Raleigh Celebrates Independents Week | July 1-7

• James Wong
• Blog
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Join Shop Local Raleigh July 1-7 to Celebrate National Independents Week!

WHY: Independent businesses help drive the local economy. They add character to our community, and they support sustainability. WHAT: National Independents Week – a nationwide effort to raise awareness of independent businesses – is coming up July 1-7. And remember to shop local July 1-7 for National Independents Week … and always THINK LOCAL FIRST all year long! For more information, please visit: www.ShopLocalRaleigh.com

James Wong of Empowered Ideas Featured on UNC TV’s Black Issues Forum

• Empowered Ideas
• Blog , Marketing , Social Media Engagement
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) — Empowered Ideas Co-Founder & Managing Partner, James C. Wong, had the honor of being invited as a guest speaker on the topic of Social Media for UNC TV's Black Issues Forum. James Wong has been a life-long supporter of diversity in leadership and knowledge in North Carolina, even accepting his now second term position as the Marketing Chair for the Triangle Association of Black Journalists (TABJ). Derorah Holt Noel, the Executive Producer and Host of Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV, invited Mr. Wong to contribute to a discussion on the topic of social media, how it relates to their viewers, provide insight into various forms of social media, how it works for individuals on a personal level, how it works for businesses small and large, and how it can be a potential revenue channel. Mr. Wong was also joined by two other featured guests on the show, Katrina Harrell of Dream Bigger Initiative and Lashonda Henry, an Independent Web Designer and Marketing Coach. The "Is Social Media Working For You?" episode of Black Issues Forum originally aired on UNC TV on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Virginia Johnson to Represent NC at 2012 SALIS Conference

• James Wong
• Blog , Conferences & Speaking Engagements , Marketing
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On Thursday, May 24, 2012, Virginia Johnson will be speaking at and representing the state of North Carolina at the 2012 Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists (SALIS) Conference in Reno, Nevada. In addition to being the co-founder and managing partner of Empowered Ideas, Virginia L. Johnson is a Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant. Working in the field of substance abuse since 1999, she currently coordinates a federal statewide capacity building grant and was previously the Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant Coordinator for North Carolina. Virginia has served on various advisory boards including Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC), Quality Assurance and Standards Committee at the North Carolina Prevention Providers Association (NC PPA); and the Marketing and Communications Committee at the United Way of the Greater Triangle (UWGT). She specializes in communications, sustainability systems, community mobilization and organizational development

Using Technology to Bridge Gaps, Breakdown Silos and Creating One Voice for the Field of Substance Abuse

In a time of diminishing budgets and increasing substance use rates, it is more important than ever to collaborate, maximize resources and take advantage of the technologies surrounding us in the digital landscape. Virginia Johnson will review a case study on how one state integrated cost-efficient digital strategies and non-traditional partnerships to build a statewide communication system, an integrated technical assistance infrastructure and created One Voice for Prevention. There were challenges that had to be overcome and lessons learned along the way. The case study will include the culture shift from traditional one way controlled communications to the multi-channel engaged communication system that is empowering and mobilizing; how social and digital technology helped breakdown the historical silos and created a safe forum for collaboration; and how digital analytics are being used to demonstrate effectiveness and reach of substance abuse prevention efforts in a time where proving outcomes is everything.  

About SALIS (Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists)

SALIS is an international association of individuals and organizations with special interests in the exchange and dissemination of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) information. Incorporated in California since 1988, SALIS is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3) as a non-profit corporation. www.SALIS.org

Meet the Media Panel at the Women’s Power Networking: Business Alliance Rally #WPNBAR

• Empowered Ideas
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On Saturday, May 19th, the Women's Power Networking (WPN) group hosted the Business Alliance Rally (#WPNBAR) at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. "Women’s Power Networking is dedicated to enabling professional women to achieve their highest potential by fostering a stimulating environment where they can form relationships, build alliances, share knowledge and provide support to one another. WPN celebrates the concept of womanhood and its outpouring of compassion, goodwill and encouragement. — www.WomensPowerNetworking.com" Empowered Ideas' co-founder, James Wong, was invited to participate on a "Meet the Media" panel — representing the field of digital marketing, communications and social media.

Fellow Distinguished Panelists Included:

• Matt Donegan — General Sales Manager, Fox 50 (TV)
• Barbara Petty — Owner/publisher, Boom! Magazine (Print)
• Alex McTighe — National Sales Manager, Curtis Media Group (Radio)
• Bill Ammermann — Sales & Marketing Manager, WRAL.com (TV/FM/Online)
• James Wong — Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Empowered Ideas (Digital Marketing)