PR Feature Articles in the Social Media Age

As social media became great platforms to reach large audiences, the idea of using press releases to directly keep in touch with consumers became very popular. Social media and SEO experts recommend to publish press releases on companies' online press rooms, Facebook and other social media, to post video releases on YouTube, and headlines on Twitter along with active links pointing to your company's website where the full text of the press release is hosted. Consumers would engage in discussions with other Internet users about the key focus of the release, let's say, a new product or an important announcement, in a very effective viral marketing. Then you will manage your company over your smart phone from a Hawaii's beach. Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

Census Bureau Reports Minority Business Ownership
Increasing at More Than Twice the National Rate

The number of minority-owned businesses increased by 45.6 percent to 5.8 million between 2002 and 2007, more than twice the national rate of all U.S. businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, the number of women-owned businesses increased 20.1 percent during the same period. The total number of U.S. businesses increased between 2002 and 2007 by 18.0 percent to 27.1 million.

720,000 Hispanic Businesses - CHCC Annual Convention

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) is the leading statewide Hispanic business and professional organization. With a network membership of over 65 Hispanic chamber and business associations, the CHCC represents the interests of more than 720,000 Hispanic businesses in California. The CHCC will host its 31st Annual Statewide Convention, August 11-13, 2010 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Hispanics’ Impact on U.S. Culture

A Golden Opportunity for Companies to Engage Latinos

The 2010 U.S. Census is expected to find that Hispanics number more than 50 million in this country, and they command $1 trillion in buying power. Yet 50% of U.S. advertisers, who acknowledge the cultural impact of Latinos, do not include Hispanics in their marketing efforts. The field is wide open for companies that recognize the incredible power of Hispanics as a driver of their businesses.

What to Expect From a Web Designer

Many professionals and small business owners usually have an important question in mind while considering to have an Internet presence. The question is, what to expect from a web designer? To publish a professionally designed website shouldn't be too expensive, depending on the site's complexity, but it is not a shopping journey into a 99 cents store either. It's a way to build a marketing machine that helps a business make the client adquisition process easier and less expensive. It's also a way to keep existing clients informed of what a company is doing.

Consumer Confidence Climbs

April 2010 Reading is the Best since September 2008

The Consumer Confidence Index for April 2010 came in at 57.9, which is well above the 53.5 that had been expected and an improvement from the 52.3 that was posted in the prior month. The April reading is the best since August 2008, according to the Conference Board.

Internet Opportunities - A Company Website and More ...

Podcast - mp3 file, 4.25 minutes, 4.2 mb

If you don't have a company website, you may be missing a lot of sales. In fact, you are allowing your competitors to beat you to a sale just because your business doesn't have a website. The point is not that your business needs a website, the point is that your customers expect your company to have it... After having a website fully operational, what should you do to promote it...?

ContactoMagazine.com Offers
Advertisers Pay per Click Ad Campaigns

Advertisers will now be able to run ad campaigns in ContactoMagazine.com on a pay per click basis and to follow their campaigns within an ad server that will let them see impressions, clicks and CTR (click through rate). Ad campaigns on a CPM (cost per thousand impressions or ad views) basis are still in effect.

Post Your Press Release

Internet Has Brought New Rules of Marketing and PR

Many private companies and nonprofit organizations are still struggling to get news media coverage or Internet users to visit their press rooms after distributing and publishing their press releases. ContactoMagazine.com, a bilingual (English, Spanish) news site serving U.S. Hispanics/Latinos since 1998 has implemented a solution to that issue.

Contacto Is All About You

Most people know Contacto as a monthly magazine serving L.A. Hispanics/Latinos since 1994. Internet users are familiar with ContactoMagazine.com, a digital edition of the same news outlet up and running since 1998. But the mother company's name is Contacto News Service. It also offers journalistic contents to other news media, commercial graphic and web designs for businesses and nonprofit organizations, and writing, translations to Spanish and distribution of clients' press releases to news outlets for publication.

Feature Article vs. Press Release

To please readers of Hispanic origin you can't find nothing like the narrative approach of a well written Spanish-language feature article. That's why Contacto PR News is offering corporations, public relations agencies and individuals a free distribution through all its circuits when they order the writing of an original feature article.

TV Advertising Budgets Are Under Siege

A joint ANA (Association of National Advertisers) and Forrester Research Inc. survey of more than 100 national advertisers illustrates marketers' continued lack of confidence in the effectiveness of television ads. And while they still express faith in the future of the 30-second spot, advertisers feel that the fundamentals to support their use is in need of an overhaul. Specifically, they express dissatisfaction with the current measurement techniques, an interest in more targeted ads, and a desire for less ad clutter and more relevance.

Why a Website Is Important for Your Company

ALEX G. JOHNSON

In the past, people used to open the print edition of local Yellow Pages to find a restaurant, a doctor, an attorney or a bakery. Today they go to a search engine like Google, Yahoo, Bing or AOL to find products and services they need. Once they find what they searched for, they open any specific business's website to get more information: prices, menus, special offers, benefits of any product or service, address, phone numbers or electronic forms to make an appointment or a reservation. Furthermore, they search for driving directions to your brick and mortar office or store.

US Jobless Rate Drops Unexpectedly

DAN ROBINSON
Capitol Hill
VOA NEWS

The U.S. jobless rate dropped to 9.7 percent in the first month of the new year, providing Americans with some good news that the economic recovery is taking hold. But overall the economy lost another 20,000 jobs, which was disappointing news as President Barack Obama and majority Democrats begin a push for new legislation to stimulate job growth.

Grand Slam Cross-Platform Marketing Plan

GLENDALE, California, January 25, 2010.- The Contacto Magazine's "Grand Slam Cross-Platform Marketing Plan" has been launched today in order to help advertisers reach Hispanics/Latinos through print ads, online ads, and press releases. Our sister company, Contacto PR News, will join this plan by writing and distributing our clients's press releases to other news media in Los Angeles and the United States.

Brochures and Prospects

ANDY W. RICE

For many years, brochures have been important marketing tools for businesses to reach prospects. Certainly, sales letters, print, TV and radio ads sell, but a brochure contains much more information and photos intended to attract potential customers.

Unemployment Rate Falls to 10%

The U.S. unemployment rate dropped in November, while the nation's economy lost the fewest jobs since 2007. A report from the Labor Department released on Friday, December 4, 2009 says the jobless rate was 10 percent last month, a slight decline from the 26-year high it hit in the previous month, 10.2%. The U.S. economy also lost 11,000 jobs in November, which is far less than the prior month.

Understanding R.O.I. and Credibility in Advertising

One of the most important points you should know before developing an advertising campaign is to calculate your Return-On-Investment (ROI). When you figure out the breakeven number of new clients that your campaign needs to generate profits, you'll understand better where and how to spend your ad budget.

Jack Myers: “Hispanic Advertising to Grow
Between 10 and 20% More than General Market”

Media Economist and Investment AdvisorJack Myers expects advertising and marketing targeting Hispanics to grow between 10% and 20% than in the general market. Myers said this during a function held last week by Terra in New York City. He also expects Hispanic budgets to become more integrated with general market budgets.

Advertising at the End of the Downturn

ART COHEN

If your company didn't advertise during the current recession, the upcoming end of this economic downturn is a good moment to do so. U.S. total measured advertising spending during the first half of 2009 dropped 14.3%, according to TNS Media Intelligence. However this percentage means a huge amount of money: $60.9 billion.

US Economy Showing More Positive Signs

The U.S. economy is showing modest but welcome signs of life in employment and retail sales, adding to expectations of recovery from the longest and deepest recession of the post-World War II era.

Latest US Economic Figures Fuel Hopes of Recovery

The U.S. economy continues to shrink and shed jobs, but at a much slower pace than a few months ago, giving economists reason to proclaim the longest recession in the post-World War II era may soon be over.

US Treasury Secretary: Economy
Improving, Needs More Help

MICHAEL BOWMAN
Washington
VOA News

The Obama administration is hailing recent improvements in U.S. economic indicators, but says more must be done to put the United States on solid economic footing. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner proclaimed the risk of financial collapse to be over, but said the United States must shrink its massive national debt.

Fiesta Latina 2009, a Marketing Opportunity

Hispanics/Latinos have been playing important roles in the U.S. politics, entertainment, science, business, sports, news media and as consumers who have a purchasing power of over $900 billion a year. Contacto Magazine has been paying tribute to those Hispanic contributions to the United States with an annual special series named Fiesta Latina.

Americas United Bank (AUB) CEO Shares Knowledge,
Inspiration with Migrant Worker Youth

Gilbert Dalmau, President and CEO of Americas United Bank (AUB), addressed a crowd of young adults this week as part of the Migrant Scholars Leadership Institute SABEResPODER (Knowledge is Power) Power Hour. One hundred high achieving high school students from migrant farm-working communities were able to hear Dalmau discuss his life as an immigrant who attained his dreams of success in the business world, while also answering their questions about banking and the opportunities available to them.

Now You’re Speaking My Language

DAVID KAPLAN
Senior Vice President
Research and Product Development, Nielsen IAG

CI SUMMARY: Spanish-language ad spending is on the rise—posting gains in just about every major product category in 2008. What is the best strategy to reach an audience whose language proficiencies and preferences range from Spanish-only through various degrees of bilingual skills to English-only? Language holds the key to success as a strong emotional link is forged with the Hispanic consumer when ads are rendered in their native language.

Study: Advertising's Impact in a Soft Economy

According to a new Ad-ology Research study, Advertising's Impact in a Soft Economy, more than 48% of U.S. adults believe that a lack of advertising by a retail store, bank or auto dealership during a recession indicates the business must be struggling. Conversly, a vast majority perceives businesses that continue to advertise as being competitive or committed to doing business.

SBA Program to Help the Small Business

WASHINGTON – Small businesses suffering financial hardship as a result of the slow economy may be eligible to receive temporary relief to keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track through to a new loan program announced by SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.

Americas United Bank, an Opportunity
for Small to Mid Size Businesses

Interview with Gil Dalmau, President and CEO

Current credit crunch is negatively affecting many businesses that need working capital, funds to buy commercial real estate or to develop new projects. News from the financial sector show U.S. banks in critical conditions amid the worst recession we have ever seen since the Great Depression. However, a Hispanic-owned bank located in Glendale, California, is living a different experience.

SuperQuarter Ad for Small Businesses and Professionals

Carefully prepared for small businesses and professionals, the SuperQuarter Ad is an affordable B&W print advertising space (vertical or horizontal) that may be ideal to run guerrilla ad campaigns in Contacto Magazine during the current recession.

Bernanke Sees Economic Upturn Later This Year

America's central bank chief says the battered U.S. economy will likely emerge from deep recession later this year, but that the recovery will be slow and further job losses are anticipated. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave his economic forecast on May 5 at a bi-cameral committee hearing on Capitol Hill.

Consumer Confidence Index Increases in April, 2009

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had posted a slight increase in March, improved considerably in April. The Index now stands at 39.2 (1985=100), up from 26.9 in March. The Present Situation Index increased to 23.7 from 21.9 last month. The Expectations Index rose to 49.5 from 30.2 in March.

El Pollo Loco Will Run a $4 Million
Ad Campaign in Spanish

“Que rico pollo” is the new Spanish-language ad campaign launching this spring for Costa Mesa, California-based El Pollo Loco, a quick-service chain known for flame-grilled chicken, according to Portada magazine. The campaign, which highlights the chain's behind-the-grill cooks, is more than simply a translation of general market spots to Spanish.

Forbes List - Richest People Are Poorer

World's billionaires have an average net worth of $3 billion, down 23% in 12 month, and they are now 793, down from 1,125 last year, according to the Forbes magazine's annual list of the richest people on earth. Microsoft founder Bill Gates lost $18 billion but regained his title as the world's richest man with a personal fortune of $40 billion. Investor Warren Buffett, last year's No. 1, lost $25 billion and this year he is No. 2 with $37 billion. Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helú maitained his spot in the top three with $35 billion after losing $25 billion, according to Forbes.

Advertising - Frequently Asked Questions

The following are common questions and answers about advertising in an economic downturn... Advertising is a form of communication that typically attempts to persuade potential customers to purchase or to consume more of a particular brand of product or service.

Television Advertising: An Irreversible Decline?

Generator Research's report "Television Advertising: An Irreversible Decline?" shows that revenue from traditional broadcast TV spot ads will account for just 25 percent of TV advertising by 2019. The result will be a market worth $13.1 billion in the United States, down from $57.8 billion in 2008.

SBA Warns of Fraudulent Attempts

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.

Contacto Supports Clients During Recession

Contacto Magazine, a publication aimed at Hispanics/Latinos since 1994, is taking a number of actions to support its existing and new advertisers during the current economic downturn in order to help them get more for their advertising and marketing budgets.

House Approves Stimulus Package

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an $819 billion economic stimulus package backed by President Barack Obama. The House voted 244 to 188 to pass the bill late Wednesday.

Advertising During Recessions

By 1985, sales of companies that were aggressive recession advertisers had risen 256 percent over those that didn't keep up their advertising. In addition, a series of six studies conducted by the research firm of Meldrum & Fewsmith showed conclusively that advertising aggressively during recessions not only increases sales but increases profits.

Benefits of Internet Marketing and Advertising

In the current economic downturn, Internet marketing may be a great tool to reach consumers, including Latino consumers who have a higher purchasing power and a strong education in terms of online shopping. Of the 45.5 million Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States with a purchasing power of $900 billion a year, more than 20 million are on the Internet on a daily basis.

Unemployment by Groups and Industries

Nonfarm payroll employment fell sharply (-533,000) in November, and the unemployment rate rose from 6.5 to 6.7 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. November's drop in payroll employment followed declines of 403,000 in September and 320,000 in October, as revised. Job losses were large and widespread across the major industry sectors in November.

Fighting the Financial Crisis,
One Challenge at a Time

By HENRY M. PAULSON Jr.
U.S. Secretary of Treasury

We are going through a financial crisis more severe and unpredictable than any in our lifetimes. We have seen the failures, or the equivalent of failures, of Bear Stearns, IndyMac, Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual, Wachovia, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the American International Group. Each of these failures would be tremendously consequential in its own right.

Advertising During an Economic Downturn

By PAULA WHITE
President
Boerne, Texas, Chamber of Commerce

While the White House staff, and legislators, along with the Obama transition team and business leaders throughout the United States make every effort to shore up our beleaguered economy, small and mid-sized businesses have some tough decisions to make.

Tightened Credit, Reduced Demand Push
SBA Loan Volume Down

WASHINGTON – A “perfect storm” of tightened credit by commercial lenders, declining creditworthiness, and reduced demand for loans from small business borrowers uncertain about the future has led to a substantial decline in the number of small business loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration during FY 2008, SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah said.

Stanford Guidelines for Web Credibility

How can you boost your web site's credibility? Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab has compiled 10 guidlines for building the credibility of a web site. These guidelines are based on three years of research that included over 4,500 people.

The SBA May Help Your Small Business

If you own a small business, you are suppossed to be affraid of current economy uncertainty that creates challenges in credit markets affecting Wall Street, Main Street and small companies nationwide. But pay attention to this..., the Small Business Administration (SBA) may help you. Working through its lending partners, SBA loan programs are helping lessen the credit crunch by extending credit to small businesses across the country.

Dell Promises to Take Business
Laptops to New Latitudes

Inspired by close collaboration with nearly 4,000 IT professionals and end users, Dell announced a completely new line of Latitude and Dell Precision laptops, ranging from the lightest ultra-portable in the company’s history to the most powerful mobile workstation.

Further Measures to Address Elevated
Pressures in Funding Markets

The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank (ECB), the Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, and the Swiss National Bank have announced coordinated measures designed to address the continued elevated pressures in U.S. dollar short-term funding markets.

Surgical Errors Cost Nearly $1.5 Billion Annually

Potentially preventable medical errors that occur during or after surgery may cost employers nearly $1.5 billion a year, according to new estimates by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Entrepreneurs Thrive in the Global Age

For more than a century, entrepreneurs in Europe and the United States have thrived, bringing innovation and change to the world. Now, looser government controls, fast Internet connections and better access to capital are helping entrepreneurs bring their products and services to market.

US Treasury Secretary: Economic
Fundamentals Are Sound

Since late last year, U.S. gross domestic product has grown at a dramatically reduced pace, but managed to avert negative growth that would formally signal a recession.

California’s Unemployment Rate Increases to 6.9 Percent

California ’s unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in June, up from 6.8 percent in May, the state Employment Development Department (EDD) reported. A year ago, in June 2007, California ’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.

Economic Slowdown - Marketing 101

If you own a private business you should be wondering how to deal with the current economic slowdown the United States is suffering. Consumer confidence fell more than forecast in June to the lowest level in more than 16 years. Gas prices are capping a run of eight straight days of record highs. That's an increase of 38.5% over the last year. U.S. unemployment held at 5.5% last month. But don't panic. You will find effective ways to sell products and services even in such an economy.



Starbucks Decided to Close 600 Stores

Starbucks Corporation has announced the next step in its multi-faceted plan to transform the company, with a decision to close approximately 600 underperforming company-operated stores in the U.S. market.

Spiraling Gas Prices Have People Talking Transit

Faced with ever-rising gasoline prices, more and more Americans are cutting back on driving. We're taking shorter vacations and turning to buses, subways, light-rail trains, motorcycles – even bicycles – to get around town.

New Study: Magazines Enhance
the Shopping Experience

Here are a few magazine-specific highlights from the research: Women who buy magazines have the potential to be retailers’ best customer in tough economic times because… People who buy magazines are less price sensitive, and enjoy browsing more than the average shopper. They also value their time and are more willing to pay a premium to get in and out of a store quickly...

U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Up

NEW YORK, May 19 -- The Conference Board reports today that the Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators increased 0.1 percent in April, following a 0.1 percent increase in March, and a -0.3 percent decline in February, signaling that the current slowdown will be short-lived.

Hispanic Travel Industry, New Opportunities

Travel among U.S. Hispanics for the longest time was defined by "VFR" activity, to use industry parlance. While visiting friends and relatives remains a big part of the Latino travel segment, the emergence of the Hispanic business traveler has some companies changing their tune when it comes to their advertising messages, according to a report published by Hispanic Market Weekly.

Forbes: Warren Buffet Overtakes
Bill Gates as World's Richest Person

U.S. financier Warren Buffet, 77, has overtaken his friend and partner in philanthropy, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, as the richest man in the world according to Forbes magazine's annual list of billionaires.

Consumer Reports' Investigates the Truth
Behind Labels that Imply "Made in the USA"

Whether motivated by patriotism or recent health and safety alerts regarding goods made abroad, consumers may look to find domestic-made goods, but finding a product’s homeland on the label isn’t always easy, says Consumer Reports.

Americas United Bank (AUB)
Appoints George Sevilla

Americas United Bank (AUB) announced the appointment of George Sevilla to the position of Director of Sales headquartered in Glendale, CA. Sevilla recently held the position of Team Leader for Banco Popular North America and brings over 10 years of banking success and experience to AUB.

Attracting the News Media to Your Business

As a business owner, sometimes you have to act as your own public relations agent to gain brand exposure and clients. To send a news release or press release to the news media is a way to receive coverage and put your company's name in the spotlight.

Know Your Marketing Strategy Elements

Market planning is an essential task that must be continually undertaken. There will always be shifting market conditions, changing customer needs, and competitive threats. This means that what worked in the past may not work in the future, thus requiring revisions in how a product is marketed.

The U.S. Dollar Losing its Luster?

Many analysts contend that the dollar's decline has tarnished its reputation as the world's soundest currency. Many countries, including the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf, are increasingly eyeing alternatives to the dollar. But other experts counter that American economic leadership and the dollar's dominance as the principle reserve currency are likely to last for many years to come.

Bush Outlines Ideas to Boost Faltering Economy

President Bush says he wants as much as $150 billion of tax relief to stimulate the U.S. economy, which has been hurt by rising energy prices, a steep housing slump and problems in the manufacturing sector.

Greenspan and Other Experts on the U.S. Economy

As a business owner, you might be trying to learn how the U.S. economy will perform in 2008. You have heard about recession, inflation, cooling, mortgage crisis and more. A survey by Bloomberg News Service among economists and a series of recent interviews to former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan can help us understand where we are.

Background on SBA’s Lender Oversight Program

The SBA-backed lending is a $66.7 billion dollar industry with nearly 5,000 lenders and Certified Development Companies (CDCs). About 650 lenders are in its Preferred Lender Program (PLP). As such, SBA takes its lender oversight responsibility very seriously. There are a variety of ways in which it performs this duty.

Builder Confidence Remains at Its Lowest Point

Builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained unchanged in November due to continuing mortgage market problems, a substantial inventory overhang and ongoing concerns about the effects of negative media coverage, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The November HMI held even with October’s upwardly revised 19 reading, its lowest point since the series began in January of 1985.

Spanish-Language Ad Spend
Increases 2.3 Percent in First Half

Total ad spending in Spanish-language media for the first half of 2007 reached $2.87 billion, up 2.3% over the same period last year, according to Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

166,000 New Jobs Created in October, 2007

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 166,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.7 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, and leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing employment continued to decline, and construction employment was little changed.

Target Audience – One of the Four P’s

Do you know who your target audience is? If you don’t know, you are not maximizing your advertising and/or marketing efforts. A marketing strategy blends the elements of the marketing mix, also known as the four P’s (product, price, placement, promotion).

Hispanic News Media and Press Releases

If you own a business company or you are a public relations practitioner, there are several things you should know before sending a press release to the Hispanic news media. News editors, producers and reporters see press releases (alson known as news releases) as information. But information contained in press releases should be of interest to their audiences.

Existing-Home Sales Fell 8.0%

Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – fell 8.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 5.04 million units in September from a downwardly revised pace of 5.48 million in August, and are 19.1 percent below the 6.23 million-unit level in September 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Even so, prices rose in the Northeast and Midwest.

Bernanke Warns on US Housing, Economy

US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has reminded investors around the world that the US economy is facing a prolonged period of sub par performance. In a speech in New York he said that the US housing slump will be a "significant drag" on U.S. growth into next year, though he added that evidence of a broader impact on spending was limited.

Market Intelligence Summit to Reveal
Consumer Diversity and Growth

America is undergoing a tremendous cultural shift as Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans are forming an increasingly important part of our nation—with over 80 percent of the nation’s growth and nearly 100 million people. The marketing opportunities presented to Fortune1000 companies by these changes are exactly what The 4th Annual Multicultural Market Intelligence Summit addresses.

The Consumer Price Index Virtually Unchanged

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was virtually unchanged in July, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. The July level was 2.4 percent higher than in July 2006.

Word of Mouth is Still Alive...

Word of mouth, the oldest marketing tool for businesses, is still alive with a great deal of credibility. As a business owner, you have adquired clients by word of mouth. People come to your place because someone else told them about you. Nothing has changed in this regards, except for something you should take into account: conversion levels of all available marketing tools.

Geotargeting to Reach Online Hispanics

When you launch an ad campaign to only reach Hispanics online in the United States, you don't need to pay for adviews and adclicks from Internet users based in Canada, Mexico, France or Colombia. It would be a waste of money. How to solve this problem? The answer is "geotargeting," a practice of customizing an advertisement for a product or service to a specific market based on the geographic location of potential buyers.

Foreclosure Acitvity Decreases 7% in June

Foreclosure Filings Still Up 87 Percent From June 2006

RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its June 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 164,644 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported during the month, down 7 percent from the previous month but still up 87 percent from June 2006.

The Online Advertising Playbook

Many Internet advertising campaigns are based on hunches and guesswork, because there has not been a standard resource that marketers could turn to for research-backed, trustworthy advice. The Advertising Research Foundation's Online Advertising Playbook is the new benchmark for best practices. It relies on data, not guesswork, to explain what's working and not working on the Internet, and answers all the most vital questions advertisers have about online advertising.

Foreclosure Filings Up Nearly
90 Percent From May 2006

RealtyTrac (realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its May 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 176,137 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported during the month, up 19 percent from the previous month and up nearly 90 percent from May 2006.


Scammer Says Goodbye to False Claims

A businessman has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that he sold his greeting card display rack business opportunities by misrepresenting the potential earnings that consumers could make. The FTC also alleged he did not provide any disclosure documents to purchasers, as required. The settlement bars the businessman from making false earnings claims, using shills, and misrepresenting the profitability of secured locations in the future, and prohibits him from violating the Franchise Rule or Business Opportunity Rule.

Why Most People Fail In Home Businesses!

At one time or another, we’ve all fantasized about creating our
own business and being so successful that we can tell the boss
or manager to “take a hike” and loose the compass! It’s
exciting to consider the possibilities. But then the fears
creep in. We’ve all heard stories about people who have joined
a home based opportunity full of hope and faith, only to unwind
shortly thereafter and fail miserably…and lose some good hard
earned cash in the meantime. And some of us have lived those
stories! Ouch! I have been on both sides of this continuum,
succeeding more often than not, but with enough range of
experience for both myself and others I’ve worked with to offer
some perspective.

Google to Acquire DoubleClick

Google Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire DoubleClick Inc., a global leader in digital marketing technology and services, for $3.1 billion in cash from San Francisco-based private equity firm Hellman & Friedman along with JMI Equity and management. The acquisition will combine DoubleClick's expertise in ad management technology for media buyers and sellers with Google's leading advertising platform and publisher monetization services.

USCIS Announces Extension of Filing
Time for Two Nonimmigrant Petitions

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is giving employers and agents more time to bring foreign workers with extraordinary abilities to the United States. Petitioners can now file “O” and “P” nonimmigrant petitions under normal processing procedures up to one year before a scheduled event, competition or performance.

Civil Rights Groups Want
Foreclosure Moratorium

National civil rights groups are calling for mortgage lenders, loan servicers and loan investors to institute an immediate six-month moratorium on subprime home foreclosures resulting from reckless and unaffordable loans in the subprime market.

Committee Reviews State of
Health Care for Small Business

WASHINGTON – One of the biggest challenges currently facing entrepreneurs is a lack of health care coverage. Small business leaders and representatives from the health insurance industry discussed the reasons that small firms have difficulty providing coverage and potential solutions to this issue. This hearing marks the beginning of the committee’s work to make health care more affordable and available to this nation’s 26 million small businesses.

Advertisers Leading Ad Agencies into New Media

Internet radio and TV, online newspapers and magazines, and the so-called consumer-generated media, CGM, such as blogs, have opened a new way for advertisers and ad agencies to advertise products and services. However, are well known full service advertising agencies ready to use this new media?

TNS Media Intelligence Forecasts 2.6 Percent Increase in U.S. Advertising Spending for 2007 $5.5 Billion in Hispanic-Targeted Ad Spend by 2010

As the largest and fastest-growing minority market in the U.S., the Hispanic demo is drawing attention from all types and classes of advertisers. The rise in population and purchasing power has made the Hispanic TV and radio audience a highly desirable market for networks, TV and radio station owners, content owners and investors, according to Kagan’s Economics of Hispanic TV and Radio in the U.S.

The Mexican Business Council of Los Angeles
Applauds B of A's Credit Line to New Immigrants

The Mexican Business Council of Los Angeles (COEMLA) applauds Bank of America's new initiative that offers credit cards to customers without Social Security or Credit Card history, which will benefit thousands of immigrants through out the Los Angeles area.

National Debt Consolidation Scheme Misleads Consumers About Costs, Benefits, and Nonprofit Status, FTC Says

A nationwide debt consolidation business violated federal law by misleading and illegally telemarketing millions of consumers, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which is seeking consumer redress in federal district court, a freeze of the operation’s assets, and an end to its illegal practices. U.S. Unemployment Rate at 4.6% in 2006

Americans are working, inflation is under control and wages are increasing with December unemployment rate at 4.5%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The wages surge was 4.2% in 2006 and the annual unemployment rate came in at 4.6%.

Skilled, Educated Immigrants Contribute
Significantly to U.S. Economy

Durham, NC -- Immigrant entrepreneurs founded 25.3 percent of the U.S. engineering and technology companies established in the past decade, according to a new study from Duke University. What's more, foreign nationals -- those living in the United States who are not citizens -- contributed to an estimated 24.2 percent of international patent applications in 2006.


Best 2007 Luxury SUVs, According to Consumer Reports

The new Mercedes-Benz GL- and R-Class luxury sport utility vehicles outpointed competitors from Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac in tests for the November issue of Consumer Reports.


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