Women in Communications to Honor Member, Nonprofit of the Year

The event is built around the brand theme in recognition of this year’s Member of the Year, Cindy Faith Swain, owner of PlanABrand, a full-service branding, marketing and social media company. Swain will be honored for her dedication to advancing the goals of AWC-SB and professional leadership in the field of communications.

“I am honored to accept this award,” said Swain, a well-seasoned executive with more than 20 years of worldwide licensing and business development experience, including 12 years with Warner Bros. “AWC-SB has been a great place to meet wonderful women who teach me and bring color to my life in Santa Barbara.”

In keeping with the event theme, tables and gift baskets will be designated with women’s brands, including Oprah Winfrey, Coco Chanel, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda, Mary Kay, Lynda Wyman (of local company Lynda.com) and Rachael Ray. Tickets for chances to win women’s brand gift baskets will be sold at the event. Proceeds will be used to support AWC-SB activities.

Women in Communications will also recognize its 2011 Nonprofit Honoree, the Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County, a fiscal partner of the Santa Barbara Foundation, for its support of local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2007, the fund has awarded $49,500 to 20 organizations serving women, children and families. “How fantastic that we share similar goals of empowering and enriching the lives of women in our community,” said Jennifer Mills, chair of the north county Women’s Fund, upon learning of the honor.

Tickets may be purchased in advance via the AWC-SB website until noon Dec. 5: $10 for students, $15 for members and $30 for non-members. Tickets at the door will be $10 for students, $25 for members and $40 for non-members. Admission includes refreshments; there will be a no-host bar.

AWC-SB supports personal, social, business and organizational transformation through communication. It is an affiliate of the national Association for Women in Communications, which represents communications disciplines including print and broadcast journalism, television and radio production, film, advertising, public relations, marketing, graphic design, multi-media design and photography. Visit www.awcsb.org.