EMERSON BEARING (BOSTON, MA) . . .
launched a new machine tools division to meet increasing demand and significant growth in this market. Marketing specialist Bob Piracini will lead the new machine tool team….Read more in F&M Magazine http://www.fandmmag.com/web/online/Industry-News/September-Industry-Watch–Business/1$4943
Client News
PR Pointer – The New PR
Change – count on it!
By Steve Dubin, PR Works
Just last week I was attempting to parrot my “elevator pitch” and was interrupted.
“What do PR firms do now that on one has the time or the interest in reading the Boston Globe?”
This is NOT the first time I’ve heard this challenge. First, I inform my colleague that we now call our former powerhouse newspaper the Boston Glo. Half the circulation, all the pomposity.
Second, I explain that PR is STILL about reaching people and positioning our clients as the “go to” source for their product or service. It’s just that the WHERE has changed.
Instead of starting the day with the Boston Globe and a cup of coffee, it is fire up Boston.com, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube for starters.
Now the challenge is to be visible is ALL the places that your best prospect might be looking. Google, Vimeo, Craig’s List. Feed the beast. And feed the information beast on a regular basis – or your competition will be MORE visible.
But how?
Content is still KING on the Internet. “How to” articles, intro videos, milestone news releases and blogging of all of these help create a presence, some traction, brand recognition.
The new fractionalized media landscape challenges you to be more creative, more aggressive and more consistent.
Need help identifying opportunities? Packaging them? Getting messages to the right audiences?
Email me, Tweet me, send a LinkedIn message. Or go Old School and pick up the phone.
A pound of prevention for this fall’s home improvement projects
CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …
While Benjamin Franklin may not have had homeowners in mind when he said, “a pound of prevention is better than an ounce of cure,” the saying certainly applies to home improvement projects, especially in the fall. With winter in the not-so-distant future, the projects Franklin might recommend would probably be of a preventative nature.
“One of the traps homeowners fall into, particularly new ones, is they try to do everything at once and don’t prioritize projects,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County, the leading home improvement and home furnishing club with direct insider prices. “Part two of that is that less savvy do-it-yourselfers might not know how to go about prioritizing. That’s why getting professional assistance is a pretty good idea.”
Vest recommends hiring a home inspector in the fall to get a professional assessment. While this may seem rather odd if you’re not buying or selling your home, hiring a home inspector is one way to detect potential large problems early, like a leaky roof for example, before the weather turns and you have a very serious problem on your hands.
“A typical home inspection can run anywhere from $250 to $400, but if it is the difference between that and replacing an entire section of roof or water damage in your home, it’s kind of a no-brainer,” said Vest.
Other fall preventative steps Vest recommends include:
- Furnace inspection and service – The first sub-freezing day is no time to find out you have a problem with your furnace.
- Chimney maintenance – Again, the first day you want to have a fire is not the time you want to encounter a problem. Hire a chimney sweep to ensure the chimney is clear of bird nests or other debris and that the cap is in place.
- Window inspection – Be sure your windows are caulked and the seals between the windows are nice and tight. If you are unable to patch a leaky window, it may be time to replace it.
- Clean your gutters – Autumn leaves and pine needles can create quite a backup of water in your gutters. That can translate to potential water damage to your house and, as the weather dips below freezing, icy sidewalks that make it treacherous for you and your holiday guests.
DirectBuy Club offers home furnishings and merchandise in addition to items for home improvement projects to help all homeowners create their dream homes— at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have seasoned professionals at your service.
“I know it goes against the grain to spend money on a home improvement project when there’s not an immediate need,” said Vest. “By making these recommendations part of your fall routine, you can definitely prevent major problems down the road.”
About DirectBuy Club
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com.
Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.
To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.
A pound of prevention for this fall’s home improvement projectsRead More
Makeovers Salon + Spa in the Easton Journal
Read on to find out about Makeovers Salon + Spa Fashion for a Cause Show! http://bit.ly/dmiASy
High Five! DirectBuy of Johnson County celebrates five-year milestone.
LENEXA, KANSAS…
For five years, DirectBuy of Johnson County has been offering consumers in the greater Lenexa area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, home furnishings and accessories.
As the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, DirectBuy of Johnson County offers direct insider pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.
“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors five years ago is a little hard to fathom. Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy,” said Pam Graessle, co-owner of DirectBuy of Johnson County. “And that’s got us even more excited about the next five years.”
In addition to the tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, many times at a discounted rate.
“Our five years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community and as a contributor to local charities, most notably our recent effort with Habitat for Humanity,” said Graessle. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”
Since 2005, DirectBuy of Johnson County has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 11309 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
About DirectBuy Club
For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.
High Five! DirectBuy of Johnson County celebrates five-year milestone.Read More
South Shore Skin Center’s Mary Rico Appears in Boston Herald’s Corporate Shuffle
See Boston Herald – today’s corporate shuffle:
http://bit.ly/96097C
South Shore Skin Center’s Mary Rico Appears in Boston Herald’s Corporate ShuffleRead More
Waypoint Construction Consultants in High Profile Monthly
Our client Waypoint Construction Consultants has just been included in High Profile Monthly – see link http://bit.ly/9YPjoz
Waypoint Construction Consultants in High Profile MonthlyRead More
Man cave becomes fan cave for football season
MERRILLVILLE, IN…
In your dad’s day, the “man cave” was the workshop in the garage. Today, it’s typically a finished room in the basement den dedicated to watching sports, possibly relaxing with an adult beverage or two, or the occasional workout. When the NFL season rolls around, however, the man cave completely morphs into a fan cave.
“A fan cave is essentially a man cave dressed up with memorabilia from the owner’s favorite teams,” said Mike Georgeff of DirectBuy. “When the NFL and college football season rolls around, the fan cave often becomes a gathering place for everyone, including female football fans. And that’s why most fan caves need a little help in becoming fan friendly.”
So what can homeowners do to make their fan cave more female- and family-friendly on game nights while remaining fun and functional the rest of the week? DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers the following suggestions for man/fan caves for this football season:
- Kegerator – a fan-cave essential for a beer-drinking crowd
- Wide Screen TV with HD; surround sound speakers optional, but highly desirable
- Sectional sofa to accommodate multiple visitors; reclining chair with cup holders for the host
- Full-size, built-in bar area or free-standing, mobile bar station
- Tile or hardwood flooring that’s particularly resilient to potential spillage
- Pool table, air hockey, or foosball for halftime recreation
- Mini-kitchen with microwave to reheat buffalo wings
- Home gym equipment (e.g. treadmill, elliptical) to work off the excess calories consumed during fan cave weekend marathons—football all day Sunday, Monday, sometimes Thursday, and the college games on Saturdays
“Of course, the key to any fan cave is your team gear, merchandise, and souvenirs, and that’s almost always a matter of personal preference,” said Georgeff. “There is one recommendation fan cave owners should take to heart. If you want to preserve the furniture and electronic equipment, coasters and drink koozies with your team’s logo are essential.”
No matter what NFL or college team you follow, DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need to create the perfect fan cave – including autographed and game-used sports memorabilia – at prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and professional designers well versed in the art of designing the perfect recreational space.
For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy Club
For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.
Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.
Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative Breakfast
Senator Therese Murray was the keynote speaker at a recent Legislative Breakfast hosted by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) and held at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth. Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) is a non-profit corporation which serves residents in 23 towns in the greater Brockton and Plymouth areas. OCES is one of 27 similar agencies designated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP).
More than 60 individuals from a number of elder service agencies were in attendance along with State Representatives Vinny DeMacedo, Susan Gifford and Tom Calter; Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; and OCES’ Board of Directors. Plymouth Selectman Mathew Muratore, Caitlin Kenerson from Representative Christine Canavan’s office, and Lisa Budge Johnson from Sheriff McDonald’s office also attended. Senate President Murray spoke of the challenges to human service agencies delivering services to elders and disabled individuals in the current economic climate and she elaborated on how the Fiscal 2011 budget will impact funding for the upcoming year.
“We’re in a tough economic climate and seniors are especially at risk,” noted Senator Murray addressing OCES and elder service representatives in the audience. “We’re doing the best we can and we thank you for all you do.”
A member of the Massachusetts State Senate since 1993 and elected President of the Senate in 2007, Senator Murray has worked to improve the lives of seniors throughout her career. Following her speech, Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care presented Senator Murray with a “Home Care Hero” award.
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES who is also the Vice President of Mass Home Care said, “We want to thank Senator Murray for everything she has done and continues to do for elder consumers.”
About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.
OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.
In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative BreakfastRead More
Follow Us!