WASHINGTON, June 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) convened nearly 250 leading public company directors and corporate governance experts from around the world in New York City on June 11-12 to explore how new technologies and social media communications are causing companies, and their boards, to adapt to an increasingly "plugged-in" community of investors and consumers who are engaged online.
NACD shared insights on how directors and their boards can leverage social media and better understand how technology can impact company strategies and behaviors.
Christie Hefner, former Playboy Enterprises chairman and CEO, and Glenn Brown, director of branded content for Twitter, discussed how to use social media as a tool for engaging consumers and soliciting user feedback. Edward Ludwig, chairman of Becton Dickinson and director and finance committee chair of Aetna said digital communications has required boards to become more "nimble, ethical, and value-driven due to increased transparency and consumer engagement."
"Boards who don't adapt to the new landscape will be left behind, and this year's spring forum was a major step forward in keeping NACD's director-centric members on the cutting edge," said Ken Daly, president and CEO of NACD.
Other sessions at the NACD forum focused on corporate strategy and innovation, cybersecurity, corporate sustainability and boardroom diversity. Panelists included:
- Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg Inc.
- Frank Eliason, senior vice president of social media for Citibank (NYSE:C), and director for the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals
- Virginia Gambale, director for Jet Blue (Nasdaq:JBLU), Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC), Knoa, Infonic A.G., and Kurtosys Ltd.
- Jenne Britell, Chairman of United Rentals (NYSE:URI), director for Crown Holdings (NYSE:CCK), Quest Diagnostics, and the U.S. Russia Investment Fund, and Managing Director of Brock Capital (and 2011 NACD Director of the Year)
The forum was presented in conjunction with several of NACD's partners including Barclays, Chartis, Heidrick & Struggles, KPMG, Levick Strategic Communications, NASDAQ OMX, Paul Weiss, Pearl Meyer & Partners, and WilmerHale.
NACD's next major event is the Board Leadership Conference scheduled for October 14-16 in National Harbor, MD. To learn more and register to attend the NACD Annual Board Leadership Conference, visit www.NACDonline.org/Conference.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the only membership organization focused exclusively on advancing exemplary board leadership. Based on 35 years of experience, NACD identifies, interprets and provides insights and information that corporate board members rely upon to make sound strategic decisions, confidently confront complex business challenges and enhance shareowner value. With more than 11,500 corporate director members, NACD provides world-class director education, director training and proprietary research about leading boardroom and corporate governance practices to promote director professionalism and bolster investor confidence. Furthermore, to create more effective and efficient corporate boards, NACD provides independent board evaluations and custom-tailored in-boardroom education and training programs, as well as director-led conferences, forums and peer-exchange learning opportunities to share ideas about current and emerging issues. Fostering collaboration among directors and governance stakeholders, NACD is shaping the future of board leadership. To learn more about NACD, visit www.NACDonline.org. To join, please contact Kelly Dodd at kkdodd@nacdonline.org or 202-380-1891.