Multiple Income Streams: Government, Corporate or Ad Agency Writing Contracts

When

Thursday April 24, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT (registration opens at 6:30)

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Where

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Room R318
750 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, ON M5S 2J2

Contact

Kim Lear PWAC VP, Professional Development Toronto Chapter k.lear@pwactoronto.org
k.lear@pwactoronto.org

Looking to diversify the market for your skills? Lots of writers wonder just how lucrative or satisfying it would be to try a new avenue.

Agency, corporate and government clients are purported to be high paying, sustainable and plentiful. But what’s the deal, really?

Ever wonder what kinds of writing the ad agencies actually contract out? What kind of work journalists do for corporate clients? Or what kind of assignments the government might have for freelancers? It isn’t all jingles, advertorials and reports.

This panel of writers will share their experiences and advice so you can figure out if these markets would be a good fit for you, and if so, how to break in.

Speakers:

Lucille Blainey is an award-winning, accredited business communicator and author of four books. She is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Editors’ Association of Canada, and leads a peer-mentoring network for senior writers in Toronto. Lucille has served public and private sector clients on four continents, including Ontario government ministries, national firms, SMEs, not-for-profits and academics. Her work has earned the Sterling Award from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Amethyst Award from the Ontario Public Service. She will talk about her experience getting government contracts.

Andrew Payne has been an active copywriter for seven years. Five as a full-timer. Two as a freelancer. And one where he sort of freelanced but mostly played in bands. Andrew has won both local and national awards for turning business-speak into simple, lovable ads for clients, including Molson, Tim Hortons and SickKids Hospital. He currently works at Capital C and will give us his perspective on how the top ad agencies in Toronto work with freelance copywriters.

Jay Somerset uses his editorial skills in multiple ways: journalism, copywriting, branded content, editing and strategic communications. He was awarded Best Magazine Feature of the Year, 2011, by the Professional Writers Association of Canada, for a profile in Taddle Creek magazine and contributes to the Globe and Mail, Canadian Business and the Walrus. He also has a successful corporate writing career, with a client list that includes Blackberry, LCBO and Best Buy. Jay will talk about how he attracts corporate work and how the work supports his journalism career.

FREE for PWAC members and students (please register online; students, please show proof of academic enrollment at the door)
Members of associate writers’ groups $10 online registration (up to midnight before event) or $20 at the door
Non-members $15 online registration (up to midnight before event) or $20 at the door

Cancellation Policy

If a registrant wishes to cancel, the following terms and conditions apply:

• Cancellations are accepted no later than midnight three days before an evening seminar, and no less than one week before a half-day or full-day workshop.

• No refunds are given for cancellations received after the cancellation period.

• Registration fees apply to the event for which they were paid and cannot be applied to a future event in lieu of cancellation.

Complete details of the cancellation policy will be sent by email with confirmation of your registration.