I’ve got a bit of news to share today: I’m joining the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association (MIMA) board of directors.

I couldn’t be more excited to join a board that includes people like Jeff Sauer (whom I’ve gotten to know better lately), Lauren Melcher, Josh Braaten, Danny Olson, Lindsi Gish (whom I owe a great debt for introducing me to the board) and MIMA president, Nathan Eide (love this pic of last year’s board–how could you NOT want to join a board like this? By the way, MIMA reserves all rights to this photo :).

Why did I decide to pursue the MIMA board? A few reasons:

Surround myself with smart people

This has been a mantra of mine since I started working in PR. I figure if I surround myself (or work for) really, really smart people, eventually some of that has to rub off on me, right? In this case, I’m surrounding myself with a long list of people who are smarter than me. In fact, I’m going to have to work hard to contribute given the brains in the room. And I like it that way.

I want to be part of a working board

What I like about the MIMA board is it’s a working board. These aren’t the kind of people who sit in their ivory tower, make decisions and just wait around. These people are active. Heck, my first board meeting this afternoon is a five-hour retreat! THAT’S a working board. That’s the kind of board I want to be involved with.

The timing was just right

A few really smart people just came off the MIMA board–Tim Brunelle, Christopher Pollard and Jake Nyberg, notably. Which left some very big shoes to fill. So, the timing was perfect (not that I can fill the incredibly large shoes, but I have the opportunity to try!). But, the current board is also filled with people I really admire and think, in general, are just a lot of fun–Danny Olson, Lauren Melcher, Nora Purmort and Josh Braaten for starters. The timing was just right.

It will allow me to get to know the “technical” digital community

I feel like I know a lot of people in the local PR community here in Minneapolis. But, you know who I don’t know very well? The more “technical” and creative side of our digital/social community. And, those are the people who are MIMA members. I’m really looking forward to meeting a lot of those people in the months/years ahead. There are also a few people on the board I don’t know that well–and those people I’m really looking forward to getting to know better.

I will have a chance to build out my skills

The PR pro of the future is a hybrid. Part PR pro, part digital pro, part creative pro. And while my digital skills are sharp, they’re by no means complete. I need help with SEO. I need to get smarter with analytics. And I know I can always use help in the more technical aspects of my job. Those are all areas MIMA focuses on. In the next few years, I plan to become MUCH smarter in these key areas. They are the future of our industry.

Bottom line: I’m honored to be given this opportunity to contribute to and serve on the MIMA board of directors. I do not take these kinds of opportunities lightly, and I hope I can contribute to the group. And I’m really looking forward to working with a fantastic group of people (have I said that already?).

If there are any MIMA members reading this post, I’m really looking forward to becoming more involved with your organization. I hope I can find a few ways to add something in the years ahead. If you have ideas or want to chat about something specific, please do not hesitate to give me a call or shoot me a note.