Values conflict is the hidden cost behind nonprofit burnout, mission drift, and brand breakdown. A Great Idea's Shane Lukas built an agency — and a TEDx talk — around solving it.

💡 In marketing (and in life), comfort zones don’t create breakthroughs. Every big win starts with a risk. The only question is, are you willing to take it? #marketingstrategy #growthmindset #philosophy #contentmarketing #riskandreward

One of the biggest opportunities I see for associations today is shifting from event-focused engagement to year-round member value. That's why I'm excited that Lead Marvels' Michael Palacios will be joining the panel, "Beyond the Annual Meeting: Designing a Year-Round Engagement Portfolio," hosted by NXUnite by Nexus Marketing Agency. This discussion will explore practical strategies for keeping members engaged throughout the year while creating meaningful sponsorship and non-dues revenue opportunities. It's a topic we're passionate about because we've seen firsthand how ongoing digital engagement can strengthen associations, deliver more value to members, and create lasting partnerships with industry providers. If you work with an association, I think you'll find this session well worth your time. Hope you'll join us on Thursday!

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in conference and association work is that trust comes from great branding. Branding certainly matters, but it isn't what creates confidence. Trust comes from knowing what to expect. When registration is clear, communications are consistent, sponsors understand where they fit, and attendees can easily navigate the experience, people stop questioning the organization. They simply feel that it's well run. From the outside, those moments seem effortless. Behind the scenes, they're the result of thoughtful systems, clear standards, and hundreds of strategic decisions that most people never see. That's why I've come to believe that strategic design isn't about making things look better. It's about making organizations easier to trust. ⬇️ This carousel shares a few examples of what that looks like in practice. #HealthcareCommunications #HealthcareEvents #AssociationManagement #NonprofitLeadership #StrategicDesign

You probably wouldn't say no to more money for your association, right? But many organizations struggle to pitch sponsorships to potential partners. You might find yourself just listing all the places you could stick their logo. Instead, think of the value you offer sponsors more like the access you're giving them to showcase their expertise. Like Brendan Leehe shares in this clip, you're the Super Bowl: you have a captive audience that people want to get in front of. You're offering something no other social platform can guarantee: a curated environment where the message reaches the right people without competing against spam or irrelevant content. When sponsors see your community as a place to build meaningful visibility instead of simply buying impressions, everyone benefits: sponsors reach the right audience, members see more relevant content, and your organization creates sustainable non-dues revenue. 🔗Watch the full webinar recording for more tips: https://lnkd.in/e8jDYpKF #NonDuesRevenue #Associations #OnlineCommunity #AssociationLeadership #CommunityStrategy

Six sessions. Ten incredible organizations. One cohort that showed up every single month ready to dig in. StoryGrowing's 2026 cohort wrapped up last month, and we're so proud of what this group built over the past six months: sharper brand messaging, stronger advocacy skills, clearer stories about the work they do and why it matters. Watching these teams grow alongside each other has been one of the highlights of our year. A heartfelt thank you to the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and the The John R. Oishei Foundation, whose support makes StoryGrowing possible, and whose team members showed up to every single session right alongside our participants. Since we created the program in 2018, 43 organizations have benefited from developing their ability to share their stories effectively. That kind of investment in our community means everything. Here's to the StoryGrowing Class of 2026. 🎓 • Cooperation Buffalo • Dumas R.I.S.E. Providers • Family Promise of WNY • Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival • Karen Society of Buffalo • King Urban Life Center, Inc. • Leadership Buffalo • Matt Urban Human Services • Peaceprints of WNY • VOICE Buffalo

For Huys Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, we became their communication partner - developing and managing a unified brand presence across every key touchpoint. Our collaboration included: • Communication strategy • Creative direction • Social media management • Content creation & visual communication • Annual Report design & development • Performance reporting & insights From strategic messaging to day-to-day content management, every element was designed to strengthen the foundation’s voice, increase engagement, and communicate impact with clarity. We don’t just create content. We build communication ecosystems that help organizations grow, earn trust, and create measurable impact.

Communications doesn't drive growth because it makes organizations more visible. It drives growth because it helps people understand. 🤝 Organizations don't earn trust, attract customers, secure funding, or grow simply because they have something valuable to offer. They grow when they communicate that #value in a way their audiences can connect with. Whether it's: 🏛️ A municipality building public trust 💙 A nonprofit inspiring donors 💻 A technology company simplifying complex solutions 🎟️ An event creating anticipation 🏢 A franchise delivering a consistent brand 📈 A small business strengthening community relationships Growth begins with understanding. That's why communications is no longer just a support function. It's a #strategic capability that shapes perception, builds #credibility, and influences the decisions people make every day. Read more in our latest insight: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ga6Sv-iC #Communications #MarketingStrategy #StrategicCommunications #BrandStrategy #Storytelling #BusinessGrowth #BlackDogMarcom