For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Spokesperson Minicamp Identifies New Corporate, Association Spokespeople

As football fans await the start of minicamp—the proving ground that separates potential all-pros from career bench warmers—Barks Communications launches its Spokesperson Minicamp.

The new service is designed to help Fortune 1000 corporations and national and international associations identify and develop additional spokespeople. Of equal importance, the program also charts a plan for their future development.

“Emerging issues, product launches, public policy initiatives, media campaigns, and retirements among senior executives are just a few of the events that trigger demand to continuously refresh the faces and voices that shape the public image of any organization,” said company President Ed Barks.

“The challenge comes in successfully identifying who should fill those shoes,” he continued. “That’s where Spokesperson Minicamp comes into play. It helps ascertain the cream of the potential spokesperson crop.”

The Minicamp consists of a workshop for up to 12 individuals from a single organization—employees who may possess the talent and inclination to become great communicators. Barks puts them through the paces of media interviews or presentations similar to what they would experience in the real world, with all exercises videotaped and critiqued.

Immediately following the workshop, Barks employs his candid approach to confidentially review with senior management which candidates hold the most promise and which should be relegated to the bench.

Once Barks identifies potential Super Bowl-level spokespeople, he builds upon their Spokesperson Minicamp experience by mapping out a plan that provides them with a more intensive lifelong learning program.

Corporate and association communications and training officers are invited to contact Ed Barks at (540) 955-0600 or visit Barkscomm.com for more information on Spokesperson Minicamp.

Ed Barks works with corporate and association executives who need a magnetic message and sharp communications skills, and with public affairs and public relations pros who counsel their bosses and clients. The former radio broadcaster is the author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations. As President of Barks Communications since 1997, he has taught more than 3000 business leaders, association executives, government officials, athletes, entertainers, non-profit executives, and public relations staff how to succeed when they deal with the media, deliver presentations, and testify before government officials.