Join us on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii for a one-day workshop designed with nonprofits in mind.

“Intro to Brand Storytelling Workshop” is a seven-hour interactive session designed for senior leaders with responsibility over the strategy, reputation, and image of their nonprofit organization. Sponsored by the YWCA of Oahu and Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO), this workshop is limited to 30 participants.

Modeled after our successful one-day format, this workshop is a follow-up to THIRSTY-FISH’s keynote and breakout sessions at the HANO Conference: Telling the Nonprofit Story. Early bird registration discount ends on July 1st, so don’t delay if you are interested in attending.

Click here to get more details about the content of this upcoming workshop.

UPDATE - This workshop has SOLD OUT, but is accepting names on a wait list.

On June 26, 2008, THIRSTY-FISH will help kick off the ESSAE (Empire State Society of Association Executives) Annual Conference and Expo - an annual gathering of over 300 association leaders from across New York State.

Asked to lead the opening session and interactive plenary, THIRSTY-FISH will present the concept of Brand Storytelling as it applied to Generation Y (18-30 year olds). The session will explore the unique factors that shape and define this trend-setting generation, and the strategic implications for association executives.

   ASAE Learning CenterIs your organization in the midst of transition, signicant growth, or a fast turnaround? Discover how the language of Brand Storytelling can lead you to a new path forward.

Please join us on Thursday, June 5, 2008 (10AM-5PM) in Washington, DC for companies and organizations interested in the value of Brand Storytelling.

More than just a basic overview, this interactive session will provide you with a framework and set of tools to immediately apply these concepts to your own work.

Whether you are trying to manage the evolving expectations that come with growth — or renew your brand’s relevance in the face of a changing world, this workshop will help your ideas and leadership to be understood and embraced by your constituents. Whether you need a brand story for your company, product, service, or cause - this day-long workshop will offer the tools and language to get you started.

“THIRSTY-FISH’s workshop made me reconsider how we are selling ourselves and what we need to think about to make our story more compelling.” - EVP, Technology Company

You Will Learn:

• Breakthrough insights and a new vocabulary for leadership communications
• Why people care about certain brands and not others
  
• The Anatomy of Brand Storytelling (Origin, Identity, Aspirations)
• How to gather current assets for a compelling Brand Story
• To identify the Hero of your company’s Brand Story
  
• How to align Brand Storytelling with organizational strategy, culture, and constituent relations
  

“The ‘tooling’ to support developing the brand story was really invaluable. Thank you! I got a good road map to discover the meaning and essence of our parent brand.” - Head of Business Development, International Clothier

Who This Workshop is Designed For:

     April NYC WorkshopIndividuals with strategic influence and responsibility over a respective brand or brands and their related perceptions. This includes CEOs, VPs, directors, and managers of branding, strategy, membership, marketing, development, and advocacy. Typical participants include leaders from across industries, sectors, and fields of practice. Their common bond is innovation in their respective arenas.

In this workshop, you will explore the heart of brand storytelling and discover a new vocabulary for activating the passion, understanding, and motivation of your core constituents. This hands-on session will reflect on the roles of emotion, identity, and self-expression that exist in every brand narrative.

NOTE: Due to the workshop’s focus and hands-on approach, consultants and agencies are not eligible for participation.

“Michael and Stephanie have a great way of breaking down an overwhelming task (determining a compelling brand story) into manageable steps.” - Manager, R&D Innovation Lab, Major Food Manufacturer

    Our Workshop RoomDC Workshop Location

This one-day workshop will be held at the ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership Marriott Learning Center at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. Parking is available in the building: $17 for 4-10 hours. If you are taking the Metro (direct access to the building): Use the Federal Triangle stop (Orange & Blue lines).

“Thought provoking and insightful. The workshop helped me to think about crafting our story with more structure and clarity. I’m looking forward to sharing this with the team back at the office.” - VP of Marketing, Online Community

• Wednesday, June 5, 10AM – 5PM
• $395 per person, Payment due by June 3rd
  
• Limited Capacity. This is a hands-on interactive session.
• Pay by credit card below or mail a check to THIRSTY-FISH, Inc., 42 W 24th St. NY NY 10010
  
• Coffee/tea, refreshments, and snacks will be provided (with independent break for lunch)
  
• Free one-hour coaching with Michael and Stephanie for first 10 people who register
  
• 25% discount to organizations that send three or more people (nearly $100 off per person)
  

“The workshop did a great job of articulating complex and nuanced concepts, while giving each of us lots of personal attention.” - VP of Marketing, Tech-driven Nonprofit

About Us

THIRSTY-FISH is a boutique story consultancy that helps to revitalize established brands in the midst of change, transition, and turnaround. We help leaders to frame a coherent storyline that people can believe in. Past clients include AARP, Ernst & Young, Marriott, NASA, The Nature Conservancy, and the YWCA. With a passion for brand-driven organizational change, we help facilitate the internal buy-in for change and innovation.

“It was very helpful to have us really think about our customer as a hero who co-owns the story.” - VP and Partner, Venture Philanthropy Fund

On May 16, the Hawai’i Association of Nonprofit Organizations will gather leading professionals from the sector for a day-long conference devoted to telling better stories. With more than 275 nonprofit members, HANO is the leading collective voice for nonprofits in the state of Hawaii.

THIRSTY-FISH is excited to partner with HANO to deliver a morning keynote, and two afternoon workshops on Brand Storytelling and Constituent Engagement.

 “Telling the Nonprofit Story: How Strategic Messages Inspire Engagement and Support” will focus on:

• Demystifying what nonprofits do and why we matter
• Closing the perception gap
• Shaping how things get done and why people care
• Connecting organizations, people and communities
• Describing a desirable future

 You can learn more at the HANO web site.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 for a one-day workshop for companies and organizations interested in the value of Brand Storytelling. Come and discover how the language of branding can be used to propel innovation, change, or turn-around within your organization.

More than just a basic overview, this interactive session will provide you with a framework and set of tools to immediately apply these concepts to your work. Whether you need a brand story for your company, product, service, or cause - this session will offer the tools and language to get you started.

In this session, you will:

• Understand brands through the lens of narrative
• Discover six ingredients for a successful brand story
• Learn how to gauge current brand story perceptions
• Gain skills in how to frame and align a new brand story
• Learn how to build buy-in and support for this method

Why are some brands deeply alluring, while others fail to make a lasting impression? In this workshop, you will explore the heart of brand storytelling and discover a new vocabulary for activating the passion, understanding, and motivation of your core constituents. This hands-on session will reflect on the roles of emotion, identity, and self-expression that exist in a brand.

• Wednesday, April 2, 10 AM – 3 PM
• Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University 2920 Broadway @ 114th St.
• Breakfast, refreshments, and snacks will be provided (with a break for lunch)
  
• $395 per person (with 25% off for 3 or more from same company)
• Pay by Credit Card below (below) OR mail a check payable to THIRSTY-FISH, Inc., 42 W 24th Street, NY, NY 10010
  
• Limited capacity of 15 participants -  only 6 spots still available.
• Registration deadline extended to Friday, March 28
  

NOTE: If you are from an ad agency or independent consultant, please contact us for eligibility.

THIRSTY-FISH is a boutique story consultancy that helps to revitalize established brands in the midst of change, transition, and turnaround. We help leaders to frame a coherent storyline that people can believe in. Past clients include AARP, Ernst & Young, Marriott, NASA, The Nature Conservancy, and the YWCA. With a passion for brand-driven organizational change, we help facilitate the internal buy-in for change and innovation.

Questions: 212-633-0883 or stephanie AT thirsty-fish.com

Join us in Newport Beach, CA for one of the leading Youth Marketing conferences in the U.S. This annual gathering produced by conference experts IIRUSA attracts a range of trendcasters, corporate executives, and marketing specialists for three days of jam sessions, learning, and networking.

On Sunday, March 2nd, THIRSTY-FISH will lead a half-day workshop on The Story Generation: How to Market to and Engage Gen Y. For a full list of speakers and conference details, visit the Mega Event web site.

The American Society of Association Executives interviewed THIRSTY-FISH for a recent Meetings and Expositions January publication. This article expands on ideas presented by us at ASAE’s Annual Conference - a workshop on The Story Generation: How to Market to Gen Y. Download the article here.

On Friday, November 9th, 2007 THIRSTY-FISH will lead a two hour workshop at the YWCA Pacific Regional Conference on the Big Island of Hawaii. This session for executive directors and board members of 15+ local associations, is focused on the YWCA Brand Story, and how organizational leaders can better tap into the emotional power at the heart of their brand.

This October 2007, THIRSTY-FISH will moderate a week-long conversation on Strategic Storytelling and Social Enterprise. You can now read the archived conversation, hosted by socialedge.org and the Skoll Foundation.

At its core, social entrepreneurship is about introducing a new story of social innovation – and convincing others to believe in your market-based solution. Too often, the status quo stands in the way of behavior change and idea adoption. Most social entrepreneurs must ask others to reframe some of the basic assumptions that we all take for granted. That’s why reason alone cannot overcome the intractable forces of culture. You need a story that inspires and emotionally connects to what people care about. A well-crafted story becomes the platform that allows people to See, Feel, and Believe in what you are doing. By starting with the right story frame, you accelerate the pace at which people will be able to locate themselves and feel drawn into your story.

Come join us for a lively conversation where we will explore the following key questions as they relate to social entrepreneurs:
* What is the truth at the heart of your story?
* Why would someone feel connected to your story?
* Who do you need to believe in your story?

Link to Discussion Archive