With the 2024 DNC About to Close …

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

First, full disclosure:  Earlier this summer I applied to be a volunteer for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, being held this week in my home town of Chicago. 

In the days leading up to the Convention, I received informative newsletters and a few emails with updates and specific volunteer opportunities. I applied in one instance and tried a second time. Not sure why but nothing materialized; possibly because some 12,000 Americans from across the nation had applied for the wide range of volunteer positions.

Regardless, I have maintained a close watch on what has transpired inside and outside of the United Center and across other parts of the city.  And, I applaud all volunteers who have participated. 

Today is the final day of the Convention. What follows is a somewhat stream-of-conscious perspective on three key aspects that grabbed my attention over the past four days.

Police and Protestors: In the weeks leading up to the 2024 Convention, many in the media projected parallels to the 1968 Democratic National Convention, made infamous by the aggressive and violent actions from Chicago Police to the hoards of demonstrators protesting American involvement in the war in Vietnam. Would chaos return?  Well, as I write this in the mid-afternoon on Day 4– no.  Yes, there have been unsanctioned protests and some arrests; to my knowledge, no one has been seriously hurt, and there have not been reports of major property damage. Chicago Police should be commended for maintaining their composure and adhering to documented training procedures — even when being assaulted physically and verbally by the cowardly actions of some protestors. 

Perception of Chicago: The Convention directed nearly as much of the proverbial spotlight on the City of Chicago as it did on the Democratic Party’s President and Vice President nominees and featured speakers. So, to turn to the vernacular, has Chicago received any “good PR” by hosting this major event? I will say, unequivocally, yes! On Monday August 19, many delegates were late in arriving to the United Center due to traffic and the heightened security measures in place; this moved President Joe Biden’s featured speech to a later-then-planned start time, and a performance by James Taylor was canceled.  But since the kick off day, reports revealed activities in the United Center were more or less on schedule, a reflection that the City worked diligently to provide better access and egress. Plus, Mother Nature has cooperated with mostly sunny and mild days and cool evenings, giving conventioneers ideal conditions to explore Chicago’s magnificent urban grandeur — and even indulge in deep dish pizza, a Chicago-style hotdog, or an Italian beef sandwich. 

Between the Speeches: Of course, political conventions are structured around speeches, and in recent years, promotional videos. I’ve listened to some powerful and moving speeches and enjoyed viewing the well-produced commercials.  Also, the major networks have shared news generated by reporters on the convention floor and offered commentary from political panelists housed in booths high above the United Center main floor. What I’ve found equally fascinating is the “entertainment” component of conventions in recent years.  Last night, I caught a riveting performance of the Prince classic, “Let’s Go Crazy,” by John Legend and Sheila E.  (Wish they would have given Sheila a headset microphone so she could use two drumsticks.) Earlier in the convention, there were on stage songs from rappers and rockers, routines from well-known comics, and testimonials of sorts from A-list celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey. The overall benefit: A welcomed break from the politics. 

Would I have welcomed a volunteer position this year?  Without question! But I may have another chance in four years. As noted in this report from Politico, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has opened the door to a return to Chicago by the DNC in 2028.

Hey DNC: Keep me in mind. 

Senior Public Relations Leader Maxine Winer Charts New Career Direction

Public relations professional and entrepreneur Maxine Winer.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

Meeting and engaging with professionals who have risen to great heights is one of the tremendous benefits of being part of the communications profession.  As the industry continues to evolve, the industry benefits from the legacy created by savvy, dedicated, and committed leaders. It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity today to feature this profile of Maxine Winer, a senior Chicago-based public relations professional who recently launched a consultancy that will allow her to share her C-suite experience across a wide scope of services with clients. Maxine defines her new business as one that offers a “fractional” level of service. Read on to learn about this business model, Maxine’s core values, the outlook for public relations, and more. 

1. Following a very impressive career that includes leadership positions at leading global public relations agencies, you launched Maxine Winer Consulting LLC in July. What prompted you to make this career decision?

I had been thinking about doing this for the past several years. Every time I was about to make it official, an interesting new full-time opportunity came along. But it was never far from my mind. 

When I learned the organizational structure at my last agency was going to change in a way that would fundamentally change my role as a market leader with P&L responsibility, I knew it was time to make my move. 

The fractional model is gaining traction across many industries. It works very well for small and mid-size companies and agencies that need C-Level leadership, but don’t have the budget to support a full-time hire with the experience to really make an impact on the business. 

The truth is, many of those companies don’t actually need that leadership on a full-time basis. The true fractional model is most akin to part-time work, which, until recently, was unheard of at the C-Level. But for those companies that can make it work, it can be game changing.

2. As noted on your website, you are a “Fractional C-Level Executive.” Please provide further insight into the kind services you provide. 

Maxine Winer Consulting LLC provides C-level leadership on a part-time, interim, or retainer basis. That may be as a chief operating officer, chief communications officer, chief marketing officer, or even chief executive officer. 

Every engagement and every role is different, but generally, my clients in need of a President or COO are seeking a seasoned leader who can step in quickly, seamlessly, and efficiently to provide strategic guidance; lead, manage, and integrate business operations; effectively manage the P&L; develop growth strategies; identify operational efficiencies; devise marketing and communications strategies; and nurture and enhance culture, among other responsibilities.

If I am stepping in as a Chief Communications Officer or Chief Marketing Officer, my role will be focused on setting the strategy, managing the function, leading the team, providing strategic counsel, and working closely with the rest of the leadership team to meet the organization’s goals. 

Regardless of the role or the type of organization, key to success as a Fractional is to be able to ramp up quickly, build trusted relationships, and add value from the very start.

3. Are there any specific industries you would welcome as clients?  How about those that you would not want to work with?

I’ve had the luxury of working across many industries and sectors throughout my career. It’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed the most about the agency business: we literally get to learn while we earn. You have to be a quick study, researching your new client’s company, industry, and stakeholders to become a relative expert in short order. 

I have always been open to working with clients across industries as long as there’s nothing about the industry, the business, or the client that goes against my core values or my two main rules: 1) Do no harm; and 2) Don’t be an asshole. (I do have a strict “No asshole policy.” Life is too short.)

4. What aspect of the public relations profession has changed most decidedly since you began your career?  What has remained constant? 

I don’t know that the industry has changed so much as it has expanded. Certainly the realm of responsibility entrusted to the function has grown dramatically, and the tools we have at our disposal to target and deliver our messages to stakeholders have gotten much more sophisticated. 

What has really changed the game most dramatically since I started in communications is the rise of social/digital media, the 24-hour news cycle, and more recently, fake news. Trying to stay ahead of all that is probably the most challenging aspect of a communicator’s role. And now, of course, generative AI is creating both opportunities and challenges for communicators. Seeing how that plays out is going to be fascinating.

Importantly, what has stayed the same is that PR/communications owns the message. There has always been a lot of infighting between PR, advertising, social, influencer, etc. about what medium can most effectively deliver the message to stakeholders. But the development of that message sits squarely with the PR/comms team — and that’s what makes it so vital that the function always has the ear — and the attention — of the C-Suite

 5. Let’s lighten up the last question. When you’re not providing strategic counsel to clients, what activities are at the top of your “fun things to do” list?

The very top of my list of fun things to do is spend time with my family. My husband and I have two grown sons: one is a writer and works in publishing; the other is about to begin his third year of law school. Everyone’s busy, so the time we spend together is what I really relish. Family dinners, competitive games of Jeopardy, walking our standard schnauzer; it doesn’t matter what we do as long as we do it together.