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With technology rapidly evolving and today’s gadgets becoming tomorrow’s news rather quickly, local technology businesses TECKpert and Preemo are taking a green approach with Recycle-IT, Miami’s first ever E-Cycling campaign.

The campaign benefits The Foundation for New Education Initiatives, a non-profit entity created by the Miami-Dade County School Board to enhance student achievement and community engagement in support of The Parent Academy and other educational initiatives of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Supporting the Foundation’s recently launched campaign “Bringing Wireless to the Classroom”, Recycle-IT acts as a clearing house for implementing technology in our public schools’ classrooms. The federal government is matching each $1 raised in this campaign ten-fold. For every $1 raised, the federal government will give Dade County Public Schools $10.

The innovative campaign benefits the community three-fold. In addition to connecting children with technology and helping keep toxins out of our local Florida landfill, the campaign will provide members of the community a place to responsibly dispose of unwanted electronic items.

“This campaign provides a great opportunity for individuals and businesses alike to help develop Miami’s E-cycling infrastructure,” says Adrian Esquivel, founder and chief expert of TECKpert.
Running from January 11, 2012 through February 29, 2012, those wanting to participate in Miami’s first E-cycling campaign can schedule pick-ups through Recycle IT’s Facebook page.
“We’ve had a great response so far from our clients and we’d now like to bring Recycle-IT to our community. With the rapid turnover rate of technology devices, it’s important that we all dispose of older devices properly and safely,” says Ivan Mladenovic, founder of Preemo.

The private launch event for Recycle-IT will be held on Wednesday, January 11 at Town Kitchen and Bar in South Miami.

Click here to read more about the program.

Have you ever won something in a contest? Regardless of how big or small the prize was, weren’t you proud to boast that you won something? Chances are, a marketing or promotions team carefully planned the contest to get you excited and get you talking to your friends about their product or service.  And most of the time it works!

Social media marketing relies on engagement. What better way to get people’s attention and get them to take action than to launch a fun contest? Facebook is not only the largest social network, but it currently offers the best platform for contests.  Chances are you’ve entered a Facebook contest yourself.

If you’re thinking of launching a Facebook sweepstakes, there are some promotion guidelines you need to be aware of.  One of the guidelines states that, “Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or an app on a Page Tab.” This means that you need to use a third-party app to run  your contest.

There are numerous apps to help you carry out the sweepstakes. At the time of this post, I’m using North Social to run a Kindle Fire giveaway sweepstakes. Check it out on the Miss Ink Facebook page and of course, feel free to enter.  This is important because simply “liking” a page or taking another action on a page to enter a contest is against Facebook rules.

In addition to apps, Facebook requires that your promotion include specific wording that releases Facebook from any liability.  The North Social app offers this wording as a part of its service.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
You understand that you are providing your information to the administrators of this page and not to Facebook.
The information you provide will only be used for communications related to this promotion.

In addition to the wording specified in the Facebook promotion guidelines, you should disclose full contest rules, which your attorney can assist with. It may seem like a lot of work, but with the right strategy you can gain visibility and build customer loyalty.

MIAMI – November 28, 2011 – On Thursday, December 8, the Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival will host a holiday pre-party at Mary Brickell Village from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will benefit the Kristi House and feature delectable food samples as well as a fashion show.

Held in front of Cavas Wine Bar, the event will highlight a sampling of some of Brickell’s finest cuisine including signature dishes from Oceanaire Seafood Room, Taverna Opa, Fado Irish Pub, Toscana Divino, and Macy’s Catering.  Guests will also enjoy a tasting of fine wines and champagne courtesy of Cavas Wine Bar as well as a liquor bar with drink specials from Blue Martini.  The evening will also feature a chic runway fashion show courtesy of several of Mary Brickell Village’s finest boutiques and shops. Guests will also be treated to Brickell-inspired swag bags.

Tickets to the event are $50 in advance and are available for sale through the event website, www.tasteofbrickell.com. A limited amount of tickets will be sold at the door for $75. All tickets include delicious food samplings and complementary drinks. Proceeds from the event will benefit Kristi House, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding children who are victims of sexual abuse.

“We are so proud to support an outstanding organization through an event that brings the heart of the Brickell community together,” said Cynthia Bettner, festival producer and director. “The kickoff event is a sneak peek of what’s to come at the 2012 Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival in March.”

The 2012 Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival will be held on March 24 and 25, 2012 in the heart of Brickell and will feature cuisine from some Miami’s finest restaurants including Chophouse Miami, Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Fish Market, Edge, Steak & Bar at Four Seasons, SCALINA Ristorante, El Gran Inka, and many more.

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About the Miami Taste of Brickell

The Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival presented by The Continental Group will be held on March 24 and 25, 2012 in Brickell. Launched in March 2011 by Cynthia Bettner in partnership with Brickell’s finest restaurants and the Brickell Homeowners Association, the Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival is held in the heart of Brickell. In its sophomore year, the festival has significantly grown from 15 local high-end restaurants to over forty committed to participate. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Miami Taste of Brickell Food and Wine Festival please call 786.355.4800 or visit www.tasteofbrickell.com.

About the Kristi House, Inc.

Kristi House, Inc. (Kristi House) is a Florida nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by local child advocates in March 1994 as a Task Force to fill the unmet, critical need in Miami-Dade County for specialized services for children who are victims of sexual abuse. The mission of Kristi House is to provide a healing environment for all child victims of sexual abuse and their families, regardless of income, through prevention, treatment and coordination of services with our community partners.  Please visit www.kristihouse.org for more information on Kristi House.

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of supporting our local public schools

It’s back! Organized by the Pinecrest Business Association (PBA), the 10^th Annual Taste of Pinecrest will take place on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pinecrest Gardens (11000 Red Road).

Secure your place at the event now and take advantage of early bird rates. Restaurants can reserve a booth at the event for $300 prior to January 1 ($350 after). Business vendor booths begin at  $350 prior to January 1 ($400 after) plus the cost of a PBA membership.  Electricity is available for an extra cost and is limited. In addition, sponsorship opportunities range from our new exclusive sponsorship level to banner sponsors.

With a brand new committee, three chairs and the celebration of its 10^th year, the event is sure to offer even more fun for the entire family. New features include free activities for kids throughout the entire event, a bicycle valet and many more surprises. From delectable treats to entertainment to our fabulous raffle, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy! Best of all, proceeds from the event are donated to the five public schools in Pinecrest.

“Since 2002, the event has raised more than $250,000 for the five public schools in Pinecrest,” say Kim Haar and Becky Parker, sponsorship and vendor chairs of the 2012 Taste of Pinecrest. “Our goal is to break all previous fundraising records and donate more money to our schools than ever before.”

“This event is an incredible opportunity to support education for our children as well as to get exposure for your business in front of more than 6,000 people,” adds Misty Buck, communication chair of the 2012 Taste of Pinecrest.

Want to get involved? For more information on available sponsorships and vendor opportunities, including early bird rates, visit pinecrestbusiness.com or Facebook.com/TasteOfPinecrest.

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About 10th Annual Taste of Pinecrest

Organized by the Pinecrest Business Association, Pinecrest-area restaurants, and local businesses, the 10th Annual Taste of Pinecrest will take place at Pinecrest Gardens (11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida) on Saturday, March 3, 2012. The event features Pinecrest-area restaurants, entertainment for the children, a judged art show, performances by local school groups and a business showcase. All proceeds from the Taste of Pinecrest benefit the five Pinecrest public schools (Pinecrest Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Howard Drive Elementary, Palmetto Middle, and Miami Palmetto Senior High).  For additional information on the event visit, http://www.pinecrestbusiness.com/taste_of_pinecrest.asp or Facebook.com/TasteofPinecrest.

About Pinecrest Business Association

Founded in February 2000, The Pinecrest Business Association is a volunteer organization involving all of the Village of Pinecrest and surrounding areas and its more than 600 businesses. Our membership consists of more than 150 local businesses within and around the Village of Pinecrest. The Pinecrest Business Association has raised more than $225,000 for our local schools through the Taste of Pinecrest event. Additionally, we provide an annual scholarship award to a local student for college, we volunteer for Career Day at our schools, and we sponsor charitable events and participate in community events to better our community and establish goodwill and recognition for our members. For more information on the Pinecrest Business Association visit, pinecrestbusiness.com.

What’s the next BIG thing in social media?  Who knows.  I can, however, tell you that sites like Twitter and Google+ are growing while networks like Facebook are rapidly making changes to keep its spot at the top.   So where do you belong?  I can’t tell you that either. It’s a matter of personal preference and in the world of marketing, your target demographic and goals.

I can however tell you that Twitter is more popular than ever. Recently, the social network announced that it reached 100 million monthly active users worldwide.  Furthermore, in January of this year, roughly 100 million tweets were posted a day.  Now the site calculates that nearly 250 million tweets go out a day!

In my experience, news breaks sooner on Twitter and spreads faster on Twitter.  Something about a limit of 140 characters and trending hashtags, sends people into a conversation frenzy.

More and more, social media is about being the first person to break news.  Think about it; you know you love to be the first of your friends to post about a major event.  It happens so much faster on Twitter because you can have hundreds or even thousands of people voluntarily following you, no friend request necessary. Yes, not all of those who follow you are active or really care about what you’re posting, but many do. Check it out for yourself, but be forewarned, if you’re signing up on behalf of a company, be sure to check out Miss Ink’s 3 C’s of Social Media Marketing so you don’t wind up making your company look worse. True tweeps despise nothing more than to be sold or to tweet with an unresponsive brand.

To read more about Twitter’s growth, check out this article for Mashable.

Using social media to give your customers the gift of five-star customer service

The social media train is rolling along stronger than ever. Businesses are hopping on with much less hesitation than a few years ago. There’s just one problem: Many companies forget to buy their tickets and pack their bags.

Simply having a Facebook fan page or a Twitter account is like hopping on a train with a one-way ticket. Sure you’ll see the sites along the way, but you’re not going to get very far. You have to plan your route.

Many people regard social media as simply a promotional tool.  It’s not. Yes, social media can help raise awareness of your company, product, brand, etc., but social media savvy companies and individuals realize it’s purpose is much more powerful.

Take for instance The Greatest Customer Service Story Ever Told, Starring Morton’s Steakhouse by Peter Shankman. This story is incredible inspiring.  I’ll let you read it (and I hope you do) for yourself, but it goes something like this. Peter, during an exceptionally long day of traveling, was craving a steak from his go-to spot Morton’s The Steakhouse. He  jokingly tweeted the restaurant asking them to have a steak at the next airport he was landing at.  Well, guess what? His joke became a reality when he arrived at his destination to see a Morton’s waiter (tux and all) standing with Peter’s driver and a to-go bag packed with restaurant favorites.

Have you ever heard of customer service that amazing? Talk about five-star! So, maybe the restaurant wouldn’t go that far for someone like you or me (Peter is famous in the PR and social networking world), but check out Morton’s Facebook page and Twitter. It’s amazing. They listen–to everyone!

That’s how you provide exceptional customer service. No matter how big or small your company is, they key is to listen. That includes monitoring your social network accounts and providing timely response, which brings me to a couple of my top pet peeves.

It really, really bothers me when people link all of their accounts together so that they only have to post on one site OR when they schedule all of their messages. What’s my beef? Among the reasons that I rarely suggest using either of these tactics is, how do you know what people are saying if you never log into your account? (FYI, I do not follow companies or people on Twitter when they don’t interact with other Twitter users. What’s the point?)

If you’re a fan, you just want to be heard. Taking the time to monitor and respond is worth every second that it takes. It’s just that simple.

The world is abuzz with the news of Facebook’s live announcement this afternoon.  The result? Marketing gurus and social media nerds were sent into a frenzy catapulting “Zuck” and “#facebooklive” to trend on Twitter.

The announcement was regarding the new video chat feature in partnership with Skype. A Facebook spokesperson described the new feature by saying, “Your least technical friend can use this feature.” In addition, the company launched group chat and a redesigned chat interface.

Critics wonder why Mark Zuckerberg would go as far as to describe the announcement as “something awesome” when the information about the new features were already announced on Facebook through its blog. And for that matter, why the hoopla over a live announcement, which was broadcast through livestream.com?

Here’s what really caught my attention. A representative from Mashable asked Zuckerberg about his reactions to Google+. He responded by saying that now that the technology for such applications exist, he predicts we will be seeing more of them pop up in the future. In other words, he didn’t put down Google+ but rather recognized it as an app that is simply one of many to come based on the interface that has already been invented (I presume he means invented by Facebook).

More over, going back to the trending topics, this seemingly unimpressive announcement suddenly made Facebook more talked about than Google+. So, I ask you: Was Zuckerberg’s decision to live broadcast his “awesome” announcement so silly after all? From a public relations standpoint, I’d say it was pretty damn smart.

Who:

Max Mayfield and Pinecrest Business Association (PBA)

What:

Pinecrest Business Association (PBA) will welcome Max Mayfield as its guest speaker during the association’s monthly luncheon. Mayfield will speak to PBA members and guests on the upcoming hurricane season and business preparedness.  Individuals may RSVP for the luncheon by visiting pinecrestbusiness.com.

When:

Tuesday, June 21
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where:

Los Ranchos Restaurant
8888 SW 136 Street
Miami, Fl 33176

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About Max Mayfield

Max Mayfield is the WPLG-TV Hurricane Specialist and Former Director of the National Hurricane Center from 2000 to 2007. Mayfield has won many awards, too many to list, for his outstanding contributions and coverage during Hurricanes throughout the years. In 2004, he received an Emmy Award for extraordinary contributions to television by someone not normally eligible for Emmy awards. And, in 2005 he received a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. Mayfield is the current chairman of the World Meteorological Organization’s Regional Association, which supports 26 members from Atlantic and eastern Pacific countries.

About Pinecrest Business Association

Founded in February 2000, The Pinecrest Business Association is a volunteer organization involving all of the Village of Pinecrest and surrounding areas and its more than 600 businesses. Our membership consists of more than 150 local businesses within and around the Village of Pinecrest. The Pinecrest Business Association has raised more than $225,000 for our local schools through the Taste of Pinecrest event. Additionally, we provide an annual scholarship award to a local student for college, we volunteer for Career Day at our schools, and we sponsor charitable events and participate in community events to better our community and establish goodwill and recognition for our members. For more information on the Pinecrest Business Association visit, pinecrestbusiness.com.

Social media is no longer an unfamiliar term, but it seems that most people I talk to still believe that the tool is reserved for the tech savvy.  Relax. True there are right ways and wrong ways to “do” social media, but social media rules are evolving.

There are basic principles that will assist you (check out “Miss Ink’s 3 C’s of Social Media Marketing”) along the way, but we all make mistakes. Here’s my list of the most common ones:

• Relying on spell check. I once posted a blog where I meant to write “public” but wound up leaving out the “l”.  Luckily, a loyal blog reader and Twitter reader promptly pointed out this mistake to me.  Lesson: Slow down before you communicate something unintended.

• Venting. I know many, many people who use Facebook and Twitter to vent about problems they are having with other people. While it may be momentarily therapeutic, the fact of the matter is that no one cares. It’s a passive aggressive behavior—and a really bad habit—that more often than not reflects poorly on you.  Stay classy people. Warning: Airing your dirty laundry can be addictive.

• There’s no such thing as private. This ties into the venting mistake, but save yourself some embarrassment and don’t post something if there is even one person you don’t want to read it.  Six degrees of separation is not a myth.

• Forgetting your manners. Social networking is integrated with business more than ever.  Your online personality is NOT different from your “real life” personality.  If anything, people see who you are on social networking sites as a true reflection of self because people tend to let their guard down.

• Unintended links. This is another mistake that I am guilty of.  I have posted an article and not included the correct link.  The links didn’t direct my readers to a scandalous website, but the power of the information I wanted to share was lost and I ended up looking careless.

• Sharing links without clicking first. Social networking is a competition of who can be the first person to break news.  When we’re trying to keep up, we may share or retweet something just because the teaser sounds interesting.  Click on the link first.  Make sure you know exactly what information you’re sharing.

• Posting only about you. Most people new to social media make this mistake. Social media is about sharing information that engages people in conversation.  Who wants to have a conversation with people who only talk about themselves?  I sure don’t and I can guarantee the people in your network don’t either.

• Auto posts. This is what happens when people automatically link everything they share from one site to share on another site. Many people make this mistake because they want a social media presence across several sites, yet they want to simplify the process.  The trouble is that people will feel spammed or if they comment or reply, you’ll never know because chances are that you rarely check up on your account’s activity.  To avoid this, only sign up for the amount of social media tools that you can give personal attention to.

• Auto direct message. A lot of people LOVE to do this on Twitter. They figure if they send an auto direct message to every new follower, they will be properly acknowledging them.  While it seems nice in theory, it rarely works. You’re better off sending a personal message to followers you want to build a relationship with.

• Adding every person you meet to your mailing list. Everyone wants to build their database, but no one wants to be spammed. Yes, I did use this tactic early on, but I quickly learned that it could backfire and actually annoy people in part because I don’t enjoy being on the receiving end of this tactic.  Always ask if people would like to opt-in to your email list. You’ll look more professional and courteous and you’ll know that you’re sending information to people are actually interested in what you have to send them.

MIAMI – May 9, 2011 – The Lingerie Football League (LFL) has announced that it has engaged Miami attorney David Forman to serve as its lead legal council. Forman formerly worked with the LFL as a legal consultant and will continue to represent the league under his firm David Forman, Esq., Attorneys at Law.

As lead legal council, Forman will work closely with the owner of the league in negotiating business options, drafting contracts and continuing to work on LFL television appearances.

“The LFL is a unique sports league and one that I am honored to represent as lead legal council,” said Forman. “The league’s growth has been incredible and I can honestly say that I look forward to assisting the LFL in its continued evolution. We have already accumulated a loyal fan base and expect that number to escalate, especially with the imminent NFL lock out.”

“David has been an invaluable counsel to our executive decision making process within the league. With early success comes more complex business models and potential pitfalls. It is comforting to know that we have someone savvy like David to guide us through those waters. When someone believes in our vision and places our business ahead of their own personal interests, you know you have someone rather unique and special,” said Mitchell S. Mortaza, Founder & Chairman, Lingerie Football League, LLC

The LFL is a nationwide women’s 7-on-7 tackle football league with 10 franchise teams. As a result of LFL’s growing fan base, MTV2 began airing condensed versions of the games during the 2010/2011 season in a series entitled LFL Presents: Friday Night Football. The show drew exceptionally high ratings and will return for the 2011/2012 season live and in full-length form for the first time, a deal which Forman helped negotiate.

In addition to working with the LFL, Forman advises individuals in their careers in professional sports and entertainment. He acts as a guardian for his clients in overseeing their current career, protecting them through legal representation, as well as advising them in developing a career with longevity. In addition to sports business, Forman’s range of clients also includes real estate investors and small businesses.

For more information on David Forman, ESQ., Attorneys at Law, please visit davidformanesq.com. Additional information on the LFL is available at lflus.com.

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About David Forman, Esq., Attorneys at Law

Founded in 2008, David Forman, Esq., Attorneys at Law is a full-service sports and entertainment law firm primarily focused on guiding clients to success. We provide our clients with the proper guidance, advice, protection, and education needed to establish and advance reputable, profitable, and fulfilling careers in sports and entertainment. Furthermore, we remain committed to our clients beyond their professional careers.

Many of our clients seek legal guidance and representation outside of their sports or entertainment career. In addition, David Forman, Esq., Attorneys at Law also represents real estate owners and small businesses on various matters. For more information on David Forman, Esq., Attorneys at Law, visit davidformanesq.com or call (786) 888-0367.

About Lingerie Football League, LLC:

The Lingerie Football League, LLC. (LFL) is an extension of the hugely popular Super Bowl halftime alternative called ‘Lingerie Bowl’ which premiered in 2004 and has become one of television’s most successful specials drawing millions of viewers and blue-chip advertisers. Due to the previous commercial and viewership success’ of the Lingerie Bowl broadcasts, in Fall 2009 the league extension called the Lingerie Football League or ‘LFL’ in (10) major US markets. The LFL features some of America’s most beautiful and athletic women playing fierce 7-on-7 full-contact tackle football on Friday nights at NBA and NFL arenas and stadiums as part of LFL, Friday Night Football shot in high-definition.

Despite a down economy in 2009 that impacted all major professional sports, the LFL was incredibly successful in 2009 drawing nearly 30% higher than projected attendance including several near capacity crowds, 2nd in Primetime television ratings (MyNetwork TV), record internet traffic, 2010 expansion markets (Baltimore and Orlando) and profitability.

In 2010, the LFL continued to thrive signing a national television deal with MTV Networks, drawing sell-out crowds and adding on expansion markets to include Las Vegas, Cleveland and Green Bay set to begin play in Fall 2011. The growth and business prosperity of the LFL through its first two years of operation are greater than both Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) or World Wrestling Federation (WWF) through the same period of time.

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