Mastering Message

The Strategic Message Forum

Communications goals begin with clear, concise and compelling messages. Whether you are pursuing a public policy initiative, launching a marketing campaign or responding to negative attacks in the news media, in order to advance your position you must have a solid message foundation.

Program elements:

Part I: An innovative process to build your message foundation.
An expert facilitator, Ken Vest will run a message session with key stakeholders to develop a "message platform" -- a concise set of messages that form the basis for the strongest strategic message position including:

• A strategic analysis of the communications environment, including an assessment of the client's strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities;
• Creating a message platform of defining messages and affirmative responses to negative attacks; and
• Building consensus around the message platform among participants.

The message development session is a vigorous, interactive process involving a diversity of voices and views. Typically, participation includes members of a company's legal, investor relations, marketing, public relations, and government relations departments.

Part II: Writing and executing your message platform
Once the session is completed Ken will write the first draft of your message platform and work with you to develop additional materials, such as question and answer documents that will help with news interviews. He also will draft other communications materials, from news releases and fact sheets, to white papers and op-eds.

This session is flexible and can be designed to suit many needs. For instance, it can also be used to develop the framework for a communications strategy.