DDCworks and Schubert b2b to Co-Host ICOM Network's 2014 North America Regional Conference

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DDCworks and Schubert b2b announced today that they will be co-hosting ICOM's 2014 North America Regional (NAR) Conference at the Le Meridien Hotel in Philadelphia from Thursday, Sept. 18 to Saturday, Sept. 20, to discuss challenges faced in 2014, ever-changing trends and future of advertising.

ICOM is the leading international network of independent advertising agencies spanning more than 65 countries. All ICOM agencies are owned locally, but work globally to support each other with information, staffing and creative and marketing services.

A total of 21 agencies from Los Angeles, to Canada, to Mexico, and Chicago will arrive in Philadelphia to be represented at this year's conference. This annual regional Americas meeting was created in collaboration with ICOM Network to connect independent agency partners to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to keep pace with and embrace the constant changes in the marketing and communications industry. ICOM member agencies from around the world also connect annually at an international meeting – most recently, in Athens, Greece.

The two-day networking event will kickoff with a welcome reception dinner at DDCworks, followed by a series of thought-leadership sessions and a historic colonial tour of Philadelphia. The event will commence with a tour of The Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum.

The conference itinerary includes keynote speaker, Tim Williams, founder of Ignition Consulting Group, which is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The presenter list also features a diverse mix of the following ICOM partners: Mark O'Brien, CEO of Newfangled, based out of North Carolina; Marcien Jenckes, senior executive at Comcast Corporation in Philadelphia; Ginger Kochmer, division director at The Creative Group in Philadelphia; Paul Bond from Reed Smith Philadelphia; Sam Swaminathan, CEO of New Jersey-based Revenue Mantra; Glen Drummond, chief Innovation officer at Quarry, headquarter in Canada; and Linda Gonzalez from Viva Partnership, located in Texas.

Topics being discussed include:

• How to Thrive in the Post-AOR World
• How to Digitally Market Your Agency
• Presentation of the Future of Television and facilities tour at COMCAST
• Breakout session about Best/Worst Ideas Competition, where attendees will have 5 minutes to tell their best and worst ideas from the past year
• What you need to know about Privacy and Data Protection
• Audience Targeting in Digital Media
• Shift to Total Marketing

"ICOM gives member agencies access to international partnerships, which allows independent agencies to compete with local services while providing global brand strategies. The ICOM NAR Conference is a signature event for gathering, learning and networking among ICOM partners to discuss the best practices and demands of the industry," said Tim Cifelli, president and COO of DDCworks.

Rich Carango, president of Schubert b2b adds, "We consider this event to be an annual "meeting of the minds," bringing together some of the brightest creative marketing folks in North America. We put together an itinerary focused on practical and actionable strategies, so that all attendees are able to take away some great ideas that they can put to use immediately."

About DDCworks

DDCworks is a full-service brand communications firm with advertising, public relations, media and interactive capabilities. DDCworks creates, develops and executes fully integrated marketing campaigns and provides award-winning brand management and messaging strategies to a broad range of clients. DDCworks is a member of ICOM, a global network of marketing communications agencies, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Philadelphia Ad Club.

About Schubert b2b
Schubert b2b is a full-service integrated marketing communications (IMC) agency focused 100% on strategic business-to-business programs that help clients generate leads, grow revenue and gain market share. Schubert delivers its affordable, world-class marketing to create brand leaders in technology-rich industries as diverse at biotech, chemicals and computer software. Schubert is a member of ICOM, a global network of marketing communications agencies.

About ICOM
ICOM is the world's largest network of independent advertising and marketing communications agencies with more than 90 agency members in 65-plus countries. Annual billings total U.S. $3.5 billion with gross income exceeding U.S. $500 million.

SOURCE DDCworks