Don't miss the Tisdall Lecture in Communications

12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16th, 2005
Wildrose Ballroom, Sheraton Suites, Calgary, Alberta
Cost $59.00

Substance Sells: Aligning Corporate Reputation and Corporate Responsibility

To register for the Tisdall Lecture call 416-239-7034 or download a registration form (PDF).

In this new era of accountability and sustainability, corporate reputation and corporate responsibility are inseparable. How agencies counsel their clients ­ and what companies communicate to their stakeholders ­ influences trust in brands and shapes the world. Public relations professionals have a fine line to walk in aligning private and public interests. They can do both if they recognize that at a time when business faces growing pressures and expectations, real commitments and performance matter most ­ and only substance sells.

By Bennett Freeman, Managing Director, and International Practice Leader, Corporate Responsibility, Burson Marsteller, Washington, D.C.

An expert on corporate social responsibility and communications strategies addressing global issues such as human rights, labour rights, the environment and sustainable development, Bennett Freeman leads the firm's client advisory work on policy frameworks, risk assessments, and stakeholder engagement. A frequent speaker and writer, he has earned degrees in history from Oxford University and the University of California at Berkeley. In 2002, he co-authored an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment of BP's Tangguh project in Papua, Indonesia, the first such assessment conducted of a major energy project in the world.

Bennett served as US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour from 1999-early 2001. From 1997-1999, he directed the State Department's historical research and diplomatic efforts on Nazi-looted gold and Holocaust-era assets issues. He has also served as Deputy assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and chief speechwriter for Secretary of State Warren Christopher from 1993-1997 during the Clinton years. Before joining the Clinton administration, Freeman was manager, Corporate Affairs for the General Electric Company from 1985-1993. Freeman serves on the Board of Directors of Oxfam America and on the Business and Economic Relations Group of Amnesty International USA.

Diana and Charles Tisdall Lecture in Communications

Established by the Tisdall family through the Communications and Public Relations Foundation, and in partnership with the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Diana and Charles Tisdall Lecture in Communications aims to demonstrate the societal power and value of public relations and communications thinking.

Charles Tisdall is a recognized leader in public relations in Canada and the United States having established Tisdall Clark in the early 1950s. Tisdall Clark became one of the founding members of Canada News Wire and was the majority shareholder until 1986. During his career, he was named one of the world's 40 outstanding public relations professionals by Public Relations News.

Diana and Charles Tisdall both have been leaders in community service. They have been steadfast supporters of a number of causes and generous of their time through participation in artistic, church, community, and charitable organizations. Charles always recognized the importance of education in public relations emphasizing goodwill in the community, and an improved understanding of the profession. He encouraged higher standards and accountability among practitioners in addition to increasing overall awareness of the contribution and role of public relations.

This lecture furthers that commitment.

Tisdall's major service includes:

• Member and Life member, Canadian Public Relations Society, 1950 - present
• National President, Canadian Public Relations Society, 1963 - 1964
• Canadian Public Relations Society Lamp of Service, 1965
• Chairman, Canadian Public Relations Society National Accreditation Board, 1969 -1972
• Canadian Public Relations Society Accreditation, 1971
• Canadian Public Relations Society Award of Attainment, 1972
• Founder and Chairman, Communications and Public Relations Foundation, Ottawa, 1979
• Trustee, Foundation for Public Relations Research and Education, New York
• Public Relations Society of America, College of Fellows, 1991
• Canadian Public Relations Society College of Fellows, 2000
• Trustee, The Anglican, a monthly Toronto diocese newspaper of the Anglican Church of Canada.
• Board of Directors, Famous People Players, Toronto.
• Public service, St. Paul's Anglican Church, St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, the Canadian Diabetes Association, among others
• Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Prime Mentors of Canada, established a Tisdall scholarship for mentoring at-risk children

The Communications and Public Relations Foundation

The Communications and Public Relations Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization that is committed to increasing public knowledge and awareness of the role of communications and public relations by providing support to educational initiatives that will advance the profession. It promotes the advancement of communications and public relations as a vital function in society and is dedicated to the public interest. The Foundation accepts individual, foundation and corporate contributions toward communications and public relations educational initiatives nationwide. To learn more, click here.