New Year, New Face for IABC Atlanta

What was your vision for the new IABC website?
Our website is a driving force in promoting our mission, which is to increase awareness that clear communications drive businesses. IABC Atlanta is the premier community for communications professionals, so our website needs to empower our site users to find event/networking information quickly and intuitively. The new site demonstrates our global impact by integrating the latest IABC brand guidelines to create a cohesive brand image. The new site provides robust communication resources and focuses on creating an engaging experience that connects individuals, organizations and influencers. We are really confident that the new IABC Atlanta website will position our chapter well as we work to extend our reach, support our community, and grow membership.

Tell us about some of the new features that you are most excited about on the new site?
Many of the changes were made with our end users in mind, to make the event registration process easier and more interactive. Below are some of the key new features:

• EVENT CALENDAR – The new website features a detailed calendar with email integration for iCal and Google calendars. Each calendar event lists general information regarding date, location and time, as well as a map and social sharing icons to promote the event on all social channels.
• LATEST NEWS/PRESS SECTION – The Latest News/Press section is an area to post photos/videos from past luncheons and highlight any notable press for IABC Atlanta.
• SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS – With the increased focus on social media, the new site also streams IABC Atlanta’s tweets, posts and YouTube videos through a new social footer on the site. We also focused on integrating share icons on all blog posts, articles and event pages.

Those of us who have done website redesigns in our professional jobs know how much work is involved in a project like this. Was there any part of the design and build that was really challenging? Really fun?
The website redesign, development, and launch went very smoothly! When I started as a committee member, the website redesign was one of the first projects I wanted to tackle and it proved to be the best way to dive into IABC. We are the premiere communications association in Atlanta, and we wanted a website that really reflected the excellence we strive for as a chapter. From redefining the user flow to editing site content, the redesign was a great way to get to know the organization, our mission and our capabilities.

What has your involvement with IABC Atlanta as a committee member meant to you?
I joined because IABC’s mission really resonates with me. IABC empowers a global network of communicators working in diverse disciplines to identify, share, and apply the best communication practices. As a committee member, I value learning from experienced communicators and the vast professional growth opportunities that IABC Atlanta provides.

When you aren’t designing amazing websites, tell us what you do in your day job?
I’m an award-winning, multidisciplinary art director & designer at Mountain View Group with a love of smart ideas and an eye for pixel perfection. I have worked with a variety of clients (from Fortune 100 companies to small startups) with my core strengths in brand identity, interaction design, UI/UX, environmental design, film/photography, content creation and digital analytics. I design brand logos and identities for nationally recognized clients, and I have extensive experience creating brand guidelines/visual identity systems to ensure a consistent corporate identity. I develop, design, and launch interactive experiences, including multiple websites and mobile apps. Certified in both Google AdWords and Analytics, I also create strategic social media campaigns that exceed online traffic goals.

At IABC Atlanta, we know many of our members and volunteers have the support of their employers for their participation in our chapter’s work. Smart employers know that good communication drives business in the Atlanta community. Can you tell us more about Mountain View Group?
Mountain View Group is a creative agency specializing in corporate marketing, strategic communications, and culture transformation through storytelling, digital content, and design. For 30 years, Mountain View has worked with a diverse set of clients including GE, Raytheon, The Coca-Cola Company, Alcon, UPS, and CSM Bakery Solutions, among others. They help to build exceptional brand experiences and to bring clarity to communications that are crisp, compelling and authentic.