NPC Communicators Breakfast: Communicating To Change Behaviors

Public relations pioneer Edward Bernays was infamous for his manipulative campaign in the late 1920's to increase cigarette smoking among women. Today Truth Initiative is dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past and is a leader in using communications to affect behavioral change.

The organization's Managing Director of Communications Sarah Shank will make breakfast presentation on how they do this, Wednesday, July 17, from 8-9 a.m. in the Cosgrove Lounge at the National Press Club. This professional development session for reporters and communicators, sponsored by the Club Communicator Team, is free to members.

Registration is required. Please make reservations by close of business Monday, July 15.

Sarah Shank has been with Truth Initiative since 2009, when she came onboard to support the consumer launch of BecomeAnEX.org a free quit smoking program. Since then, Shank has collaborated across departments and with external partners and sponsors to develop and execute communications outreach strategies.

As the managing director of communications, Shank’s efforts have been an integral part of many Truth awards and recognitions. Her media strategy delivers more than $100 million in earned media to the organization each year. In 2018, Shank accepted the Gold Stevie award for Communications Professional of the Year from the American Business Awards.

Before joining Truth Initiative, Shank worked at Ogilvy Public Relations, where she led communications and social media outreach for association and consumer clients. Shank is an American University graduate and earned a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University. She is an avid crossfitter and spends her weekends adventuring outdoors.

The National Press Club Communicator Team hosts monthly professional development continental breakfasts sessions for journalists and communicators that are free to Club members. A member may bring a guest and add that person during registration. At the breakfast, guests will need to pay $10. The fee may be refundable if the guest becomes a Club member.