communication | Express-It

RSS

Archive for the ‘communication’ Category

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!

No Comments

Posted in Build Your Brand, Durable Branding, Effective Communication, Effective Communication Campaign with all Media, Facebook, New Media, Promotion, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Special Events, branding, communication, media, personal branding, professional services, talk radio

Explanation: The Internet of Things

23 Apr

What do you think? Please leave your thoughts and comments — let’s discuss…

No Comments

Posted in Trend Prediction, business tools, communication

The Future of Mobile Media and Communication…

19 Apr

Undoubtedly we’re headed toward a mobile lifestyle, fueled by the ease of traveling laptop-free, assisted more each day by incredibly useful mobile device applications that create content on-the-fly, and encouraged by the still surprisingly spotty available free wifi.

Sit back, relax and enjoy this thought-provoking look into the future of mobile communication, as you ponder the overarching effects of it on the world as we know it; consider how you will communicate your message…

Are you ready? How will you communicate your message to a mobile community? What opportunities will you miss if you don’t?

No Comments

Posted in Trend Prediction, business tools, communication

The Simple Truth about Authenticity

02 Apr

Authenticity requires “truth in communicating.”

Otherwise, it’s Advertising.

~Becky Cortino

No Comments

Posted in A Marketing Moment, Communications Clarity, branding, communication, marketing, media

Communications Design through the Magic of Fluid Web Typography

22 Mar

For your enjoyment and inspiration in communications design, I’m sharing this fascinating SlideShare presentation by Jason Cranford Teague, originally posted by Dan York on his Disruptive Conversations blog. According to Dan, I understand Jason gave this at SXSW last week in Austin, Texas. South By Southwest (SXSW) Interactive show, is one of the world’s largest assemblages of folks who work in all aspects of the web.

As a true typography connoisseur and longtime production design adviser, I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation! Fear not — you don’t need to be a typography afficionado or geek to benefit from taking it in. For me, the beauty of it is that it clearly illustrates the importance typeface selection has in communicating your message. Enjoy!

Fluid Web Typography – SXSWi 2010

View more presentations from Jason CranfordTeague.

No Comments

Posted in branding, business tools, communication, marketing, media

Employees Communicate Your Business Message, Too

15 Mar

Give rise to a stroke of genius!

In challenging economic times, small businesses look for more efficient ways to do business. Marketing and business communication must continue to “get the word out,” but often fueled with fewer dollars. Times like these encourage small business owners to pause, reflect and create more inventive ways to accomplish these tasks.

Being nimble-on-the-fly is a hallmark of the entrepreneurial mindset, and a signature modus operandi. Sensibly using or simply reallocating resources and tools to accomplish goals is required. Thinking outside the box gives rise to a stroke of genius, when it comes to innovation.

One overlooked and often misapplied resource by many businesses is their employees. Boosting teamwork and individual confidence through creating an atmosphere of cooperation and trust does much to shore up the integrity of a business. In part, this may be accomplished by providing employees the ability to truly serve as an integral extension, representing the company’s core values.

In reality, often employees are company representatives serving on the frontlines, as the initial contact your customers or clients meet. They are also the first impression of your business. What does it look like to a new client, or a returning customer with a problem they could address? How can you retool or slightly revamp to make it more welcoming to all, and to serve your customer better?

No Comments

Posted in Small Business, business tools, communication

Advice from the Caterpillar: Who are you?

10 Mar

Who are you?

Recently, my family and I enjoyed Tim Burton’s 2010 version of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” starring Johnny Depp. In my mind, this fantastical movie served up some great creative fodder. It left me not only realizing how “Alice” I am in reality, but filled me full of still-deeper thoughts and allusions related to communications and combating business-as-usual.

When Alice and the caterpillar first met, he sleepily asked her, “Who are you?”

“Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.”

To me, this statement represented ”business-as-usual.” Over my many years as an adviser, I have frequently observed this practice in action. It’s well-recognized that business owners wear many hats, constantly switching them throughout the day. Sometimes “serial entrepreneurs” are known to switch channels every 6 or 9 months, heading off to what they perceive to be greener pastures. Other business folk use their simplistic business models to turn on a dime — but often cutting corners a bit too sharply, making changes that aren’t a “fit,” albeit the latest marketplace trend.

It all comes back to the original question — “Who are you?” Or – ”who” is your business? A succinctly-elegant elevator pitch is not going skyrocket your business if this foundational element is not defined and fused into the core being of the operation. It is integral and serves as the basis from which all actions flow.

Until this positioning statement is fully defined and embraced, work effort, time and money spent will be wasted over the long-run. A short-term success or surprisingly big sale may occur to encourage, but it is a fleeting moment.

The marketplace is dynamic and ever-changing, but the focus of the overall effort must remain steadfast. To remain viable, is with a clear definition of “who” you are, or “who” your business is — what do you offer? Some may refer to this as a ‘Unique Selling Proposition (USP),’ but I see the USP as something to build upon this core definition. This definition is taking just a small, initial step in devising a positioning statement describing the core element of the business and what it offers.

Are you interested in amping-up your communications or fine-tuning your efforts? If so, contact me any time, via the Contact Form located on this website.

No Comments

Posted in branding, communication, marketing, planning

Facebook is a Powerful Platform for Special Promotions

24 Feb

Reporting more than 400 million active users, with more than 35 million users updating their status daily, Facebook offers a powerful platform for special promotions. But as with any great promotional opportunity, related restrictions apply.

In December, Facebook rolled out a revised set of “Facebook Promotions Guidelines.” The following are a few basic, key elements to keep in mind as you craft an enticing special promotion… which includes all facets – publicizing and administering a promotion, as a:

contest
competition
sweepstakes

…including but not limited to the prize awarded by a chance drawing or designation as “winner,” based on the entrant or participant’s exemplified skill or superior proficiency level, judged within publicized framework of specific criteria.

By publicizing or in any way administering a special promotion on the Facebook platform, all hosting entities must agree with and adhere to the prevailing, current ”Facebook Promotions Guidelines,” including:

Communicating special promotion details through paid Facebook advertising, status updates, and related Facebook Page information — in doing so, indicates you are offering a special promotion.
Administering any aspect of a special promotion on the Facebook platform, such as receiving entries or submissions, judging and notifying winners, using the Facebook platform in any way to do these tasks.

With the current economic situation, special promotions are an excellent way to co-promote with other businesses, for mutual benefit. In addition to increasing your reach through the actual promotion, if done correctly additional bang for the buck is often easily available through media promotion surrounding it, by building it into a true “event.” This is a tried-and-true low-cost strategy for high-dollar visibility.

The new guidelines look fairly straightforward, but I recommend reviewing them thoroughly, before setting up a new promotional event, in case there are additional revisions — which may be ongoing.

As Tourist Development Manager for Tampa-Hillsborough County, I developed promotions with airlines, hotels, restaurants and major attractions like Busch Gardens (owned then by Anheuser-Busch), promoting them domestically. Tying in various aspects of a special promotion with selected joint venture partners can be a challenge, but if properly crafted, it is a great promotional tool!

Here’s a great article with useful tips to help you put together a successful special promotion, by Sara Inés Calderón 6 Tips for Running Promotions within Facebook’s Guidelines

No Comments

Posted in Social Media, business tools, communication, marketing

Express-It

Archive for the ‘communication’ Category

Explanation: The Internet of Things

The Future of Mobile Media and Communication…

The Simple Truth about Authenticity

Communications Design through the Magic of Fluid Web Typography

Employees Communicate Your Business Message, Too

Advice from the Caterpillar: Who are you?

Pages

Archives

Categories