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Archive for 2010

Official Trailer: Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino Performs ‘Synthesis,’ Setting World Record

18 Aug

Illusionist Sammy Cortino sets the world record for the fastest blindfolded and ambidextrous card manipulations (card sleight of hand), where he manipulates over 300 cards in 90 seconds…

You can use special events and promotions for your business or services, to build a solid platform and garner attention that translates into greater visibility and increased sales. Learn more about communicating your business message effectively… in a new Media Fusion Teleseminar Series!

Probably you aren’t looking to set a World Record for card manipulation, but how about increasing sales, your customer base, or creating a stir for your product, service or passion?

Based on my experience with all media, and as a marketing-communications professional helping business owners and professionals since founding my consultancy many years ago, through a brand new Media Fusion Teleseminar Series, I will share insight, ideas and information to help you cut through the clutter and noise, communicating your business message to your best advantage.

Stay tuned for insight on behind-the-scenes and backstory of promoting and communicating to draw attention, increase awareness at low-cost, while increasing your bottom line in the process — program details will be emailed — be sure to sign-up so you don’t miss a thing!

Be sure to sign-up below…

Receive valuable insight directly from Express-It: Effective Communication through Media Fusion

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Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino Performs “Synthesis” and Sets World Record

10 Aug

Magic’s Royal Duke performs “Synthesis” and set a World Record for ambidextrous card manipulation — 304 playing cards, blindfolded in 90 seconds!

The media coverage on this event was astounding, and all forms of media were used in promoting and covering it: New, Social and Traditional Media.

We’re still celebrating this wonderful milestone for Sammy and his magic career!

Effective communication utilizing all media is a powerful vehicle for business owners and professionals — there’s nothing ‘magic’ about that. However, when strategically used in an appropriate integrated communications plan, it seems to work like magic!

With all the cool new tools and great media at all of our fingertips today, using it couldn’t be easier!

Would you like to learn more about how to communicate your business message effectively through a process I call Express-It Media Fusion?

Based on my experience with all media, and as a marketing-communications professional helping business owners and professionals since founding my consultancy in 1982, through Express-It Media Fusion, I look forward to sharing insight, ideas and information to help you cut through the clutter and noise, communicating your business message to your best advantage.

You can begin this process by signing-up to begin receiving valuable insight directly from me, through Express-It Media Fusion. You probably aren’t looking to set a World Record for card manipulation, but how about increasing sales, your customer base, or creating a stir for your product, service or passion?

Stay tuned for insight on behind-the-scenes and backstory of promoting and communicating to draw attention, increase awareness at low-cost, while increasing your bottom line in the process — program details will be emailed — be sure to sign-up so you don’t miss a thing!


Receive valuable insight directly from Express-It: Effective Communication through Media Fusion

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Some Real Magic: “Synthesis” Performed by Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino World Record Challenge

30 Jul

"Synthesis" World Record Challenge August 6, 2010

Isn’t it time for something new, fresh and fun?! How about establishing a brand new World Record? I’m hearing a lot of folks talk about “magic” methods, biz systems, and how things have worked like it — how about adding some real magic to your day — in just 90-seconds?!

Here’s the scoop, and how to do that…

Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino is presenting his card manipulation challenge — “Synthesis”:

Event to be held on Friday, August 6 1:30-2:30PM EDT; “Synthesis” performed at 2PM EDT, from Facebook and in-person at the Julian G. Whitener Municipal Building in downtown Hickory, NC and streaming live on Facebook…

Sammy’s “Synthesis” is a combo of Houdini’s old sleight of hand techniques, presented in new way, as a ‘stunt,’ in Houdini’s style… the challenge will be officiated by the Honorable Mayor Rudy Wright.

“Synthesis” details: Sammy’s World Record Challenge is manipulating 300 cards (almost 6 decks of playing cards, 5 1/2″ high, stacked), blindfolded, with both hands. It is rare to be able to manipulate cards equally well with both hands — almost unheard of, in fact… very few on record as able to do this.

*This is a “Thank you” to Hickory for everything, as Sammy launches his Magic career onto a new level, in this next year!

*This is a Global Celebration, event streaming L-I-V-E —  Everyone is invited! We have been and are harnessing the social and new media, as well as the traditional…

*If you miss the event, hi-def vid will be uploaded to YouTube — catch it any time: http://youtube.com/SammyCortino

Key Points in Sammy’s magic career:

At the age of 12, Sammy was inducted into the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Seigfried & Roy, Lance Burton and Terry Evanswood signed his application, and all have served to inspire Sammy’s performances. He has remained in contact with them.

Sammy is a member of London’s Magic Circle. He holds a Doctor of Magic degree, conferred by the International Magicians’ Society, the world’s largest magician’s society.

First stage show at Hickory Community Theatre at age 14…

Broyhill Civic Center Grand Illusion Show in ’06

Hayes Performing Arts Center ’07

Appalachian State University show in ’08

Sammy has been actively involved Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains Hospital Creative Arts Ministry since 1997, performing simple tricks to brighten the patients’ days and empowering them by having them participate (as possible) in the performance. He serves as Assistant Coordinator of the ministry, since 2004: http://CharliesChaplains.blogspot.com

At 21, Sammy is a rising senior at Appalachian State University, where he studies broadcast.

Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino: http://www.SammyCortino.com

Recent Media Blitz Interviews, over the last 3 weeks:

Fox-Charlotte “Fox News Rising” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwW7Oga_edA

NBC-WCNC “Charlotte Today” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7utOWkTxm4o

Hickory Daily Record: http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/content/2010/jul/28/illusionist-will-try-make-300-cards-disappear-and-/

This is a Global event, streaming live! What time in the world will this event be for you?

World Clock Time+Date Converter: http://timeanddate.com/worldclock/

World Clock Time Converter: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Hope to see you there!

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Gracie ‘Gets It.’

14 Jul
BeckyCortino.com Customer Service CommunicationIn most small businesses and service organizations, employees operate on the front lines of customer service, directly interfacing with the customer. They are the official company representative for your business. They are the smiling face and friendly voice your customer sees and hears first.

One of the best examples of this is the wait staff in a restaurant. Everyone knows if they received good service — or not, although some customers come in with their troubles of the day, or expectations that may never been met by any human effort. Regardless of how they arrive at the dining establishment, a professional, service-minded staff will seek to allay those troubles and provide a satisfactory dining experience for their patrons.

Key elements of excellent customer service:

  • Knows the product inside and out. If never experienced personally, is attuned to customer feedback to advise accordingly.
  • Builds relationships and a loyal following by a strong bond with the customer, forged through good communication skills, empathy for others and by placing the customer as their number one concern.
  • Knows how to help solve problems as they arise; while adeptly aware how and when to upsell, as appropriate.
  • Makes doing business or receiving the product or service “easy” for the customer. Takes a proactive approach to serving the customer, by applying the leeway given to them to “make it right,” providing a satisfactory shopping or dining experience.

Customer Service and how the customer is treated on behalf of your business or establishment is important any time, but especially when business isn’t so great — wouldn’t you agree?

Keeping the business coming to you in the form of loyal customers is far easier and much less expensive in the long-run, than having to constantly develop new business and attract new customers on an ongoing basis.

Gracie ‘Gets it.’ Do you?

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The Digital Handshake: Proven Strategies to Grow Your Business Using Social Media

12 Jul

I had the opp to interview Internet Social Media Consultant Paul Chaney soon after the release of his book The Digital Handshake: Proven Strategies to Grow Your Business Using Social Media. I found his insight to realistic, on-target, resonating with my Social Media applications and philosophies.

Paul’s book is an easy-read, and one of the clearest presentations I’ve seen on the topic of Social Media and using it effectively to communicate. This SlideShare presentation summarizes the main points…

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Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino to Set Card Manipulation World Record

07 Jul

An August 6, 2010 attempt: Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino will set the world record for manipulating the most cards in 90 seconds: 300. Cortino will be blindfolded and manipulate cards with both hands. This routine is inspired by Harry Houdini’s early sleight of hand work and performed in the style of the stunts that brought the illusionist international notoriety.

Join us at the event in person, or streaming L-I-V-E on Facebook!

For more detailsclick on this link (here)

Stay tuned for insight on behind-the-scenes of setting up a special event like this, on: communications, public relations, media work…

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Overload: When it all becomes too much…

28 Jun

BeckyCortino.com Atlas HiTechMost agree these are noisy times. The constant flow of information gushing out on a myriad of channels contribute to this glut.

At first glance, this condition might not seem to be a difficult situation. In fact, the ready availablity of  so much great  information at any time of the day or night might seem beneficial for anyone on a quest or armed with a need-to-know-to-now mission. 

The possibility of information on many channels is enticing indeed. Anyone wanting to learn more, research, study or “watch” can do so through a growing selection of ’channels’ or streams of information constantly ebbing and flowing.

A flip side and contributing factor to this deluge is sharing information through interactions and producing content, on an ongoing basis. These activities kick things up a notch for everyone who is involved. 

Recently, 3 personal contacts of mine chose to take time away from the grid. Due to the overload they were experiencing, all took time to stand back and evaluate. The result was a redesign of their individual strategic approach to active involvment. Wise choices for each!

It’s easy to be sucked into the vortex of Social Media and the vacum of media or content production, ignoring all else. It can become life! Overinvolvement can lead to missing out on the joys of real life – unplugged. 

Of course ‘joys’ and our own “successes” are defined by our personal preferences. Our success is outcome-based on choices we make. Choices resting on the solid foundation of established priorities and goals, help lead us in the direction of our dreams and the life we want to live — or not. If no action is taken to advance in that direction, it’s easy to figure how progress is not made.

Time away — a respite is good. It clears the mind, refreshes and gives time for creativity to be restored. A rest from the usual demanding pace inspires new ideas. Conventional wisdom assures us that strategic actions taken over a period of time will eventually at least head us in the direction of our goal, so a needed break does not hinder the process.  

For many of us, our work and interactions online are integral parts to our business model, so working smarter not harder is key. How to do this often eludes us. For some, this is the first time ‘work and life’ have blended, with home-based businesses. 

A lot of us talk about this. How are you handling this, in your work and life? Is it working for you? 

Effectively harnessing information channels, work strategies and what this overload really means will be addressed in a series of articles featuring time mangement tips and ideas to increase your productivity and effectiveness. 

In the meantime… here’s a great article on: Why Relaxing is Such Hard Work

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Marketing+Media+Communications Wordle for the Day

18 Jun

BeckyCortino.com

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Delivering Happiness: A Path to Passion, Profits and Purpose – Exceptional perspective by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh

07 Jun

Exceptional perspective by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh in his book released today: Delivering Happiness: A Path to Passion, Profits and Purpose

Zappo’s SOP:

Here’s a taste to whet your appetite for devouring this book (from the book’s website Delivering Happiness):

  • Pay new employees $2000 to quit.
  • Make customer service the responsibility of the entire company, not just a department.
  • Focus on company culture as the #1 priority.
  • Apply research from the science of happiness to running a business.
  • Help employees grow both personally and professionally.
  • Seek to change the world.
  • Oh, and make money too.

Stories and case studies of savvy entrepreneurs offering insights based on a highly-successful biz model of their own design such as Tony’s are inspiring! Small businesses are the wheels that move the economy in America, founded on core values, principles and standards.

Zappo’s is yet another example of how a small business can succeed based on simple, down-to-earth concepts. Success may be realized beyond anyone’s wildest dreams — which inspires daring to dream of the possibilities, taking chances, seeing the needs — giving rise to innovation.

I love stories like this, because I think it gives all a moment to pause — and wonder…

Perhaps it will encourage a fledgling business owner to give it all yet another a day at the office. Or maybe after much consideration, a fabulous new idea will be unveiled and given the spotlight that will have a positive impact in our world.

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8 Tips to Build Your Brand: Blog Locally, Publish Globally

28 May

Build Your Brand BeckyCortino.comOne of the best ways to build your brand and increase your visibility is to establish a blog. Unfortunately, blogging has received an unfavorable rap by some, due to the perceived time and attention given to maintaining a site. To be effective, writing entries on a regular basis is necessary to harness the powerful potential of this communications vehicle — the key benefit of a blog versus a static website.

By writing ongoing entries in your business realm, on the aspect of your work or sharing your passions, your efforts will:

  • Move you toward building a platform placing you as “expert” in your field or area, by what you share
  • Increase your possibility to be found  on the web, through your blog posts — fresh content found by search engines
  • Provide a means to make powerful presentations, through articles created by combining blog posts
  • Powerfully communicate your message to a potentially larger audience than ever before
  • Connect with other like-minded folk, potential clients, customers who are looking for you, your products and services
  • Garner possible media attention, as the media is reported to be searching for information and sources through blogs
  • While you publish your blog ‘locally,’ your potential audience reach is as great as the furthest corners of the blogosphere  – globally
  • Make wise investment of a small amount of your time, for invaluable potential at little out-of-pocket expense

If you carefully weigh and consider the resulting benefits in posting on a blog for the potential return on your investment of time, it is clear what a powerhouse blogging is in the business communications toolbox.

TIP: If you believe you don’t have time to establish a blog or maintain it by writing regular blog posts, I recommend getting some help. Blogs are relatively easy to set up, and can be linked to your established website. Perhaps a local college student could help you in writing posts, based on topics, ideas and information you supply them. Provide enough copypoints for several posts to be written as a batch. Simply review and edit as necessary before adding them to your blog. Schedule them ahead, weeks in advance — done!

Take your branding effort a step further, by turning your blog posts into articles, information products and special reports, to make more money from your effort while securing your expert status to a growing audience!

Find out how to create, market and make more money from reports 

I love maximizing my time, don’t you?!

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