Howard Sholkin

Board member at Boston Entrepreneurs Network

Newton Centre, Massachusetts, United States Contact Info
2K followers 500+ connections

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The Newton Beacon

About

I am dedicated to serving as a volunteer and a leader for non-profits after five years as a lecturer at Boston University and Lasell University. Organizations include my professional association, Public Relations Society of America; Newton Community Pride, an arts/culture/community service non-profit in my hometown of Newton, MA; the Boston Entrepreneurs Network; and, work for two food pantries.

My career journey began when I had it all figured out at age 10. I’d earn a degree in journalism and make news my life. I went to Newhouse at Syracuse University and worked summers at WHDH-TV and Radio in Boston.

After graduation, I joined WCVB TV in Boston where I produced the Eyeopener News and the Midday News.

But, nine years into my childhood dream, it was time to move on. I got on the high-tech highway, Rt. 128 as it was called in Massachusetts in the 80’s, at Computervision and held several marketing communication positions at a number of companies after CV.

Along the way I have earned “on-the-job” degrees in PR, advertising, writing, digital marketing, events, and social media.

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Experience

  • Board Member

    The Newton Beacon

    - Present 1 year 3 months

    Newton, Massachusetts, United States

    The Newton Beacon is an online news and information site for the city of Newton, Massachusetts. It's an independent, non-profit, non-partisan hyperlocal site. Learn more at www.newtonbeacon.org.

  • Newton Community Pride Graphic

    Board member

    Newton Community Pride

    - Present 6 years 1 month

    Newton, Massachusetts, United States

  • President

    newtoncommunitypride.org

    - 2 years 4 months

    Newton, MA

    Newton Community Pride is a non-profit providing funding, marketing, PR, and volunteer support services for a few dozen citywide events each year. They include NewtonSERVES: a day of volunteerism; a spelling bee, Newton Festival of the Arts; July 4th fireworks; and, free summer concerts.

    Pride works closely with Newton's Cultural Development office.

    As a volunteer president, I serve with a volunteer board of directors.

  • Boston University Graphic

    Marketing Communication Writing Instructor

    Boston University

    - 6 years

    Greater Boston Area

    I am an instructor in writing for mass communication in the College of Communication at BU. I've taught classes since 2015.

  • Lasell College Graphic

    Marketing Communication Instructor

    Lasell College

    - 5 years 4 months

    Newton, MA

    I taught undergraduates mass media, writing across PR and marketing disciplines, and how to find an internship.

  • Principal Consultant | Content Marketing | PR | Writer | Digital Marketing | Events | Executive Comm

    Sholkin Consulting

    - 5 years 11 months

    Greater Boston Area

    Even with great products and services, companies often have a hard time getting recognized or growing revenue.

    I enjoy solving these problems, and recently “bottled” my unique approach—gained in over 20 years of marketing & PR experience in corporate America—into a consulting business that helps others:

    ► Influence prospects
    ► Retain customers
    ► Raise a brand’s credibility

    I also enjoy sharing my insights about:
    Business & Communication Issues…so I’ve become a…

    Even with great products and services, companies often have a hard time getting recognized or growing revenue.

    I enjoy solving these problems, and recently “bottled” my unique approach—gained in over 20 years of marketing & PR experience in corporate America—into a consulting business that helps others:

    ► Influence prospects
    ► Retain customers
    ► Raise a brand’s credibility

    I also enjoy sharing my insights about:
    Business & Communication Issues…so I’ve become a columnist for “PR News.” See articles below.

    ► How PR can positively impact a business…
    …As a result I was selected as a senior judge for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil awards. This annual competition has recognized superior PR campaigns since 1946.

    ► Marketing and PR strategies…
    …I’ve been active in social media since 2008, regularly curating articles and providing insights. I have more than 850 Twitter followers.

  • International Data Group (IDG)

    International Data Group (IDG)

    10 years 5 months

    • International Data Group (IDG) Graphic

      Director, Communication & Marketing Programs | Promoting Technology Media, Research & Events

      International Data Group (IDG)

      - 7 years

      Framingham, MA

      A subsidiary of International Data Group, IDG Communications houses the Company’s tech media and event brands.

      Following a re-organization, I moved from Corporate Communications to IDG Communications and was responsible for public relations & integrated marketing. I particularly enjoyed being closer to the business units so I could directly influence prospects, clients, and the media. Our success hinged upon the strategic planning and tactical execution of marketing programs, using a…

      A subsidiary of International Data Group, IDG Communications houses the Company’s tech media and event brands.

      Following a re-organization, I moved from Corporate Communications to IDG Communications and was responsible for public relations & integrated marketing. I particularly enjoyed being closer to the business units so I could directly influence prospects, clients, and the media. Our success hinged upon the strategic planning and tactical execution of marketing programs, using a calculated blend of paid, owned, and earned media.

      In 2008, I launched the IDG Knowledge Hub, a content marketing site that attracted thousands of tech marketers, agency pros, and consultants. “The Hub” quickly became a go-to resource for both our prospects and clients, with its content shared across YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook “Hub” pages.

      As Director, I also made significant contributions in:
      ► Content Marketing: Introduced video interviews to complement feature stories written or edited by me.

      ► Public Relations: Earned the trust & confidence of our CEO & business line execs with articles in MediaPost, Media Industry Newsletter, Folio, Adexchanger, and BtoB.

      ► Crisis Communications: Headed off potentially adverse PR situations by advising executives and carefully crafting announcements about layoffs and business closings.

      ► Relationship Marketing: Served as the key IDG contact to the Internet Advertising Bureau, Magazine Media/MPA, American Business Media.

      ► Sales Support: Established IDG as the tech media category leader with advertising, digital marketing, and PR programs.

      ► Client Recognition: Worked closely with sales to nominate clients, resulting in 12 honorees. I also placed stories featuring clients such as Dell and HP.

      ► Company Awards: Led the entry process for 10 yrs that earned IDG’s selection to Fortune’s “100 Best Companies,” Boston Globe’s “Best Places to Work,” and the Boston Business Journal’s “Best Employers.”

    • International Data Group (IDG) Graphic

      Director, Corporate Communications | C-Suite & Communications Advisor

      International Data Group (IDG)

      - 3 years 6 months

      Boston, MA

      International Data Group (IDG) is the leading global tech media, research, and event company. I was recruited to rebuild IDG’s corporate communication department and bring new ideas on how to market a well-established company.

      My successes included:

      ► Organized media tours that led to feature articles in Fortune, Forbes, Marketwatch, The Boston Globe, and Newsweek. None of these media outlets had reported on IDG in recent years.

      ► Advised IDG Founder and Chairman Pat…

      International Data Group (IDG) is the leading global tech media, research, and event company. I was recruited to rebuild IDG’s corporate communication department and bring new ideas on how to market a well-established company.

      My successes included:

      ► Organized media tours that led to feature articles in Fortune, Forbes, Marketwatch, The Boston Globe, and Newsweek. None of these media outlets had reported on IDG in recent years.

      ► Advised IDG Founder and Chairman Pat McGovern--and then CEO Pat Kenealy--on PR strategies, communication plans, and marketing program implementation.

      ► Provided assistance to my peers and executives in the business units, and led PR initiatives for IDG International and IDG Ventures, a Boston-based venture capital group.

      ► Managed the development, content creation, and creative staff of www.idg.com at a critical time when all corporate communications were moving to the web.

  • Director, Marketing Communication & Corporate Communication

    Getronics

    - 3 years 4 months

    Billerica, MA

    Based in Amsterdam, Getronics was a $4 billion international technology services company (formerly Wang Global) with North America headquarters in greater Boston.

    I was recruited by an executive, with whom I’d previously worked, to lead Getronics’ internal and external communications programs for its US operations. Our US team had 3,500 employees and $1 billion in annual sales.

    My accomplishments included:

    ► Developed and executed a PR strategy that more than tripled…

    Based in Amsterdam, Getronics was a $4 billion international technology services company (formerly Wang Global) with North America headquarters in greater Boston.

    I was recruited by an executive, with whom I’d previously worked, to lead Getronics’ internal and external communications programs for its US operations. Our US team had 3,500 employees and $1 billion in annual sales.

    My accomplishments included:

    ► Developed and executed a PR strategy that more than tripled story placements in print and web outlets across the IT industry and in media outlets that Getronics’ prospects turned to for news and information.

    ► Supervised a team that provided communication counsel to Getronics’ executives and produced more than 100 employee communications each year.

    ► Developed relationships with industry analysts, IDC and Gartner.

    ► Co-sponsored the 2000 US Figure-Skating Championships in Boston.

    ► Wrote and managed both talent and content for Getronics’ external and internal US websites.

    ► Maximized the impact of our marketing programs across multiple countries by working closely with corporate headquarters in Amsterdam.

  • Manager, PR & Marketing Communication

    Digital Equipment Corp./Compaq (now HP Services)

    - 4 years 11 months

    Stow, MA

    Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC’s) Outsourcing Division was 5,000 employees and $1 billion revenue.

    I was initially hired to start a PR program in the new PC division, then accepted an offer to implement marketing communication programs for the Services division.

    ► Acted on a strategy that “clients are our products in the services business,” I implemented DEC’s first outsourcing public relations program, placing both our customers and company experts in numerous print and…

    Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC’s) Outsourcing Division was 5,000 employees and $1 billion revenue.

    I was initially hired to start a PR program in the new PC division, then accepted an offer to implement marketing communication programs for the Services division.

    ► Acted on a strategy that “clients are our products in the services business,” I implemented DEC’s first outsourcing public relations program, placing both our customers and company experts in numerous print and articles. The media outlets where we were featured included Computerworld, Network World, InformationWeek, Datamation, Service News, PC Week, PC World, Dow Jones, and Reuters.

    ► Achieved recognition for DEC/Compaq and its customers for three consecutive years in the category of “superior outsourcing relationships,” awarded by the Outsourcing Journal, a key media and advisory service for the industry.

    ► Placed speakers at major IT association and executive events for CIO and CFO magazines, the Sourcing Interests Group, and the Technology Managers Forum.

  • PR & Marcom Manager

    Corporate Software, Bell Atlantic Software and Systems, Computervision

    - 12 years 7 months

    Massachusetts

    I served in public relations and marketing communication manager positions.

  • News Producer

    WCVB TV

    - 9 years 3 months

    Needham, MA

    News editor/producer for the first one hour Eyeopener News and the Midday News.

Education

  • Syracuse University Graphic

    Syracuse University

    BS- S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications TV and Radio

    -

    Activities and Societies: WAER Radio

Volunteer Experience

  • Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Graphic

    Chairman Investment Cmte

    Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

    - Present 12 years

    I chair a committee of volunteers that oversees the investments by PRSA managed by Wells Fargo

  • The Boston Entrepreneurs'​ Network Graphic

    Serve on the Board

    The Boston Entrepreneurs'​ Network

    - Present 7 years 2 months

    I help with PR and marketing and apply my expertise and access my network to help program a few events.

  • Newton Community Pride Graphic

    Board Member

    Newton Community Pride

    - Present 6 years 1 month

    Arts and Culture

    Newton Community Pride is a non-profit dedicated to supporting and funding a wide range of events each year. They include NewtoSERVES, Patriots weekend road race, July 4th fireworks, Spelling Bee, fall and spring festivals, and concerts. It is a volunteer-based organization.

  • Board Member

    The Newton Beacon

    - Present 1 year 3 months

    I serve on the board of a news and information site for Newton, Massachusetts. The Newton Beacon is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan multimedia outlet. Check out www.newtonbeacon.org.

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