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.
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.
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.
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
Total U.S. advertising spending is expected
to increase 2.6 percent in 2007 to $153.7 billion, according
to the full-year forecast released by TNS Media Intelligence,
the leading provider of strategic advertising and marketing
information. This anticipated tepid gain is the smallest since
the media economy emerged from its 2001 recession and follows
estimated advertising spending growth of 3.8 percent in 2006.
Southland
Home Sales: Slowest
January Since 1998, Stable Prices
La Jolla,CA----Southern California home buyers and sellers continued
to eye each other without doing much last month, resulting in
the slowest January in nine years, a real estate information
service reported.
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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