Action, Results and Knowledge..an interview with Marilyn Cariaga from Ark Marketing

Hi,

As you can tell somedays I like to write about advertising in Hawaii and other days just advertising and hot tips and trends pertaining to advertising, promotions and marketing around the world. We’ll today, we start our “once every couple of weeks or so Interviews”  And for now at least, these will be people working in the advertising, marketing and promotion areas who are doing business in Hawaii or just living in Hawaii doing business all around the world via the net. Today, We interview the President of Ark Marketing Group-Marilyn Cariaga:

 Questions and Answers for the interview with the Ark Marketing Group for: advertisinginhawaii.com

Tell us a little about the ark marketing group?

Ark Marketing Group is based in Hawaii.  We provide services in all aspects of advertising, marketing, and community relations.  Our primary goal is to lead clients to success by applying the win, win, win concept incorporated with the values of Aloha.

 Who have been and who are some of your clients?

To name a few.  Shiseido Cosmetics America based out of New York have used our services for commercial productions that were used locally and nationally.  Couture Jewellers-Roberto Coin is a company that uses our graphic and communication services. NALU Studies a non-profit organization commissioned our branding services.

Can you tell us about some of your Success stories that you would like to share with our audience?

We have Many.  One that I would like to particular highlight was  “Complete Our Streets: Waialae Avenue rally and media implementation” was succeeded in less than a week.  Media coverage reached major local televisions and newspapers. It encompassed a small team to work hard and cooperatively to ensure the outcome of success.

 How did you come up with the name-Ark?

The acronym represents Action, Results, and Knowledge.  It’s a repetitive process necessary to ensure success in any endeavor.

How do you think the present economy is doing in Hawaii?

Businesses are looking for new inexpensive ways to market versus traditional style marketing. The primary interest continues to focus on increased profits with minimal investments. 

I’ve seen your you tube channel, tell us a bit about what you are trying to achieve on there?..Is is working?

It absolutely works.  Burgado Fine Woods benefited in a huge way.  Although reluctant at first, they now understand the power of communicating their services.  They were able to receive immediate financial results, increased foot traffic and phone calls.

This is a great way for positive messaging.  It’s in its infancy and will cover stories on communities, individuals and companies.  Its primary purpose is a newsworthy mini-documentary communicating its mission, impact and positive contribution it offers to individuals, companies and communities. You can find Marilyn on you tube here.

What are your thoughts on Newer media like Facebook, Linked In, You tube and twitter? 

Necessary. This is by far the most effective way to inform your clients, colleagues, and family instantly.  It’s a great tool for building customer loyalty. However, the information displayed must be strategic.  Otherwise, a company or individual will come across as using every opportunity to sell and or reduce their positioning/brand image. If not used wisely, it can damage their reputation and business.

 And your thoughts on traditional media like TV, Radio, newspapers, Magazines and Billboards?

Traditional media is important for companies who are looking to establish long-term success.  Its ability to create top of mind awareness, reach and impact continues to be valuable for existing clients and to gain new clientele.

 Where do you see ark marketing in 5 years?                                                                                                                            

Serving local, nationwide clients and having an impact globally. Another component for Ark Marketing Group is to be visible in the Hawaiian Islands by leading and establishing standards that pursue excellence.

What is your favorite restaurant on Oahu?                                                                                                                                                I Enjoy Japanese cuisine.

If you were a tourist coming to Hawaii, name the top 3-5 places you would recommend and why? (any island)               If you enjoy nature, my recommendation would be to visit the island of Hawaii.  Particularly, Kilauea Volcano, Waipio Valley and Kona.  The beauty and different terrains are simply magnificent and you’ll find yourself in awe.  Waikiki on the island of Oahu is a great place to experience sand, surf and shopping.  Pursue the meaning of “living aloha” the Hawaiian way.

 What would you recommend someone to do if they were planning a career in sales, advertising and marketing?         To seriously think about their level of commitment.  In this field, its essential to constantly observe, network and understand the dynamics of being successful.  It’s a great career for someone who is creative and has a lot of positive, think big, energy.

What is your favorite part about Marketing?

Seeing an idea become a reality and succeed in its purpose of implementation. Dreams come true.

 Any thoughts on the future in the economy, marketing, the world in general?

Our Hawaii State, will be hosting the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Oahu.  This is an opportunity that literally will not come by for another 21-24 years.  Members of the community are ensuring the success of this conference.  Our intentions are to have Hawaii be considered as a place for discovery, connections and quality of life. As an APEC trainer for over 1200 volunteers it’s an amazing opportunity to participate and contribute back into the community.

Thank You Marilyn for being our first interviewees on  Advertising in Hawaii Dot Com.  Best wishes on your future with the Ark Marketing Group.  If you’d like to contact Marilyn or the Ark Marketing Group click here or remember to check her out on YouTube.  Have a Great rest of the week and if you’re going to the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash this weekend, stop by and say “Aloha” text or call me when you’re there at (808) 479 – 9928

  http://www.youtube.com/user/believewords  
Marilyn M. Cariaga | ark marketing group | believe & succeed  
350 Ward Avenue Suite 106-215 | Honolulu, HI  96814 | 808.265.6906
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State of the Internet 2011-courtesy of onlineschools.org

http://www.onlineschools.org/state-of-the-internet/

This is really fun to watch and quite amazing.  Me, personally, I find it fascinating that Foursquare still has a flat line and hasn’t even come close to reaching its potential. And that’s the one I’ve been having the most fun with lately. Wow! Click on the link,  Press play and enjoy!

Today’s Social Media Update of Variousness…

First off, I’d like to say that a successful social media advertising campaign would benefit greatly by using traditional media-be it Radio, TV, Newspapers or Billboards (where legal).  And I dont just say that because I work at a radio station.  Just imagine how many more people will come to your blog, twitter or Facebook page if they were hearing or seeing it advertised somewhere else. Me, personally I would love to have an outside source of advertising for my own blogs. Yes, my SEO is getting better and yes more and more people are coming to my sites, but it’s a slow process.  Buy some traditional media and watch your social media number soar, but please make sure you buy enough of it to work, have the correct creative for your ads, they match the place they run on. AND include your “Call to Action!!” 

And check these nice radio listening numbers out that I didn’t make up:

On a typical Day, of people ages 12+
71% listened to over the air local radio
24% Visited Facebook
9%  Used Twitter
10% Visited Youtube
Sources: comScore Inc Ratings for March 2011:RADAR 108, March 2011, persons 12+, 24 hours.
 

Some up to date as of today things going on with Social Media:

Foursquare & Twitter:   Mashable lets us know that foursquare just released version 3.3 for iPhone. I don’t have it yet, so can’t tell you if it’s any different.  All I really want Foursquare to do is not let people who have never been somewhere be the mayor of that place! Yeah you Sara. She is the may of Media Shop 808 which I own and work in and she has never ever been in my area.  i tell you I will get my mayorship back before the end of the Summer! Mashable also wants to let us know that Jerry Seinfeld sent out his first tweet today. I don’t really care much, but I do find it interesting that Rihanna just passed up Lady GaGa as the Gal with the most fans on Twitter.  I bet GaGa does some sort of outrageous stunt this weekend to get her numbers back up to number 1!  and last bit about foursquare-they will soon offer deals with LivingSocial, Gilt and they are in talks with Groupon.  Me personally I dont much care, I’m trying not to use my credit card. So, until they get a groupon card similar to the iTunes Cards, I wont be using the 50% off offers. By using my credit card on anything, it ends up costing me way more than saving 50% on it today.

Google+s Speed of Adoption is quite quick. It’s expected to reach 20 million by the end of the weekend and so far most of the users are of the male gender. Ladies-might be a good place to meet some men.

Pandora is set to unleash its new site powered by HTLM5

LinkedIn has passed MySpace for US visitors, becoming the #2 Social Network with twitter not too far behind. Note to Myspace-even after you lost a bunch of your supporters, when you changed the way it looked you lost the rest of us-way too confusing and too much white space. I’m a color person myself.  And last thing for MySpace-it was my favorite social network and I still enjoy it sometimes to find and talk to bands, but get those crazy, blurry Girls out of there, they aren’t my friends, I never said they could be my friends, they aren’t real, and every time i go on your site, they pretend to say “Hi” to me..when all they are doing is trying to hack into one of my email accounts. Get rid of them. TU

And lastly, Look out for Spotify-Be the first on your block or in your office to be on the US version of this UK site. They claim you need to be invited to the site for their US beta version if you have a high Klout score, but after a bit of googlizing, I found them easily at spotify.com and requested and invite. I’ll let you know if I get invited.  If I do, I hear they have millions upon millions of songs from around the world and supposedly they are all free. We’ll see. Until next time, you can find me this weekend on my phone via voice or text:  808 479-9928  24/7.. I usually don’t sleep much on the weekends..well a bit during the day..LOL

Ch..Ch…Ch….Changes

Today’s Quick Tip is actually really, really easy yet many or actually I should use the word “MOST” people don’t do it.

When you’re responding to an email, Please ch..ch…ch….change the Subject line.  It just takes a couple extra seconds, but makes so much sense!   I’ve personally been making a concerted effort to do this over the last few months and my email, my clients and friends emails are hopefully making a lot more sense.

I could go on and on giving you examples of  Subject lines staying the same, Here are just a few ..  read them and see how silly it is for you not to change the subject line:

1. After about 8 emails..Subject line:  “Happy Memorial Day!!”  date of the 8th email-July 10th and real subject of the email: “Let’s get together for dinner sometime this week”

2.  After 5 email exchanges..Subject line:  “Let’s Go to Lunch”  date of the 5th email-June 23rd and real subject of the email:  “L.A is really Fun!”  (Person Not even in town for lunch anymore and the two people had lunch three weeks ago)

3.  At least 12 emails later..Subject Line:  “Go Bears” date of the 12th email-April 4th and the real subject of the email:  “Did you get my request for proposal?”  (Bears quit playing football back in January or February and the real subject line isn’t about a football game, but it’s an opportunity to help someone out with some marketing and advertising expertise)

As you can see by just a few examples, many of our emails are ending up with drastically off base Subject lines.  Watch your email over the next week and I bet you’ll laugh at a few of yours, then when you respond to them, Ch..Ch…Ch….Change the SUBJECT line for better much improved email communication.

The best way to reach me today and tomorrow is to leave a response here and it will show up on my iPhone screen or email me with an appropriate Subject line or not at

scott.mackenzie@coxradio.com

Preparing Press Releases to increase your free advertising

Over the weekend, my friend who works at a local retail store told me that the Star-Advertiser doesn’t accept press releases as attachments. So, figured I’d do this quick, simple posting.  Next time, you send a press release to someone/anyone including the Star Advertiser. Make sure you put the body of your information in the email.  You can send the attachment or not-up to you. But make sure that the information is in the body of the email. 

My friend said that the newspaper doesn’t open any attachments because they do not want virus’ attacking their computers. Makes sense, I still get sent both attached press releases and releases in the body of the email.  Me personally, I’d rather get the Press Release in the body of the email, because it betters the chance that I will read it. A bunch of people I know at work and at play don’t even open attachments, not because they don’t want a virus but because they are just lazy.  If you’re trying to get some free advertising in Hawaii through a press release..copy and paste it into the body of the email to increase your chances of getting the hook-up.

Wow! Now that is HOT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo8kzFfJ5Gg&feature=player_embedded

This is one blog post where this is so awesome I suggest you just watch the video listed above. My best quote to sum it up is:  ” You can go to dinner and eat upon an interactive computer just like the computers you see on the TV show-CSI. The world that Tom Cruise lives in during “Minority Report” IS HERE NOW”  Basically you order your food by pressing an icon on your E-table, you can play games while waiting for your food and my favorite is changing the electronic table cloth into different colors and patterns.  OH-the ideas for this are endless.    Video courtesy of youtube via Springwise.

For more information:  www.inamo-restaurant.com 

Today the best way to reach me is by phone at:  (808) 479-9928                                               Happy 4th of July Weekend!!!  SM

 

 

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