AiMA Honors Atlanta's Best Online Marketing Talent

Eight of Atlanta's most talented interactive marketing organizations were recognized by their peers at the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association's AiMA Awards 2008 ceremony held
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the new W Hotel in Midtown. AiMA Awards 2008
is the area's first awards program dedicated exclusively to interactive marketing.

The sold-out event, hosted by Veronica De La Cruz, Internet correspondent for CNN's flagship morning news program, American Morning, honored campaigns from Definition 6, Avenue A | Razorfish, Sherpa! Web Studios, IQ Interactive, ePrize, Brandmovers, LBi, and Engauge Digital.

"This year's AiMA Awards recipients are testaments to the breadth and scope of campaign work - local, national and global - being done every day by Atlanta-based interactive marketing firms," said AiMA President Laura Spaugh. "We're thrilled at the success of our 2008 awards event and look forward to growing AiMA Awards into a premier interactive industry award program in the coming years."

AiMA Awards 2008 Winners

Most Effective Online Marketing Strategy
Definition 6 for AutoExtra
A comprehensive strategy that leveraged online media, search, website enhancements, and social media to find and engage qualified users online. The program delivered exponential improvements in key metrics like conversion, traffic, and average daily revenues.

Most Effective Integrated / Cross Channel Marketing Campaign
Avenue A | Razorfish for Carnival Cruise Lines - Fun Ship Island
Using display advertising, search, PR, blogging, viral tagging, outdoor billboards, print, and a unique Times Square mobile promotion, this campaign drove over 220 million online impressions and hundreds of thousands of clicks to Carnival's Fun Ship Island Web site.

Most Effective Search Engine Marketing Program
Sherpa! Web Studios for SPANX
This Search engine optimization (SEO) best practices and event-based pay-per-click (PPC) campaign improved SPANX's web site traffic by over 550%, increasing search-driven online sales. Cost-effective SEO campaign reduced cost per visitor.

Most Effective Customer Acquisition or Online Direct Response Program
IQ Interactive for Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards
This email marketing program used rich media and video to help Priority Club members visualize the once in a lifetime experiences their rewards could give them. The program reached a 10 to 1 ROI in the first two weeks and club members passed the email along to deliver an additional quarter of a million views.

Most Effective Online Brand Experience
ePrize for The Home Depot's Light Up the Neighborhood Community and
Sweepstakes
This campaign allowed users to share unique holiday experiences by uploading and sharing interior and exterior holiday images. Registrants could also share holiday experiences through a live message board to foster a sense of community on the promotion microsite. The campaign
received more than 300 photo entries and allowed visitors to vote for their favorite photo to provide further brand engagement.

Best B2B Campaign - tie
Brandmovers for Agilent Technologies "Summer of Fun" campaign
This interactive scratch-off game promotion drove summer sales of Agilent's vial, lamp and syringe products, generating a 278% increase in revenue; nearly three times the original target.

LBi for EyeWonder Client Testimonial Campaign
This campaign was designed to promote EyeWonder's rich media suite of products and services; it used large scale video in an expandable ad format to capture actual client testimonials of their success with EyeWonder. Interaction rates with the ad topped 52% and interaction times averaged 33 seconds. Both EyeWonder and the agencies featured in
the ad have experienced increased business as a result.

Vanguard Award (Best Use of Emerging Media)
Engauge Digital and IHG for Crowne Plaza's Second Life Island
The Place to Meet Island is currently the only space dedicated to providing secure, private meeting facilities to organizations seeking to leverage the unique communications opportunities in the virtual world Second Life. The campaign has garnered tens of millions of media hits since the island's launch in June 2007.

Best In Show
IQ Interactive for Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards
Engauge Digital and IHG for Crowne Plaza's Second Life Island

Patrick Foarde
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www.fayettefrontpage.com
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone

Governor Perdue Announces Creation of Freight and Logistics Task Force

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the creation of the Freight and Logistics Task Force in a series of 22 task forces to strategically examine the current landscape and future of Georgia’s freight and logistics industry. The task force is focused on three primary objectives: to capitalize on Georgia’s position as the Gateway to the East Coast, to acquire a working knowledge of the economic opportunities linked to freight movement and to gather a coherent collection of data concerning freight movement, hubs and logistics centers.

“Savannah has outpaced nearly every U.S. port in growth in recent years,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “It is important that we examine opportunities to ensure Georgia’s infrastructure will continue to support this type of economic development statewide.”

The task force will host listening sessions around the state beginning May 12, and concluding May 20. The listening sessions will offer an opportunity for directed discussion concerning how the task force will achieve its objectives. Final recommendations will be completed by mid-June, and they will be presented to the Governor in mid-July.

“Logistics is without question one of Georgia’s strategic industries and this task force will continue to advance our state’s economic development efforts by collecting the ‘what and why’ perspective from a wide cross-section of industry stakeholders,” said Robert Fauls, CEO of Southern Freight Inc., who was selected by Governor Perdue as task force chair.

The task force activities are being facilitated by Georgia’s Logistics Innovation Center (LINC) a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Also created by Governor Perdue, LINC provides a unique not-for-profit platform allowing industry, academia and government to collaborate on research, best practices, and new technologies. LINC’s efforts drive a more efficient and globally competitive logistics industry in Georgia.

Locations and Dates of Listening Sessions

MONDAY, MAY 12th
8 am - 12 Noon
VALDOSTA STATE TECH, Conference Center, Building 500
4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th
8 am - 12 Noon
GEORGIA TECH SAVANNAH CAMPUS, PARB Building, Room 126
210 Technology Circle, Savannah, GA 31407

FRIDAY, MAY 16th
8 am - 12 Noon
CENTRAL GEORGIA TECH
3300 Macon Tech Drive, Macon, GA 31206

MONDAY, MAY 19th
8 am - 12 Noon
DALTON STATE COLLEGE, Goodroe Auditorium,
Elizabeth Gignilliat Memorial Building #6
650 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720

TUESDAY, MAY 20th
8 am - 12 Noon
ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE,
Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center
1560 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30310

How Small Business Owners Can Make Every Dollar Count

(ARA) – Now more than ever before, it’s important for small business owners to get the most return on every dollar they spend. After all, as the backbone of the American economy, the small business owner’s success spells good news for everyone.

“Small business owners recognize the value and importance of making their money work harder for them,” says John Durrant, Card Marketing product executive for Bank of America. “And with close to 25 million small businesses across the country, this critical segment of the economy is looking for simple, easy-to-use tools to make the most of their dollars.”

From cashing in on rewards programs to learning smarter management practices, here are some tips for small business owners looking to stretch their dollars:

Credit Card Rewards

The credit card industry virtually pioneered the rewards program concept now widely used by companies from hotels, rental cars and airlines to restaurants and online retailers. Companies are making it easier than ever to redeem rewards.

The latest innovation is a business credit card that gives small business owners double points for items they need most – like taking that important client out to a restaurant, making sure they can always fill the gas tank for their top sales producer or getting all their business supplies for the office. Bank of America’s WorldPoints Rewards for Business has no annual fee and offers two points per every dollar spent at restaurants, business supply stores and gas stations, and one point per dollar spent for all other purchases. It also allows small business owners to transfer points between personal and business WorldPoints rewards cards.

In addition, they can earn bonus points by shopping at well known brand name merchants through the WorldPoints Mall. There are over 750 point redemption options, including merchandise, cash, travel, gift certificates, unique experiences and signed memorabilia. And through the MyConcierge service, cardholders have complimentary access to anything from a restaurant reservation to hard to find event tickets for an important client. Visit your local Bank of America banking center to apply for the rewards card with the double points feature.

Save a Bundle with Bundled Products

From phone, internet and cable for the home or office to insurance carriers who offer discounts for multiple policies, small business owners can easily make their money work harder for them by leveraging the bundling bandwagon. Often, a packaged deal is a significant savings over what you would pay for each component separately. Plus, buying bundled products can save small business owners valuable time they would otherwise spend investigating individual product alternatives.

Don’t Do it Yourself

Initiative and self-motivation are the hallmarks of every great entrepreneur, but for many small business owners, doing everything themselves might not make the most business sense. If obligations such as payroll and accounting are taking a small business owner’s time away from aspects of their business that generates revenue, then they are actually losing money. Every hour wasted adds up to actual dollars off the bottom line.

“In today’s market, small business owners have access to a wide range of products and services that can help them more easily manage their financial affairs,” said Durrant. “Bank of America offers a full portfolio of products that help small business owners reduce the time spent managing finances from hours to just minutes.”

A competitive and highly technological marketplace means more opportunities than ever for small business owners to save money. Doing so spells success not only for them, but for the American economy as well.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

CEO of Dow Corning Corporation Will Address Local Businesswomen

Dr. Stephanie Burns, Chairman, President and CEO of Dow Corning Corporation will be in Newnan on Monday May 12, 2008 to address the inaugural meeting of the Executive Women’s Forum, a new program of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Burns will speak at 12:00 noon at the Newnan Country Club, and will share her unique perspective, honed from her years of experience as a female executive rising through the corporate ranks to become the leader of a global enterprise with more than 25,000 customers and 7,000 products and services worldwide. After beginning as a laboratory researcher with Dow Corning in 1983, Dr. Burns moved to leadership positions in the company both in the United States and abroad before returning to the U.S. to become executive vice president in 2000. She was elected president and chief operating officer in 2003, CEO in 2004, and chairman in 2006.

The Executive Women’s Forum is designed to provide leadership and networking opportunities for Coweta County’s female business leaders, and to enhance and increase the professional, political and economic power of executive and professional women.

Attendance at Dr. Burns’ presentation is by invitation only.

To learn more about the Executive Women’s Forum, contact the Chamber at 770-253-2270 or info@newnancowetachamber.org.

Hiring, Retaining Super Star Employees Just Got a Little Easier

BUSINESS WIRE--Using the blank space on the back of the business card, placing a memo beside the time clock, or putting magnetic signs on company trucks are just a few cost-effective ways to find good employees, according to a new book recently released by small business consultant Tony Bass of Tony Bass Consulting.

“50 Ways to Find, Recruit, Hire & Retain Super Star Employees” taps into Bass’ more than 20 years of landscape and green industry experience to provide growing small businesses with creative ideas to discover and keep high-quality people in the company.

“I know hiring and retaining people is tough work and it is a problem that keeps many business owners up at night,” says Bass, who is also founder and president of Super Lawn Trucks, which manufactures vehicles designed specifically for lawn and landscape contractors. “The annual employee turnover rate in the United States is over 20 percent, but with this book business owners can improve their bottom line by learning to build a dependable and talented team.”

According to Bass, recruiting doesn’t have to be expensive. The most frequent mistake a company makes is initially allocating too much money on traditional methods of finding employees such as newspaper ads. Through “50 Ways,” Bass offers over four dozen free and low-cost ways to get multiple employee candidates.

• Use That Empty Space on the Business Card: Almost everyone carries a business card, but does anyone print on the back? Bass recommends printing available positions on that blank space, which costs a fraction of the original business card order. The business cards can be provided to all existing employees so they can hand them out if they encounter a prospective new team member. They can also be placed on the business card boards at local restaurants.
• Simply Ask: In order to find employees, an owner has to ask for employees. And the very first place to ask is inside the company. Post a job announcement beside the time clock, the front door, and any other location in the company where people may enter or congregate. A physical posting in the office will constantly remind staff and visitors that the company is hiring. The second place to ask for employees is outside the company. Every time payment is sent to a vendor or supplier let them know of the company’s desire to find a certain type of employee. Simply include a printed copy of the job announcement inside the payment envelope.
• Signs of the Time: Invest between $35 and $100 in two types of signs for the company. The first is a portable “help wanted” sign that can be stuck in the ground in front of the office. “I have seen small signs like this draw up to 50 applicants in one day on busy streets,” says Bass. The second type is a magnetic sign that can be placed on the sides of trucks or trailers. Always make sure the company phone number is displayed clearly on the sign for people who might see it after business hours or passing on the street. Almost everyone has a cell phone today.

“One strategy from the book that has helped our company is building a staffing system upon objective, performance-based criteria,” said Adam Sproule of Salisbury Landscaping in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. “By focusing on a candidate’s past job performance you eliminate bias based on personality from the decision making and ensure that everyone in the company hires in a consistent standard.”

“50 Ways to Find, Recruit, Hire & Retain Super Star Employees” can be purchased for $99 by calling (478) 822-9706. Other books available that have been written by Bass include: “The Money Making Secrets of a Multi-Million $ Landscape Contractor” (1998), "10 Marketing Secrets for Landscape & Irrigation Contractors" (2001), "Growing Your Landscape Irrigation, Tree Service or Snow Removal Business" (2006), and "Preparing to Retire or Sell Your Contracting Company for Maximum Value" (2006).

Bradley and Woodward Join Stites & Harbison

Allen Bradley and Jeff Woodward have joined Stites & Harbison Attorneys as members in Atlanta, where they serve clients in the firm’s Business Group.

Bradley practices Corporate Law, Corporate and Partnership Tax Law, Technology Law, Private Securities Transactions, and Estate Law. He has significant experience with mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions and private placement transactions, particularly with technology companies. Bradley received his LL.M. in Taxation from the New York University School of Law, Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law cum laude, and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia magna cum laude. He is a member of the Technology Association of Georgia and the Board of Directors for the Freedom Park Conservancy.

Woodward works primarily with privately-held entities in general corporate matters, commercial transactions, private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions and franchise matters. He specializes in nonprofit law and affordable housing. Woodward is a founding member of the Atlanta Community ToolBank and Community Redevelopment, Inc., nonprofit organizations. He also is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2006 and serves as chairman of the board of directors and as an instructor for the Edge Connection. Woodward received his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.

Georgia Lawyers for McCain to Host Luncheon May 29, 2008

It is my pleasure to announce an exciting upcoming event. On May 29th, we will be hosting a special luncheon for Georgia Lawyers for McCain. The luncheon will feature Dick Wiley, National Co-Chairman of Lawyers for McCain, and Evelyn McCafferty, the Campaign's Deputy General Counsel. The event will be hosted by Doug Chalmers of the Atlanta law firm of McKenna, Long & Aldridge and will take place at this firm.

Lawyers, law students, lawyers' guests, and anyone interested in joining the Georgia Lawyers for McCain coalition are welcome to attend. We also encourage all of those interested and who have not yet done so to enroll online in our Lawyers for McCain coalition at lawyers.johnmccain.com.

We look forward to seeing you on May 29th!

Sincerely,

Alec Poitevint
Georgia Chairman, John McCain 2008

How To Start, Survive And Thrive As A Small Business Owner

NAPSI-Small businesses will play a bigger role in driving the U.S. and global economies over the next decade. As a champion of small businesses, part of Intuit’s mission is to enable the 72 percent of Americans who dream of starting a small business, and to help those already in business succeed and grow.

According to the Intuit Future of Small Business Report, small businesses will be more active in global trade as they take advantage of lightweight technologies that make it easier than ever to start and manage a business. In many cases, brain will meet brawn as low cost software and technology allow entrepreneurs to enter and compete in markets worldwide.

For those entrepreneurs looking to turn their business dream into a reality, here are five tips that will help you start the business you’ve always imagined:

1. Put it on paper. Writing a plan for your business will help you think about every possible scenario. It helps you stay on target and makes sure you don’t overlook any competitors or key industry information.

2. Ask questions. Getting expert advice will help you successfully start and grow your business. You can find local support and training via government-funded small-business programs and community college business classes.

3. Leverage the “power of your peers.” Extending your professional networks can help you connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Attend industry functions and seminars in your area, and get to know your local Small Business Association. Online social networks such as JumpUp (www.jumpup.com) provide free online resources and a huge pool of entrepreneurs for sharing best practices and forming strategic partnerships.

4. Get online. A Web presence is mandatory in the digital era. Thanks to the Internet, you no longer need a brick-and-mortar shop to serve and attract customers. Creating a Web site is cheaper and easier than ever. It allows you to stay open 24/7 and serve markets across the globe.

5. Spread the word. Marketing is essential to turn a great idea into a successful business. In addition to your business plan, create a marketing plan that includes a profile of your target customers and the best way to reach them, such as search engines, blogs, user review Web sites, local newspapers, industry publications and radio.

Small businesses will also use their customer and market knowledge to find success in niche markets. Big corporations will increasingly partner with small businesses for their understanding of these niche markets, while small businesses will gain access to big-business reach and capabilities.

To learn more, visit www.intuit.com/futureofsmallbusiness.

Governor Perdue Participates in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Major Kia supplier in LaGrange

Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Sewon America, Inc., a major Kia supplier. Sewon is locating its first U.S. plant at the Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange. The company plans to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million in a facility to manufacture automotive components for the Kia plant in West Point over a three year period.

“I am honored to join Sewon as they break ground and officially join the LaGrange community,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Kia suppliers have announced upwards of 2,300 jobs, which is on top of the 2,500 employees planned for the Kia Motors factory in West Point.”

Sewon will produce stamped chassis and body components as well as some decorative trim pieces for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. The company has selected an 86-acre site at the industrial park.

The 420,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to go into production in fall 2009.

The Sewon Group, which is based in Daegu, Korea and is the parent company of Sewon America, Inc. has a more than 20-year history as a Kia supplier in Korea. Governor Perdue met with senior Sewon officials in October during the Kia supplier dinner in Seoul.

Since its founding in 1985, Sewon has pursued a business strategy exemplified by management accountability, client confidence in its products and the growth of its business partners. Sewon specializes in the manufacture of automotive parts and ornaments. The company has achieved superior product development and manufacturing technologies through the Six Sigma revolution and productivity enhancement plans.

Charter Launches High-Speed Internet Max with Speeds up to 16 Mbps in Georgia

BUSINESS WIRE--Charter Communications, Inc. today announced that it is launching its Charter High-Speed Internet Max service, with download speeds of up to 16 megabits per second (16 Mbps). Charter High-Speed Internet Max is available to residential customers throughout most of Charter’s service area in Georgia.

“Speed and the reliability of that speed are top priorities of Internet users and for the second time, an independent research firm, comScore, Inc., ranked Charter’s high-speed Internet speeds fastest and most reliable¹ in the communities we serve. Our customers value the enhanced speed because with Charter High-Speed Internet Max, at 16 Mbps they can download a song in just 2.5 seconds, or as many as 24 photos in just 8 seconds,” said Ted Schremp, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Strategy for Charter. “When bundled with our video and telephone services, Charter High-Speed Internet Max represents an even greater value for our customers,” Mr. Schremp concluded.

Charter Business, which offers services to business, education and government, also offers up to 16 Mbps high-speed Internet service in Georgia. Charter’s high-speed reliability is critical to businesses that depend on Internet applications to succeed. In addition, Charter Business supports its customers with a dedicated team of care agents specifically trained to handle the needs of small, medium, and large-scale enterprises.

Charter High-Speed Internet Max is the premium tier of service for Charter customers and is up to 9x as fast as DSL and 270x as fast as dial-up. Charter also offers Charter High-Speed Plus, with download speeds up to 10 Mbps, and Charter High-Speed Internet, with download speeds up to 5 Mbps.

Over the past year, Charter has invested over a billion dollars in capital to serve its customers and to enhance its service capabilities, including millions here in Georgia. Charter is committed to investing in its communities, providing an advanced network on which residential and commercial customers rely for their communications needs, and delivering value to all its customers by offering high-quality products and services backed up by superior customer care.

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