We’ve launched a new, affordable PR seminar series for the small business owner who wants to learn how to design their own public relations campaign. Check out our press release below:

LAD comm. inc. Launches The Home Run Series:
A New Educational Program for the Small Business Owner

First Seminar: “How to Get into The New York Times”

Portland, OR (December 5, 2008) - LAD communications, inc., an independently owned national public relations firm based in Portland, Oregon with another location in New York City, announced today the launch of its new quarterly educational program, The Home Run Series. The series is designed to empower small business owners with the ability to promote their business to a national audience, and as the title suggests, create winning pitches and home run media placements. “A minor investment like a class can yield major results for a small business, and given today’s economy we feel even more motivated to share this knowledge and provide tools for supporting local businesses,” says Lisa Donoughe, LAD comm. founder.

The first four-hour seminar takes place on Tuesday, January 13th from 9:00 AM -1:00 PM and is followed by a prix-fixe lunch at Ten 01. “Our philosophy about gaining national media coverage for businesses is pretty simple – identify a genuine story idea that serves the audience of a specific media outlet. If you have a good story and do your homework, editors will want the content,” says Donoughe.

“We recognize how hard it sounds to take a small store or product and imagine it as a focus of a story in The New York Times, but this is something we do daily, and our goal is to help entrepreneurs and others understand this process in order to connect great publications, such as The Times, with people who have compelling stories to tell,” added Donoughe.

The four-hour seminar will cover specific topics including:

* How to find a great story within your business;
* Today’s most effective techniques for pitching a top national reporter and/or editor;
* How to craft a compelling story idea;
* How to cultivate a relationship with the right reporter for your story;
* How to use experiences, not just pitches, to develop the story;
* How to build in a news peg that creates a specific timeliness to the story;
* How to know when to take the story to another publication.

Participants will leave with tools to promote their business to national media as well as an actual story idea and strategy for pitching it.

The seminar is $ 395.00 and payable by check to LAD communications, 812 SW Washington, Suite 400, Portland, Oregon 97205 or major credit card by calling 503-827-6564. LAD will set aside two scholarship seats only available to qualified start-up businesses or non-profits. Please call for more details about how to apply for this scholarship. Space is limited, and reservations are required by January 6th. The seminar takes place in the private dining room at Ten 01, 1001 Couch Street at Tenth Avenue in the Pearl District.

Future topics for the quarterly educational seminars may include: “Tips for Building Powerful On-line PR Campaigns,” “How to Spot Trends” and “How to Pitch National Magazine Editors.”

About LAD:
LAD communications was founded in 1999 with a mission to grow businesses through effective strategic communications. The company specializes in narrative marketing in support of its national clients in the areas of natural foods, wine, spirits and beer, restaurants and hotels. As a supporter of local artisan and non-profit businesses, LAD has had the privilege of training many entrepreneurs about ways to build their businesses through good PR. Clients include: Aviation Gin, Honey Ridge Farms, Mix Magazine, Downtown Marketing Initiative, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, Deschutes Brewery, Nancy’s Yogurt and Hotel Monaco Portland. For more information about LAD, visit www.ladcommunicationsblog.com.

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