ABOUT US
Founded almost 30 years ago, Benchmark Public Relations is the leading public relations firm in Saskatchewan offering all aspects of communication and marketing services. In 2005, we opened an office in Winnipeg to offer our expertise to a new market; and the following year, we created Benchmark Press, a book publishing company. In 2009, we opened an office in Saskatoon to service a growing number of clients in northern Saskatchewan; and in 2011 we purchased commercial property to serve as our new head office and to incorporate new technologies and cost efficiencies for our clients. Today, we employ a dozen staff and consultants who are seasoned and knowledgeable in all areas of strategic communications and marketing.
We pride ourselves in working hard to get to know the unique business needs of each client. The ability to offer customized and personalized service is what sets us apart from our competitors. Whether you require a communications strategy, planning a special event, conducting media relations for a new program or service, launching a social media campaign or developing a website, we are the team to turn to. Our senior strategists, writers and designers will work with you on all your communications and marketing needs.
Time and money are precious. Don’t put your communications needs in the hands of freelance writers juggling too many projects to be effective or advertising agencies that do public relations and communications as a side-line of their core business. Trust the experts at Benchmark Public Relations.
WHO WE ARE
PAT REDIGER
MANAGING PARTNER
Pat began his career as a journalist and author, before establishing the Benchmark Group of Companies that has interests in strategic communications and marketing, book publishing, and management consulting. Pat has served on numerous boards and committees including a term as President of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and as a board member of the Saskatchewan Science Centre and Western Canada Magazine Awards Foundation. He grew his company from a one-person consultancy to one of the largest full-service strategic communications agencies in Western Canada with more than 300 clients across the country that have come to rely on him to deliver high quality, cost-effective services second to none. Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Regina and has often been welcomed back as a guest lecturer. He has also taught at the university’s Public Relations Certificate Program and its Business and Professional Development Program. He has also presented on public relations at various conferences and special events.
DIANA RAPOPORT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Diana has almost 20 years of experience at various design agencies and at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. She has experience with branding, packaging, advertising, web and multimedia, catalogues, newsletters, presentations, exhibits, television commercials, video and audio editing. Diana has led numerous branding efforts and is the lead designer for publications such as the Hill Levene Business Review and Saskatchewan Farmers’ Voice. She is a graduate of the Tiltan College of Art and Visual Communications in Haifa, Israel. She will provide high-end graphics and design as required.
CINDY MANTEI
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Cindy, communications consultant, has more than 20 years experience in management and design. She served as the manager of the Marvel Beauty School before embarking upon a new career in graphic design. She attended the Graphic Communications Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and is proficient with spreadsheets and designing forms, newsletters, brochures and leaflets.
JOE CAMPLIN
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Joe Camplin is interning at Benchmark while completing a degree in Journalism at the University of Regina. He has experience in a variety of fields, including writing, editing and producing. He recently worked on the current affairs piece Queen City Crisis: Gimme Shelter, which is available on YouTube. Joe is also a member of the University of Regina Rams football team.
WARREN NERBY
MARKETING CONSULTANT
The quarterly magazine for the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), as well as the spring convention guide. Warren has extensive experience having worked with the Regina Leader Post, Brown Communications, the Saskatchewan Hotels and Hospitality Association, and various publications in British Columbia. His media experience is beneficial in developing media buying and earned media strategies.
DON SHALLEY
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Don brings many years of experience in a variety of fields to the Benchmark team. Throughout his career in the private and public sector, Shalley has worked in communications, marketing, financial management and human resources. He has been Director of Fund Development with the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Department of Tourism, as well as founding and operating his own successful private business undertakings. Don provides strategic media relations counselling and event management on behalf of our clients. Working in Regina, Don coordinates media pitches and interviews with key spokespeople.
DR. LYNN GIDLUCK
PARTNER
Lynn has a wealth of public relations experience. She has served as the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs with the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and has provided media relations for the Government of Saskatchewan. She holds a Doctorate in Public Policy from the University of Regina and a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. An accomplished author and accredited communicator, Lynn has also been a finalist for the Saskatchewan Book Awards.
WARREN LISTER
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Warren specializes in the development and implementation of strategic marketing plans. Warren has more than 25 years experience in customer engagement, marketing, sales, change management and high performance coaching. He is a focused, strategic thinker with expertise in regu-latory environments, aggressive growth environments, mergers and acquisitions. Warren most recently served as the Vice President of Customer Service at Hydro One, and previous to that was the Vice President of Marketing at Viterra. Warren is also a former Olympic Coach with Team New Zealand.
RON PODBIELSKI
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Ron is a professional communicator and corporate leader, with over 35 years of experience with provincial and federal Crown Corporations, Treasury Board Crowns, provincial ministries as well as the non-profit sector. Ron spent 17 years as an executive member with SaskEnergy and Farm Credit Canada, and was prime corporate spokesperson for SaskTel. Ron's background includes direct hands-on experience in strategic communications planning, issues management, media relations and training, internal communications, government relations, social media, business writing and community investment. A graduate of the University of Regina's Journalism and Communications program (Great Distinction), Ron's involvement includes extensive Board and project involvement with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Regina Crime Stoppers, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and Globe Theatre.
SOPHIE GAUDET
VICE PRESIDENT, QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
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Sophie has a decade of experience conducting research for the private and public sectors. Prior to returning to Saskatchewan in 2011, Sophie was Manager of Demography in the Alberta Ministry of Finance. Sophie has extensive experience in social behavioural research, demography, and market research. She has conducted quantitative and qualitative research including program evaluations, market share and product market testing, segmentation and psychographic profiling, as well as employee engagement and satisfaction surveys. She has worked with clients in the gaming, provincial government, post-sec-ondary, municipal, healthcare, and financial services sectors to help them identify their data and research needs and create new research programs to support strategic planning and analytics.
BILL ARMSTRONG
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Bill is a Regina-based writer who has written for a variety of clients on a wide range of topics, in print and online. He is also a keen amateur photographer with a special focus on Saskatchewan’s landscapes. Bill is a student of Canada’s and Saskatchewan’s history, and in particular in the province’s built heritage. He volunteers with Nature Conservancy Canada on conservation projects and writes blog posts for the Friends of the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan.