What people say
Deborah has enjoyed working with a number of organizations to help them achieve success.
My business takes me across the country, so finding local PR firms that can help my clients can be a challenge. You always have questions about proven track record and whether you’ll work well together.
Message Communications exceeded my expectations. Deborah was easy to work with and managed the project with minimal instruction. She helped my client hone key messages, was clear about what kind of media attention their story could expect and did it all within tight deadlines. We got results. Her work definitely helped to engage new customers and raise my client’s profile.
Angela Hlavka
President & Chief Executive Officer
Iluminari Strategic Business Development
Deborah Zanke consistently provides accurate, innovative and effective communication content for our clients under the tightest of timelines. Deborah’s understanding of community-driven websites, blogging, social networking tools and online marketing, as well as print material and advertising is a rare combination. We use Deborah almost exclusively.
Suzanne Braun
Principal
Relish Design Studio
Deborah is a versatile writer, editor and strategic communicator. Whether it is creating a light and humorous piece for our newsletter, a media release announcing an innovative new program or a letter to the Minister, her style conveys Marymound’s message clearly and concisely. She has effectively raised Marymound’s profile in the community by guiding the agency through a re-branding process as well as finding ways to promote the agency’s work through various media.
Ian Hughes
Executive Director
Marymound
Imaginet contracted with Deborah to assist in a number of areas including:
-Internal communications survey and recommendations
-Developing an external customer communications plan
-Developing a consistent Imaginet brand
-Public relations and press releases
-Enhancing Imaginet’s presence with our 2007 Manitoba Marathon Sponsorship
-Creation of a industry specific brochure and key customer messaging
Deborah and her team did a great job in executing the various projects and we have seen the benefits of her work.
Deborah is creative and flexible. She intuitively knows how to uncover the “question behind the question” and the “intent beyond the spoken or written” comment.
Not only were Deborah’s deliverables high quality, she has a rigourous and motivating project management discipline that kept us on track for each project – something we really appreciated!
I highly recommend Deborah and her firm for messaging and communications needs.
Ramon Ayre
Director of Business Development
Imaginet Resources Corp.
It seemed the more I looked for a PR professional, the more glossy websites I found promising the world with no proof of results or successes. I’m glad I connected with Message Communications because I ended up finding just the opposite.
I found a firm that focuses on efficiency and optimism and with a busy nonprofit working on a difficult global issue like sex with children, that’s important. Equally important, Message Communications is transparently accountable for every dollar spent. Every penny is accounted for monthly or upon request.
Having Deborah involved allows me to focus on important initiatives knowing that a thoroughly professional and experienced person is behind me to get the message out.
Rosalind Prober
President
Beyond Borders
>Deborah delivered a seminar to our association on public relations planning with a focus on a Web 2.0 approach. Her ability to tailor her presentation to fit our specific needs was second to none.
Stepping into a room full of funeral directors, seizing their attention and leading them down a road most of them have not traveled is a daunting task. Hearing the accolades about her presentation confirmed my opinion.
Deborah’s specific focus on our industry enabled the Regulating Government Board to accept her seminar as a valid part of the Educational Credits required for all Manitoba Funeral Directors.
We have had such a positive response and feedback that we look forward having Deborah present to us again in the future.
Kiley Wilson
Manitoba Funeral Services Association
Message Communications helped us through our re-branding process and provided great value for the dollar. Deborah spent the necessary time meeting with us and learning about our industry and specific needs, providing straightforward feedback on approach.What I liked most was that she challenged us on occasion rather than slipping into the “please the customer at all costs” mode. This strengthened our re-branding process.
In the end, Deborah saved me hours of trying to craft copy that would not have been as effective. It also freed my time to focus on all the other tasks that needed my attention.
Chad Friesen
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Red River Mutual
When I was looking for someone to write for my organization, I was concerned about finding a person with a style and approach that would match our community’s culture and tone.
I had nothing to fear when Deborah took over to write our newsletter. She takes the time to do personal interviews that make articles more interesting than just reading straight facts. People find her very easy to talk to and I’ve had many compliments from our readers since bringing her on. If you want engaging writing, get Message Communications to do it.
Karen Wohlgemuth
Coordinator, Business/Commercial Development
Southport
I have had the pleasure of working on a wide variety of communications and marketing projects with Deborah over the past several years. Her positive and professional approach ensures the successful execution of every project. She does a great job at keeping all aspects of a project organized, providing functional and effective solutions with superior project management skills.