perplexed.
Before Patrice's father passed away, she had never
written anything. In high school, she would write in her
English class, but she never gave other
writing—especially creative writing—any thought. She
tells about Mr. Farley from Advanced Placement English
in high school, who would use his red ink pen to bleed
all over her papers every week. Since then, Patrice has
advanced significantly. Nevertheless, she let the anguish
of losing her father drive her to achieve her goals of
becoming a best-selling author and contributing writer
for major US magazines, including Everything Girls
Love, Black Enterprise, HuffPost, MadameNoire, Sheen
Magazine, and Curly Nikki. In addition, Patrice has
submitted pitches to be published in magazines like
Publishers Weekly, ESSENCE, Inc., Black Enterprise,
and more!
Patrice originally turned to writing as a form of therapy
in order to deal with her father's passing. This greatly
aided her in creating her first book, Wounds of
Deception. Following her writing and self-publication,
Patrice made the decision to broaden her writing abilities
and begin contributing to national media outlets on a
worldwide scale.
Based in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Patrice has
been featured and mentioned in publications such as
Publishers Weekly, She Knows, Inc., Everything Girls
Love, ESSENCE, BET, Houston Defender, and The
Network Journal. In addition, she has written for Curly
Nikki, MadameNoire, ESSENCE, Black Enterprise,
Sheen, HuffPost, and EverythingGirlsLove. She likes to
travel, go shopping, and spend time with her son when
she has free time. In addition, Patrice belongs to Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Follow Patrice @PatriceTartt
on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay in touch.
Patrice Tartt
Fortunestime.com | 37
38. The CEO and founder of Public Address,
Shane Allison, is a skilled speaker who has
held positions on the board as Honorary
Treasurer and NSW President in the past.
Communicators all around Australia utilize
Public Address, his company, for their all-
inclusive media relationship management
software.
Shane was the Director of Client Services at
Sefiani Communications before, where he
oversaw teams that provided advise on
public policy and communications, with a
focus on assisting executive teams in
handling reputational crises.
Over his career, Shane has received
recognition for his contributions to the
industry as the Mumbrella CommsCon PR
Professional of the Year and the Mumbrella
Next Award PR Talent. While attending
MGSM, Shane was also named one of the
AFR's Top 100 Future Leaders.
Founder &
Managing Director
Public Address
38 | January 2024
39. The national trade association for communication and
public relations specialists in Australia is called the
Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). PRIA is a
national organization that represents practitioners and
consultants and offers them recognition and professional
support.
PRIA's mission has been to advance the profession and
its standing in the larger community since 1949. PRIA
represents public relations professionals in the best
interests of the industry and upholds the strictest ethical
standards.
Members of PRIA come from corporate, governmental,
and community practice as well as in-house and agency
settings. A person must fulfill certain requirements in
order to be eligible for full professional membership.
These consist of a minimum of three years of full-time
practice or a minimum of five years of full-time
experience, along with a postsecondary degree that has
been accredited by PRIA.
Every member must personally and in writing swear to
uphold our strict code of ethics. An further code of
practice pertaining to client relations, fees, income, and
general practice also binds consulting members. The
principal of the public relations firm must be a full
professional member of PRIA in order to be qualified for
Registered Consultancy status.
Shane Allison
Shane Allison
About Public Relations Institute of Australia
Fortunestime.com | 39
