Name: Rebecca Blaw
Company: Reed Smith LLP
Title: Marketing Supervisor
Email: rblaw@reedsmith.com
- How did you get into legal marketing?
As a student at Drexel University, I completed my second Co-Op at Dechert as a Marketing Intern and stayed with the firm for an additional three months. I kept in contact with my manager who had since moved on to Reed Smith. The opportunities I was offered for my third and final Co-Op did not interest me much, so I asked if Reed Smith would be interested in participating in Drexel’s Co-Op program. The timing worked out well, as the Marketing Assistant was about to go on maternity leave. After my Co-Op term ended, I remained with the firm, part-time, for an additional 18 months while I completed my undergrad degree. Twelve years later, I’m still here though my role has changed significantly, having started in a Regional Marketing capacity and now running the firm’s website.
- Describe one of your best experiences in legal marketing?
I have had some very good experiences during my tenure; however, the most gratifying occurred just recently. I had never had the opportunity to rebuild a website from the ground up – including vendor selection, requirements gathering, design and development. I had previously entered the process during the last (and of course, most stressful) stage. We just launched our latest generation of reedsmith.com and it was an incredible experience. I was involved from day 1, with the initial RFP process, business strategy development, requirements gathering, creative design, database design and implementation. As stressful as it was and with the additional hours put in during those last weeks leading up to launch (and the hours since launch), it was an incredibly rewarding experience to see all of our work come together. We’ve received excellent feedback and continue to evaluate and change the site. That is the one thing I truly enjoy about the web – it never stays the same and is always getting better.
- What is one of your greatest challenges when it comes to legal marketing?
I think we all struggle with not having enough hours in the day or members on the team. Marketing Departments tend to be stretched thin and are always working on “urgent” projects. Many of the challenges I deal with relate to other law firm websites and the comparisons made between “our site” and “their site.” It can be difficult, at times, to explain that all sites are built differently and some functionality cannot be easily replicated due to various technical restrictions or standards we have set.
- Do you have any words of wisdom to those who are new to the field?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The legal marketing environment is extremely fast-paced but it is important to take the time to ask the questions necessary to help you understand the request or project. Asking the right questions will not only help you complete the task at hand, but will help you prioritize your workload.
- What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I'm a big fan of Broadway and musicals in general, however, my opportunities to see shows are somewhat limited as most of my "free" time is spent with my identical twin girls who will be 5 years old in August. I can only hope they share my love of theater and we can all enjoy the shows together (thereby torturing my husband who only puts up with musicals for my benefit!).