IABC “Shaken Not Stirred” May Networking Event: How “Duck” became the hottest word in Baseball with Jim Pfander, GM and COO of the Akron RubberDucks Baseball Club

Join us for an exciting networking and programming event, featuring the launch story that made “Duck” the hottest word in baseball, with Akron RubberDucks Baseball Club general manager and chief operating officer, Jim Pfander.  This “Shaken Not Stirred” mixer will be Thursday, May 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the new The Game Grill + Bar, upstairs at The Duck Club, overlooking Canal Park. Cost is free. Cash bar. Cash appetizers. Open to both members and non-members of IABC.

Jim will share the inside story behind the launch of RubberDucks baseball, the communications lessons learned, and the exciting “extras” fans can expect this season. The RubberDucks story is a brand launch success – complete with a top-notch fan experience, focused on families and the Akron community.

Akron native and veteran minor league baseball executive Jim Pfander, is only the second general manager in Aeros/RubberDucks baseball history, and the first executive hired by team owner Ken Babby in 2012.  

Prior to leading the Aeros/RubberDucks, Jim served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Akron Aeros.  His leadership in 2011 resulted in a 12% increase in Aeros attendance, the largest single season increase in Akron history. He also oversaw the purchase, installation and amazing in-game presentation from Canal Park’s giant $1.65 million HD video board, one of the five largest in Minor League Baseball. As general manager, Jim oversees all the business and promotional aspects of the organization, including sales, ticketing, marketing and community relations. He is also the main liaison between the Akron RubberDucks and the Cleveland Indians.

Jim is a graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School and Ohio University. He began his career in baseball as an intern for the Cleveland Indians broadcasting department in 2000.

Let us know you’ll be attending this exciting IABC program on May 15. Register today! 

IABC “Shaken Not Stirred” Networking Event: A Communicator's Path to Mobile with Brian Stein of Pervasive Path

Join us for our first networking and topical program event of the year, all about mobile lessons for communicators, with guest presenter Brian Stein, managing director of mobile consultancy Pervasive Path. This “Shaken Not Stirred” mixer will be Tuesday, April 29 from 5:00 – 7:30 pm at the Bier Markt - Speakeasy, Ohio City. Cost is free. Cash bar. Open to both members and non-members of IABC.

Brian will discuss the importance of Mobile as part of a communications and marketing strategy, as well as the top 5 things a communicator should consider as they venture into the mobile space. Ask your mobile questions with a short Q&A following the presentation.

Brian knows mobile. He founded Pervasive Path Consulting three years ago to help companies make the most out of mobile technology. Brian has helped Fortune 1000 clients envision, plan for, implement and launch mobile solutions for customer engagement and commerce, field service, mobile supply chain, and business process enablement. In addition to his work at Pervasive Path, Brian is the promoter of the popular Mobile Monday Cleveland events, and Brian teaches a course on Mobile and Digital Strategy at Kent State University’s School of Digital Science, and a course on Mobile Banking Opportunity at the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Banking.

Register today! See you on Tuesday, April 29^th.