GETTING YOUR CUSTOMERS BACK

Carl M. Dameron offers a free brochure from Dameron Communications called Effective Advertising & Public Relations. The brochure outlines a step-by-step program to effectively reach a company’s target market, create a positive image of the business and entice their target market to use their products and services despite tough economic times.


(Newport Beach, Calif.) “In tough economic times too many companies stop advertising their business, or they cut their marketing budget because its easier than cutting people,” says Carl M. Dameron, founder and Creative Director of Dameron Communications, Inland Empire leader in public relations and advertising.

“The problem is when you stop asking for business you stop getting business. When sales fall because new customers aren’t coming in the door companies have to cut more expenses. They often reduce the marketing budget and then spiral into business failure. That puts more people out of work than if they had just found a new way to ask for more business.”

“We must never lose sight of the fact we are all products, and keep selling ourselves and our companies’ products,” says Dameron, adding, “However, a great campaign does not stop there. It takes hard work, knowledge and creativity to bridge the gap between the vision of success and actual profit.”

A free brochure from Dameron Communications, Effective Advertising & Public Relations, outlines a step-by-step program to effectively reach a company’s target market, create a positive image of the business and entice their target market to use their products and services.

According to Dameron the solution to increasing business in a changing economy is to change your advertising strategy. “When people had lots of money from constant home refinancing, they bought lots of things they wanted but didn’t need,” he notes. “Now the re-fi money is gone. People also feel poorer because their home values are declining and their mortgage payments are up. Many consumers are recovering from the hangover of big spending. Buyers are redefining their purchases based on what they need, not just want.

Dameron says the solution is to change your approach. “Some businesses understand this. They increase advertising in slow times. When they notice a change in buyer attitudes and adjust their message to consumers.

“One strategy is to lower prices and offer zero down and low interest rates to increase traffic and sales. Why? Because there are always buyers, if properly motivated to buy. As the Creative Director of Dameron Communications, my job is find the new way to motivate customers to buy,” he says.

Dameron offers more solutions to energize or create and implement an Effective Advertising & Public Relations strategy.

The program consists of four major components:
Research. The first step in an effective advertising campaign is research. A company must know how much they should invest in their marketing campaign, who the target market is, what media those consumers use and what they want!

Ad Development. The creativity of an ad campaign is spurred during ad development. Generally, the information obtained through research will be used to generate a campaign theme that will grab the target market’s attention and increase traffic.

Media Planning and Placement. Selective media placement ensures the target market knows about the company’s products and services. It is imperative that follow-up research is done to fine tune the media, to maximize budget effectiveness and capture the largest audience.

While a successful campaign fulfills all four components, a combination of effective planning and consistency is also required to be effective.

Additionally, Dameron’s guide gives information on developing effective Public Relations, Government Relations and Community Relations strategies.

Dameron goes one step further. “If your business needs help sorting out your media options or creating a new message, we will provide you a free one-hour consultation on your advertising, public relations, crisis communications, government relations and/or community relations issues,” says Dameron.

For a free copy of Effective Advertising & Public Relations e-mail your request to Info@DameronCommunications.com or call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0321.

Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of its clients locally, regionally and nationally. They are an award-winning communications agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. They use advertising, public relations, government relations and community relations to advance their clients’ objectives. The web site is www.DameronCommunications.com.

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SATERN offers opportunity to obtain radio license

Tony Straughter, a member of the local SATERN Committee, at a recent seminar the committee put on at The Salvation Army. For those who would like to further help The Salvation Army by obtaining an amateur radio license and volunteering with SATERN, the committee is hosting a licensing class on Feb. 28 at the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps office.  Photo courtesy of Tony Stephen

Capt. Stephen Ball, commanding officer of The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps, addresses a recent seminar about the importance of SATERN’s radio communications during the Corps disaster relief efforts. Photo courtesy of Tony Stephen

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Inland Empire’s Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, also known as SATERN, invites all Salvation Army officers, cadets, volunteers and friends to attend the Amateur Licensing Class on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at The Salvation Army Corps, 746 W. Fifth St. in San Bernardino.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by the six-hour class that starts at 8:30 a.m. Testing begins at 4 p.m. with a license exam fee of $15. Lunch will be provided for those who attend, and will not exceed $5.

The six-hour class will cover the basic materials required to obtain an FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio License. Sample tests are available online at WWW.QRZ.COM.

SATERN uses amateur radio to communicate among its own members who are participating in a Salvation Army disaster relief effort, and with the emergency workers they’re helping.

The Salvation Army has helped in just about every disaster that has broken out over the last century, including fires, earthquakes, floods and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Inland Empire Corps’ most recent disaster relief efforts were during the Triangle Complex fire near Corona last year.

For more information about the class, call Paul Hager at (909) 499-0732.

SATERN asks those attending to R.S.V.P. by email to AE6TR@arrl.net by February 23, 2009.

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.

The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.

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Presidents' Day Essay Contest Sponsored By The Art Institute

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) High school seniors have a chance to win a scholarship by participating in a Presidents’ Day essay contest sponsored by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

“This is an exciting way to win money for college,” said Monica Jeffs, senior director of admissions for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. “The scholarships are $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.”

The contest is part of Open House activities at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire planned for Monday, Feb. 16. To learn the theme and other rules for participating in the essay contest, call (909) 915-2100 or go to www.aiopen.com/inlandempire.

Jeffs said the deadline for essays to be submitted is Wednesday, Feb. 11. Winning students must be present at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 16, to accept their scholarship.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Feb. 19 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a free tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Free Art Classes, Drawing Dreams

Knowing how to draw from a live human model is an important skill that artists 15 and older can hone by participating in a drawing workshop 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at The Art Institute of California Inland Empire. Photos by Robert Swapp.


(SAN BERNADINO, Calif.) Being able to draw a live human model is an important skill for any artist, however, not all artists have the chance to practice this type of drawing. 

In the spirit of leading by example, the Art Institute of California –Inland Empire is hosting an artists’ workshop on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1-5 p.m.

This workshop gives local artists a chance to try their hand at life drawing and will be held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire free charge to the public.

“Many artists are greatly creative but lack focus,” Santosh Oommen, Academic Director of Media Arts & Animation. “Our goal is to help make better artists. Offering workshops give these artists a chance to focus their raw creative talent.”

Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available for each class. The workshop is open to the public; the only requirement is that you are 15 years old or above and that you bring your own pencils and drawing paper.

“Our commitment is to helping artist in the Inland Empire improve their talents. This workshop, for artists as young as 15 years old, will help them to further their development of with the skills they need.” Said Oommen, academic director of media artist animation of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.


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The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.