Newsletter Archive - News U Can Use
News U Can Us - August 2009
08/19/2009 - These news items are brought to you by Kuk, Baldwin & Associates:
WATER HEATERS. A new type of water heater comes as close to “green” efficiency standards as a tankless model, with none of the latter’s disadvantages. We’re talking about the “condensing storage” water heater. Basically, condensing heaters lose very little combustion heat in the water heating process (90-96% efficiency), while conventional heaters lose a large percentage of combustion heat through a flue in the center of the tank. Tankless heaters, which are also efficient, require users to wait for the heaters to produce hot water, and they don’t work at very low water flow rates. Condensing heaters wholesale for about $1700 and are relatively easy to retrofit (Journal of Light Construction, 6/09). MORE PREDICTIONS. The Consumer Electronics Association projects a decrease in overall spending of 2.5% in 2009 from 2008 – but the CEA also projects a 2010 recovery with a 2.3% increase, and then a 4% increase in 2011. In 2008, the US electronics market (including consumer information technology) was about $170 billion, broken down this way: consumer IT, 39%; video, 21%; audio, 9%; cell phones, 8%; game software, 7%; and other, 16%. Thus, for example, the market for stereos and other audio would be over $15 billion a year. Incidentally, the CEA believes that a big factor in the projected recovery will be rapidly increasing sales of electronic book readers (Research Alert, 6/19/09). SECURITY SYSTEMS. The security system business is countercyclical – that is, it does better when the economy sputters, since down times bring increased burglary attempts. Experts advise homeowners to get quotes from at least three system sellers, thus suggesting a need for sellers to be well represented in the YP to get on as many consumer short lists as possible. A basic system costs between $1500 and $2000 – not including a monitoring device and service for $20-$50 a month, plus $10-$30 more for cellular backup to ensure a distress signal even if phone lines are cut. Also, smoke, carbon monoxide, and flood-alert devices that can be remotely monitored run $250 more each (Money, 7/09). |
A Politician Who Gets It
Coupons, Coupons, and more CouponsWhen people tell you that the print Yellow Pages are irrelevant, let them know what Councilmember Carl DeMaio of San Diego did to get his point across about where to find cheaper services – he held up a copy of the local Yellow Pages and asked city leaders to shop around for cheaper ways to complete services.
“The city maintains a print shop that has a complete monopoly over all printing done by city departments,” said DeMaio as he held the Yellow Pages in his hand. “They set a rate and city departments have to pay it. No second opinion, no competitive bid.”
Not a magazine, or a Blackberry, or a newspaper – a print Yellow Pages.
For more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-08-03/news/voter-approved-amendment-hasn%E2%80%99t-seen-light-of-day
With the current economic situation have you noticed that couponing has become an even bigger savings tool for consumers than ever before? Recent research confirms consumers are having to employ more prudent shopping behaviors (comparison shopping, joining rewards programs, using coupons) to stretch their income.Economy Even Hurting Internet ad spending
Not surprisingly the grocery store is the epicenter of coupon redemption, but it’s not just limited to the food store:
- 2.6 billion coupons were redeemed from April '08 to April '09
- 86.5% of those who redeemed coupons in March '09 say they did so at the grocery store
- 46.5% of those who redeemed coups did do at restaurants
- 41.3% of those who redeemed coupons did so at departments stores and mass merchants
- 34.9% of those who redeemed coupons did so at drugstores
- Mass merchandisers have seen a 15% increase in coupon redemption:
- 19% of all coupons are redeemed by mass merchandisers
- 64% of all coupons are redeemed at supermarkets.
Does your book have coupons?? Are you promoting them in your marketing/PR?
For the second straight quarter, even the darling of the media advertising world – online, saw an ad spending dip of 7% domestically and 5% worldwide, per data released by IDC. The greatest dip was in classifieds, with the smallest slide seen in display ads. The lion's share of ad publishers reported losses in the double-digit range in the second quarter. However, Google was a bright spot, posting slight growth for the quarter.Hearst Tries Smaller, Local Ads on Newspaper Sites
For more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10304382-93.html
In the newspaper world, publishers are trying everything to grow their revenues. For example, Hearst Newspapers is expanding an experimental bulletin-board style of advertising from its Houston Chronicle to 15 more online properties, including the San Francisco Chronicle.Super Bowl Ad: Name Your Price
The Flyerboard service from PaperG allows local marketers to reach their audience through small virtual flyer ads on a bulletin board on the paper's site.
For more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=110997
Want a shot at the most expensive form of advertising out there – a TV ad for the upcoming Super Bowl? Well, just name your price -- and then see if CBS will go for it. This is significant change from just a year ago and reflects the weakness in the TV advertising market. CBS is believed to be trying a more "under the radar" approach to selling ad time for its broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV from Miami, according to AdAge.Advertisers: Bring Me the DINK’s
For more: http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=138247 (subscription may be required)
If you have any kids I’m sure it’s not news to you that the little darlings cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to raise and that’s just to age 18 and before we start talking college tuition. Hence, in this tough economy more marketers are targeting DINKs -- Dual Income, No Kids -- who you would think have more discretionary spending power.Maybe those that don’t believe in print Yellow Pages should take a look at these comments
Is your directory or IYP targeting this segment??
For more: http://marketplace.publicradio.org//display/web/2009/08/03/pm-dinks/?refid=0
Despite the negative news you may read about the lack of value that print Yellow Pages brings in this wired, mobile, digital world, perhaps those naysayers should check out this small sampling of people that have nothing but praise for the value of the print media:
How Do You Get A Title For Property? | Property | Properties
By admin
Call a title company from your local telephone book, set up an appointment, go into their office and sign two quit claim deeds in front of their notary, who after the signing will insure that the deeds are recorded at the county ...
Hire a Guitar Teacher or Learn on your Own : Learn To Play ...
By rserpe
Yellow Pages or other Publications. Grab a yellow pages, newspaper or other publication and search for local guitar instructors that way. Once you compile your list, you need to make certain you are getting the best possible instruction ...
Trash Removal Tempe Arizona | Crazy People Work From Home...
By Eagle Eyes
You can look for trash removal companies by using the yellow pages. Every phone book should have a section that gives you trash removal companies. You can call around and find out which company is best for you. ...