“There is a community of 4,000 people I can lean into 24 hours a day for support and inspiration.” Thank you, Ben Paul and The BD Ladder, for this lovely opportunity to tell a bit of my story and for all you do for our profession and community! #lmamkt #lma24

7 May 2024

Thank you, Ben Paul and The BD Ladder, for this lovely opportunity to tell a bit of my story and for all you do for our profession and community!

View here.

“The latest in The BD Ladder’s quickfire views of the Business Development and Marketing Leaders series features Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill Law, and International Past President of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International.

“Find out what led Roy into a career in legal BD and marketing, how he stays on top of upcoming trends, and what he thinks is key to a successful career in marketing and BD within legal and professional services.

“Learn from Roy how to find that ‘Memorable moment.’

“This is one episode you won’t want to miss!”

P.S. Thank you, Ryan Koral and Tell Studios, for this lovely case study on our work together for Clark Hill …

Journey to Triumph: Clark Hill’s Award-Winning Re-Branding Campaign

This is how we crafted compelling videos that vividly showcased and amplified the rebrand of one of the nation’s leading law firms, driving vast engagement and clinching industry accolades.

Overview

Enter the world of Clark Hill: a dynamic international team of legal advisors with a singular mission – to drive transformative growth for businesses. With a sprawling presence across 27 global offices and a formidable team of over 700 attorneys, Clark Hill stood at a pivotal juncture. Their challenge? To craft a brand message that resonated with their rich culture and showcased their revamped, sleek brand identity. The answer? Video, and a partnership with Tell Studios.

The Challenge

Rapid growth and expansion brought Clark Hill to a unique challenge: How to unify the diverse narratives of its expansive team into a cohesive brand story? The complexities of the COVID-19 era further underscored the need for a solution that transcended geographical boundaries, echoing the unified voice and values of Clark Hill’s global family.

The Solution

Teaming up with Tell Studios proved transformative. Together, they birthed a series of videos, each narrating a distinct facet of Clark Hill’s rebranding journey. From brand announcements to heartfelt testimonials and industry-specific spotlights, every video was a mosaic piece of Clark Hill’s renewed identity. The process was marked by collaboration, warmth, and a commitment to ensuring every attorney felt seen, heard, and valued.

The Results

The numbers were nothing short of spectacular:

A staggering 500,000 views in year one, soaring to 750,000 by year two. 📈

Social media reach catapulted from 7 million to a jaw-dropping 12 million, with engagement rates skyrocketing by 69%. 🤯

But the crowning glory? Clark Hill clinched the 2023 Managing Partners’ Forum Marketing Excellence Award.🏆

“Clark Hill was a standout in this category. Their ‘Simply Smarter’ rebrand and engagement campaign was a masterclass in strategic brand deployment, reflecting the very DNA of the firm’s people.”

Beyond accolades, the campaign enriched Clark Hill internally:

1️⃣ Attorneys radiated with renewed confidence, poised to engage with clients.
2️⃣ The videos served as conduits, expanding the client base.
3️⃣ A palpable sense of pride and morale upliftment resonated within the Clark Hill community.

Conclusion

Clark Hill’s collaboration with Tell Studios wasn’t just about creating videos; it was about weaving a narrative of transformation, connection, and legacy.

“All the World’s YOUR Stage” on Expert Webcast … You Won’t Break My Soul: The 8.8 Trillion Dollar Question of Employee Engagement with guest Kacy Fleming

6 May 2024

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View here (free login/registration may be required).

Thank you, Anna Spektor and Expert Webcast for the opportunity. We offer words of condolence to Nancy Slome’s family in the opening. And shout outs to previous guests Jay Harrington and Laura Gassner Otting throughout the interview.

In this episode, Roy Sexton and Kacy Fleming unpack the formula for workplace engagement. Spoiler alert: it centers around authenticity and empathy. There are five core concepts involved: investing in leaders, recognition through a feedback loop, empowerment and autonomy, purpose and mattering, and career growth and development.

Kacy Fleming is an award-winning well-being strategist and life-coach, with a Master’s in Organizational Psychology and a passion for building cultures where individuals feel safe and have space to grow and thrive. Having moved from traditional marketing leadership roles to Head of Global Well-being for a Fortune 500 organization—she has gained invaluable first-hand experience driving change throughout complex corporate hierarchies.

In her article “How to Keep Employees Engaged: The 8.8 Trillion Dollar Question” for ThriveGlobal, Kacy writes, “There are a litany of factors that have been shown to improve employee engagement and performance, including autonomy. Over-indexing on where people work appears to have a negative effect on both organizational commitment and productivity. While there is much more research to come on employee engagement in distributed work, organizations must remember that what we reward gets repeated. Recognition and promotion belong to the people who help achieve company outcomes in a way that enhances culture, not those who log the most hours in-office or at the bar after work.”

Kacy has won multiple awards for her work in corporate well-being. She has built strategy for large global employers with populations working in a wide variety of work settings. From traditional knowledge work to the frontline, she has launched, co-designed, and deployed well-being strategies and solutions from the ground up. Her approach is guided not only by 20 years of practical experience working in some of the largest biopharmaceutical companies, but also from her academic research and writing.

Kacy is a sought after speaker and writer. Her TEDx talk on “The Limitlessness of Flexible Work,” was based on her master’s thesis. She has spoken for the Business Group on Health, MH Work Life, Randstad USA, and Wellbeing at Work and has appeared on numerous global podcasts. Kacy is the author of articles on hot topics in the workplace ranging from menopause and mid-life transitions to flexible work, humane leadership, and the key to employee engagement. Kacy loves to share top tips earned from her two decades of experience working in a variety of leadership roles. Learn more about Kacy at https://kacyfleming.com/

“It takes work to become an evolved person.” – eToro’s CEO Lule Demmissie at last night’s INvolve People Gala

26 April 2024

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“It takes work to become an evolved person.” – eToro CEO Lule Demmissie in her revelatory, authentic, moving speech from last night’s INvolve People Gala.

Last year I had one of the honors of my life being named to INvolve – The Inclusion People’s OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Executives list. And last night we celebrated. To say it was an iconic evening would be an understatement. (The TIME 100 were being feted in the same building, and I learned too late that my beloved Kylie Minogue was just a few floors down. That is probably for the best! For her sake. Lol.)

Thank you to INvolve CEO Suki Sandhu OBE for all he has done to create genuine inclusion in this world. His leadership is exemplary. And our gratitude to Deutsche Bank and fellow honoree Jon Tilli for being such gracious and generous hosts. Emcee Peppermint knocked it out of the park, and her fireside chat with fashion designer and “Real Housewives of New York” Jenna Lyons was truly inspiring.

I met some incredible new pals, and feel honored to have been among their presence: fellow Michigander Dow’s Trevor Ewers, another fellow Michigander Luminar Technologies’ Steven Del Gaizo, Verizon’s Kimmah Dozier (she/her), Komatsu’s Iris Wilson-Farley, eToro’s Lule D., Butterfield Group’s Karim Chowdhury MSc Chartered FCSI, EY’s Najiyah Chowdhury ACA, SafePlace International’s Maggie Lower 🏳️‍🌈 and Rachael LeClear, INFEMNITY Productions LLC’s Nina Kennedy, and Trans Formative Schools’ Alaina Daniels, and so many others whose names will occur to me, no doubt, throughout the rest of the weekend. Lol.

Thank you to Clark Hill and my amazing and kind colleagues Susan Ahern , Linda Watson , and Kathleen Sullivan for their support of my personal leadership journey as well as everything they do to champion inclusion at our wonderful firm. Thank you also to newsPRos’ Jaime Baum for her support in this recognition, and for the joy she brings every day to this work. Thank you to beautiful pal Maria Fracassa Dwyer for the fashion advice, and Amazon for supplying my couture. 😅🌈 ✨

Webinar video replays a-go-go! DraftnCraft’s The New Age Law Firm: Lean Teams & Flexible Spaces and ExpertPress’ Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partner’s Legal Experience for Business Development Success … both with yours truly #lmamkt #lma24

23 April 2024

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The New Age Law Firm: Lean Teams & Flexible Spaces

From Draft n Craft: “Big shoutout to these amazing legal and marketing experts for making this session a fun and enlightening experience! Let’s keep the good vibes going and continue rocking the legal world!”

View recording here.

Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partner’s Legal Experience for Business Development Success

And from ExpertPress: “Learn how to harness your legal expertise and thought leadership to drive business development success. Listen to this webinar hosted by The Expert Press ’ Andrew Polzl as he talks with Roy Sexton and Laura Galeano, Esq.. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn key tips and suggestions from the experts.”

View recording here.

Discover how to:

Turn expert news articles into engines for business development.

Raise attorney profiles without sacrificing billable hours.

Create impactful content that captivates target audiences and helps convert new business.

Stay ahead of the ever-evolving media landscape by diving into new techniques and adapting for maximum impact.

Right or wrong, we (I) carry a feeling of “otherness” everywhere we go … thank you to the Legal Marketing Association’s #LGBTQIA+ Member Resource Group for providing safe haven … #lmamkt #lma24

14 April 2024

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Thank you, David Ackert , Michelle Turner , Jacob Eidinger , Nathalie Rangel Iovino (she.they) , Craig McCullough , and all involved in the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International DEI LGBTQ member resource group as well as all our resource groups. Such an important and beautiful offering.

I can’t express my gratitude enough for the LGBTQ+ member resource group. It was my safe space last year as LMA International president. I felt like I had a place where I could speak openly and honestly to my unique experiences professionally and personally as a gay man. Being international prez was the honor of my life, but it was also one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I grew so much from the experience, but it was essential for my well being and mental health to have a group of like-minded, like-experienced colleagues with whom to discuss the balancing act in my life and theirs.

It’s important to note that a very large part of an organization’s commitment to DEI is to understand the seemingly invisible barriers those of us may face. Right or wrong, we (I) carry a feeling of “otherness” everywhere we go, and the pressure and critique we experience when taking on leadership roles can feel magnified. What may seem like an offhand, even well-intentioned comment from a peer can hit us like a ton of bricks based on prior experience. Comments about our attire/appearance, our choice of expression, our visibility, our decision-making processes, and so on. So, selfishly, the LGBTQ+ MRG helped provide me a trusted community to better navigate that – people who did the same work I do, lived a similar life to mine, and carried comparable burdens. It honestly was a beautifully liberating experience to attend the meetings and share our truths.

Thanks, Wabash College … even at this late stage of life, it is still a thrill to see one’s name in the alumni magazine. Grateful for the foundation my college years provided, and the desire instilled in me to keep dreaming, hustling, and learning.

Introversion as Your Superpower with me! (Roy Sexton) – May 29 @ 9:00 am – 9:30 am US ET – at 1BusinessWorld’s 2024 Global DEI Conference (virtual)

14 April 2024

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Introversion as your Superpower | Roy Sexton

Get ready to explore the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the 2024 Global DEI Conference, happening from Tuesday, May 28, through Thursday, May 30. This hybrid event uniquely blends in-person interaction with the vast, inclusive reach of virtual technology to deliver an unrivaled DEI experience.

Register here.

Under the theme, “Fostering Equity for Success,” the Global DEI Conference invites change-makers, organizations, and allies from every corner of the globe to be part of a crucial dialogue. We are dedicated to building a forum where diversity is valued, inclusion is an intrinsic principle, and equity is the heartbeat of every discourse.

The 2024 Global DEI Conference guarantees high levels of interaction, connection, and knowledge exchange. This is the platform to broaden your perspectives, learn from global thought leaders, and actively contribute to a conversation that’s influencing our world.

Be part of the change. Join us at the 2024 Global DEI Conference to discover, learn, and shape the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Let’s journey together to foster global equity in our connected world.

“Unlock hidden potential within your team” … webinar April 17 at 1 pm ET

12 April 2024

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Register here.

Webinar Discussion Topics …

• Embracing the Shift: Why are more legal teams shrinking physical footprints while expanding talent pools?

• Tech-Enabled Teamwork: How are collaboration tools and communication platforms empowering geographically dispersed teams to achieve peak performance?

• Redefining Value: Moving beyond billable hours to metrics that measure efficiency, client satisfaction, and overall team impact.

• Optimizing the Workspace: Strategies for designing flexible workspaces that foster creativity, communication, and well-being.

• Managing the Transition: Building buy-in, navigating cultural shifts, and overcoming resistance to embrace the new paradigm.

Q&A Session: Live interaction with the audience to address their specific concerns and opportunities.

The legal landscape is evolving, and embracing this dynamic shift can not only save costs but also unlock hidden potential within your team.

Register for this webinar today and discover the path to a successful, impactful, and future-proofed firm

EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR: Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partners’ Legal Expertise for Business Development Success

10 April 2024

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EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR: “Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partners’ Legal Expertise for Business Development Success” 🌟

✨ Join Andrew Polzl, COO of XP.news, for an exclusive insight-packed session with legal marketing mavens Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and former President of LMA and Laura Galeano, CBDMO of Bilzin Sumberg!

🚀 Discover how to:

Turn expert articles into engines for business development.

Raise lawyer profiles without sacrificing billable hours.

Craft impactful content that captivates target audiences and converts new business.
Stay ahead of the ever-evolving media landscape by diving into new techniques and adapting for maximum impact.

🔍 Learn to navigate the media maze and make every byline a business opportunity! RSVP today.

Latest “All the World’s YOUR Stage” – Leaving the Margins and Grabbing the Spotlight with Aarash Darroodi

10 April 2024

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Latest episode here.

At six months old, Aarash Darroodi’s parents, who were foreign students in the US, sent their son back to Iran to live with his grandparents so they could complete their graduate studies at the University of Houston. That was 1979. A year later, the Iran-Iraq War erupted. It took seven years and attempts in many countries to get a US visa before Darroodi would reunite with his family in America. That experience, Darroodi says, shaped his life, which would forever be changed.

As General Counsel & Executive Vice President of Fender, Aarash Darroodi has developed a successful 20-year in-house legal career on the idea of melding a traditional legal education/experience with business acumen and business intelligence. He leverages his personal history to lead with empathy and pragmatism. Aarash is quite simply and beautifully a connector. He also has developed the course “How to Build a Rain Machine” through which he teaches lawyers what in-house clients really want. Equipping outside counsel with the secret skills and tactics to maximize client billings, client retention, and client satisfaction. Learn more here: https://www.rainstaracademy.com/.

“Everybody has a story when you connect to humanity,” Darroodi says. “What you realize is that those stories bring a lot of life learning, and there is a lot of power that’s locked up within people that they feel that they should hide it away and not embrace it. I fundamentally disagree. I think you embrace it because those are where the learnings come from. … I just don’t want to see the resume, I want to know the story. What were some of the challenges you faced in your life? How did you overcome them? What did you learn from those challenges? How do you think those challenges will help you in the future? That’s valuable. That’s what I want to see. I want those people, the ones that have overcome difficulties and challenges. … People are more capable than they know … But people themselves, a lot of times, we need somebody to see that within us and push us, and then we can achieve greatness we never thought possible.”

The fundamental power of storytelling, of reclaiming our individual narratives, and of celebrating our differences will be the focus of this episode. The human condition can be one of “categorizing” others, and thereby limiting potential. Aarash and Roy will discuss how important it is to break that cycle and how each individual can embrace respective heritage as a means of authentic differentiation and professional branding. They will also address the business benefits to leaders who model this for their colleagues and their teams.

Darroodi is an in-demand speaker and pundit, having offered commentary to Bloomberg Law, Thomson Reuters, The Legal 500, TedX, the American Bar Association, American Lawyer Media, South by Southwest, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Legal Marketing Association, Fox Business, The Los Angeles Times, and the Maryland State Bar Association.

“I still find that my theater training serves me probably better than anything else in my background. For me, future-ready is what I learned, preparing for performances, which is to do all of your homework behind-the-scenes.” Regan Robinson’s FutureFit with yours truly #lma24 #lmamkt

9 April 2024

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Regan Robinson and Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill (ME!), delve into how his background in theater equips him with what’s needed to be future ready, and why his diverse passions provide a rich framework for seeing its possibilities. They explore the misconceptions about authenticity (which inherently promotes a long-term perspective), and how authentic leadership must be nurtured by creating a safe space for expression and learning from mistakes.

Watch here.

Key Takeaways

The importance of taking care of yourself so you’re equipped to seize strategic opportunities.

How movies, biographies and volunteering can sharpen your imagination skills.

What Taylor Swift and leaning into your true self have to do with fostering growth and the future.

What the corporate lexicon gets wrong about authenticity (hint: it’s messy, uncomfortable and can’t be forced).

Why foresight and strategic planning are non-linear, creative and collaborative processes.

Resources

Connect with Roy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/royesexton/

Learn about Roy’s company, Clark Hill: https://www.clarkhill.com/

About Our Guest

Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding and communications efforts in collaboration with the firm’s exceptional team of marketing and business development professionals. He has over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development and strategic planning.

Roy is passionate about problem solving, facilitating business growth, crafting communications strategy and enhancing law firm culture. He works closely with the marketing team to advance the firm’s digital and social media presence and external engagement, using multi-channel distribution and data collection. This enables the team to quantify results and use those results to produce thoughtfully and strategically organized content for clients and prospects.

Roy was named one of INvolve People’s 2023 Top 100 OUTstanding LGBTQ+ Executives internationally. He was listed in Crain’s Detroit“Notable LGBTQ in Business” in 2021 and “Notable Leaders in Marketing” in 2023, and he was aMichigan Lawyers Weekly “Unsung Legal Hero” (2018).

In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign, which Sexton played a key role in developing, received the Best Marketing Campaign award from the Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity and inclusion. The Clark Hill marketing and business development team was also awarded “Best Marketing Initiative” by Managing Partners’ Forum in 2020.

Roy is a published author of two books: Reel Roy Reviews, Volumes 1 and 2 and he was named “Best Actor in a Musical” by BroadwayWorld Detroit in 2017 for his performance as Jasper in The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Ann Arbor Civic. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth.

About Future Fit™ with Regan Robinson

Future Fit™ unravels the secrets of how the world’s most innovative leaders stay future-ready in a fast-paced world. Hosted by futurist and strategist Regan Robinson, each episode explores how trailblazing executives turn uncertainty into their strategic advantage. Gain powerful insights and practical approaches as these visionary minds share the unconventional and imaginative ways they thrive today while leading their teams into tomorrow.

If you love what you’re getting out of our show please subscribe, rate and review.

About Regan Robinson

Regan Robinson is a holistic futurist and business strategist that empowers visionary companies to turn uncertainty into advantage and effortlessly innovate and strategize for their future. Over the course of 20+ years, she has helped some of the world’s most influential brands and companies strategize and grow. Regan has spearheaded revenue increases of 300%+, led as an executive at 3 start-ups and established business models, new capabilities, infrastructure and roadmaps for companies like VICE Media and Edelman Digital.

Website: https://www.reganrobinson.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reganrobinson

Future Fit™ Newsletter: linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7054904910919667713

YouTube: / @regan_robinson