Marketing and Business Development Executive, dHows Consulting
and President of the LMA Toronto Chapter
Dianne is Managing Director of dHows Consulting, which specializes in marketing for professional services firms and the hi-tech industry. She brings with her a tremendous portfolio of marketing and BD experience, including launching new brands at two major Canadian law firms plus global marketing with Nortel Networks and other leading companies in the telecom industry.
Dianne was one of the founding board members who established the Toronto Chapter of the Legal Marketing Association in 2007. She credits the successful launch and tremendous growth of the Toronto chapter to a dedicated Board and team of volunteers: "We had the right dedicated group of people to make it happen." The other critical element was the involvement of the major law firms, who were supportive of their marketing people who had the vision to see the benefits of an LMA chapter in Toronto.
"It took a lot of rolling up of sleeves on the part of the volunteer directors to get the chapter established," says Dianne. "It was hard work to launch but very exciting and very rewarding and most importantly, a benefit to legal marketers."
Building the foundation, then maintaining the momentum of a not-for-profit organization is highly dependent on the generous ongoing support of sponsors. Dianne was the new chapter's first Sponsorship Committee chair and succeeded in lining up major sponsors, who have been critical to the stability and growth of the new chapter.
Asked about the biggest challenge, Dianne says it's having enough time to do all the things that have to be done: "It's a big responsibility including financial statements, tax complications, evaluating programmes and monitoring the progress of our objectives." Dianne is grateful to the persistent, dedicated Board and team of volunteers who have continued the progress of the chapter from its remarkable first-year growth.
When asked what she has enjoyed the most, Dianne says: "The reward is when we hear feedback about the calibre of the speakers and the programming. We have ensured to consider both the juniors and those new to the industry as well as the senior level marketers when developing the programs. We also receive many positive comments about networking, the tremendous support the LMA offers to professional marketers, and the great camaraderie of the group."
What's next for the Toronto chapter? Dianne is excited about the chapter's new initiatives this year which include creating a "JD track" of programming and offerings for the lawyers and also targeting law firms that do not have larger marketing departments. The Board is also considering the launch of a fall LMA Toronto conference for all levels of marketers as well as lawyers. Stay tuned .....
Maureen Meehan is manager of Marketing and Business Development at Ogilvy Renault LLP.