I had the wonderful experience of interviewing our four Andy McLaughlin Rising Star Award finalists last year. Simone Bunsen, marketing manager, Chief Executive Group, told me about the time they made a small mistake in a personalized email. Did they fret? No. Instead, they sent out a corrected version, apologized and offered $100 off registration to an upcoming event. "And surprisingly," she said, "we did really well on that email! I think the lesson is to own up to any automation or marketing mistakes. It gives your brand an opportunity to show its human side."

At the SIPA 2019 Awards Luncheon earlier this month, Kirstina Colvin, president of Pub K Group, was named the winner of the Andy McLaughlin Rising Star Award. The other three finalists were: