Synergy CEO Delivers Keynote Address to OIC International Conference in Philadelphia

Feb. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- PHILADELPHIA, PA. Synergy Marketing Strategy & Research, Inc. CEO Rachel Daniel delivers a keynote address at the OIC International Conference of Affiliates. Daniel addressed board chairs and program directors from sub-Saharan African countries, along with OIC International board and staff, international diplomats, and U.S. dignitaries. Executives from U.S. business, civic, educational, and government organizations were also on hand.

The speech was designed to outline an innovative strategy for success in building a strong OIC International brand in challenging economic times. Daniel made brand trust a focal point for OIC International growth over the next 40 years, building on the organization’s success in providing individuals in underserved countries with the education, skills and confidence they need to help themselves, their households, and their communities.

“I am excited to be here to explore building on the great legacy of OIC International. There is much work to be done, but it is not impossible. Particularly if you remember that your brand exemplifies every stakeholder experience you’ve ever provided, that it exudes who you are as an organization, and that its foundation lies in delivering excellent services,” stated Daniel.

“It also lies in behaving ethically, acting in good faith, providing value to stakeholders, and creating an organizational culture that believes listening to customers and employees, and then acting on their needs key to firm success."

“What is most important for our organization,” said Dr. Christiana Thorpe, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone, “is that we make the commitment to our brand. We are excited to go back to our country and implement change.”

During the speech, attendees were challenged to design and implement a brand strategy starting from the inside of the organization and emanating to each stakeholder group. A number of cost-effective tactics were provided that the organization can use to immediately build on existing brand strengths.

Daniel acknowledged there is no single tactic that alone can lead to stakeholder loyalty, increased awareness, and improved funding for programs. “The complexity of our economic times, the number of competing programs which exist to provide global assistance to the impoverished present very real challenges. Additionally, there are limited resources available to nonprofit organizations to address marketing concerns,” said Daniel.

“The tremendous opportunity lies in using a smart mix of public relations, digital media, and traditional media to leverage the excellence in services, the integrity of the organization, THE goodwill OIC International has earned, the value it creates, and its commitment to listen and act.”

The OIC International Conference continues through February 26, 2009 in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. In Philadelphia, affiliates will be greeted by dignitaries of the City and visit historical and cultural sites; in Washington D.C., conference participants will meet with members of the African diplomatic corps and Obama administration officials and attend a special diplomatic reception.

OIC International provides humanitarian services and training to the least-educated, most socially and economically underprivileged youth and adults in developing countries, encouraging the development of productive and self-reliant community members. Currently, 46 affiliates across the globe provide training in vocational technical skills, agriculture, small enterprise development, rehabilitation and counseling, and food security.

For more information on OIC International, please visit their web site: http://www.oicinternational.org.

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Synergy Marketing Strategy & Research, Inc. (Synergy) is a full-service marketing consulting, brand strategy, and research firm. Synergy designs data-driven strategies to help clients in financial services, retail, technology, transportation, health care, government, and nonprofit sectors establish, maintain, and maximize trust in their brands.

Founded in 2002, Synergy boasts a unique blend of traditional scientific rigor in both our qualitative and quantitative research methods and innovation in our organizational theory and marketing strategies. It helps clients in every sector determine better ways to increase customer and employee engagement, loyalty, and profitability.

For more information about Synergy and its proprietary brand trust strategies, please visit http://www.synergycem.com, or visit SynergyBlog at http://synergyblog.wordpress.com.