In 2012, Bryan Specht joined Olson Engage as president. He currently leads advertising and social media strategies for the firm’s corporate clientele, which includes GoPro, McDonald’s, and MillerCoors. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Bryan Specht enjoys watching professional football; his favorite team is the Washington Redskins. During the NFL free agency period, the Washington Redskins re-signed reserve quarterback Colt McCoy on a one-year extension contract. He played in five games in 2014, his first year with the franchise, and threw for 1,057 yards, with 91 completions, four touchdowns, and a passer rating of 96.4. Since the Cleveland Browns drafted McCoy out of Texas in 2010, he has had a total of 25 starts. McCoy’s return presumes that Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins will also remain with the organization. In a recent press meeting, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden stated that he plans to have Griffin start in the 2015 season, though McCoy will still have a chance to compete for the position.
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With expertise in communications and public relations, Bryan Specht has worked for a number of political campaigns and communications firms over the course of his career. Bryan Specht currently serves as the president of Olson Engage, a PR and brand marketing firm in Chicago.
In a recent press release, Olson Engage announced that its work was recognized at the Holmes Report’s In2 Innovation Summit in February when the company garnered three Insight & Innovation (In2) SABRE Awards. Olson Engage won an award in the “Best Use of Innovative Channels: Consumer” category for its work with partner firm, 360i, on the Oscar Mayer: Wake Up & Smell The Bacon campaign, which also became a finalist for the “Best in Show” award. For its solo work, Olson Engage won the “Meme” category for the Skittles Wins the Super Bowl campaign, and took home the award in the “Micromarketing” category for its Belize's Quick Wins initiative. The company’s three awards tied for second place as the most wins for one agency at the In2 Innovation Summit. Judged by corporate leaders and well-known agency executives, the In2 SABRE Awards are designed to celebrate innovation in branding and engagement, and honor the talented teams who shape the industry. The In2 Innovation Summit is hosted by the Holmes Report, a prominent publication in the PR field. 4/7/2015 0 Comments The Promised Land SocietyA public affairs professional with experience in the national government, Bryan Specht holds the position of president of Olson PR, a Chicago-based firm that focuses on building brands and brand communities. Earlier in his career, Bryan Specht served on the staff of the Clinton White House and on staffs of Senators Bill Bradley and Robert Toricelli and Congressman Ted Strickland. He holds an abiding interest in the prevention of child abuse and founded the Promised Land Society, which he serves as chairman of its board of directors.
A private humanitarian organization established by the Specht family, the Promised Land Society is dedicated to the concept that the United States should provide every child with the basic tools and resources needed to achieve his or her God-given potential. This includes such things as access to health care, mental health support, high-quality free education, and a clean environment, as well as programs to help prepare parents for child rearing and to encourage the development of communities of similarly-well-cared-for children within which to grow. The society believes that children who reach adulthood after they have been so reared and nourished will rely less on the traditional government-funded social safety net and will be more capable of standing on their own and contributing to society. 3/27/2015 0 Comments PLS's Three Pillars of EducationBryan Specht serves as President of Olson Engage and formerly served as COO for Dig Communications. He has held high-level positions in both government and the private sector. Bryan Specht’s concern for the well-being of children led him to found the Promised Land Society, of which he is chair of the board.
The Promised Land Society (PLS) leads initiatives based on the belief that providing for the complete health and wellness for each child in ultimately creates competitiveness and prosperity within the global economy. These core beliefs, that a healthy commerce benefits the world, and that the health of children is an absolutely critical point of focus for society, are linked very strongly to education. PLS emphasizes three fundamental values with regard to educational development. Competition within education is seen as positive, and a motivating factor to promote innovation and efficiency within schools. Faith, as long as it is taught inclusively, offers a foundation for children to comprehend the idea of charity, community, and civics. Finally, Early Learning is crucial, as a child’s youngest years define many aspects of brain development. For instance, reading to newborns, even though they cannot understand, has a stimulating effect on the brain and subsequent learning ability. 3/17/2015 0 Comments Three Ways to Prevent Child AbuseAn experienced communications executive and consultant, Bryan Specht currently serves on the Marketing Communications Committee of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA). Through the leadership of Bryan Specht and fellow committee members, PCAA works hard to eliminate child abuse and support the healthy development of children across the United States. Here are three ways to help prevent child abuse in your everyday life:
Be a friend to parents: Parenting is often a stressful endeavor. To alleviate some of that stress, ask parents about their children and encourage them to open up to you about their problems. Team up with neighbors: When it comes to supporting children and parents, a team effort is often effective. Consider starting a conversation with your neighbors about looking out for each other’s children. Volunteer: Another effective way of preventing child abuse is to spend time with local child care centers, parent support groups, and Healthy Families America locations. Bryan Specht, president of Olson PR, spends much of his free time promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Having grown up in an abusive environment, Bryan Specht founded both the Promised Land Society and the Awful Grace Project to spread information about healthy child development.
Helping children develop in a healthy way involves nurturing their emotional development. This not only promotes the resolution of conflict without physical aggression, but also creates a sturdy base for social development and school success. Promoting healthy emotional development involves acknowledging a child's individual perspective, and empathizing with the child in times of distress. Although understanding children's upset feelings can be difficult, showing empathy lets them know there is someone on their side, allowing them to let bad feelings go and move on. Caretakers modeling good behavior management themselves also promotes emotional development in children, because they often imitate what they see adults do. Showing unconditional love and attention to children daily develops their ability for emotional intimacy, and not scolding children for strong emotions lets them know that expressing feelings is okay. Children also develop strong emotional health when they are taught how to deal with conflict in an appropriate way; providing guidance for handling conflict as well as initiating sharing games teaches healthy conflict resolution. Finally, it is important to remember that young children are less compliant, and therefore less teachable, when they are tired. A communications professional with more than 15 years of consulting experience, Bryan Specht currently holds the position of president of Olson PR & Social Media, an agency within the marketing firm Olson, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to his professional pursuits, Bryan Specht is also an active child abuse prevention advocate involved in several charitable organizations, including the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, the Awful Grace Project, and the Promised Land Society, a foundation he formed in 2006.
The Promised Land Society is dedicated to the idea that every child should be equipped with the tools and resources necessary to reach his or her full potential. With this idea in mind, the Society advocates for and supports programs and initiatives that promote the health and well being of children across the country. In collaboration with other organizations, such as Prevent Child Abuse America, Safe Families for Children, and Healthy Families America, the Society works to provide the educational opportunities and parenting resources needed in order to create strong communities that foster the positive growth and development of every child. For more information about the organization, visit www.promisedlandsociety.org. Former chief operating officer of Dig Communication, Bryan Specht heads The Promised Land Society as its founder and board chairman. A survivor of child abuse himself and resulting addictions and disorders, Bryan Specht was compelled to form the organization, which is wholly dedicated to promoting the comprehensive well-being of every child.
Believing that economic competitiveness is best achieved by maximizing the potential of every child, The Promised Land Society commits to its basic principle that all children should have access to tools, education, support, and resources necessary for their development. Furthermore, the organization believes that a well-nurtured child will become an adult who has no need for government assistance. To accomplish its mission, the society rallies communities to play a role and provide a nurturing environment for children. For this reason, the organization focuses on community restoration by supporting microinvestments intended to effectively create a sustainable economic development for communities that have been hit by trying economic times. Currently the president of Olson Engage in Chicago, Illinois, Bryan Specht has more than 15 years of marketing and public relations experience. Outside of his professional pursuits, Bryan Specht actively supports several organizations and sits on the national board of directors at Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA).
Founded in 1972, PCAA is a national organization that is committed to preventing the abuse and neglect of America’s children and works in support of projects and initiatives that foster their positive growth and development. Since its founding, PCAA has developed several programs and campaigns aimed at preventing child abuse in all its forms. Launched in 1992, Healthy Families America (HFA) is PCAA’s nationally recognized and evidence-based program that seeks to provide support for overburdened, at-risk families. Under the HFA model, well-trained home visitors are connected with parents who have a history of trauma, domestic violence, mental health, or substance abuse issues in order to help them gain the necessary skills to develop nurturing relationships with their children. Services begin prenatally and are offered for at least three years after the child’s birth. Currently, HFA serves an estimated 75,000 families each year. A public relations, marketing, and communications professional by trade, Bryan Specht also staunchly advocates for victims of child abuse. In support of his beliefs, he founded the Awful Grace Project and the Promised Land Society. Bryan Specht actively supports other organizations dedicated to helping victims of abuse, including Prevent Child Abuse America and the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center.
Created by a task force that includes representatives from the Chicago Police Department, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Health & Hospitals System, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) has been providing critical support and services to victims of child abuse for the past 12 years. The CCAC is currently in the midst of a Growing and Giving Program, which will allow for the addition of a new building that houses an expanded mental health program, community training center, and additional space to serve clients and their families. The groundbreaking for the new facility is expected to take place at the end of 2013, with completion of the building anticipated by the end of 2014. Established in 2001, the CCAC is dedicated to bringing together public and private partners in the community to help end the suffering of children who are victims of abuse. The organization strives to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all children in the city of Chicago. |
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