Vice President, Communications Candidates
Ian Cropp
Email address: Ian.Cropp@gmail.com
Why are you running for the VP – Marketing/Communications?
Between my experiences as a journalist, my passion for the program and my outgoing personality, I feel that I am the ideal candidate for this position.
Furthermore, I am a huge proponent of our program and want to do everything I can to help better than name of The George Washington University and help the MBAA enrich the business school experience of all the students.
Qualifications to be VP – Marketing/Communications:
I worked for three years as a journalist at a newspaper in Colorado. Along with my reporting duties, I also represented my company on the radio and television and developed partnerships with local companies.
I also have many media contacts in the Washington area.
Goals and plans if elected VP – Marketing/Communications:
First, I want to make sure that the entire student body is aware of the MBAA, and understands its purpose. I hope to cultivate more involvement in the MBAA through greater awareness of events and students’ personal interest in the MBAA.
I want to ensure that we are communicating our expressed image, both internally and externally.
Within the greater Washington DC community, I hope to create greater brand recognition through direct press coverage and other outlets such as cross-promotion.
And I will work hard to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and strive to create greater brand equity for GW.
Joel Davidson
Email address: jdavids@gwu.edu
Why are you running for the VP – Marketing/Communications?
I am passionate about improving the way in which our MBA Program communicates its message, both within the community and externally to interested parties.
Qualifications to be VP – Marketing/Communications:
I have had over 6 years of global corporate experience, in cities as diverse as London, New York and Paris. I have worked in a range of functions, initially in finance and more recently in marketing and business development, where I developed an appreciation of the need to work with a variety of stakeholders. My previous role was as Business Development Manager in a large newspaper corporation in London, and a large part of my role was about enhancing the profile of the new business unit which I was working in, which I did by regularly reaching out to new stakeholders and communicating the right message at the right time in order to make progress. I believe that my interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships are strong, and they will be required regularly in this role.
Furthermore, I believe that my varied corporate experience and international perspective will make me effective in dealing with the range of business issues that the MBAA board is bound to confront.
Goals and plans if elected VP – Marketing/Communications:
I would like to ensure the following goals are achieved during my period in the role:
1 – Create a fully consistent approach to the dissemination of information. This includes having one e-mail address for all outward communications, and allowing a free forum for any MBA student to post information that they think will be of benefit to fellow students. I will work to ensure that Andrew Dawson’s general communications recommendation document is fully implemented in the coming year.
2 – Continue Andrew’s efforts to develop opportunities for GW MBA merchandising, which will help to engage our students and build enthusiasm for our brand while also generating revenue, a true win-win.
3- Develop a culture of inclusivity in the post, by inviting feedback from students at all times, and gaining insights into communications challenges that students would like to be addressed. I will strive to be approachable and available to hear students’ feedback at all times.
4- Engage with other schools within the GWU community, such as the Elliott School, which are tremendous brand names in their own right and have access to a wide range of opinion-formers with global reach. I will use my skills in forging working relationships across many functions to ensure that the profile of the School of Business remains as high as it can be, and that we are at the center of the conversation when school-wide initiatives are discussed.
5 – Develop the right message for the GW MBA Program and make sure we are delivering this to the right audience. I would like to work with the rest of the Board, and all members of the MBAA, to define exactly what we would like the GW School of Business brand to stand for. The School has some fantastic, unique characteristics that need to be consistently conveyed to a wider audience. I would like to use the existing platforms we have, such as Jeremy Donnu’s Business Week column and the links which Alan Susi and Sally Kurtz Schiff made with Business Because, to develop a clear message that the school can be proud of.
6 – Bring world class speakers to the School. I am passionate about the Program and I will use my convictions about the Program to attract a range of speakers who can add to the community and engage all our students. I have been in contact with the CEO of USA Today about coming to the School, and I would like to reach out to other senior executives and convey my enthusiasm about the Program and what it represents.
7 – Work with the Administration to ensure that marketing and communications materials are reflective of the student body. As leaders of the future, I would expect that the Administration will value our input into the materials that are being published on our behalf. I would like to work with them to make sure that the views of the ultimate consumers of the GW MBA Product, ie us the students, are represented effectively in all marketing campaigns and related events.
8 – Fully embrace the part-time and accelerated MBA community by ensuring that events are much more inclusive, and that communication channels to cater for their needs are always open.
9 – Work with journalists and other members of the press to raise the profile of the Program wherever possible. I have recently joined the National Press Club, and I am building a network of media contacts who I would like to use to bring further good publicity to the School.
10 – Contribute to the Program rising in both the Business Week and Beyond Pinstripes rankings, and organize regular surveys of the student body to make sure that GW MBA continues to develop as a unique brand in its own right.