Amp-RI

By Mark Berger

Over the last century in Rhode Island, there have been numerous groups devoted to helping local marketing professionals achieve their goals. Member expertise ranged from advertising and public relations to graphic design and photography, with the end game to not only further the local community, but each other, as well.

Those are the reasons why the Association of Marketing Professionals Rhode Island (AMP-RI) has thrived through the years. The group focuses on developing relationships within these industries, leading to projects and other such collaborative endeavors.

One of the Association’s founders, Joyce Pucino, said that the way the group formed to what it has become today speaks well of its success.

“When we started this group in 2008, we had about a dozen people as members,” said Pucino, who operates Pucino Print Consultants in North Kingstown. “It has undergone several changes and directions, but our goal of helping and mentoring others in these fields continues. We want to reach out to include more people in these professions to join us and recognize the exposure they can receive.”

The Association underwent various name changes over the years. AMP-RI evolved from an earlier group known as the Women’s Advertising Club of RI, founded in 1920. In 1996, WACRI merged with the Ad Club of Rhode Island, which then became the Ad Club of Southeastern New England, before ending in 1999. AMP-RI was initially called Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations of RI, before finalizing their current name in 2009.

AMP-RI now boasts an email roster of over 500 members statewide. Monthly meetings are held via Zoom, but in-person meetings are planned to resume later this year.

Their eleven member Board comprises a spectrum of talents within the group. Depending on the project, some may jump in to design a logo, write the copy for an upcoming event, and distribute the information via email to members or to the news media. It’s what they do in service to the group, but also to voluntarily

Betty Galligan

showcase their own professional skills and expertise.

Betty Galligan of Newberry Public Relations and Marketing in East Providence, will assume the role as association president on July 1. Galligan will take over for Nicole Eller of The Spark Social in Providence, at that time. With decades of publicity experience, Betty’s new title means a chance to further the Association’s visibility and provide education and counsel to others.

Her hope is to expand the group to marketing job seekers looking to get their foot in the door.

“We have memberships for students and that has been helpful for everyone. They have access to a lot of learning opportunities and connections. We have also embraced digital marketing, which has opened some doors and connected the more experienced people with the newer ones in the field,” Galligan said.

“Digital communications and social marketing is now so much easier as compared to the times of running the Ad Club, when mailing an invitation and waiting for RSVPs made everything take longer. We can get information out to everyone faster, easier, and save money in the process,” she added.

Technology also provides a teachable moment. One of the more popular events held by AMP-RI before the pandemic was a seminar on how to make a website that is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. This is a topic that most people do not understand and is often overlooked. That event, held at Oomph, Inc. in Providence, was so popular that a second overflow room had to be used. Galligan believes that the future holds many changes, but also potential for growth as well.

“I look at this coming year’s programming as being focused on education, innovation, inspiration, and enlightenment for members,” said Galligan.

She then added, “We have solopreneurs, nonprofits, and a mix of marketing professionals working in a variety of job levels and companies. We can really add value and takeaways that they can use in their practice of marketing right away.”

The relatively inexpensive cost to join annually ($60 for professionals; $30 for students), makes it a worthwhile investment. Benefits include free access to events, discounted invitations to special seminars, listing in their membership directory, invitations to their private online community, and more.

The Association of Marketing Professionals of Rhode Island’s mission is to be a catalyst for positive marketing and growth practices in Rhode Island. They are an engaged community of specialists, generalists, and curious learners, with a commitment to inspire, celebrate, and connect within its membership network.

Most meetings are held on Tuesday nights from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm via Zoom or at various locations throughout the state.

Additional information can be found by visiting the AMP-RI website at www.amp-ri.com, or can be found by calling Joyce Pucino at 401-886-5155, Betty Galligan at 401-433-5965, or email Betty@NewberryPR.com.