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The Amtower ReportVolume 6, #12, July 30, 2007(The Amtower Report is an e-journal on the Business-to-Government market featuring the opinions of Mark Amtower, and occasionally reader comments. This newsletter is only sent to those who request it. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.FederalDirect.net and if you like this newsletter, please pass it along to your colleagues. To unsubscribe, see directions below. The newsletter is posted each Monday at www.FederalDirect.net, and the latest “Off-Center Observations” is on the home page. All back issues available at http://www.federaldirect.net/newsletterarchives.html)
Item: While the end of FY is looming, I have not seen the traditional massive push of space ads. Is the money going elsewhere? Are the web and radio picking up more of the end of FY money? Recently I had discussions with some of the trade publications regarding the availability of web site ad space for the remainder of the FY, and much of it is sold, as are many of the sponsorships of the news programs. If you haven’t lined up what you need, call you favorite ad reps today and see what is left. I hope to address this issue on Amtower Off Center – the radio show – this Friday at 2:05 PM on WFED, AM 1050 in DC and simulcast on the web at www.FederalNewsRadio.com Item: Heroines in Technology nominations are due August 15, 2007! The March of Dimes and Women in Technology (WIT) are issuing a call for nominations for the 2007 Heroines in Technology awards, which will be presented Friday, November 2, at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, VA. Heroines in Technology recognizes women in the technology industry who have used their experience, knowledge and skills to benefit the community. In addition, one woman-owned or -run company will be recognized for extraordinary commitment to local philanthropy and volunteer service. Nominees will be considered from all segments of the technology industry in the Washington, D.C., area, including Biotechnology, IT Service Providers, Hardware, Software, telecom, Government, Medical Technology and the Internet. To complete an online nomination form, go to: http://surveys.timberlakepublishing.com/wit/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=34K473KL4p8KG Item: I understand that it has been warm in our area recently, but the next time you start to complain about the weather, think of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in 100+ degree temperatures in full combat gear. Remember them with a prayer and a donation to the USO – www.USO.org . Not that I have an opinion. THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY: RECOGNITION, EARNED AND OTHERWISE Apparently the easiest way to get recognition, if it is not given to you by your peers, is to start a third party organization and give it to yourself. On July 24, PRSourceCode announced the Top Tech Communicators in its second annual study. PRSourceCode describes itself as a content service provider to the information technology journalism, conference, industry accolade and PR communities. http://www.prsourcecode.com/TopTechCommunicator2007.asp I am not in a position to judge the value of the services provided by PRSourceCode, but I am in a position to say that I remember when it started and who started it. It was founded by Steve Okeeffe, and currently resides in the same building – 921 King Street – as Okeeffe & Company, the PR firm. I have not heard that Mr Okeeffe ever sold PRSourceCode. It must make it convenient, though, when you award something, to be able to open your door and announce it down the hall to the first winner. So imagine my surprise when PRSourceCode announces the 2nd annual Top Tech Communicators, and there, before my eyes is Okeeffe and Co ranked as the #3 large PR firm, and Steve himself as one of the top tech communicators. Large? This is the only study I have seen where a large PR firm is defined as one having more than 50 employees. The normal standard seems to be how much revenue was billed. I called several reporters and editors in the government trade publication arena and asked if they were part of this survey. None I spoke with were. I do not point this out to suggest that those surveyed were only those who drink a certain brand of KoolAid, but I have to wonder why certain publications may have been omitted. Now it might just be me, but when a company I own gives me an award, I might want to put a disclaimer SOMEWHERE, even in small type, that I own the company. Otherwise, it might make one wonder about the value of this award. This is not to say that Okeeffe and Co do not do good work. In the past I have heard some good things. But that is not for me, or PRSourceCode, to decide. Beware of the SCHLOCK EVENT PRODUCERS, producing minimal value events that eat your money with no significant return! The events listed below are among those I think are worth your time, money and effort. Just because an event is not listed below does not imply it is not worth attending. If you want my opinion on a specific event or producer, call me. This topic is addressed more thoroughly in the members section at www.GovernmentMarketingBestPractices.com. August 1-2, Federal Information Security Conference, Colorado Springs, Co. Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs. http://www.fbcinc.com/fisc/ October 18, 7:00PM - 11:00PM, GIT ROCKIN' 2nd Annual BATTLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IT BANDS, The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA www.GitRockin.com October 23-25, Federal Information Assurance Conference 2007, University of Maryland at College Park http://www.fbcinc.com/fiac/ November 2, Heroines in Technology, Hyatt Regency Reston, www.WomenInTechnology.org November 5-6, 2007 – The Sixth Annual Amtower Summit on Selling Products to the Government, BWI Airport Hilton. Save the date – details to follow at www.FederalDirect.net/2007summit.html November 7-8, The Coalition for Government Procurement Annual Fall Conference, Hilton Arlington, http://www.thecgp.org/
Amtower Off-Center airs Friday at 2:05 PM on WFED 1050 AM in Washington, DC and is simulcast and archived on www.FederalNewsRadio.com. Tune in!
*** Thanks The Amtower Report is published by Amtower & Company, and is written for companies targeting the government marketplace. The opinions expressed are those of Mark Amtower unless otherwise noted. Contact us at Amtower & Company, PO Box 314, Highland, MD 20777-0314 (301-924-0058). This material is copyrighted and may not be duplicated, reprinted or otherwise replicated without written permission of the publisher. Email subscriptions are free by request: sign up at www.FederalDirect.net |
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