Wednesday, September 17, 2008

FIR Interview: A Conversation with Jane Rowe

By 1803, having already demonstrated his inventive nature by inventing a new kind of paper for cannon cartridges, John Dickinson started his company and designed and built a new machine capable of the continuous manufacture of paper to replace the handmade techniques then used, notably by the Frenchman Henry Fourdriner. These innovations made the company that bore his name both successful and famous.

Today, his company now merged into Hamelin Paperbrands is adopting Web 2.0 both in marketing and, interestingly, in its products.

Our guest today, Jane Rowe, is the revolutionary voice in this wonderfully traditional institution, bringing modern conversational marketing to a 205-year-old company.

She talks with FIR Correspondent David Phillips about her introduction and adoption of Web 2.0 and how she is introducing it to her department, colleagues and industry.

Jane is a very active member of the FIR community and contributes to the FIR Friendfeed Room and comments by email regularly.

At the end of the interview, Jane reveals on FIR the news that she is to take up new responsibilities in the near future.

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About our Conversation Partner

Jane RoweJane Rowe is a dedicated marketer and communicator with over 20 years experience in the marketing specialism. Currently Marketing Director for Hamelin Paperbrands Ltd (formerly John Dickinson Stationery), Jane’s responsibility extends to the management of an extensive portfolio including classic brands such as Basildon Bond personal stationery and Oxford Black n’ Red notebooks.

Prior to joining John Dickinson Stationery in January 2005, Jane worked for the major service organisation, The Automobile Association (The AA), where she was Strategic Projects Manager responsible for internal communications for a team of 250 marketers, new product development and innovation. Before this Jane worked in a variety of marketing management roles in companies such as John West Foods Ltd, Peaudouce (UK) Ltd and Britax Consumer Products Ltd.

Jane has a BSc (Hons) degree in Food Marketing and more recently won a scholarship to study for an MBA at Henley Management College, graduating in 2007.

As a great advocate for encouraging people to take responsibility for their own personal development, Jane is now focused on developing her own understanding of new media and the value it can deliver across businesses to both internal staff and customers.

In November 2008 Jane moves to a new role as Marketing & Merchandising Director for Spicers Ltd, the largest office products wholesaler in Europe based in Cambridgeshire, where she lives with her husband and son. Jane currently blogs at http://movingstationery.wordpress.com.

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This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

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