Communications : In the News

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Insurance, financial services and IT continue to be strong and growing job sectors in the Capital region as hiring picks up again.

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The insurance industry employed about 6,000 people in the Lansing area in 2009, according to the most recent data released by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The financial services sector, which is often lumped in with insurance in labor numbers, employed nearly 4,000.

Rich Howard, director of Greater Lansing Insurance and Financial Services Council, said he expects roughly 800 new insurance jobs and 250 to 300 new financial services jobs in about five years.

The Lansing region boasts a concentration of large, locally based insurance companies, such as Auto-Owners Insurance Co., Jackson National Life Insurance Co., Accident Fund Insurance Co. of America, Delta Dental of Michigan and Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. Other insurers, such as Accident Fund's Detroit-based parent Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, also have sizable area operations.

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The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Grand River Connection teamed up to host the fourth annual Ten Over the Next Ten awards, honoring young professionals who are bound to make a substantial impact in the future of the Capital region .

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Ten young professionals, ranging from CEOs to state and university officials, were recognized Tuesday for their talent and potential to have the biggest impact on the Lansing area in the next decade.

“It’s important to recognize young talent especially in a city like Lansing, being named one of the top 10 young professional cities to live in,” said Tom Ruis, president of the Grand River Connection young professional group.

Lansing was named one of “10 Great Cities for Young Adults” by financial news organization Kiplinger Washington Editors Inc. in July.

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Two political theory and constitutional democracy seniors at Michigan State University (MSU) stepped out of their comfort zones to try their hands at creating a marketing campaign in a nationwide competition. The result: a shared $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C.

According to excerpts from the article:

When Laura Kovacek and Maria Bianchi’s presentation won them both $2,500 scholarships at the first Washington Media Scholars Case Competition, Kovacek said she was shocked. MSU’s James Madison College also was given $5,000 for scholarships.

At a network reception with 65 other teams of finalists and about 250 people in the profession, Bianchi and Kovacek were announced as the winners on June 10. The top six teams were invited to go to Washington, D.C. during Media Scholars Week, where they meet individuals who work for advertising and marketing with companies such as Facebook, Google and CNN.

The competition was hosted by the Washington Media Scholars Foundation, which was founded to provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to meet executives in public affairs advertising, said Robin Roberts, president of the Washington Media Scholars Foundation.

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