Consolidated Graphic Group (CGG) Inc. experts will join Lake Communicators to discuss the newest techniques in printing, including digital printing and Digital Variable Data Imaging (DVDI) at the luncheon Sept. 12 at Comfort Inn & Conference Center, 7701 Reynolds Road in Mentor from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CGG employees Lenny Carlsen and Liana Turi will cover a variety of topics including offset and digital printing, bindery and finishing, die-cutting, fulfillment, information services and mailing.

“We want to emphasize the power of marrying this new technology (digital printing and DVDI) with a strong database management system in order to maximize marketing efforts,” Carlsen said.

CGG Inc. employs more than 155 workers in its printing facility in downtown Cleveland and at its fulfillment center where the company’s many printing and marketing services are accommodated.

“I never thought there was so much technology behind printing a brochure or a postcard,” said Kathy Pohl, a Lake Communicators member.

Lenny Carlsen, director of marketing for CGG, specializes in printing, direct mail, database management and fulfillment services to corporations and nonprofits. He has a passion for contributing great marketing solutions to CGG’s client base.

As marketing representative, Liana Turi assists the director of marketing with various responsibilities including presentations, internal support of sales representatives and working with various nonprofit and community organizations to promote their marketing initiatives.

Reservations are required by Friday, Sept. 7 by calling Diana Lewis at 440-255-8932 or sending an e-mail to wolfeshirley@yahoo.com. Guests are always welcome. Cost is $13 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

Media Deadlines, Access - It is important to remember most reporters are extremely busy and work under tight deadlines. Talking to journalists may be time consuming and inconvenient, but your cooperation can earn you a better response when you need that reporter to get an important message out for you.

Reporters - Be aware of reporters’ possible bias in the questions asked. Don’t pass along off-therecord information, even if you have a good relationship with the reporter – a reporter’s first obligation is to their profession.

General Interview Information - Establish ground rules before the interview starts. Know what the interview is for and what the reporter is trying to “get at.” If possible find out what types of questions will be asked. Don’t be afraid to take the interview where you want it to go, or bring up important points the reporter misses. If you don’t want to answer the question, simply state you do not know the answer. Finally, avoid industry jargon, explain terms simply and back up your statements with facts and figures.

The 2007 Lake County Apex Awards is open to all communications professionals who live, work or have done work for a client in Lake County. Participants can enter any marketing communications work created between Aug. 1, 2006, and July 31, 2007.

Award categories range from the traditional mediums of television, radio and print advertising, to more nontraditional, interactive and mixed media. Entries received may be awarded First, Second or Special Mention in their category. Additional awards include Best of Show and Most Creative Use of Budget.

In addition to the professional entries, high school and college students may compete for top honors to earn cash scholarships.

Apex Award-winning entries will be displayed at the Lake County Business Expo Nov. 8 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor.

The awards ceremony will be held at a luncheon at LaMalfa the same day as the Business Expo. A booklet featuring the winning entries will be available at the luncheon.

Janice Edwards is public relations coordinator for Breckenridge Village in Willoughby. She takes over for Lake County Communicators’ member, Jan Pemberton who has been promoted at Breckenridge, due to tremendous growth at the retirement community. Janice and Jan will help market Breckinridge’s new upscale, Brownstone development.

Edwards, an award-winning television journalist, was previously a news reporter for WJW-TV 8, in Cleveland. Her work has been seen on CNN, ABC News and the Fox News networks and their affiliates.

In her new role, Edwards will give public tours, design brochures, newsletters and advertisements, and help promote BV’s mission of providing older adults with caring and quality services toward the enhancement of physical, mental and spiritual well-being consistent with the Christian gospel.

Janice loves spending time with her German shepherd, Gunther, who she adopted from the Lake Erie German Shepherd Rescue organization. They like visiting area dog parks. Gunther swam for the first time in the pool at Osborne Park in Willoughby when it closed for the summer. In addition to hanging out with women’s best friend, Janice enjoys yoga, music and playing the drums.

A pancake breakfast will be served Sunday, Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon at Fairport Harbor Senior Center, 1380 East Street in Fairport. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lake County Senior Citizens Services Levy Committee.

The cost is $5 per adults and/or seniors age 60+; $3 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 eat free. The event is sponsored by Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Painesville. A silent auction also will be held.

For details or to purchase tickets, call the Lake County Council on Aging at 440-205-8111 x224.

Earning a mutually trusting relationship with a journalist is a key desire of any PR professional. Among the most critical actions a PR pro can take include knowing what is “news,” understanding the “rules” of journalistic engagement, and thinking strategically. Equally important are actions for PR pros to avoid.

1. Don’t sweat the skepticism. Journalists are paid to be skeptical. Experienced PR pros know their goal is to reach the ultimate readers, viewers or listeners. Therefore journalists are the intermediary in the process whose irreverent questions are a means to an end.

2. Don’t “buy.” Responsible and respectable reporters can’t be “bought” with money. But can a reporter be “bought”? Yes, with information.

3. Don’t only talk when you’ve got something to sell. A good “source” for a reporter is one available all the time – not just when the company can use the journalist’s help. Reporters

September 12
Join Lake Communicators and marketing reps from CGG Inc. for lunch and an update on new printing technology to maximize your marketing efforts.

RSVP Deadline: September 7