NOT EXACTLY “AMERICAN IDOL,” BUT BMA-HV PLANS TO “GET REAL” FOR OCTOBER MEETING

Milton, NY (October 11, 2007) –The Business Marketing Association of the Hudson Valley (BMA-HV) will hold its October meeting on Tuesday, October 23rd, at Ship Lantern Inn, Milton, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be lifelong advertising guru, Upstart Brand Communications president, and former NJ Chapter BMA President Paul W. Richartz.

Says Bud Clarke, BMA-HV President, “We’ve all seen or heard about the reality TV shows in which wannabes put themselves out there to be scrutinized by the experts. Well, we have an ad copy expert coming here for our October meeting—Paul Richartz has won so many awards for his campaigns that he’s practically the father of contemporary advertising—and he is going to review ads created by local advertisers. Not only should it be lots of fun, but it will give members and guests who can take the heat an opportunity to find out what basic ingredients their ads may be missing.”

There is no fee involved to have your ad critiqued. Ads must be sent in PDF format to fodyassociates@hvc.rr.com and received by October 12. Chosen ads will be used in the presentation on October 23rd.

During his 30 plus years in advertising, Paul Richartz has worked for both elite agencies and in the ad departments of prominent corporations. In addition to winning numerous awards for unique and highly successful advertising campaigns developed on both sides of the fence, Paul has authored many articles for domestic and international trade journals. He also developed the “Co-Opportunity Advertising Program” concept, which has since become a well-known model for the creation and management of cooperative advertising campaigns in many industries.

In 2006 Paul left Madison Ave to form UpStart Brand Communications, a full service marketing communications and brand-building agency. He also teaches in the graduate program of the Silberman College of Business at Fairleigh Dickinson University and serves on their Executive Advisory Board.

Interested marketing professionals and those involved in marketing decision-making who wish to learn more about BMA-HV are encouraged to attend the October 23 meeting. The registration fee, which includes dinner, is $35 for members, $40 for chamber affiliates, $45 for non-members. Please make reservations by October 18, by logging onto our website at www.bma-hv.org, or contact Tracey Cifone at 845/567-9000 Ext. 259 or email tcifone@vddw.com. For more information about the BMA-HV, visit www.bma-hv.org. For more information about the Ship Lantern Inn, call 845/795-5400.