Communications Strategy – OnWrd & UpWrd

2025 Association Insights CommImpact Award Winners Announced

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:December 10, 2025
Post category:Advocacy Communications Strategy Event Communications Media Social Media

OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing and Communications, Inc., publisher of the Association Insights newsletter and podcast, is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Association Insights CommImpact Awards. These awards honor the outstanding achievements of associations across North America whose communications, storytelling, and engagement efforts set new standards of excellence. Winners were recognized today during a live virtual ceremony broadcast on O&U’s YouTube channel. The Association Insights CommImpact Awards celebrate excellence in eight core categories: Advocacy Excellence, Best Media Relations Campaign, Innovative Content Strategy, Thought Leadership & Research, Effective Member Engagement Initiative, Event Promotion, Outstanding Internal Communications and Leadership in Public Awareness Campaign.

Encore Episode: What’s Changed—and What’s Working—When It Comes to Young Professional Engagement

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:July 16, 2025
Post category:Communications Strategy Podcast

In this special encore episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher welcomes back David Whited, Principal of Design Research & Strategy at Highland, to walk us through fresh insights from the newly released 2025 Young Professional Membership Index (YPMI)—dropping the same day this episode airs.

Rapid Fire: Association Advice Edition

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:June 25, 2025
Post category:Communications Strategy Podcast

Rapid Fire: Association Advice Edition In this short solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher delivers a high-energy dose of practical advice for busy association leaders—one quick-hit…

Truth, Trust & Telling the Story: A Masterclass in Ethical Communication

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:June 11, 2025
Post category:Communications Strategy Media Podcast

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leonard Steinhorn, Professor of Communication and Affiliate Professor of History at American University, for a dynamic, deeply relevant conversation on how associations can lead with clarity, ethics, and impact in today’s fragmented media environment. If you’re navigating polarization, disinformation, or simply trying to get your association’s message to stick, this episode is a must-listen.

Communicating What Matters: Strategic Communications for Association Leaders

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:June 4, 2025
Post category:Communications Strategy Podcast

In this short solocast episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, dives into one of the most essential, and often most underleveraged, tools in any association’s toolbox: communication. From navigating complex topics to telling stories that resonate, Colleen shares how associations can move beyond the buzzwords and show up with clarity, courage, and strategy in their communications.

Reimagining Knowledge Access: How AI is Transforming Associations

Post author:Colleen Gallagher
Post published:April 30, 2025
Post category:Communications Strategy Podcast

With three decades of association leadership across three countries, Rob brings a global lens and deep passion for community innovation. He shares how Betty is helping associations safeguard institutional wisdom, deliver member value in real time, and unlock strategic insights through what he calls the Association Knowledge Cycle. From preserving the expertise of retiring volunteers and staffers to enabling multilingual member support and accelerating certification design, Rob walks us through real-world use cases that show how AI—when deployed thoughtfully—can help associations work smarter, serve better, and build trust in new ways. 🎧 Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or already experimenting, this conversation is packed with eye-opening ideas and tangible takeaways.