May 28th, 2009
BCA volunteers collect money in Downtown San Luis Obispo for Hunger Awareness Day 2008.
For the third straight year, Barnett Cox & Associates has helped the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County promote Hunger Awareness Day. This year’s event is Tuesday, June 2, and we think the “One Dollar, One Day” campaign is about the most gratifying project we tackle all year long. Especially so, because it seems every year more and more local citizens jump on the bandwagon to help the Food Bank feed the hungry in our county.
The spectrum of support is amazing. From Cal Poly and SLO High students to members of local Rotary, Kiwanis and Soroptimist clubs. The Homebuilders Association, Economic Vitality Corp., SOFTEC and other biz groups are stepping up to help. We’re getting lots of media support from KSBY, the “As We See It” columnists and other Tribune writers, Tolosa Press, SLO Journal, El Dorado Media, AGM, KCBX and Charter Communications and Poor Richard’s Press. Camp San Luis and dozens of churches, businesses and community groups are volunteering across all demographics and income levels. Their commitment is truly heartwarming.
Don’t miss out. Join our community in this fight against hunger on Hunger Awareness Day, Tuesday, June 2. Make a contribution online or drop by one of the donation centers around the area. Please forward the link. Let’s make this year’s campaign the biggest ever.
May 28th, 2009
More good news for food: Downtown Brewing Co. owners Korie and Todd Newman will sponsor the SLO Gathering fundraising concert with Still Time and Forrest Day, 5 p.m., May 29, to benefit Hunger Awareness Day 2009. They will donate proceeds from the evening’s participating wineries, breweries and eateries to the Food Bank … Wines for Canines and Felines so far has netted $6,500 for the North County Humane Society, Animal Shelter Adoption Partners, Short ‘n’ Sweet Dog Rescue and Second Chance at Love. The next event will happen in November at Ron’s Nursery in Grover Beach … Good news during tick season. We have a “Lyme Literate” physician in our midst. Longevity Healthcare’s Dr. Peter Muran in SLO. He’s the only doc in SLO County to earn the special designation awarded by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society … SLO Symphony Exec. Director Sandi Sigurdson will represent more than 150 California orchestras at the national conference of the League of American Orchestras in Chicago in June. She has been president of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras since September 2007, an especially prestigious honor given the Big Dog members of the state association.
May 28th, 2009
Jeff and Joan Buckingham’s family of four is living off the grid at their Los Osos Valley ranch with a new photovoltaic system from Pacific Energy Company. The system provides 39 KWH per day in winter – enough to run the home of this high-tech businessman and his family … Economist Bill Watkins will share his Economic Forecast for Atascadero, 7:30 – 11 a.m., June 4 at the Lake Pavilion. Tickets available online from the Atascadero Chamber … Maggie Cox will be a featured speaker at the Paso Robles Economic Forecast event headlined by economist Bill Watkins June 10 at the Paso Robles Inn … Turning renters into buyers. Midland Pacific Homes has new single-family houses for sale in San Miguel for under $250,000. With just $500 down, buyers can purchase a place of their own for $1,530 a month on a 30-year fixed loan. Say “bye-bye” to the landlord … The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival is back. They’ve started rehearsals for the summer season and will open July 10 with “Treasure Island” at their new venue, River Oaks in Paso … Pull the plug on boring PowerPoints. Attend the June 22 SLO Society of Technical Communication workshop, “The Art, Science and Story of PowerPoint Presentation Design.” The free presentation, 6 p.m. at the KCBX.com computer training room, is by Adele Sommers. Drawings for PowerPoint software … Quick bites from Good Morning SLO, the SLO Chamber’s popular monthly breakfast program: Important surveys headed our way. Online opinion measuring by SLO County Airport asking us to weigh in on desired air service, and one by the Human Resources Association of the Central Coast (coming soon by e-mail) compiling wage, salary and benefits information. Take a minute to help them and we’ll help ourselves. Mark Shaffer, transportation guru and idea guy for RideOn announced “FunRide,” a novel car sharing service with clean fuel vehicles coming soon to SLO County. Cal Poly is deep in planning a groundbreaking conference on obesity prevention, slated for this fall. Supervisor Adam Hill filled in attendees on the County’s plans to energize its Economic Development program with a lot of help from business. And two stirring solos from PCPA Theaterfest’s “Les Miserables” stole the show.
May 28th, 2009
Spring spells success for SealSaver. The company’s vacuum containers won the gold medal in the Great Gear of the Year competition and the SealSaver Marinator is enjoying a spike in sales from the SLO Home Show and beyond. Idler’s just ordered six cases of the Marinator, and it will be demonstrated May 30 at the Paso Robles store … Congratulations are in order for SLO County Planning Director Vic Holanda upon retiring after a “wonderful” 31-year planning career. His last day at the office is May 29 … Kudos to Poly alum Emily Rancer who’s on her way to grad school at UC Davis. She’s leaving her post as assistant managing editor at Pacific Coast Business Times.
May 28th, 2009
Global recognition. BCA’s work on Sierra Vista’s “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” campaign won a Silver Communicator Award from the International Academy of the Visual Arts. BCA also received a pair of bronze 2009 Telly Awards for “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and the hospital’s “Spine Center” campaign … Don’t miss photographer Chris Leschinsky’s gorgeous new Web portfolio, built by BCA’s own Isaac Horton and featuring amazing shots of vineyards.
May 28th, 2009
The Media Puzzle
Contemplating a media buy in your near future? Planning and buying media can be a challenge similar to putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
Make sure you understand specific mediums and their audiences, and make your message media specific. Define your expectations: Do you want to establish your brand, introduce a new service, or motivate customers to look at your Web site? Whatever your goals, communicate your expectations with your media representative. They will help you refine your message to reach your goals.
Most importantly, be clear about your media budget. Know what you are willing to spend for specific results. Quantify a return on your investment (ROI). What are you willing to spend for a new lead or a new view to your Web site – $5, $10? Track results and compare them with your original budget.
An efficient media plan can be established by utilizing these components, however if the message in the marketing plan is not compelling, no amount of money or media can save the advertising campaign. The advertising message must be persuasive and specific to an audience for you to succeed in any media arena.
