Monthly Archives: October 2020

Open Book Theatre’s incisive, ingenious iPoppy + #LMA20 … it’s a wrap (yet so energizing!)

22 October 2020

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Thank you to Krista Schafer Ewbank and Open Book Theatre Company for continuing to find innovative, fun, and provocative ways to deliver theatre to our community in these dark days. iPoppy is by turns riotous, satirical, poignant, incisive, but always engaging. A one-woman ten minute show delivered 1:1 to each audience member via the quarantine-ubiquitous #Zoom, iPoppy is a frothy yet searing indictment of our present “culture,” one that wallpapers over socioeconomic inequities, familial trauma, rampant materialism, and the corrosive intersection of racism and sexism with a relentless and soul-crushing press of social media self-promotion and digital deception. iPoppy packs a wallop in its brisk and breezy ten minute run-time. Give it a go, and support local theatre.

“Check out some clips from iPoppy, along with some quotes from audience members. Sign up for your own 10 minute, live performance of this original piece! Written by M.X. Sotero. Directed by Topher Payne. Featuring Marcela Gazaro.”

Preview clip: https://www.facebook.com/699433083431924/posts/4543148755726985/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n

Tickets: http://openbooktheatrecompany.net/one-to-one-virtual-theatre/

This year’s Legal Marketing Association annual conference was a virtual affair, and it was just as vibrant and engaging (if not more so) than our in-person meetings. I’m happily energized AND utterly exhausted. I’m one proud international board member tonight! Below are some highlights …

Enjoy this #lma20 chat with the ever-charming Ashraf Lakhani, Matt Parfitt, and Rob Kates! We discuss their conference sessions (general counsel interviews and email marketing trends respectively), the finer points of long-distance chess, the importance of family, quarantine basketball, and outback policemen!

VIEW VIDEO HERE: https://www.facebook.com/KatesMedia/videos/929010134294388/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n

Yes, there is singing. Dave Matthews, in fact. And a shiny gold jacket. ⭐️ Rob Kates, Meghan Frank from Lexis Nexis, and yours truly with fab host Michelle Friends talk #lma20 🥰

VIEW VIDEO HERE: https://www.facebook.com/KatesMedia/videos/345659206511172/?vh=e&extid=0

Enjoy this final “coffee talk” of #lma20 with yours truly, Rob Kates, Joe Przybyla, Amy Payton Verhulst! We talk about the amazing discoveries of this year’s conference, the wonders of Introhive, what makes a great Legal Marketing Association leader, children’s art, online car shopping, and frosty treat rewards.

Yes, one more song – that I barely make it through without crying. One of my mom Susie Sexton’s favorites from “On the Town” and a fitting tribute to this incredible week. Kudos to conference chairs Kristen Bateman and Jon Mattson and the conference committee and support team (including Kristy Perkins, Malaika Palmer, Christina Abes) as well as rock star president Jill Mason Huse for their truly remarkable work.

Thanks to the SmithBucklin team, including Danielle Holland , Holly Amatangelo , JenaShay Russell , Ashley Stenger , Kimberly McBride , Kat Seiffert , Kristin Frankiewicz, Alexia Malamis for all of the ongoing support.

Thanks to all of the guest hosts and guests this week who made this show such a special addition! Shout outs during the show to Carman Janenne Akins, Jim Jarrell, Megan McKeon, Vanessa Vines Petrea, Jessica Jaramillo, Tahisha Fugate, Andrew Laver, Jessica Aries, Brenda Plowman, Stefanie Marrone, Jennifer Petrone Dezso, Tanya Riggan, Nikki Girard Sherrill, Michelle Friends, Kelly MacKinnon, Christine Mitchell Harris, Patrick Fuller, Gina Rubel, and more!

Lord, this was a neat week!

VIEW VIDEO HERE: https://www.facebook.com/LegalMarketingAssociation/videos/347783449831325/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n

LOVING these stats from now-legendary #lma20!

5 days of crucial content
1 excellent keynote speaker named Baratunde Thurston
1 new hashtag #LMACitizen inspired by #HowToCitizen
140+ speakers
40+ interactive live sessions
3+ hours of 1:1 attendee networking sessions
5 engaging virtual social events
17 countries and 43 states represented
45+ sponsoring organizations
1200+ legal marketing professionals
10 costume changes (MY contribution 🤣)
Too many “skills” to count

Read more: http://view.exacttarget.com/?qs=9be0d726adac2acc771141161d225ef964e0067928f9a4660847b8f66ff4b7921605091cc412d0fd7821fa4d731e442c2583b46ff6dd4b65a54d7607a01428d2eac6e4ae282ba9dc5ba1b9a0c148ac560c3592cae46130d6

LMA20 tribute to the ever-delightful Patrick Fuller … this will only mean something to the people who watched the comedy night event with Last Comic Standing winner and celebrity comedian John Heffron. To the rest of you, I’m sorry … not sorry. 🤣 I generally hate inside jokes. But I can’t resist this one. #skills!
Some final thoughts on #lma20
A closing song – “Some Other Time” from the musical “On The Town”
Smart sartorial choices of #lma20 … “The first but not the last.” Kamala Harris

LMA’s Got Skills! And how! #lma20 #lmamkt #lma20selfie

21 October 2020

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LMA’s Got SKILLS! What fun tonight, and, for those who missed the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International annual conference talent show, the performances from #legalmarketing luminaries Jason Klika, Heather Layfield McCullough, Jim Jarrell, Jim Durham, Lauren McNee, Richard Hefner, Brenda Pontiff, Matt Parfitt, and Renee Branson were divine! Congrats to our winner – voted on by the audience – Jason! Highlights included glorious vocals, evocative poetry, whimsical interpretive dance routines, soothing instrumentals, grand comedy, soothing bedtime stories, a sh*t-ton of Sondheim, ridiculous costumes, and some very cute dogs. Heaven!

Divine Renee Branson viewing from home. Wisely drinking.

Thank you to an incredibly patient team, including Kristy Perkins, Malaika Palmer, Christina Abes (and my fearless engineer husband John Mola) who worked through my various and sundry tech issues and general hysteria earlier in the afternoon. Such grace, calm, and talent! Thanks to our conference co-chairs Kristen Bateman and Jonathan Mattson and LMA president Jill Mason Huse for their faith in me, for their encouragement, and for allowing me to let my freak flag fly (photographic evidence aplenty).

Thanks for this screen grab, Renee!

This is a helluva community! I am grateful to have been embraced by such kind and talented humans, and, as we noted tonight, our personal “brands” should celebrate every aspect of our personalities, talents, and interests. Thank you to HQ’s Danielle Holland , Kat Seiffert , Kristin Frankiewicz and team for their tireless support and promotion.

Congrats to friends Nathalie M. Daum, Adam Severson, and Despina Kartson who were inducted into LMA’s Hall of Fame tonight. So well-deserved! (VIDEO HERE.) Sally Feldman noted, “Congratulations to all of the inductees on this recognition, to Jennifer Manton and Jeanne Burger Hammerstrom for being such gracious co-hosts and Rob Kates for a great production.” Truth!

Unwinding after the big show!

The LMA Hall of Fame recognizes lifetime achievement of individuals in the legal marketing industry and their outstanding contributions to the association. Members of the Hall of Fame have a demonstrated history of career achievement, sustained commitment to the advancement of the profession, and significant contributions to LMA, as well as conduct themselves with professionalism among their peers.

Thank you, Lauren McNee, for this screen grab!
Someone left the snowman in the rain. (Think “MacArthur Park.”) Thank you, Carman Janenne Akins, for this melting Olaf pic!

Thank you, Jaffe and Melanie Trudeau, for this ego boost!

15 October 2020

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Thanks, Melanie Kirkland Trudeau and Jaffe, for the opportunity! And I’m beyond flattered by their description of me. Not remotely true! But I’ll take it! 🤣

“Find out more about the launch of #LinkedIn Stories. Melanie Trudeau explains how professional services firms can use this new feature to showcase their creativity and build brand awareness. As an added bonus, social media genius [wait?! what?!] Roy Sexton shares his thoughts on how Stories will be a positive disruption in the legal industry and advises everyone to ‘lean into the visual.’”

Read more: https://www.jaffepr.com/blog/linkedin-rolls-out-stories-now-what

Excerpt:

Stories provide a way for professionals to shape their social media images in a clever and authentic way, positioning themselves as approachable and relatable to people who might otherwise think of them as distant and inaccessible.

Scanning my LinkedIn feed for marketing professionals using Stories, I quickly realized that the adoption level is still somewhat limited. In true form, though, legal marketing guru Roy Sexton has already started sharing Stories. I asked for his thoughts about where Stories will take us.

It is interesting how these different platforms borrow concepts from one another. I do think we will be in a bit of a trial-and-error phase with how Stories are used on LinkedIn. That said, I predict they will be as positively disruptive here as they have been on other platforms. Currently, I am using it to drive people to content I have pinned to my profile. I think the ability to include images, and particularly video, will be powerful. The cut and paste doesn’t work at all, which is frustrating. And there’s no way to include links in the Story. That said, I would encourage people — as I do in all things social media ­— not to be afraid to experiment and benchmark what other people are doing that you like. I would lean into the visual, and if you can pull an image or a screen grab from an article and direct people to the content, use it as a form of advertisement for material you want people to see.

A key point here is the visual component of Stories. Images and videos are the foundation of a good Story, so get ready to use your phone camera in unique ways.

Read more: https://www.jaffepr.com/blog/linkedin-rolls-out-stories-now-what

LMA’s Got Skills! #lma20 #lmamkt

14 October 2020

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View here: https://www.facebook.com/KatesMedia/videos/908769526197418/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n

Enjoy this fun chat with my buddies Jon, Kristen, Gia, Rob, Renee, Jennifer as we discuss all of the amazing things in store for next week’s Legal Marketing Association – LMA International annual conference. There are also rich conversations about the importance of diversity and inclusion, a renewed focus on mental health and resilience, the challenges of managing workflow and engagement in pandemic, and the details of our fantastic talent show. I also may stumble through #StevieWonder’s classic “As.” Also, shout outs in the show to Sheenika Shah Gandhi, Jill Mason Huse, Brook Weeks Redmond, Jasmine C. Trillos-Decarie, and … The Ohio State University. Go Bucks!

Episode description: “Are you ready for #LMA20? On Wednesday, October 14th, Legal Marketing Coffee Talk brings you a very special episode. Hosted by the Conference Co-Chairs Kristen Bateman Leis, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP & Jonathan Mattson, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer Stinson LLP. They are joined by Gia Altreche, Director of Business Development & Marketing, Newmeyer Dillion; Renee Branson Founder | Principal Consultant, RB Consulting: Resilience. Bounty; Jennifer A. Manton, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP; & Roy Sexton, Clark Hill, Director of Marketing, who will all tell you about what they are presenting at this year’s conference.”

View here: https://www.facebook.com/KatesMedia/videos/908769526197418/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n

Oops … I Did It Again!
Don’t Rain On My Parade
I Will Wait For You
As You Like It
Pure Imagination
Like A … Legal Marketer?
Putting It Together
Thank you to Alex Aksenchik of Intapp for the out-this-world surprise in tonight’s mail! #BabyYoda

Send in the … Yodas? LMA’s Got Skills – #LMA20

7 October 2020

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VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/1200679273/posts/10221318297685867/?extid=0&d=n

Hey, Legal Marketing Association – LMA International! Show us your talent! Otherwise you will be subjected to an hour of me singing things like this … to various #StarWars characters. And nobody wants that! First prize is free registration to next year’s annual conference!

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/j3UX50BK65G

Thank you, dear Greg Lambert and “Baby Yoda,” for watching! (And sharing this cute pic!)

Introducing LMA’s Got Skills – taking place on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:30pm (EDT) – which will shine a spotlight on the dynamic talent within our community. With a complimentary registration for the 2021 Annual Conference as the Grand Prize, we can’t wait to see your talents on the #LMA20 main stage! If you’re attending and want to share your skills, submit your entry before October 14, 2020.

Learn more and register: http://ow.ly/j3UX50BK65G

A podcast twofer AND a best dressed list? And it’s only Tuesday (so it must be Belgium)?

6 October 2020

2 Comments

Thank you, Steve Fretzin, for having me as a guest on your show! Listen here… https://fretzin.com/roy-sexton-signal-boosting-reciprocation-and-acknowledging-your-social-media-community/ … Steve writes …

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Roy Sexton discuss: Defining business development and marketing, the relationship is between the two, and how best to integrate them. Listening to the coaches you bring in until it is built and hardwired into your DNA. Getting the full value out of your content and of social media. Being engaged in the social media community.

Key Takeaways: Marketing shows you where the door is, business development helps you walk through it. The business development technique you hold near and dear is not a silver bullet. It’s what you do with it. It’s how you develop relationships and how you build a book of business. With commitment, there is growth. Business development is a learned thing – you just have to stick to the regiment. The days of being able to avoid social media are over.

“We call it a rule of three. If you’re speaking somewhere or you’ve written something, you’ve three bites at the apple on social media to promote that, at minimum. There’s the time leading up to the webinar you’re about to promote and promote that more than once.” — Roy Sexton

Thank you, Jessica Jaramillo and Vanessa Vines Petrea of The Legal Slant for having me on as a guest! This was such a fun conversation, and I am so grateful to you and your kind hearts for all you do for our community! Listen now at http://thelegalslant.com/season-1/?fbclid=IwAR0kmebGUSSlOkH8gek6CZg-leamKOKP7RK9q2rKXbJQ4Wi8LQ70yzMxvM4 … They write …

We had so much fun getting to know Roy Sexton! Legal marketer, thought leader, community leader, writer, actor and singer Roy Sexton talks to us about personal branding, standing out on social media, and thriving through authenticity.

Roy also shares why he prioritizes having creative outlets outside of work. We completely agree!

He credits his success to so many legal marketers we admire such as Nancy Leyes Myrland, Heather Morse-Geller, Renee Branson, Gail Porter Lamarche, Gina Furia Rubel, Lindsay Griffiths, Laura Toledo, and Brenda Plowman. Plus, shout outs to Susie Sexton and Beth Kennedy.

Also, Roy and Jennifer Petrone Dezso need to be friends since they both love Sweeney Todd!

Best dressed?! Only in quarantine! Thank you, ALM Media, LLCs Amy Newman, who emailed and made my day:

I’m delighted to tell you we decided you are our winner of our Best Selfie/Best Dressed competition from Friday’s event [Legal Week #LegalInnovationAwards virtual ceremony]! Not only did you send in a great photo, your activity and involvement throughout the announcement was greatly appreciated!

My pleasure! First (and likely last) time I’ll ever make such a list! 🥰 🤵

Beyond the Ghostlight: Horror Movie Panel Discussion for The Ibis

4 October 2020

3 Comments

View here: https://www.facebook.com/shadowoftheibis/videos/615911629083442/?vh=e&extid=0&d=

What a delightful hour to spend. I love talking about movies, but don’t get as many opportunities these days as I used to. I had a ball with Nick and Luna and Brandy Joe tonight chatting for The Ibis. We are even garbed in various stages of costumery!

We talk about what gives us chills in film and theater and literature and sometimes politics. It’s a free ranging conversation that touches on everything from #fairytales to #slasher films, #Hitchcock to #HumanCentipede, #RayBradbury to #SweeneyTodd, #Disney to #TheYellowWallpaper, #Joker to #BrianDePalma, #IdinaMenzel to #Watchmen.

Shout-outs to local artists abound, including Krista Schafer Ewbank, Open Book Theatre Company, Bailey Boudreau, Slipstream, The Ringwald Theatre, Susie Sexton, and more. We hope you enjoy our chat – recorded below for posterity and for our proud mothers (click the image to view video).

Thank you to Dave Durham for this photo!

Celebrate the rebels in your life

4 October 2020

4 Comments

[Thank you to Debbie Pecis for recommending I capture these thoughts in blog form.]

When I was in high school one million years ago, I was part of something called Academic Super Bowl. (Make your own jokes.) We were among the first non-sports teams, as I was aware, to win a number of state championships. The tradition at the time was to place photos of state award-winning students outside the walls of our gymnasium. I suspect our wonderful coaches Tom Lough and Jan Hammer, among others, had to work minor miracles (and call in some favors) to allow those of us not holding a ball or a javelin to be placed alongside those accomplished student athletes.

For years, these pictures remained up, and egotistically I admit that fact was a source of pride for me. A few years back, the athletic director inexplicably decided they all needed to come down. My intrepid parents Don and Susie Sexton tried to snag these to no avail. Now, in 2020, my hometown has built a new high school, and they are tearing down our old one. An auction was held for all of the contents of the old school, and these resurfaced. 

Thanks to dear friend and always free-thinking Tina Honaker Houser for spotting them and alerting me. I am happy to report I won them in the auction – thank you to wonderful Phil Wolfe of Schrader Auction and delightful Q Qureshi of Columbia City Goin’ Postal for helping me nab them and for getting them safely to my home. Now I have to figure out what the hell to do with them! Lucy isn’t quite sure what to think. Something tells me I can’t hang them up in the living room. LOL.

I admit that I think it’s a shame that the high school was willing to trade in all of its history for a quick buck. Perhaps that is overly cynical. Nonetheless, regarding the moments captured in these photos, I will always be grateful for the encouragement and confidence that this seminal experience provided me in high school. The support I received from my parents and from these teachers to be my own unique and authentic self placed me on an incredible life path.

I sensed at the time that teacher-coaches Jan Hammer and Tom Lough and their compatriots were doing something unusual and (surprisingly for an academic environment) seemingly rebellious. I don’t know whether or not school administrators – both those at the time and the ones that follow – realize the inadvertently negative messages they send with decisions and positioning like what I’ve described above. However, I will always be grateful for those willing to challenge them. THAT is ultimately what these images represent for me, I suspect. I will treasure these photos always.