The Chamber represents more than 2,000+ businesses of all sizes representing 210,000 employees from a wide variety of industries that are contributing more than $32 billion in revenue to Hawaii’s economy.
View the Chamber’s Event Schedule for 2023
FocusOn returns to provide an intimate educational and network opportunity to help startups, small to medium-sized businesses and mid-career professionals succeed.
Register to attend the April edition of FocusOn: Creative Story Telling: Why is it important for businesses to tell their stories? presented by Spectrum Reach. Registration closes on Wednesday, April 12.
Storytelling in business can be a powerful marketing tool. Benefits include engaging customers, creating a memory, triggering positive emotions and feelings, and developing customer loyalty. If you are interested in the above-mentioned benefits for your business, join us on April 13 to learn practical steps to tell your business story.
Learn from experts in the field on this topic:
- How your story can help your business grow
- OTT Streaming
- How to fine tune your message
- Network with other like-minded business owners and professionals
Registration includes coffee and complimentary pastries provided by 1132 Cafe & Catering.
Featured Speakers:
April Rutherford
Senior Vice President & Executive Creative Director of Advertising
ANTHOLOGY, A FINN Partners Company
As Senior VP and Executive Creative Director for Anthology's Advertising Group, April excels at inspiring, developing, and honing ideas that are both innovative and finely targeted.
Her passion for getting to the heart and soul of a brand leads to advertising that is striking, memorable, and always relevant. She has won numerous local and national awards for her work and has been named Hawaii Advertising Federation's Ad Woman of the Year.
Serving on the American Advertising Federation-Hawaii board for 6 years with 3 of those as President, she currently serves as the Lt. Governor of AAF District 13 and is on the National American Advertising Awards Committee.
With the belief that advertising can help build a better world, April has also devoted time to pro bono work and small businesses, creating campaigns and collateral work for the Hawaiian Humane Society, Honolulu International Film Festival, Cat Friends, Shidler College of Business, Junior Achievement of Hawaii and Hawaii Mental Health.
James Sereno
Award-winning film producer and director
Owner of Kinetic Productions
With a passion for sharing stories and a desire to change the landscape of Hawaii's advertising community, James Sereno returned home to Hawaii 20+ years ago where he created Kinetic Productions, a local and nationally award-winning production firm. Kinetic Productions is the ideal playground for someone like James.
No matter the client or the project, James is obsessed with working collaboratively to create content that stands out among the clutter and differentiates the client from its competition. His desire to go above and beyond has earned him the respect of his peers and the advertising community where he was the recipient of the Pele Awards for "Young Adman of the Year "Adman of the Year," Lifetime Achievement Award and Silver Medal. His company has also won numerous Pele Awards, including Pele Golds and Best of Shows.
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California Film School with a degree in Cinematic Arts. His background includes working for Disney Studios and Columbia Pictures, and later Team One Advertising where he won a coveted Cannes Bronze Lion for his America West Airlines spot, Mosh Pit.
At the heart of it all, he is a storyteller. In addition to producing award-winning television commercials, he is also a filmmaker. He wrote, produced, and directed the short film, "Silent Years" which won numerous awards including first runner-up at the exalted British Academy Awards, L.A. (BAFTA/L.A).
He was invited by Roger Ebert to showcase his film narrative work at Ebert's, Ebertfest. He has directed and produced such feature films as "Paradise Broken," and Haole and has produced the films, "Hang Loose," and "Man Up" later distributed by Lakeshore Entertainment. He is an Executive Producer on Gook and Ms. Purple which played at Sundance and are distributed by Oscilloscope and Samuel Goldwyn.
Today, James continues to serve as the lead of his production company, where he balances directing some of the most memorable television commercials in the state, overseeing a diverse team of talented and experienced directors, finding time to give back to the advertising industry and volunteering in the community.
Noah Tom
Regional Production Manager
Spectrum Reach
An award-winning creative who started in publication design at a local surf magazine. Noah has created marketing and advertising for some of Hawaii's biggest clients including a cross-promotion with Hawaiian Airlines and Disney for the movie Moana, the current Longs Drugs Campaign, and many of Hawaii's local small businesses.
He is a volunteer with AIGA, past president of AAF Hawai'i (2016-2018), current AAF D13 NSAC chair, and a founding member of AdUp Hawai'i an event bringing the creative community together to support small non-profit organizations with marketing and advertising. He was also AAF Hawaii's 2018 Advertising Man of the Year, and AAF National 2018 Div IV Club and President of the Year. Currently NSAC chair for AAF District 13.
From his current position at Kernel by Spectrum Reach he leads a department of creatives, continuing to make compelling and engaging television advertising for many of Hawaii's businesses.
Emcee:
Michelle Kitashiro
Senior Field Marketing Specialist
Spectrum Reach
Michelle's path to marketing was anything but conventional. She began her career as a graphic designer in the Bay Area, designing everything from wine labels to point-of-sale displays. Seeking new opportunities, she moved to Hawaii where she gained experience working in both small and corporate environments.
After being recruited by Spectrum Reach during their transition from Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Michelle has spent the past 5 years helping local businesses across the state market themselves effectively. Her expertise in the field has made her a valuable asset to the company and the community she serves.
When Michelle isn't chasing after her toddler and pet dog, she can be found spending quality time with friends over a delicious meal or hitting the golf course. She also actively contributes to the community by volunteering for organizations such as the Aloha United Way Society of Young Leaders board and March of Dimes. Michelle's passion for marketing is matched only by her dedication to making a difference in the lives of those around her.
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM HST
9:00 - 9:30 AM: Registration
9:30 - 11:15 AM: Presentation
11:15 - 11:30 AM: Networking
Fees/Admission
COMPLIMENTARY for Chamber, YP & HFMA members
Non-Member Rate: $15
Parking: Not included in registration. Parking available at Alii Place on Alakea Street.
1099 Alakea St., Ste. 2440, Honolulu, HI 96813. $3 flat rate for 2-hours.
Members who cancel without 48-hour advance notice will be charged a $10 no-show fee.
Cancellation policy for non-members:
5 days or more prior to event full refund
2-4 days before event 50% refund
0-1 day before event no refund
Contact Information
Stephanie Shinno
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