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Get the Lead Out!

Orange County Advertiser welcomes guest blogger Rhonda Burgin from Burgin Construction with an informative post on EPA regulations regarding lead paint.

So, what’s the big deal? Why is everyone so up-in-arms and worried about the whole lead paint issue? Why is the EPA creating new regulations and going to such extremes?

In order to answer this question you have to have some basic information on lead poisoning. The most common sources of lead poisoning are:

Deteriorating lead-based paint
Lead contaminated dust
Lead contaminated residential soil
Long-term exposure to lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches in children. For adults it can lead to reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

If your home was built before 1978 you may be exposed to this hazard on a daily basis. Due to these serious health concerns the EPA has enacted new regulations which will affect the entire Home Improvement industry. These new rules went into effect for all projects beginning from April 22nd of this year. To meet the requirements, all contractors who work on homes built before 1978 must have completed the course and received their EPA Lead-Safe Certification.

For those in the industry who have not completed the requirements yet, you have less than 28 days remaining to do so. For all homeowners who are, or will be interviewing contractors, make sure you ask them about their certification and request to see a copy of the certificate. If you would like more information visit the EPA’s site at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or contact Burgin Construction at 714-558-1094.

Orange County businesses and homeowners can always use clear language regarding EPA regulations. Thank you Burgin Construction!

Going Green in OC offers additional environmentally friendly businesses in Orange County for the savvy consumer.

[ More ] September 10th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in General |

Ten things you need to know about Mobile Marketing

Mobile Marketing (Original post by The Mobile Marketer)

Orange County advertising firms are constantly researching the most effective campaigns. In today’s economy, it makes financial sense to reach out to the largest amount of consumers in a cost effective manner. As an OC business, have you considered mobile marketing?

The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) mobile council has produced a list of the top 10 things it believes markets absolutely have to know about mobile advertising at the moment. It follows research from the IAB and PriceWaterhouseCoopers that mobile advertising is set to become part of the mainstream marketing mix over the next two years.

1. It’s an always on medium: Consumers love their mobile phones so much that researchers found when they took peoples phones away for a day they claimed to feel a phantom ‘tingle’ in their pocket that normally proceeds the excitement of a text/call. Stephen Upstone, managing director of European business development, AdInfuse.

2. Social media is driving growth: IAB research in 2009 found that updating social network sites via mobile handsets is increasing with 25% of all social networkers logging on to check or update their pages. 16 to 24 year olds are the biggest mobile social network fans with 44% saying they have updated via mobile, compared to 17% of over 55s. Amy Kean, senior PR and marketing manager, IAB.

3. It provides immediate interaction: Mobile phones allow the consumers to interact immediately with advertising. Upon seeing an advert the consumer can text, call or download content instantly. It can help maximize the effectiveness of other media, a short code is a great example of this. Rachel Wright, business development director, Phonevalley.

4. It’s got a lot to offer: Mobile Marketing is much more than banner adverts within internet content; a wide range of formats can be delivered as campaign components from text links in SMS messages through to full screen static or video display adverts within applications or mobile internet sites. Jeremy Copp, CEO, Rapid Mobile Media.

5. Application crazy: iPhone users have downloaded over 1 billion applications worldwide to their handset since launch. Applications are not restricted to iPhone however; advertisers can create useful applications for consumers for the majority of handsets. David Fieldhouse, mobile manager, MediaCom.

6. It’s popular: The number of mobile media users in the UK has reached the tipping point with over 30% of all UK adults accessing mobile media every month and a large proportion of those going online everyday according to ComScore. Stephen Upstone, managing director of European business development. AdInfuse

7. Smartening up: Over the last 18 months the number of UK Smartphone users (iPhone, Nokia N96, T-Mobile G1 etc) has grown from 3.6m subscribers to 6.3m, a 73% increase, and these users are over three times more likely to browse for News and Information on their phones than non Smartphone users (Comscore/MMetrics). Tim Hussain, head of mobile advertising, Sky.

8. It’s out of your hands: If you’re not sure if your brand should be on mobile, consumers have already made the choice for you. 0ver 4 million consumers are already using their mobiles to search for information on products and services and search volumes are growing 4 times faster than online. Jon Mew, head of mobile, IAB.

9. It can reach you: Target through to point of purchase – no other medium allows such precise targeting, from location based services like local search through to in-store Bluetooth marketing you can reach consumers wherever they are and provide relevant and engaging advertising. Paul Lyonette, head of mobile advertising, Microsoft.

10. Consumers like Mobile! The Orange Exposure study shows 70% of mobile media users find innovative ad formats appealing. In an ad funded games trial 89% said they liked or were neutral to advertisements appearing on the Orange World portal and 88% said they were happy to be exposed to advertising in exchange for free or discounted content. Alex Kozloff, media research manager, Orange.

Stepping outside of a business viewpoint for a moment and becoming a consumer who receives text messages from businesses advertising their specials, I love receiving the mobile messages. I don’t have to hunt down specials while sitting at my desk. I can be engaging in my daily life. As a busy professional, I have found this to be a personal plus. How about you? Are you using mobile marketing for you business or product. Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

[ More ] September 1st, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in General |