From the Desk of the FCS President

It's a new year at the Financial Communications Society

Dear FCS Members & Industry Colleagues:

Happy New Year! Yes, it's a new year at the Financial Communications Society. Let me explain why. In the spring of this year, the Board voted to adjust the tenure of our governing body to align with the fiscal year under which we operate our not-for-profit organization. This allows for smoother management of our many successful events and activities. So our "year" now runs from September through August.

This also allowed for us to elect new Directors to our Board. We're excited to have added three senior corporate marketers, three agency executives and one media executive to our Board.

Here's FCS Board of the Directors for 2009-2010:

- Nicolle Anderson, Forbes Media
- Elizabeth Brooks Parks, The Wall Street Journal
- Andrew Claflin, Barron's
- Rich Confrey, BusinessWeek
- Jo-Ann Daddio
- Hayward Henderson
- Teri James, CIT
- Marie Mason, USA TODAY
- John McCormick, Condé Nast Digital
- Joe Parsons, The Economist

Newly elected:
- Tom Brookbanks, mediaedge:cia
- Robert Foothorap, CNBC
- Jon Humphreys, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- John Mittnacht, DiNoto Advertising
- Rich Myers, Edelman
- Noreen Ross, Dreyfus
- Chris Poe, BlackRock

Executive Board
- Kevin Windorf (President), BMO Capital Markets
- Tim Hart (Vice President), Financial Times
- Phil Sievers (Treasurer), Seiter & Miller
- Ahmed Yearwood (Secretary), Y INTERACT
- Vicki King (Community Affairs Officer), Fortune

I am especially proud to work with each of these dedicated professionals, and I'm excited that we have expanded the representation of our corporate and agency members. I expect great things from this new Board, just as you can expect great new things from the FCS.

Here's a quick look at... UPCOMING EVENTS

Monthly Luncheon Series

September 24th: "How Financial Services Websites Create Credibility... or Kill It"
Catalyst Group, a leading user experience design and research firm, will present the results of a custom study conducted for the FCS of several major financial websites, including new challenger brands, on-line firms and both traditional and non-traditional FIs. A panel of marketing experts will then discuss their insights from corporate, agency and media perspectives. Click here to sign up online.

October 15th: "Small & Mid-Size Business Owners: Rebuilding Their Faith in the Financial & Investment Industry"
City Business Journals Network will present the findings of its annual national survey of small & mid-size business owners, examining their attitudes toward key financial brands and how the financial crisis has impacted their businesses, future outlook and use of financial planners and investment firms. A financial journalist will then lead a panel of corporate marketers in discussing the survey's implications. Click here to sign up online.

"Cocktails with Content" Series

November 10: "The Future Of The Financial Media"
During an after-work mixer, Intermarket Communications will lead a lively discussion on the intensifying conflict between traditional and new media in financial journalism. A panel of journalists, bloggers, and marketers will also discuss how to harness social media as a financial communications tool.

Annual Holiday Party, Tuesday, December 8th
Save the Date for our annual bash, bringing together a great crowd of revelers for a fun night of holiday cheer, capped by our famous Raffle!

FCS Race for Kids, January 7-10
Our 11th annual charity ski weekend in Stowe, Vermont, will again feature "Fireside Forums" on the Friday and Saturday afternoons with panels of industry leaders discussing the most pressing challenges for financial services marketers. Of course, Saturday is Race Day, but the family fun is all weekend long. Click here to Become A Fan of the FCS Race for Kids on Facebook.

FCS Financial Marketer of the Year Award Luncheon, January 21
Save the date for our 4th annual award presentation, and look for nomination information in November.

FCS Portfolio Awards, Thursday, May 13th
Our 16th Annual Gala will again be held at the exciting Terminal 5, but look for new categories this year. The call for entries will open in December.

NEW FOR 2010

"First Tuesday Breakfast Club"
Throughout 2010, we look to present panel discussions over breakfast on the first Tuesday of each month. If your company would like to participate as a speaker, panelist, sponsor or host, please contact me directly.

This is the year to make the most of your FCS membership - join us in person at the above exciting events, and join us online at our LinkedIn group, on my blog (www.fcsprez.blogspot.com) or follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/FCS_prez). Share your ideas and insights, pursue your hunger for news and information, connect with new and old friends. And remember: everything we do at the FCS supports our three wonderful charities: Hope & Heroes, Make-A-Wish, and Downey Side.

Kevin Windorf
President
Financial Communications Society