In a recent study of A/E/C marketers conducted by TOKY and the SMPS Foundation, fewer than 30% of A/E/C firms include Thought Leadership in their firm's value proposition. Yet, these same marketers list Thought Leadership as the most important value proposition to differentiate their firms. If thought leadership is such an important differentiator, why do so few firms provide it?
 
In our conversations with A/E/C marketers, we hear three primary reasons.
1)    We don't know how.
2)    We can't get the thought leaders in the organization to participate.
3)    We don't have the time or resources.
 
In this session, we will share a new way to think about thought leadership that can help you and your firm reframe what thought leadership is and how to make it happen. We'll discuss creating a roadmap for true thought leadership, how to engage your firm's thought leaders in the important work without relying on them for everything, and how to think about content creation and dissemination.
 
True thought-leadership takes time and effort, but the results can yield significant dividends in your firm's business development and growth. While there are no silver bullets for making it happen, we believe this approach can help you get there!

Speaker: Jerry Gennaria

As President and Director of Brand Strategy, Jerry brings 25 years of experience in traditional and digital communications and a holistic approach to marketing and brand strategy. A dynamic presenter and storyteller, he enjoys making the complex simple and thrives on teaching and mentoring.
 
Jerry is a veteran of the advertising and design industry where he began his career as a traditional art director. Throughout his career, he has filled a variety of roles including interactive design, information architecture, user experience research, and marketing strategy. Today his focus is on brand strategy and customer insights, with a particular emphasis on the A/E/C industry.
 
A graduate of Lindenwood University, Jerry is active in the St. Louis community as a member-at-large with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and has served as an adjunct professor at Maryville University.
 
In addition to design, Jerry's artistic passion is photography. An accomplished travel and fine-art photographer, he has pursued his art in India, Japan, Europe, and the American West. An unapologetic mid-century modern enthusiast and avid collector, he shares his life with his wife, two cats and an office filled with a curious collection of vintage technology, art, and Atomic Age ephemera.
 
About TOKY
TOKY is a dedicated collection of creative strategists and innovative design collaborators that has developed a national reputation for solving complex client communication issues elegantly, intelligently, and cohesively across all media. With a strong focus in the planning and building communities, TOKY has developed award-winning branding and identity systems, wide-ranging print collateral, and large-scale websites for a wide variety of architecture, construction, engineering, real estate developers, and architectural product teams across the country.