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Atlanta Immigration Attorney Karen Weinstock selected by Peers to "The International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers"

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:37:44 -0600

Atlanta, GA Monday, February 28, 2009 -

Karen Weinstock the managing attorney of the Atlanta Immigration Law Firm Siskind Susser has been selected to The International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers (2010) in her specialty of Immigration Law. The International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers is one of the most respected peer-reviewed publication in the international legal profession, and it is the official research partner publication of the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association section of International Law. It lists top attorneys who practice various corporate and business lawyers in a number of specialties.

The International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting extensive independent research and exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The publication is available in many countries all over the world and on the web at www.WhosWhoLegal.com.

About Karen Weinstock:

Karen Weinstock is the managing attorney of the Atlanta, Georgia office of Siskind Susser. Karen graduated law school from Hebrew University School of Law in Jerusalem, Israel and is licensed to practice law both in Israel and in New York State. Karen specializes exclusively in immigration law and as an immigration lawyer, she is an expert in representing U.S. and international companies in the technology and healthcare areas in obtaining work visas to the U.S., green cards and general immigration matters. She uses her immigration attorney expertise to assist U.S. companies with I-9 and immigration compliance. Karen writes articles for Siskind's Visalaw Health Care Immigration Newsletter and to Siskind's Immigration Bulletin, a newsletter with over 30,000 subscribers which includes government officials. She is featured in newspapers, interviewed on television multiple times and is a keynote speaker on various immigration law topics in forums and events around the world. Karen authored and is the editor of "The H-1B Visa Book", published by Immigration Law Weekly. Karen was selected by her peers to be included in "The Best Lawyers In America" 2010 Edition.

Media Contact: Karen Weinstock

404-935-0056

Kweinstock (at) visalaw (dot) com

About Siskind Susser:

Siskind Susser is one of the largest immigration law firms in North America and its Atlanta Immigration attorneys, a part of the Atlanta immigration law firm have experience handling all aspects of American immigration and nationality law. Siskind Susser also can assist clients with immigration matters outside the US. We are co-founders of Visalaw International - the Global Immigration Law Alliance and work with many of the world's top immigration specialists assisting companies and individuals relocate anywhere in the world. Our lawyers provide consultations to corporations and individuals on immigration law issues and handle cases before the government.

Press Release Services by Vayu Media

Bringing Taste Back to Corporate Events

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:42:00 -0600

Atlanta, GA, February 26, 2010 -Boring, bland food at corporate events is a thing of the past thanks to Angel Ramirez of Angel's Catering, a premier caterer and event specialist in Atlanta who is now offering a new service: corporate catering lunch in metro Atlanta area.

"The opportunity to provide my services to the Atlanta business and corporate community is exciting," said Angel Ramirez, owner of Angel's Catering, who has trained at the country's top culinary schools and has over fifteen years experience.

Angel Ramirez said his mission with the new service in the metro Atlanta area is important in many ways.

"We at Angel's Catering want to not only provide the highest quality, affordable dining experience possible for metro Atlanta corporations," Ramirez said, "but also make all aspects of the experience, from scheduling and preparation to the event itself as easy and worry free as possible for the businesses and the people involved."

With the new service, Angel Ramirez and his expert team at Angel's Catering will be offering their many talents to the local corporate establishment, from lunch catering in metro Atlanta to dinner parties and other events important to many aspects of today's corporate environment.

"Gourmet cooking is our specialty," Ramirez said, "and whether we cater a dinner party, lunch or corporate event for many people or a few, we want everyone to enjoy the experience of fine dining delivered directly to them. Our intent is to make the day memorable for all involved."

Menus are built for any time of the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. Specialized dishes range from mouth-watering barbeque to unique pastas to fresh sandwiches and salads. Angel's Catering also has an expert team of luxury cake designers.

"Let's work together to make your next corporate event a special one," Ramirez said.

Visit http://www.angelscatering.com today to discover how easy and affordable it is to have your next corporate event, party or luncheon go from a routine experience to an extraordinary, memorable event.

About Angels Catering

Executive Chef Angel Ramirez is more than just a cook; he is a highly skilled culinary artist. With over 15 years of experience, Angel has trained and cooked with the best of the best from around the world.

In addition to training at the world famous Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York; Chef Angel also served in the Armed Forces, working as the personal chef for the Supreme Allied Commander - Europe, the Commanding General of Stabilization Forces in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and most recently, the Commanding General of U.S. Army Central.

For more information, visit our website at www.angelscatering.com, or contact Angel Ramirez at 2865 Main Street, East Point, GA 30344, by email myevents@angelscatering.com or by telephone at 678-905-3122.

Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment available at Axium Healthcare Pharmacy

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:17:52 -0600

Lake Mary, Fla. (February 4, 2010) - Axium Healthcare Pharmacy, one of the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy providers, has been granted access to provide Actemra® (tocilizumab) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The announcement comes on the heels of the FDA's approval of Genentech's Actemra® (tocilizumab). Actemra® is indicated for adult RA patients who have had an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist therapies. Actemra® is approved for once-a-month intravenous administration in settings such as doctor's offices, hospitals and infusion centers. Actemra® may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

"Axium is pleased to be granted the opportunity to provide Actemra® for severe rheumatoid arthritis," stated Mark Montgomery, President & CEO of Axium Healthcare Pharmacy. "We remain committed in expanding our product offerings to service a wider array of patients. Through Axium's therapy management program, we are able to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care and personalized superior service combined with our dedicated clinical expertise which further brings a new level of care for our patients."

Axium's clinical team provides comprehensive compliance support, patient education and other clinical interventions and communication with the patient/physician to coordinate the treatment plan. In addition, Axium offers 24-hour Pharmacist/Nurse support, prior authorization assistance, refill management calls, and ongoing delivery coordination.

About Axium Healthcare Pharmacy:

Axium Healthcare Pharmacy, Inc. is one of the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy providers licensed and permitted to operate in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Axium focuses on therapy management programs for patients with serious and chronic conditions. Therapy management programs include: Hepatitis C, Oncology, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hemophilia, Growth Hormone Deficiency plus others. For more information, contact Axium Healthcare Pharmacy at 888.315.3395; by email info (at) axiumhealthcare (dot) com or visit us at http://www.axiumhealthcare.com

Press Release Services by Vayu Media

About Vayu Media:

Vayu Media is the premier company for local internet advertising using search engine optimization. Vayu Media is taking advantage of the consumer shift from traditional media to internet based marketing. The company's focus is local online business marketing and web design services. The company's strategy to get out into the market place and consult with local businesses face to face has allowed it to make local business owners aware of the opportunity that exists online. In order to stay relevant in today's market every local business must have an online marketing strategy and Vayu Media can help.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (800)-456-1563, info (at) vayumedia dot com, http://www.vayumedia.com

Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment available at Axium Healthcare Pharmacy

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:17:52 -0600

About Axium Healthcare Pharmacy:

Press Release Services by Vayu Media

About Vayu Media:

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (800)-456-1563, info (at) vayumedia dot com, http://www.vayumedia.com

The Ghost Speaks: Ghost Bloggers

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:40:04 -0600

The Ghost Speaks

Some of the best ghostbloggers come out of the shadows to talk about how they work, what they charge and who their clients are.

By Michael Janofsky

Every so often, after a long workday, Kinsey Schofield goes home feeling a little dazed and confused. "It's exhausting," she says. "I pretend to be seven different people, then I don't remember who I am."

Schofield, 24, is a business world ghostwriter--and the online voice of some high-profile names, including Nick Cannon, Robert T. Kiyosaki and Chris Moneymaker. She is part of a growing army of outside contractors who blog and tweet unseen in the name of ego and entrepreneurship. Writing as her clients, she posts on Facebook and MySpace, or tweets pithy thoughts straight from her iPhone.

As the Internet levels the playing field for sales and services, business ghostwriters like Schofield are becoming an essential part of marketing strategy. Estimates are that 20 percent of American businesses now have some kind of blog, with about one in four outsourcing the writing--although few will admit to that particular kind of outsourcing. Demand for ghostwriters surged last year.

"The idea is to position yourself so that people come to you to buy rather than you selling them," says Nathan Egan, a social media consultant in Wilmington, Del. "It's a paradigm shift. You create the right pool with the right fish, and the fish come to you."

Kiyosaki--the investor and best-selling author (Rich Dad, Poor Dad) and motivational speaker--has a legion of fans hungry for his pearls of wisdom. Trouble is, he's often too busy to keep his followers up-to-date on his latest brainstorms. That's where Schofield comes in. He gives her random bullet points, which she repackages and sends into cyberspace. For one of his recent seminars, which cost attendees $5,000 each, she tweeted his comments--here's one: "Socialism is for losers"--for people who couldn't afford the admission price. For Cannon, the actor, rapper and TV personality, she blogs and tweets. As Moneymaker, a world poker champion, Schofield tweets his tournaments, hand by hand.

Kiyosaki, 62, says digital communication is vital to his empire, built on the sales of board games, books and seminars. "We believe that social media, like any other media channel, can connect with consumers and engage them with the Rich Dad Brand--even more so than other mediums," he writes in a response to questions about his use of social networking. He would not directly comment on Schofield's work.

Blogging as a business phenomenon began about five years ago. First embraced by giants such as GM, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems to humanize their executives, blogging is now largely the domain of mom-and-pop operations. These direct communications with customers can boost revenue, image and name recognition by broadening a company's appeal and visibility across the digital universe. Along the way, executives and business owners who lack time, interest or writing skills turned to ghostbloggers, creating a don't ask/don't tell industry for laid-off journalists, marketing professionals and PR types.

And it's quite a range of clients now hiring. Nancy McCord of Waldorf, Md., writes for a New Jersey pest exterminator whose specialties include rats and bedbugs. Tony Reynolds of Columbus, Ohio, blogs and tweets for James "Buster" Douglas, the former heavyweight boxing champ who wants to sell his books. Miriam Cohen, a New York City ghostblogger, writes for a pedorthist. That's a guy who makes custom shoes to fit problem feet.

"It used to be that bloggers were just angry people in basements," says Erik Deckers, an Indiana-based ghostblogger whose clients include a clothing maker and a company that supplies parts and equipment for printers. "Now, you're seeing more and more companies accept us. What would take them an hour or two, we can do in 20 to 30 minutes."

Or maybe even less, considering this blog from Reynolds as Douglas: "I had a great time at the 2009 New Albany Classic Grand Prix Invitational. The way some of the riders had those horses jumping you would think they had Air Jordan's on! It was cool."

As a young industry, ghostblogging has no best practices or trade organization. Some practitioners write blogs of a paragraph or two, others 250 to 300 words, but rarely longer. This is the Internet, don't forget. Attn spans r short. Writers charge by the blog or tweet and juggle half-a-dozen clients or more. Some ghostbloggers prefer the loftier title "social media consultant." The best are careful to plant key search-engine words into their posts, which will raise a company's web-search ranking.

Rhoda Israelov, an Indianapolis ghostblogger, says one of the first things she asks a client is to provide a list of eight to 10 words that best describe what the company does.

"I want to know where the world is going to find you when they go with their search terms," she says. "Who's going to come up first, you or your competition?"

Business blogging has become so commonplace that the Federal Trade Commission in December expanded the rules on product endorsements and testimonials for advertising to include blogs. Now, any blog that endorses a product, no matter who wrote it, must reveal financial connections between the endorser and the product company.

Ghostbloggers say their output generally depends on the availability and interest of the executive. The objectives range from explaining corporate policy to showing an executive's personal side. The theory goes: warm-and-fuzzy breeds familiarity, familiarity develops trust, and trust wins business. Funny helps.

The website for Stern Environmental Group, McCord's exterminator client, includes "Stern's Chatter Blog," where McCord and her staff of writers pose as the owner, Douglas Stern, as well as contributors "Sqrlgirl" and "Pestpro" to aid customers with infestations issues. In one recent entry, Sqrlgirl recounted a trip by Stern into New York City "to observe the rats in their comfort zones." Referring to a picture of garbage bags within the blog, she told readers that "this rat will tear through these bags and enjoy a feast that I am sure he will tell all of his rat friends about.''

Stern says McCord's work "has been fabulous," raising the visibility--and revenue--of his company. "And," he says, "she's relatively inexpensive."

Ghost rates vary, but generally, it costs far less to create a ghosted blog or Twitter account than to launch a traditional PR campaign. McCord charges $18 to $32 per blog post, and $150 to $500 a month for multiple daily tweets. Lindsay Manfredi, a social media strategist in Indianapolis, charges $75 to $100 for a blog post, a fee that includes research, writing and editing.

"I'm probably on the higher end," she says. "But I'm full service."

For many ghostbloggers, the work starts with an interview or conversation with the client to gather information, agree on topics and lock in the client's speaking style, a key element for audience engagement. Final drafts generally go back for client review before publishing, which is critical for a blog's authenticity.

"If you're a CEO and you're hands off, not really editing, not really making sure it's written in your voice, then it's not credible," says Dallas Lawrence, head of the digital media team at Levick Strategic Communications in Washington, D.C. "People will see through that, and at the end of the day, it'll have a negative impact on the brand."

Credibility has become a huge issue in business ghostwriting. As more companies use ghosts, critics argue that blogging in the name of someone else violates an implicit and fundamental social contract of the Internet: "What you read is what I wrote."

"Ghostblogging is a horrible thing--I'm vehemently opposed," says Shel Holtz of Concord, Calif., a former corporate communications specialist who now blogs about the intersection of communication and technology at blog.holtz.com. "I'm a huge fan of transparency. My advice to executives is: If you don't take the time to write yourself, find another channel of communication."

Jason Falls, a social media consultant in Louisville, Ky., agrees: "If a CEO's name is on something written by someone else and he didn't have anything to do with it, essentially, that's lying."

Ghostbloggers defend the practice by pointing out that President Obama doesn't write his own speeches, the CEO of Ford doesn't make commercials and celebrities hire ghostwriters to pen their autobiographies.

"Ghostwriting can have a seedy appearance: Somebody you've hired is pretending to be you," says Katie Gutierrez Painter, a writer in Austin, Texas. "Before I started, I saw it the same way. But you need to look at it from the business, branding and marketing standpoint. It's just outsourcing an employee to work under the name of the company."

The best ghostbloggers make it almost impossible to tell that someone other than the client wrote it. Bill Marriott, chairman and CEO of the hotel chain that bears his name, has not missed a month of blogging since he started in 2007. Judging by the travelogues that many of his blogs are, he wouldn't seem to have a lot of spare time. Yet he has also taken on subjects as varied as Proposition 8 in California, which outlaws gay marriage, and Gen. Custer's impatience at Little Big Horn.

Does he actually write the blogs? Well, sort of. Blake Little, a Marriott spokeswoman, says Marriott, who is 77, doesn't know how to use a computer. "He's afraid of them," she says. So he dictates his thoughts into a recorder and she turns them into the blog. Occasionally he also writes out some notes with reminders of things he wants to mention.

Anyway, it's the rare executive who will admit to using an outsider and rarer still that a ghostblogger will out a client. Holtz, the critic, warns that knowledge of an executive's outsourcing the blog might set off a Claude Rains-type consumer backlash-- "I'm shocked, shocked to find that blogging is going on in here"--that would undermine the company's credibility.

"I don't think it's worth the risk," he says.

Schofield, the Los Angeles ghostblogger, says that to the contrary, identifying clients makes them sound like digital pioneers, eager to pursue the most effective ways to stay engaged with fans and customers. She encourages clients to use the tools of social networking and pays particular attention to the habits of the under-30s and their preference for concise messages.

"A lot of people don't even focus on the blogs anymore," she says. "People want fast, quick, instant, short messages. Even with the blogs and Facebook, I do them short, two paragraphs, then I'm done-zo."
And nobody, apparently, is the wiser.

Contact Vayu Media to receive a Free blog service and social media consultation.

About Vayu Media:

Vayu Media is the premier company for internet marketing and advertising using search engine marketing and local search engine optimization. Vayu Media is taking advantage of the consumer shift from traditional media to internet based marketing. The company's focus is online business marketing and web design services to grow your business. The company's strategy to get out into the market place and consult with local businesses face to face has allowed it to make business owners aware of the opportunity that exists online. In order to stay relevant in today's market every business must have an online marketing strategy and Vayu Media can help.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (800)-456-1563 , info (at) vayumedia dot com

Atlanta Immigration Attorney Karen Weinstock: New USCIS Memorandum Against Employment Law

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:36:39 -0600

Atlanta, GA Monday, February 1, 2010 -

Atlanta immigration Attorney Karen Weinstock of Siskind Susser Immigration Lawyers, author and editor of the H-1B Visa Book, criticized a recently issued memorandum by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service), which changed the definitions of employer-employee in the context of H-1B visa applications. The January 8, 2010, Donald Neufeld Memorandum completely reverses multiple USCIS decisions and policy as well as employment law provisions in Federal and state laws.

"The memo specifically goes after IT Consulting firms or placement firms where the individual is placed at a third party worksite and does not implement the Consulting company's proprietary software. IT implementation firms appear to be protected by this memo but they are not completely out of the woods", said immigration attorney Weinstock.

"This memo added an inappropriate interpretation of the employment term "Right to Control" the employee. As a result, it also goes after small business owners that are sole owners of the company sponsoring them for H-1B visas, or majority shareholders in the same", Weinstock added, "Where small business has been the engine for job growth in this country over the past decade".

"This memo brings a sharp departure from prior USCIS policies and decisions, and directly contradicts many Federal and state laws relating to employment, including discrimination laws, equal pay and the Fair Labor Standard Act" said Karen Weinstock, managing attorney of the Atlanta immigration law firm For example, an owner of a company is also considered an employee for salary, health and retirement benefit purposes, as well as other employment benefits, even though he or she is also a shareholder.

"Since the Immigration Service did not follow the government's process for rulemaking, including publishing the proposed change in the Federal Register, it may be voided soon as illegitimate rulemaking", added Atlanta immigration lawyer Karen Weinstock. AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association has already contacted USCIS requesting it to withdraw this memo. If it is unsuccessful in doing so, litigation in the Federal Courts against the immigration service may follow.

Media Contact: Karen Weinstock
404-935-0056
Kweinstock (at) visalaw (dot) com
About Siskind Susser:
Siskind Susser is one of the largest immigration law firms in North America and its Atlanta immigration attorneys, a part of the Atlanta immigration law firm have experience handling all aspects of American immigration and nationality law . We are co-founders of Visalaw International - the Global Immigration Law Alliance and work with many of the world's top immigration specialists assisting companies and individuals relocate anywhere in the world. Our lawyers provide consultations to corporations and individuals on immigration law issues and handle cases before the government.

Atlanta Custom Jewelry Designer Receives Rave Reviews

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:32:11 -0600

Atlanta February 2, 2010 - Jamie Kresl, owner of Jewelry Artisans, takes pride in the custom jewelry designs that reflect the personality of his customers. The art of crafting jewelry can be lost when visiting other stores. However, at Jewelry Artisans this pride in this craft is alive and well. Recently, one of the customer designed rings generated this reaction from a satisfied customer:

"Jewelry Artisans designed a ring with me in mind! The designer took personal interest in me and my needs. They combined my wedding ring with the wedding ring of my late husband to create a ring that combined the three things I love-abstract art, gold and diamonds. The result is a work of art that I can wear-everyday. Knowing that I am a sports enthusiast, they inset my stones so securely, that I only have to take off the ring for periodic cleanings. The designer did my family a great honor by having my center diamond, the other diamonds, and the sapphires sparkle just the way my husband intended when he, originally, bought my wedding ring. They increased the value and the brilliance of my one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry." ~ Lenora, Fayetteville

"Lenora was a wonderful person and great to work with. These are the moments that make you proud to be practicing this craft" commented Jamie.

You may find the Atlanta the jewelry custom design at the 4500 Olde Perimeter Way location in Atlanta, Ga as well as custom made jewelry, handmade bridal jewelry and antique jewelry. Jamie will be more than happy to help you repair your precious items or find your next perfect piece of jewelry art.

About Jewelry Artisans:

At Jewelry Artisans - handmade jewelry designer adjacent to Perimeter Mall on Olde Perimeter Way - you'll find both fine jewelry and the artisans who craft it. Describe your heart's desire to Jewelry Designer and Owner Jamie Kresl, and watch as he creates your vision -- first with paper and pencil, and then with state-of-the-art CAD drawing tools. Engagement rings, wedding rings, anniversary rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more await you at Jewelry Artisans. And if your style is one-of-a-kind, Jamie will listen, learn and create an original piece of art, just for you ...or your sweetheart.
Media Contact:
Jamie Kresl, Owner
Phone: 770-393-0321
4500 Olde Perimeter Way
Atlanta, GA 30346

Using Social Media to Grow Your Business

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:36:36 -0600

A peach of an opportunity

Small businesses are using networks to become bigger

Jan 28th 2010 | From The Economist print edition

Illustration by Ian Whadcock

"HEY first peaches of the season are here. Come and get your peach pie @10am." Simple tweets like that have helped Mission Pie, a small shop in San Francisco, drum up interest in its mouth-watering array of sweet and savoury pies. As well as twittering about its wares, the store also alerts customers to poetry readings and other events it organises. Krystin Rubin, a co-owner of Mission Pie, says the business had just 150 or so followers for a while after one of its bakers started sending out tweets almost a year ago. Then that number suddenly shot up to over 1,000. Over the past few months business has been very brisk and Ms Rubin reckons Twitter deserves part of the credit. "It has a sort of street credibility that's not there with traditional media," she says.

Other companies have discovered the same thing. Kogi BBQ, which has several trucks serving Korean food in Los Angeles, now has over 52,000 followers on Twitter and uses the service to tell customers where they can find its vans each day. Sprinkles, a cupcake bakery with stores all over America and nearly 94,000 fans of its Facebook page, posts a password to that page each day which can be redeemed for a free cake by a certain number of visitors to its shops. Such offers can attract a lot of attention. A survey of 1,000 heavy users of social networks and other digital media conducted in August 2009 by Razorfish, an advertising agency, found that 44% of those following brands on Twitter said they did so because of the exclusive deals the firms offered to users.

As Kogi BBQ and Sprinkles show, social networks are arguably having an even greater impact on small businesses than on the big league. By giving entrepreneurs free access to their audience, services such as Twitter and Facebook are putting corporate tiddlers on a par with behemoths such as Starbucks and Dell when it comes to broadcasting messages to a mass market. They have also created what Steve Hasker of Nielsen calls "the world's biggest, fastest and most dynamic focus groups", which can be a boon to entrepreneurs without fat research budgets.

Some small businesses are already using social networks to generate new ideas. After spending time on Twitter, employees at Cordarounds.com, a small American clothing company, noticed that many folk twittering in their area were using bicycles to get to work. So the firm produced a new line of trousers, dubbed "bike-to-work pants", with built-in reflective materials that make wearers more visible to traffic while cycling at night. And of course it used tweets to get the word out about its new creations.

"Follow me on Twitter" signs are appearing on the doors and windows of small businesses in other countries too. A survey last year by O2, a mobile-phone operator, found that some 17% of Britain's small businesses were using Twitter. Many of the firms that responded said they were doing this to attract new customers. Some reckoned they had been able to save up to £5,000 (over $8,000) a year by cutting out other forms of marketing in favour of the networking service.

Charging for batteries

The connections made possible by social networks are helping to create new businesses as well as promote existing ones. When Henk van Ess, a Dutch technology consultant, posted a complaint about the short lifespan of his iPhone's battery on LinkedIn a couple of years ago, one respondent suggested that he contact China BAK Battery, which produces a small, plug-in battery for the iPhone. Impressed with the product, Mr Van Ess told members of his online network about it and was soon handling orders for them. After a while he formed his own company, 3GJUICE, to produce a plug-in unit for the iPhone that incorporates the Chinese firm's battery.

Mr Van Ess's firm is tiny, but social networks such as Facebook and MySpace have also served as launching pads for much bigger outfits. Among the largest of these are companies such as Zynga, Playfish and Playdom, whose popular online games run on the big networks' platforms. Some of these games, such as Zynga's "FarmVille", have attracted millions of players and produced mountains of money for their creators. Zynga says it has been profitable almost since it opened in 2007, and last month the business attracted an investment of $180m from a bunch of prominent financiers convinced of its potential. Many of the social-games companies are on a hiring binge, creating hundreds of new jobs at a time when the economy around them is in the doldrums. Their experience provides an insight into how social networks can help propel small businesses to much bigger things.

Like most games, the ones produced by Zynga and its peers appeal to people's natural competitive instincts. Leader boards and a host of other features allow players to show off their status within a game to their friends. But the games also encourage lots of co-operation among players, who can build rapport by, say, sending virtual gifts to each other or handing virtual currency to new players when they join a game. "The best virtual goods have real currency," says Mark Pincus, Zynga's boss. He reckons that the games have become so popular because they combine fun with the various ways to strengthen relationships that Facebook and other networks have brought online.

Better than the real thing

Social games have also become extraordinarily popular because they cleverly exploit those relationships. Once someone has signed up for, say, "Mafia Wars", another Zynga invention, they are urged to invite their friends to join too. And players' gruesome successes in such games are regularly posted to their personal page on Facebook, which can be seen by all of their friends. Thanks to such wheezes, online games benefit from a powerful network effect. "Café World", which gives users the opportunity to run their own virtual restaurant, launched on Facebook at the end of September and within a week had attracted a mind-boggling 10m players.

This astonishing growth has been helped by the fact that social games are free to play. The companies make their money by selling digital goods in the games, by carrying advertising and by getting players to sign up for marketing promotions. Surprising though this may seem to some, virtual goods such as swords, tractors and even digital boyfriends are much in demand. After users of its "Sorority Life" game complained in an online forum that the game lacked virtual men they could date, Playdom quickly introduced some last November. Over 10m of the boyfriends were promptly snapped up, with a few players buying as many as 500 each. Some paid for their digital darlings with virtual credits won in the game, but others stumped up over $5 a time for their beaux.

The rise of the social-gaming firms has not been without controversy. Last year Zynga came under fire from TechCrunch, a Silicon Valley blog, for allowing misleading marketing offers to run on its site. The firm subsequently removed them. But such hiccups have not dented interest in social gaming: last November Playfish was snapped up by Electronic Arts, a big video-game publisher that thinks the business is going to be huge. It may well be right. ThinkEquity, an investment bank, reckons that revenues in America from social games could hit $2.2 billion by 2012, a big leap from last year's $375m.

Admittedly this is an extreme example of the benefits social networks can bring to small businesses. Rewards for outfits such as Mission Pie will be far more modest. But if they were added up across an entire economy, they could have a significant effect on growth. What a pity, then, that many small firms are reluctant to take the plunge into the social-networking world. A survey of 500 small businesses in America conducted by Citibank last October found that most of them had not used online networks at all because they thought they would be a waste of time.

Social Media: A world of connections

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:31:04 -0600

A world of connections

Online social networks are changing the way people communicate, work and play, and mostly for the better, says

Jan 28th 2010 | From The Economist print edition

Illustration by Ian Whadcock

THE annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, currently in progress, is famous for making connections among the global great and good. But when the delegates go home again, getting even a few of them together in a room becomes difficult. To allow the leaders to keep talking, the forum's organisers last year launched a pilot version of a secure online service where members can post mini-biographies and other information, and create links with other users to form collaborative working groups. Dubbed the World Electronic Community, or WELCOM, the forum's exclusive online network has only about 5,000 members.

But if any service deserves such a grand title it is surely Facebook, which celebrates its sixth birthday next month and is now the second most popular site on the internet after Google. The globe's largest online social network boasts over 350m users--which, were it a nation, would make Facebook the world's third most populous after China and India. That is not the only striking statistic associated with the business. Its users now post over 55m updates a day on the site and share more than 3.5 billion pieces of content with one another every week. As it has grown like Topsy, the site has also expanded way beyond its American roots: today some 70% of its audience is outside the United States.

Although Facebook is the world's biggest social network, there are a number of other globetrotting sites, such as MySpace, which concentrates on music and entertainment; LinkedIn, which targets career-minded professionals; and Twitter, a networking service that lets members send out short, 140-character messages called "tweets". All of these appear in a ranking of the world's most popular networks by total monthly web visits (see chart 1), which also includes Orkut, a Google-owned service that is heavily used in India and Brazil, and QQ, which is big in China. On top of these there are other big national community sites such as Skyrock in France, VKontakte in Russia, and Cyworld in South Korea, as well as numerous smaller social networks that appeal to specific interests such as Muxlim, aimed at the world's Muslims, and ResearchGATE, which connects scientists and researchers.

Going public

All this shows just how far online communities have come. Until the mid-1990s they were largely ghettos for geeks who hid behind online aliases. Thanks to easy-to-use interfaces and fine-grained privacy controls, social networks have been transformed into vast public spaces where millions of people now feel comfortable using their real identities online. ComScore, a market-research firm, reckons that last October big social-networking sites received over 800m visitors. "The social networks' greatest achievement has been to bring humanity into a place that was once cold and technological," says Charlene Li of the Altimeter Group, a consulting firm.

Their other great achievement has been to turn themselves into superb tools for mass communication. Simply by updating a personal page on Facebook or sending out a tweet, users can let their network of friends--and sometimes the world--know what is happening in their lives. Moreover, they can send out videos, pictures and lots of other content with just a few clicks of a mouse. "This represents a dramatic and permanent upgrade in people's ability to communicate with one another," says Marc Andreessen, a Silicon Valley veteran who has invested in Facebook, Twitter and Ning, an American firm that hosts almost 2m social networks for clients.

And people are making copious use of that ability. Nielsen, a market-research firm, reckons that since February 2009 they have been spending more time on social-networking sites than on e-mail, and the lead is getting bigger. Measured by hours spent on them per social-network user, the most avid online networkers are in Australia, followed by those in Britain and Italy (see chart 2). Last October Americans spent just under six hours surfing social networks, almost three times as much as in the same month in 2007. And it isn't just youngsters who are friending and poking one another--Facebook-speak for making connections and saying hi to your pals. People of all ages are joining the networks in ever greater numbers.

Social-networking sites' impressive growth has attracted much attention because the sites have made people's personal relationships more visible and quantifiable than ever before. They have also become important vehicles for news and channels of influence. Twitter regularly scores headlines with its real-time updates on events like the Mumbai terrorist attacks and on the activities of its high-profile users, who include rap stars, writers and royalty. And both Twitter and Facebook played a starring role in the online campaign strategy that helped sweep Barack Obama to victory in the presidential race.

Delivery time

But like Mr Obama, social networks have also generated great expectations along the way on which they must now deliver. They need to prove to the world that they are here to stay. They must demonstrate that they are capable of generating the returns that justify the lofty valuations investors have given them. And they need to do all this while also reassuring users that their privacy will not be violated in the pursuit of profit.

Illustration by Ian Whadcock

In the business world there has also been much hype around something called "Enterprise 2.0", a term coined to describe efforts to bring technologies such as social networks and blogs into the workplace. Fans claim that new social-networking offerings now being developed for the corporate world will create huge benefits for businesses. Among those being touted are services such as Yammer, which produces a corporate version of Twitter, and Chatter, a social-networking service that has been developed by Salesforce.com.

To sceptics all this talk of twittering, yammering and chattering smacks of another internet bubble in the making. They argue that even a huge social network such as Facebook will struggle to make money because fickle networkers will not stay in one place for long, pointing to the example of MySpace, which was once all the rage but has now become a shadow of its former self. Last year the site, which is owned by News Corp, installed a new boss and fired 45% of its staff as part of a plan to revive its fortunes. Critics also say that the networks' advertising-driven business model is flawed.

Within companies there is plenty of doubt about the benefits of online social networking in the office. A survey of 1,400 chief information officers conducted last year by Robert Half Technology, a recruitment firm, found that only one-tenth of them gave employees full access to such networks during the day, and that many were blocking Facebook and Twitter altogether. The executives' biggest concern was that social networking would lead to social notworking, with employees using the sites to chat with friends instead of doing their jobs. Some bosses also fretted that the sites would be used to leak sensitive corporate information.

This special report will examine these issues in detail. It will argue that social networks are more robust than their critics think, though not every site will prosper, and that social-networking technologies are creating considerable benefits for the businesses that embrace them, whatever their size. Lastly, it will contend that this is just the beginning of an exciting new era of global interconnectedness that will spread ideas and innovations around the world faster than ever before.

Public Relations in the Recession

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:34:16 -0600

Good news

Other firms' suffering has bolstered the public-relations business

Jan 14th 2010 | NEW YORK
From The Economist print edition

Illustration by Claudio Munoz

THE past year or two has tested the idea that all publicity is good publicity, at least when it comes to business. Undeserved bonuses, plunging share prices and government bail-outs, among other ills, have elicited the ire of the media and public--and created a bonanza for public-relations firms. The recession has increased corporate demand for PR, analysts say, and enhanced the industry's status. "We used to be the tail on the dog," says Richard Edelman, the boss of Edelman, the world's biggest independent PR firm. But now, he continues, PR is "the organising principle" behind many business decisions.

According to data from Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS), a private-equity firm, spending on public relations in America grew by more than 4% in 2008 and nearly 3% in 2009 to $3.7 billion. That is remarkable when compared with other forms of marketing. Spending on advertising contracted by nearly 3% in 2008 and by 8% in the past year. PR's position looks even rosier when word-of-mouth marketing, which includes services that PR firms often manage, such as outreach to bloggers, is included. Spending on such things increased by more than 10% in 2009.

Not all PR firms did as well as IPREX, a global consortium whose revenues increased by 14% last year. Many had to shed jobs, and some estimates show the industry's overall revenues declining, although not nearly as sharply as those of most of the businesses it serves. According to a survey by StevensGouldPincus, a consulting firm for the communications industry, nearly 64% of participating firms saw revenues slide in 2009 and only 23% saw revenues increase, perhaps because businesses put their faith only in the biggest and most established firms.

PR has done well in part because it is often cheaper than mass advertising campaigns. Its impact, in the form of favourable coverage in the media or online, can also be more easily measured. Moreover, PR firms are beginning to encroach on territory that used to be the domain of advertising firms, a sign of their increasing clout. They used chiefly to pitch story ideas to media outlets and try to get their clients mentioned in newspapers. Now they also dream up and orchestrate live events, web launches and the like. "When you look at advertising versus public relations, it's not going to be those clearly defined silos," says Christopher Graves, the boss of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. "It may be indistinguishable at some point where one ends and the other begins."

PR has also benefited from the changing media landscape. The withering of many traditional media outlets has left fewer journalists from fewer firms covering business. That makes PR doubly important, both for attracting journalists' attention, and for helping firms bypass old routes altogether and disseminate news by posting press releases on their websites, for example.

The rise of the internet and social media has given PR a big boost. Many big firms have a presence on social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, overseen by PR staff. PR firms are increasingly called on to track what consumers are saying about their clients online and to respond directly to any negative commentary. When two employees of Domino's, a pizza chain, uploaded a video of themselves apparently sticking ingredients for dishes they were preparing up their noses, the firm responded by posting a video of its own online, of a senior executive apologising for the incident.

Blow-dried blogs

That sort of content is proliferating. A PR firm called Ketchum helped IBM start a blog about sustainability, complete with posts written by the technology firm's executives. It also created cartoons on the subject that it uploaded to YouTube. Edelman recently worked with eBay on the launch of a web-only magazine, "The Inside Source", which provides articles on shopping and tells readers what is selling well on the online retail giant's website.

VSS forecasts that spending on PR in America will surpass $8 billion by 2013, with much of the growth coming from online projects such as these. According to Miles Nadal, chief executive of MDC Partners, a media holding company, investment in digital PR accelerated during the recession "and will go forward in perpetuity" because clients became more focused on measuring the impact of their efforts. The internet offers various yardsticks, from traffic to cheerleading websites to numbers of Facebook fans, whereas the number of people who see a conventional advertisement is much harder to gauge.

Perhaps the best indication of PR's growing importance is the attention it is attracting from regulators. They are worried that PR firms do not make it clear enough that they are behind much seemingly independent commentary on blogs and social networks. In October America's Federal Trade Commission published new guidelines for bloggers, requiring them to disclose whether they had been paid by companies or received free merchandise. Further regulation is likely. But that will not hamper PR's growth, says Jim Rutherfurd of VSS. After all, companies that fall foul of the rules will need the help of a PR firm.

Atlanta Jewelry Repair Will Never Be The Same

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:50:00 -0600

Atlanta January 12, 2010 -

The art of crafting jewelry from metal began more than 5,000 years ago. And while artisans use the same precious metals and gems to create jewelry today, 21st century technology allows them to design fabulous works of wearable art. As with any wearable items it is necessary to maintain and repair those precious items periodically.

Jewelry repair is a skilled and delicate craft-- "and a job that can't be taken over by machines" added Jamie Kresl, owner and chief designer of Jewelry Artisans. Whether it is a family heirloom, a collectible piece, or a modern piece, Jewelry Artisans have the knowledge, tools, and experience to provide the best restoration and repair of any jewelry at an affordable price.

Jewelry Artisans are very particular about their craft. "Once you gain the trust of your clients you don't want to disappoint" explained Jamie Kresl. That is why Atlanta jewelry repair by Jewelry Artisans is top notch.

You may find the Atlanta jewelry repair services at the 4500 Olde Perimeter Way location in Atlanta, Ga as well as custom made jewelry, handmade bridal jewelry and antique jewelry. Jamie will be more than happy to help you repair your precious items or find your next perfect piece of jewelry art.

About Jewelry Artisans:

At Jewelry Artisans - handmade jewelry designer adjacent to Perimeter Mall on Olde Perimeter Way - you'll find both fine jewelry and the artisans who craft it.

Describe your heart's desire to Jewelry Designer and Owner Jamie Kresl, and watch as he creates your vision -- first with paper and pencil, and then with state-of-the-art CAD drawing tools.

Engagement rings, wedding rings, anniversary rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more await you at Jewelry Artisans.

And if your style is one-of-a-kind, Jamie will listen, learn and create an original piece of art, just for you ...or your sweetheart.

Media Contact:

Jamie Kresl, Owner

Phone: 770-393-0321

4500 Olde Perimeter Way
Atlanta, GA 30346

Press Release by Vayu Media:

Vayu Media is the premier company for local internet advertising using search engine marketing and ethical search engine optimization. Vayu Media is taking advantage of the consumer shift from traditional media to internet based marketing. The company's focus is local online business marketing and web design services. The company's strategy to get out into the market place and consult with local businesses face to face has allowed it to make local business owners aware of the opportunity that exists online. In order to stay relevant in today's market every local business must have an online marketing strategy and Vayu Media can help.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (800)-456-1563 , info (at) vayumedia dot com

Atlanta Internet Marketing Company Expanding Sales Agent Force in Pennsylvania

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:05:59 -0600

Search Engine Optimization Company is expanding their business development activities in Pennsylvania.

Atlanta, GA January 7th, 2010 - Vayu Media is expanding their sales agent offices responsible for search engine optimization in Pennsylvania. This move is following a strong 2009 top line performance. Vayu Media's 2009 growth has been primarily focused on the South East. Jennifer Dunphy VP of Sales and Marketing has been the force behind the top line revenue growth for the internet marketing company. The company's focus has been to corner the South Eastern US market initially. The strong response from the Atlanta metro area forced the company to accelerate its expansion plans. "We love Atlanta and we moved into the heart of Atlanta to support our growth initiative in the South East. However, our business has been growing nationally and internationally. In 2010 we will be focusing on expanding our foot print across the United States." said Jennifer. To support this strategy the company has accelerated the recruitment of search engine optimization and internet marketing business development specialists. One of the areas where the company has been able get quickly out of the gates is in Pennsylvania.

If you're interested in Vayu Media's Pennsylvania search engine optimization services or if you're a business development professional please visit the company's website at VayuMedia.com or contact the company directly at info (at) vayumedia.com.

About Vayu Media:

VayuMedia.com

Vayu Media is the premier company for internet advertising using search engine marketing and search engine optimization. Vayu Media is taking advantage of the consumer shift from traditional media to internet based marketing. The company's focus is local online business marketing and web design services. The company's strategy to get out into the market place and consult with local businesses face to face has allowed it to make local business owners aware of the opportunity that exists online. In order to stay relevant in today's market every local business must have an online marketing strategy and Vayu Media can help.

Media Contact: Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (404)-547-0949, jdunphy (at) vayumedia dot com

Atlanta Handmade Bridal Jewelry Designer Offers Catherine Ryder Line

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:50:00 -0600

Atlanta's Jewelry Artisans offers the Catherine Ryder brand as one of their offerings for the Holiday season.

Atlanta, GA, December 9, 2009 -

Jewelry Artisans are very particular about the products they carry. "Once you gain the trust of your clients you don't want to disappoint" explained Jamie Kresl, owner and chief designer. That is why the Atlanta custom jewelry designer carries the Catherine Ryder line.

The Catherine Ryder brand represents a legacy of design, precision and dedication. Catherine Ryder represents the difference between paint on canvas and a work of art. Whether re-working a classic or creating the spectacular, each piece demonstrates a freshness, structural integrity and a well honed legacy of design. This makes it a perfect fit for Jewelry Artisans.

You may find this line of jewelry at the 4500 Olde Perimeter Way location in Atlanta, Ga as well as custom made jewelry, handmade bridal jewelry and antique jewelry. Jamie will be more than happy to find your perfect gift for the holiday season or the special handmade bridal jewelry.

About Jewelry Artisans:

At Jewelry Artisans - handmade jewelry designer adjacent to Perimeter Mall on Olde Perimeter Way - you'll find both fine jewelry and the artisans who craft it.

Describe your heart's desire to Jewelry Designer and Owner Jamie Kresl, and watch as he creates your vision -- first with paper and pencil, and then with state-of-the-art CAD drawing tools.

Engagement rings, wedding rings, anniversary rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more await you at Jewelry Artisans.

And if your style is one-of-a-kind, Jamie will listen, learn and create an original piece of art, just for you ...or your sweetheart.

Media Contact:

Jamie Kresl, Owner

Phone: 770-393-0321

4500 Olde Perimeter Way
Atlanta, GA 30346

http://www.jewelryartisans.com/

Press Release by Vayu Media

Media Contact:

Jennifer Dunphy, Vayu Media LLC, (800)-456-1563 , info (at) vayumedia dot com, http://www.vayumedia.com

Atlanta Immigration Law Firm Siskind Susser recovers expenses from the U.S. Department of Labor in Landmark Law Suit

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:25:35 -0600

Atlanta, GA Tuesday, November 24, 2009 -

Siskind Susser Atlanta Immigration Lawyers Mikiel Davids and Karen Weinstock of the office recently won a landmark case in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Georgia against the U.S. Department of Labor.

Recently a judgment was ordered and filed by the court on behalf of the plaintiff's attorneys. This is an unprecedented success in this area. "The court issued expenses against the government in this case which is really extraordinary " said Karen Weinstock, managing attorney of the Atlanta Immigration law firm. "Not only that the court concluded that the government's position is not justified", she added, "but the court agreed to award a higher hourly fee for our immigration law expertise".

This case is the first in the country of its kind. The court ordered DOL to immediately decide a pending PERM application (foreign labor certification) after finding the agency had unreasonably delayed in doing so. Our attorneys brought the case to federal court in order to ensure that the I-140 immigrant petition for their client could be filed with USCIS before the client's son turned 21, after which point he would no longer be eligible to obtain a green card with the rest of his family. But the I-140 petition could not be filed until DOL decided the labor certification and the agency refused to expedite a decision on the pending PERM application on the basis of the plaintiff's son's "ageing out," or for any reason, including the fact that the application had been pending 4 months beyond DOL's stated processing times.

DOL complied with the court's Order and approved the labor certification prior to the 21st birthday of the plaintiff's son, allowing attorneys Karen Weinstock and Mikiel Davids to file the I-140 petition with USCIS in time to preserve the family's ability to immigrate all together, thus preventing irreparable harm to the applicant and his family.

By ordering the fee award against the government, the Court concluded that the government's position in this case was not substantially justified. The government never provided any legitimate or specific reason for the delay, and then, after the court's order, the DOL was able to process and approve the plaintiff's PERM application within 48 hours.

Media Contact: Karen Weinstock

404-935-0056

Kweinstock (at) visalaw (dot) com

http://www.visalaw.com/atlanta.html

About Siskind Susser:

Siskind Susser is one of the largest immigration law firms in North America and its Atlanta Immigration attorneys, a part of the Atlanta law firm have experience handling all aspects of American immigration and nationality law . Siskind Susser also can assist clients with immigration matters outside the US. We are co-founders of Visalaw International - the Global Immigration Law Alliance and work with many of the world's top immigration specialists assisting companies and individuals relocate anywhere in the world. Our lawyers provide consultations to corporations and individuals on immigration law issues and handle cases before the government.

REBECCA High Fashion Jewelry offered by Jewelry Artisans, Atlanta Custom Made Jewelry Designer

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:22:52 -0600

Atlanta's Jewelry Artisans offers REBECCA, the latest in High Fashion Jewelry

Atlanta November 12, 2009 -

REBECCA- The Latest in High Fashion Jewelry

After proving to be a sensation in Italy, REBECCA has made its way to the United States. Creator, Alessandro Testi, utilizes stainless steel, bronze and semi-precious stones to create a line that is fashion forward, chic and inexpensive. The chunky style jewelry with the bright, vibrant colors makes it easy to incorporate fun with upscale jewelry. Countless numbers of celebrities have been seen wearing REBECCA, some of which include Pink, Rhianna, Carmen Electra, Mischa Barton, Eva Mendes and Beyonce. REBECCA has also been featured in magazines such as Ocean Drive, Star Magazine, and Ok! Magazine.

At Jewelry Artisans - custom jewelry designer adjacent to Perimeter Mall on Olde Perimeter Way - you'll find the REBECCA fine jewelry and custom made jewelry crafted by the Atlanta Jewelry Designer.

About Jewelry Artisans:

At Jewelry Artisans - custom jewelry designer adjacent to Perimeter Mall on Olde Perimeter Way - you'll find both fine jewelry and the artisans who craft it.

Describe your heart's desire to Jewelry Designer and Owner Jamie Kresl, and watch as he creates your vision -- first with paper and pencil, and then with state-of-the-art CAD drawing tools.

Engagement rings, wedding rings, anniversary rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more await you at Jewelry Artisans.

And if your style is one-of-a-kind, Jamie will listen, learn and create an original piece of art, just for you ...or your sweetheart.

Media Contact:

Jamie Kresl, Owner

Phone: 770-393-0321

4500 Olde Perimeter Way
Atlanta, GA 30346

http://www.jewelryartisans.com/