As a way for corporations, small business owners, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and communications professionals to learn new strategies and re-energize marketing communications programs, Lake Communicators will hold its second annual Marketing Communications Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 12 at Renaissance Quail Hollow Resort in Concord Township. The workshop is $40 and includes breakfast, lunch and networking.

Attendees will gain practical advice on how to advance business goals through proven marketing methods and inside track strategies.

Workshop presenters include Marvin Montgomery, motivational speaker and sales training specialist; Kordell Norton, author, speaker and consultant; and Judee Nerren, publisher and editor of The Women’s Journal in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

“We’re so excited about this year’s line up of presenters. All three are nationally recognized experts in their respective fields and will bring so many valuable marketing tips to the table,” said Judy Cerne, president & CEO of McKinney Advertising & Public Relations. Cerne, who is the Lake Communicators vice president, will moderate the 2008 workshop. She participated as a presenter at last year’s marketing workshop.

Marvin Montgomery will discuss how “Preparation Connect with a wealth of marketing expertise Lake Communicators holds 2008 marketing workshop and luncheon and Practice is the Key to Sales Success.” He has assisted hundreds of organizations in improving productivity.

Kordell Norton’s presentation, “Marketing with E’s: The 5 Elements of Marketing with Pizzazz,” will focus on communicating the value of a company more powerfully and the methods to improve a customer’s experience that marketers’ don’t want you to know.

Norton is the author of several high-energy, hardhitting books on marketing including, Throwing Gas on the Fire–Creating Drastic Change in Sales and Marketing and the soon to be published Customer Insights–A Sales Guide for Discovering the Customer’s Problems, Passions and Priorities.

Judee Nerren, publisher and editor of The Women’s Journal in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, is in tune with the brand experience female consumers are looking for and knows their purchasing process. She will provide in-depth insight into what mediums women use and how they use them as well as how you can use those same mediums to reach these women in her presentation, “Capture the Women’s Market.”

To preregister or to learn more about the Lake Communicators Marketing Workshop, visit www.lakecommunicators.com or call Diana Lewis at 440-255-8932. Renaissance Quail Hollow is located at 11080 Concord-Hambden Road off I-90 at State Route 44.

Even high-priced marketing execs can get derailed when it comes to finding time to learn new things.

For small to medium-size enterprises, where you’re usually your own chief marketing officer, you’re even more likely to face that dilemma.

All marketing officers operate in the shadow both of quarterly numbers and of the bucking economy —which makes for neither a stable nor an easy job. Not surprisingly, caution and conservatism tend to rule when so much is in turmoil around you. The three biggest mistakes CMOs are making today:

Spending only 6 percent of their budget on the Internet, when audiences are spending 14 percent of their time (as much as on television viewing) on the Internet.

Failing to understand — and take advantage of — the greater accountability of Internet advertising... Close to 75 percent trackability for the Web versus 25 percent for, say, television.

Not realizing how incredibly targeted their advertising can be on the Web. For example, an advertiser for ski vacations can display ads when the customer is searching for ski vacations, reading an article about ski vacations, browsing a Web site on ski equipment or watching an online video on improving your skiing skills.

Laura Johnson joined the Red Cross last May. Previously, she served as the Northeast Ohio political director for Senator Mike DeWine. She provides direction for day-to-day activities, including disaster response and volunteer capacity building. She is also responsible for maintaining and building support for American Red Cross services in the community.

A graduate of both The Ohio State University and Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Previously Laura Horowitz, she and her husband were married Oct. 6 in Las Vegas. Laura and her husband, a dog and a cat reside in Lyndhurst but hope to someday move to Lake County. She is an avid Ohio State football fan and enjoys traveling to games as often as possible.

Reach Laura at 216-299-4573 or johnsonl@redcross-cleveland.org.

The 220 quilts in the annual Farmpark show are a smashing visual treat that anyone in any visual art might enjoy — and indeed should see for their design, color, texture and technique.

The Weekly Buzz provides our members with a weekly e-mail announcement regarding upcoming events and networking opportunities of Lake Communicators.

March 12
Join Lake Communicators for the second annual marketing seminar, complete with breakfast and lunch at Renaissance Quail Hollow Resort.

RSVP Deadline: March 6