In the summer of 1983, I came to San Jose Research with a fresh Ph.D. and 7 years of experience on Corporate Communications staffs in Armonk, the most recent of which had been working with the press. I was excited by the prospect of being able to advance the interests of the lab and to let the world know of the lab's achievements. It was an exhilarating time, and we were thrilled to be supporting such outstanding scientific and technological work. The lab was most receptive to new communications projects and products, and lab directors Don Rosenheim, Frank Mayadas and Juri Matisoo each lent their full support.We were off and running! In addition to the traditional employee communications products and services, such as bulletin board notices, the Speak Up! program, the Charitable Contributions Campaign materials, etc., we moved with the special support of Joe Galletto, then manager of Administration and Technical Services, to further expand communications offerings. A 26-page color brochure, a first for the San Jose Research Lab, was published, a predecessor to what would come later at Almaden. Jon Iwata, Judy Gan, and later, Mike Ross, joined the communications team, to be followed by a number of other communications professionals over time. We worked closely with graphic designer Jean Chen of Administrative Services to develop additional supporting materials for the opening of the Almaden Research Center in May 1986. Top flight science and technology innovations found voice in press releases, audio news releases, video news releases, press conferences, press inquiries, media visits, post cards, calendars, articles about Almaden in the Research Division magazine, and an all new 26-page full-color brochure celebrated the Almaden opening.
Following that opening, the award-winning employee quarterly Almaden Views, featuring stunning photography, content, and design, and edited by Jon Iwata, was introduced. It found an appreciative audience. Two years later, an all-new and expanded 32-page color brochure featuring the lab's science, technology and the work of its support staffs joined the family of Almaden publications. Our efforts drew recognition from numerous industry organizations external to IBM, and our communications products and publications were recognized by more than 30 awards. We were thrilled to fill the awards cabinet along Main Street at Almaden with recognition plaques, mementos, and prizes! All this while we were relishing the opportunity to bring the word about Almaden's stunning scientific and technical achievements to the outside world.
Reminiscences from San Jose Research and Almaden in the 80s are rich indeed!
Kay Keeshen
Communications and Community Relations Manager, 1983-1992
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