Number 42 of 52 Compelling Communicators: Colin Macrae
October 21, 2013Colin is one of those people always eager to learn about new
areas of communication. When we first met he was on the forefront of the
digital world, embracing all it had to offer. His passion for quality
communications continues as he uses his talents at Electronic Arts. He raves
about the company given the slightest opportunity. Passion is such a key
ingredient to communication that makes you sit up and take notice. Colin makes
me sit up.
How would you describe yourself as a child?
Outgoing and exuberant.
What helped you become a good communicator?
Books (which ones?) - Leadership Built To Last, The Tipping Point
Online sources/newsletters (which ones?) - PR Week, Mashable
School (which instructor?) - Evelyn Samuel (head of PR at UVic when I got my first summer job in PR), you, Jeff Brown (head of Corp Comm at EA)
Observing others (who?) - Jay Mehr (VP at Shaw), Andre Trembley (head of Fido)
What are the traits of a good communicator?
An exceptional writer in all formats/styles, someone who is a voracious consumer of media, a consensus builder who can bring people/teams together, someone who knows how to contribute beyond the domain of communications.
What tip or advice would you give to help people become better communicators?
If you're not the best writer on your team, then you need to become it. Always think big picture...less about the day-to-day tactics, and more about "where are we going?"....stop thinking of social media as "social media" because it's just plain media now.
What is your biggest communication related pet peeve?
Working with leaders/team members who think that communications is an overnight result or win...it's really more about the journey and the destination.
Who do you think is a famous compelling communicator? And, what makes him or her compelling?
Margaret Thatcher...the best speechifier of our generation, someone who was the clearest and most direct communicator of that period, and someone who really invested their time in communications from one of the most important seats in the world.
Please share a communications story (good or bad) that will be beneficial for others.
When I worked at Fido in the lat '90s, I worked in an environment where no idea was too big, where there were no limits to what we could do. We were empowered by our leaders and the company to break the rules and push the boundaries. It was an exhilarating time in my career, and one that taught me the benefits of taking risks and allowing a team to be as creative and adventurous as they could be.
Colin Macrae is the Senior Director of Integrated Communications at EA SPORTS. He leads the integrated communications (PR, social media, content/conversation) for the EA SPORTS titles developed at EA Canada in Burnaby.
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