Spotlights
Spotlight: Deni Kasrel
Your brief bio: I am a strategic communications professional with a diverse background that includes graphic arts production, journalism, marketing, the web and social media.
Occupation: Currently embarking on a new endeavor as a strategic marketing communications + social media consultant.
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA
Hometown: Glassboro, New Jersey
Favorite Philadelphia neighborhood: There are lots of great neighborhoods in Philly. No one favorite for me.
Best advice you've ever been given: If you believe in and tell others what it is you want to be, then that's what you will become.
Your favorite thing about living in the Philadelphia Region: I like that even though it is a big city it often feels like a small town. There is a sense of community in many regards. We have a lot going on but you can feel like what you do makes a difference.
Your favorite thing about working in the Philadelphia Region: Other than the fact that we have lots of great people here, similar to why I like living in the region, there is a strong sense of fellowship within our business community. There is certainly competition, but it's generally not of the cutthroat kind.
How would you market the Philadelphia Region to professionals outside the region? I don't claim to have a handle on why a business might choose to locate in one city versus another, however, from the standpoint of attracting good employees, our region is a great place to set up shop because it has so much going for it in terms of livability, the arts, entertainment, a great restaurant scene, and it's easy to get around. The cost of living is reasonable as compared to other metropolitan areas. We are rich with colleges and universities, which helps contribute to a great citizenry.
What are the best tools and resources creative professionals can use to better prepare themselves for career change, as a result of the uncertain economy and/or personal choice? Top choice in this category is social media. LinkedIn is essential as a starting point. Twitter and Facebook are also excellent for networking, building your personal brand, job search, and much more. Every platform is different, so you need to know how to best leverage what each has to offer, but no matter what, social media now plays a huge role in career development. Professional associations are another excellent resource. These enable you to connect with others in your field and they usually offer programming that can help you learn and stay on top of trending topics. This is useful when you are contemplating career change and want to get involved with a field that is expanding in opportunity.
Description of your business/company: I help businesses and individuals create integrated communications strategies to build their brand, develop effective campaigns that drive customer acquisition and create community. Areas of expertise include content strategy, branding, website management, SEO and social media.