Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Organizations in the RTP region that are feeling the crunch of lean staff and budgets can now take advantage of a new online tool to locate experienced communication professionals who can help them complete projects that have been forced to the proverbial back burner. Independent Communicators Alliance (ICA), an association for experienced, independent communication professionals, recently launched a new website (www.icatriangle.org) to link businesses with its pool of creative professionals. That pool includes writers, graphic designers, marketing consultants and more. Featuring member profiles with portfolio samples, the website allows businesses to quickly search for individuals with specific industry or communication expertise, and then compare candidates to find the person they feel will best match their needs. Independent communicators are ideal candidates to offer fresh perspectives, tackle short-term projects or fill in gaps when in-house staff is limited. An added bonus — professional independents can provide creative services without the overhead of permanent staff. “We intend for the site to be a great promotional tool for members, as well as a go-to resource for companies seeking flexible, top-notch talent,” explained Claire Doyle Ragin, ICA president. Offering discussion boards, an events calendar and a multi-user blog, the new ICA website is key to the organization’s 2009 plans to increase membership and provide greater value to members. In addition to the website, ICA has announced a series of speaker programs for 2009 designed to enhance professional development. Upcoming program topics include: • “A bio, resume, or professional summary? What will work best for you?” (Presented by Kelly Welch, March 25) • “Creating your BUZZ on the Internet: Marketing that gets results!”(Presented by Deidre Hughey, April 22) About ICA Founded in 2004 in the Triangle region of North Carolina, Independent Communicators Alliance (ICA) is an association of experienced, independent communication professionals who provide editorial, graphic design, multimedia, audio-visual, public relations, marketing, advertising, organizational development and related services. In addition to providing networking, peer education and support opportunities, ICA actively seeks to link professional members with businesses that need talented professionals to support their diverse communication needs. For more information, visit www.icatriangle.org Contact: Cindy Turner Vice President of Marketing, Independent Communicators Alliance 919.550.9316 vp.m...@icatriangle.org ###