FAITH Catholic Publishing and Communications, the country’s fastest-growing Catholic publisher, held its annual gathering of editors and content evangelists May 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, Mich. This year’s meeting was a blend of roll-up-your-sleeves editorial planning, facilitated peer-to-peer discussions and inspirational speakers who challenged us to achieve excellence in digital and print media and to evangelize with the “missionary spirit” of Pope Francis.
CEO Patrick O’Brien presented a publishing trend report that included insights into content marketing and the increasing effect of social media on news consumption and sharing the faith. He also shared the results of the readership surveys conducted by FAITH Catholic on behalf of all 23 client dioceses.
Keynote speaker Andrew Davis, author of Brandscaping, ignited the group with his energizing talk on the best use of digital and print media for the Church. He called on communicators to be talent scouts for the best in digital media – bloggers, tweeters, Snapchatters and more. Each of these caters to a specific niche, and the best and most-read of those writers create the content that should be finding its way into print.
Rocco Palmo, blogger of Whispers in the Loggia, was the other keynote speaker. He likened past communication efforts by many in the Church to approaching someone in a bar to whom you’re attracted, and beginning the conversation with a list of the rules you expect for your future relationship. Instead, communicators should be inviting readers into a relationship with Christ and with the family of the Church – the rules become a natural outflow from that, rather than a barrier to membership.
The final speaker was Jim Berlucchi, executive director of the Spitzer Center, a member of the USCCB Committee on communications and a FAITH Catholic columnist. The Spitzer Center works with dioceses and organizations to develop their internal cultures. He explained that many diocesan officials believe they have a creative, open environment – and that it’s what most bishops want. However, most diocesan staffs do not believe that is what their environment is like. The Spitzer Center is uniquely positioned to help diocesan staffs achieve the environment most desired by them and their bishops -- which leads to increased creativity and productivity.
Invited guests also included Most Rev. Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Lansing, Msgr. Tom McSweeney from the Diocese of Erie, Georg Frericks from MDG, Catholic Conference of German Bishops and David Reilly from InnerWorkings.