CHICAGO August 17, 2011 – Insidedge, the employee communications consultancy of Interpublic Group, is pleased to announce that Matt West has been promoted to senior vice president and has earned the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance™ (CPLP) credential from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) Certification Institute.  Based in the agency's Chicago office, West will deepen his role in leading key client engagements and will play an expanded role in helping to foster Insidedge’s continuing growth and development.

“Matt is a creative spark for our team and our clients,” said Linda Kingman, managing director and executive vice president of Insidedge.  “In the more than five years that he’s been with Insidedge, Matt has become a trusted counselor and team leader and is at the center of some exciting initiatives we have underway.  His CPLP certification further establishes our expertise in training and development geared towards employee communications.  We’re proud of Matt and congratulate him on his promotion and on earning his CPLP designation. ”

Earning the CPLP™ credential means West possesses the knowledge and skills to be a top performer in the workplace learning and performance field.  Becoming a CPLP enhances a professional’s reputation by recognizing that they have an overall understanding of the nine areas of expertise for workplace learning and performance as defined by the ASTD Competency Model™, and can apply this knowledge in the workplace.

To earn the CPLP certification, West acquired industry-related experience, successfully passed a knowledge-based examination, and submitted a work product that met performance standards. “The CPLP certification process is rigorous and it produces candidates with a breadth of knowledge that brings significant benefit to their employers, colleagues and clients,” says Jennifer Naughton, ASTD’s Director of Credentialing.

About Insidedge     
One of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Insidedge is a team of specialists who wed the rigor of management consulting, the science of research and the art of marketing communication into a strategic package that fosters employee commitment and motivates employee performance. We help companies translate complex business plans and objectives into language employees can relate to – and act upon.  For more information, visit our website at www.insidedge.net.

About ASTD and the ASTD Certification Institute
ASTD is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD started 1944 when the organization held its first annual conference.
To support members’ ongoing development in the field, ASTD formed the ASTD Certification Institute to take the lead in setting professional industry standards. The ASTD Certification Institute certifies professionals through the CPLP credential. More information about the CPLP program may be found at www.cplp.astd.org. Additional questions should be directed to: certification@astd.org.