Tag Archives: kates media

An authentic soul with a keen eye toward story-telling and culture building: DeFur Voran LLP’s Elizabeth Bell joins us on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk … #lmamkt

8 February 2023

2 Comments

FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/f_-KbsfOiR/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6982723896588259328/

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/MtyT8DOgniM

Thank you, Beth Little Bell, for joining Rob and me today! You are such an authentic soul with a keen eye toward story-telling and culture building. #LMAmkt is truly fortunate to have you in our community. Appreciated how you painted a clear picture of the life of the solo marketer as brand and culture builder and how you use social media, community engagement, and thought leadership to support the DeFur Voran team.

And that team LOVES you – I don’t think in the history of the show we have EVER had so many of a marketer’s attorneys watch and express their heartfelt appreciation. You are clearly doing something right! Congrats on that new grandbaby, and thanks for all you do for Wabash College as well. Thanks one more time to Greg Castanias for connecting us.

Show description: Roy’s guest on our October 6 show was Elizabeth Bell, who leads marketing efforts for DeFur Voran LLP. She has also worked in the legal space as a law firm administrator and paralegal. Spoiler alert: she, like Roy, is a Hoosier AND has a storied background with his alma mater Wabash College. (And she just may have attended Wabash’s fierce rival school DePauw University … so sparks may fly!)

Beth is currently building a marketing program at her firm, and can speak to the opportunities and challenges facing the solo marketer. Roy and Beth unpack how one can leverage servant leadership to help support a small firm on its growth journey and how to build out the resources needed to “do all the things” required for effective law firm marketing and business development when you are a mighty team of ONE!

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: By Aries and Kates Media: Video Production.

Thrilled to be moderating the opening session of this essential #legalmarketing boot camp. Thank you, LMA Northeast Region, Michelle Upchurch Murray, Jennifer Manton, Deborah Scaringi for your leadership here in bringing this to our Legal Marketing Association – LMA International members.

REGISTER: https://legalmarketing.org/Event-Details/northeast-2022-bootcamp 🥾

SESSION DESCRIPTION: We are privileged to work in a dynamic, rapidly evolving industry. The legal marketing and business development profession has a multiplicity of career paths and opportunities. Since hustle is our middle name as legal marketers, our own needs sometimes get lost in the shuffle of being in service to others. Being intentional about aligning your talents, desires, interests, and aspirations is more crucial than ever to continued success.

Please join us for a candid, lively conversation with leading lights in our industry on how they themselves shaped their careers amidst an ever changing landscape. We will highlight the career tracks available to you – business development, technologist, marketing and digital strategy, events, branding, coaching, consulting, and so much more – as well as projects you should pursue to maximize your visibility and impact. We will cover the importance of your own personal branding, how to stay relevant and known in this industry, and the importance of leaning on this LMA community to enrich your career.

Panelists:

Moderator – Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing, Clark Hill Law

Robyn Addis, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Legal Internet Solutions Incorporated

Michael Coston, CEO, Coston Consulting

Melissa Ertek, Chief Development Officer, Winston & Strawn LLP

Audra Triplett, Senior Manager, Business Development & Marketing, Foley & Lardner LLP

DeFur Voran LLP’s Elizabeth Bell joins us on this week’s Legal Marketing Coffee Talk … #lmamkt

3 October 2022

2 Comments

Beth Little Bell, rock star!! Can’t wait! Thanks to fellow Wabash College alum and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity brother Greg Castanias for introducing us!

FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/f_-KbsfOiR/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6982723896588259328/

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/MtyT8DOgniM

Roy’s guest on our October 6 show will be Elizabeth Bell, who leads marketing efforts for DeFur Voran LLP. She has also worked in the legal space as a law firm administrator and paralegal. Spoiler alert: she, like Roy, is a Hoosier AND has a storied background with his alma mater Wabash College. (And she just may have attended Wabash’s fierce rival school DePauw … so sparks may fly!)

Beth is currently building a marketing program at her firm, and can speak to the opportunities and challenges facing the solo marketer. Roy and Beth will unpack how one can leverage servant leadership to help support a small firm on its growth journey and how to build out the resources needed to “do all the things” required for effective law firm marketing and business development when you are a mighty team of ONE!

An episode you won’t want to miss. Join us live this Thursday, October 6th at 3 PM right here on Facebook.

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: By Aries and Kates Media.

The magic of knowing oneself … and of tricking your friend’s Alexa into playing show tunes over Zoom: EJ Stern joins us on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk #lmamkt

5 May 2022

2 Comments

FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/cQ5XSIHE3e/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kates-media_legalmarketingcoffeetalk-legalmarketing-lmct-activity-6927047561677561856-Fews?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qCClmiusxsU

Rob Kates and I had a delightful time with our guest today EJ Stern Bearman! Thank you, Amber Bollman, for introducing us! Yes, there were shenanigans aplenty, but, before I turn to those, give this a watch for the heartfelt, authentic, wise counsel EJ provides on professional and personal development, the magic of knowing oneself, understanding your own gifts (and challenges), and finding those moments of connection that build successful business development relationships. We talk about using your energy to your advantage, introversion versus extroversion, and how DEI is such a crucial consideration in creating an environment where people can find fulfillment and optimal performance in life and in work.

As for shenanigans … My dad Don Sexton joins us as I thank him for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site surprises I received in today’s mail. Rob celebrates Cinco de Mayo in his inimitable way. We learn a new prank in asking Alexa to play unsolicited show tunes in our guests’ homes. We review the positive impact life upon the wicked stage had on our formative years. We address the joys (and occasional sadnesses) of having four-legged friends. We note how important participation trophies can be in helping some of us feel seen and validated. We give a shout out to Mother’s Day, Janet Jackson, mental health awareness month, #itsokaytonotbeokay, Led Zeppelin, Kroger runs, Encanto, Ricky Martin, and The Ramones.

Oh, and Susan C. Freeman, we give two plugs for Freeman Means Business’ #EmpoweredWomen2022 in Chicago on June 2: https://freemanmeansbusiness.com/empoweredwomen-events

And Lynn Foley, fSquared Marketing, Terry Isner, and Legal Marketing Association – LMA International, we remind everyone to complete this important mental health / wellness survey: https://fsquaredmarketing.com/legal-marketing-mental-wellness-survey-report/?fbclid=IwAR2V23OYftnv7Nm_RuVqgmbjuvM_etnyH5D98mcMktTXR3DULFpphOix7Cw

Whew! #LMAmkt

P.S. Glen Hanson and HunTees, I’m wearing another one of your fab shirts!

P.P.S. My dad has another letter in Downbeat! They need to make him a columnist! ❤️

Self-care, professional development, and show tunes: EJ Stern, Senior Executive Coach at Novateur Partners, joins us this week on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk, May 5, 3 pm ET … #lmamkt

2 May 2022

Leave a comment

FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/cQ5XSIHE3e/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kates-media_legalmarketingcoffeetalk-legalmarketing-lmct-activity-6927047561677561856-Fews?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qCClmiusxsU

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is back this Thursday, May 5th with host, Roy Sexton, and his guest, EJ Stern Bearman, Senior Executive Coach at Novateur Partners, and the two will discuss how increasingly essential it is for us all to take moments of self-care and personal development to succeed in our fast-paced industry.

With 15+ years leading business development and strategic initiatives in the legal industry, E.J. has a proven record of success helping lawyers grow their practices and build their books of business. Her results-oriented coaching approach helps clients create best practices and provides the accountability necessary for success.

“People are my passion. I understand the pressures individuals face and the critical role coaching can play in professional development and ongoing success. I help individuals refine their leadership skills and develop strategies to decrease burnout, increase productivity and create greater job satisfaction.”

Join us for incredible insight (and probably some show tunes, as E.J. and Roy have a mutual love for all things musical theatre) Thursday, May 5th at 3:00 pm ET: Right here on LinkedIn.

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: By Aries and Kates Media: Video Production.

Year-end Legal Marketing Coffee Talk holiday extravaganza 2021: zany costumes, beloved pups, heartfelt sentiments, plentiful laughs, and maybe a show tune or two

17 December 2021

2 Comments

View on …

Facebook: https://fb.watch/9XP8lzXK6-/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robkates_legalmarketingcoffeetalk-legalmarketing-lmct-activity-6875147102234648576-j7aF

YouTube: https://youtu.be/GVE6T6Ye32k

We had a ball this afternoon with our year-end holiday broadcast. Yes, there were zany costumes, beloved pups, heartfelt sentiments, plentiful laughs, and maybe a show tune or two. (Yes, I sang – about midway – WITH prerecorded accompaniment because I’m fancy like that.) So grateful to be part of this fab Legal Marketing Coffee Talk crew: our fearless leader Rob Kates and fellow hosts Tahisha Fugate, Jessica Aries, and Andrew Laver. The kind words offered during the show about my late mom Susie Sexton, our honorary sixth cast member, were so appreciated and healing.

Thanks to today’s incredibly brilliant special guest stars, including Gina Furia Rubel, Amy Payton Verhulst, Nancy Leyes Myrland, Brenda Pontiff. You are such beautifully authentic souls.

Shout outs aplenty during today’s show: Heather Morse-Geller, Gail Porter Lamarche, Terry Isner, Nikki Girard Sherrill, Toni Wells, James Barclay, Ed Lovatt, Marcia Delgadillo, Nikki Bagdady Horn, Scott Lawrence, Nathalie M. Daum, Jay Harrington, Heather Harrington, Jennifer Forester, Cyndy McCollough, Timothy Corcoran, Jenna Green, Rachel Shields Williams, Shade Vaughn, Jennifer Simpson Carr, Trish Desilets Lilley, and likely many more I won’t remember until I watch again tonight! 🤣

Thank you to Kates Media: Video Production and By Aries for supporting this show and to amazing Katelynn Audrey Wynn McGuire and Clarita Bonilla for the exceptional promotional work on our collective behalf.

See you in 2022! #LMAMKT

Postscript … I am truly lucky to have a wonderful friend with whom I also happen to work. I’ve known Megan McKeon maybe about 10 years now? But we first actually collaborated in 2015 on a Legal Marketing Association – LMA International annual conference quick start panel. Fellow panelists Heather Morse-Geller and Gina Furia Rubel said, “We gotta get Megan to join us!” They were absolutely right. Few people are as devoted, as hard-working, as caring as Megan.

Flash forward a few years later, and Megan introduced me to Clark Hill. Heather told me that I MUST take the job – as she saw it as the right next step for me. Don’t tell Heather I said this, but she’s darn right 99% of the time! 😉

This community blesses us with guardian angels at every turn, and three years ago when I received the distinct privilege to work with Megan my life improved for the better. I’ve never worked harder in my life, been challenged to be a better professional, or had someone so consistently in my corner as I have had with Megan, and our wonderful boss Susan Ahern, and our incredible colleagues.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, it’s late. And I’m in a reflective mood. And this magical surprise (pictured) appeared on our front doorstep today. Admittedly, one can argue it’s a year early as I will be president elect of the international association next year and president the following. Nonetheless, when my husband opened this, thinking he was going to find new floor mats for his Jeep 😅, we both squealed with delight. Of course, being me, I couldn’t get this on our movie poster wall fast enough.

This gift puts such a big smile on my face after one hell of a year, and I won’t lie that it tickles me to be side-by-side with fellow Hoosier James Dean here. Everyone knows I love movies obsessively, but Megan has a distinct giftgiving prowess and somehow she found somebody who could turn me into my own movie poster. The tagline is hysterical: “Only the marketing is legal.” 🤣

Fun fact, Megan took this picture of me – and it is one of my favorites. We were in Chicago, on a sidewalk patio, shortly after I had started with the firm (halfway between a couple of my quarterly nervous breakdowns 😂), waiting for Ray Koenig and Susan to join us for drinks. Little did that naive Roy know what incredible adventures were ahead. But I’m looking at this poster, reflecting on the past year, the past three years, the past 10 years, incredibly grateful for what our legal marketing community has given all of us and for this friendship with dear Megan. Love you, Megan.

Legendary Megan McKeon joins us on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk

5 August 2021

4 Comments

(Screenshots by Nancy Leyes Myrland)

Thank you to my fabulous Clark Hill colleague Megan McKeon for joining Rob Kates and me on Kates Media: Video Production’s “Legal Marketing Coffee Talk,” sponsored by Jessica Aries’ By Aries. Thanks again to Katelynn Audrey Wynn McGuire for the wonderful promotional support.

Facebook VIDEO: https://fb.watch/7b2fOwyVov/

LinkedIn VIDEO: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robkates_legalmarketingcoffeetalk-legalmarketing-lmct-ugcPost-6827996446755713025-4wjF

YouTube: https://youtu.be/kxzNIpDgjYw

We cover a LOT! 🤣 The relative merit of phone calls, being trapped in Facebook jail, the perils of pool repair, the joys of home associations, and the highs and lows of geriatric pet ownership.

MORE importantly we discuss trends in legal marketing and business development, the crucial differences between those two disciplines AND their complementary nature, how data drives smart decision-making and efficient resource deployment, how the Legal Marketing Association and a commitment to mentoring benefits firm culture, and more.

Shout outs in today’s show to Susan Ahern, Guinevere Lehman Anderson, Marceline Johnson, John Byrne, Timothy Corcoran, Anne Gallagher, Brenda Plowman, Jill Mason Huse, Kelly MacKinnon, Nancy Myrland, Brenda Pontiff, Amy Payton Verhulst, Gina Furia Rubel, Heather Morse-Geller, Gail Porter Lamarche, Gail Paul, Susie Sexton, Connie Harris, James Fisher, Eric Lewandowski, Nancy McKeon, Patrick Fuller, Jay Harrington, Glen Hanson, HunTees, Marlon Brando, and more.

Postscript …

That’s me! Always on the cutting edge! LOL. Thanks for the shout out (below), Nancy Myrland of Myrland Marketing and Social Media. She writes, “‘Should You Give Stories A Chance?’ A LinkedIn notification related to Roy Sexton yesterday (discussed in this 2-minute, 22-second episode) is what caused me to record this episode.”

I admit I keep using the damn things as another piece of real estate, wondering if anybody’s paying attention. So she nailed exactly my psychology as a user in her assessment!

Post – postscript …

Legal marketing BFFs Megan McKeon and Roy Sexton storm Legal Marketing Coffee Talk, Wednesday, August 4, 3 pm ET

2 August 2021

2 Comments

LMCT is back this week coming to you live on Wednesday with host Roy Sexton (ME!) and Megan McKeon, Director of Business Development at Clark Hill Law. Megan is Roy’s colleague (LMCT’s 1st co-coworker interview), and she is the immediate past president of the Legal Marketing Association’s Midwest Region.

Megan is a licensed attorney, has nearly two decades of experience in law firm marketing and administration, and she leads the strategic development and implementation of new business and client initiatives among the firm’s experienced business developers.

Megan and Roy’s long-time friendship and experience presenting together at LMA conferences make for a great working relationship and will deliver a candid, free-wheeling, and fun LMCT discussion of trends in the industry, the opportunities and challenges the pandemic presented, and hopes for the future of legal marketing.

Tune in this Wednesday, August 4th, at 3:00 PM ET on …

LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gV3AkmG

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/155057871244919/posts/4275481702535828/?d=n

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/katesmedia

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: By Aries and Kates Media

Thanks, Wabash College – no matter how old I get, it still feels nice to see a shout out in the alumni magazine.

Roy Squared: Guest Roy Schwartz joins us on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk to discuss the power of narrative in legal marketing AND to answer the question “Is Superman Circumcised?”

9 July 2021

2 Comments

FACEBOOK VIDEO: https://fb.watch/6DwRoV3AGZ

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/92KYuklUXT0

LINKEDIN VIDEO: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6818254923092910080-IVnt

On today’s episode, we chat with the divine Roy Schwartz about his book Is Superman Circumcised? from McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers and the Jewish context for comic book icon Superman. Schwartz is an accomplished legal marketing professional, and he details how his appreciation of storytelling, graphics, character, and effective narrative have enabled him to help lawyers discover their business development super powers.

We *may* also talk (a lot) about comic books.

Rob Kates and I also chat with my mom Susie Sexton about fleas, the Olympics, and the joys of marriage. Other topics addressed in today’s show, in no particular order: Britney Spears, Bill Cosby, Jack Kirby, Stephen Colbert, cosplay, pool toys, Richard Donner, Christopher Reeve, Superman and Lois, writing, Halloween costumes, Schneider, and heaven knows what else.

Shout outs include Richard Pinto, Scott Neitlich, Merry Neitlich, Andrew Laver, Jessica Aries (happy birthday!), Kimberly Schwartz, and more!

A tale of two comic-book-loving “Roys” – Roy Schwartz joins us this Thursday, July 8 at 3 pm ET on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk

6 July 2021

2 Comments

Looking forward chatting with Roy Schwartz! THIS THURSDAY AT 3 pm ET …

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/155057871244919/posts/4197126857037980/?d=n

LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6818254923092910080-IVnt

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/katesmedia

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is back this Thursday, and Roy Schwartz, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, will be our guest, hosted by Roy Sexton (ME!).

Roy Schwartz handles his firm’s marketing and business development strategy and operations, including market positioning and growth, lead generation, and practice building, and he is an accomplished author and culture critic, recently publishing Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World’s Greatest Hero with McFarland & Company.

So, we’ll have two comic-book-loving “Roys” on the show, and they’ll discuss the intersection of a career in legal marketing, a passion for writing and cultural analysis, and an obsession with superheroes.

Legal Marketing Coffee Talk is brought to you by: Jessica Aries’ By Aries and Rob Kates’ Kates Media: Video Production. Thank you, as always, to Katelynn McGuire for the promotional support!

Singing, dancing, and data management: Richard Hefner with yours truly on Legal Marketing Coffee Talk – PLUS, my talented ma Susie Sexton published again

4 March 2021

3 Comments

FACEBOOK VIDEO: https://fb.watch/41c7vYBah9/

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/2N_ZHHp1W6w

This may be one of our wilder shows but rich with great content, pun intended! There is singing, there is dancing (sort of), there is personal reflection, there are quips, and there is a really robust and informative conversation about the power of data and relationship intelligence for marketing and business development.

Richard Hefner – he’s a rockstar. Quite literally. And he brings heart, wit, and deep insight to his work – https://www.ndvr.global. And you can check out his fantastic music at https://www.25songs.com/.

Furthermore, my mother Susie Sexton makes a fun and memorable appearance as we celebrate the publication of her latest book – https://bigreaddearborn.org/2021/03/04/tree-anthology-published/ – and reflect on the joys of living with my newly retired father and how none of us can ever remember celebrities’ last names.

Shout outs to Ricco Mashatt, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, John Kerry, WandaVision, Firefly Lane, Agatha All Along, Dearborn Public Library, and more. Thank you, as always, Rob Kates, Kates Media: Video Production, Jessica Aries, By Aries, for putting up with me!

Tree Anthology Published!

The Tree Anthology – featuring Susie Duncan Sexton – is now available for purchase on Amazon for $16 per copy here.

“We are ordering a limited number of copies to sell at our library branches for $10 per copy (we had to charge more for online orders). Those will likely be available in the next few weeks. Any funds raised will go towards our next Big Read in Dearborn.

“We are also going to add copies to the collection for checkout, so with a Dearborn Library card, you will be able to check out a copy for free. Please visit bigreaddearborn.org and dearbornlibrary.org for updates.

“So sorry for all the delays. We tried to publish the book in early January, but there were some issues that we had to fix. That’s why the book shows a publication date in January, but it was actually just made available.”