Paul Duning, Publisher & Co-Founder
paul.duning@capitolcommunicator.com
The idea to create a resource for communications professionals came during the summer of 2002 when Paul took a bubble-imposed sabbatical spending the summer traveling with his family. The idea was to bring a community back together that had been terribly fragmented by 911 and the economic downturn that followed.
Prior to that, Paul spent 30 months as the merger & acquisition lead for a company consolidating communications-related companies in three markets. During that period he met with several hundred communications companies across a broad spectrum of disciplines and was instrumental in bringing together 17 companies. Then came the bust of 2001 and 2002, Paul’s role changed from integrating to re-organizing, which resulted in multiple rounds of difficult layoffs including, in the end, his own.
In early 2004, Paul meet Phil Rabin who for many years was co-author of the region's most respected and longest-running advertising and public relations column. In May 2004, Paul and Phil launched DC Communicator, an e-mail newsletter, with the support of EFX Media, West Glen Communications and Real Magnet.
In February 2008 Paul and Phil launched Capitol Communicator. In a partnership with r2integrated, the Capitol Communicator online community was created using the most current social networking technology available. Today, Capitol Communicator serves as not only as a community for communicators but as a platform for communications technology exploration.
Paul has had a media diverse career working in production, marketing communications, advertising, media communications and public relations. Paul started his career as a multi-media producer, moved into business development and later management. He was an early adopter of multi-media, electronic publishing, digital printing and new media technologies in the 80s and 90s and then was involved in merger and acquisitions for an integrated communications company in the late 90s. Paul is a native of Tennessee and graduate of the University of Tennessee with an individualized honors degree in multi-media and business.
Phil Rabin, Managing Editor & Co-Founder
phil.rabin@capitolcommunicator.com
For more than two decades, Phil Rabin has reported on developments in communications for The Washington Times, Washington Business Journal, PRWeek and the DC Communicator e-newsletter.
Phil also is vice president/regional manager for West Glen Communications, a firm that helps organizations present their message to the broadcast and Internet media - including public service announcements, broadcast media tours and news releases.
In addition, he co-chairs the Professional Development Committee of the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and has conducted seminars nationwide on media relations that, in total, have attracted more than 1,000 attendees.
He also has served as public relations director for the Paralyzed Veterans of America and vice president of communications for Defenders of Wildlife. In those positions, he produced more than 100 television public service announcements featuring a wide range of celebrities – from the Harlem Globetrotters to an Olympic gold-medial swimmer. In addition, he was responsible for an e-mail newsletter that reached approximately 500,000 recipients.
A graduate of New York University, he also has been a newscaster with WTOP radio, one of the leading all-news radio stations in the country; and was in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve.
R2i.ntegrated: Capitol Communicator’s Digital Marketing & Technology Partner R2i specializes in two critical business objectives:
- Comprehensive digital marketing programs, designed for monthly customer acquisition and revenue generation
- The development and integration of technologies needed for effective digital communications.
Leaders in their industry have called them a hybrid because of these joint marketing and technology disciplines. But at R2i, they don't see how you can succeed in today's digital marketplace any other way. R2i will find your prospective customers online, deliver your message to them in creative and compelling ways, develop the most appropriate technology plan for your needs, and track your progress and ROI. Check out R2i at http://www.r2integrated.com.
Amy Schwab, Marketing & Events Director
Amy brings a well-rounded base of communications skills, event planning and hands-on production experience to her role as marketing & events director at Capitol Communicator. Prior to her role with Capitol Communicator, she worked at several production companies; EFX Media and at Atlantic Video where she successfully worked on the annual marketing campaign that resulted in an average 20% increase in sales each year. In addition, she’s worked with major networks such as ESPN, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and large client marketing campaign’s such as the Washington Wizards. Amy is known for her sensitivity to each customer's needs and objectives. Amy has managed numerous events such as “Studio 650 at Visions”, a monthly film-screening event in DC that showcased INDIE film work, as well as, large events that include DC’s Environmental Film Festival, the Leading Ladies Ultimate Networking Event, WIFV Job Fairs, Peer Awards ceremonies, along with weekly media & press meetings and television industry seminars. Amy received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Tech in marketing management, including two concentrations in communications and international business.