6114 La Salle Ave. #186 Oakland, CA 94611   Phone:  510.547.6191 Fax:    510.547.2581 www.marketingacumen.com

For more information contact:

Maria Lopez-Knowles

Marketing Acumen

510-547-6191

maria@marketingacumen.com

Marketing Acumen Announces Comprehensive, One-of-a-kind Solution for Marketing Communications Professionals

Detailed Guidebook and Toolkit deliver instant mastery of marketing best practices gleaned from both agency and in-house perspectives, without a significant investment

Oakland, CA – August 18, 2004 –Marketing Acumen, an Oakland, Ca.-based marketing management  consultancy  that provides  tools, training and consulting services to businesses that need to improve  marketing results, today announced the release and availability of the MarCom Acumen Guidebook and Toolkit.  This novel solution empowers marketing professionals with the necessary skills and tools to turn x into 2x in every marketing program.

Marketing Acumen is targeting its MarCom Acumen Guidebook and Toolkit solution to marketing executives of all levels in large organizations; business owners and marketing professionals in small to mid-sized companies; and designers, PR or media professionals interested in broadening the breadth of MarCom expertise in their own practices. The MarCom Acumen Guidebook and Toolkit applies a scientific method to the art of marketing, describing the strategies and tactics of a comprehensive, 12-month, integrated marketing communications program, and giving users the veteran insights needed to deliver world-class results. It bridges the gap between the agency and client, and provides previously unpublished insights into best practices methodology to ensure that the MarCom program is set up strategically from the onset.

The unique, process-oriented approach to marketing that has helped Marketing Acumen clients grow the value of their Marketing efforts exponentially, time and time again, is now offered in the company’s flagship product. “After years of working as marketing executives both in-house and in agency settings, then as Marketing Consultants for B2B organizations, it became clear to us that we could empower our clients by developing practical solutions that actively guide them through key marketing programs – without costing them astronomical fees,” said Steve Knowles, founder and partner, Marketing Acumen. “The MarCom Acumen Guidebook and Toolkit is perfect for start-ups or mid-sized organizations that need to bring scientific discipline to their marketing – and want to save money by managing most of the work themselves.”

 “The entire Guidebook is really good,” adds Kevin Marasco, Marketing Director, Recruitmax.  “It is an effective self-educating tool filled with best practices and interesting anecdotes.  And the budget is a fantastic tool, it saves time and it speaks to the financial people.  I plan to pass this on to new hires and highly recommend it."

The MarCom Acumen Guidebook & Toolkit

The MarCom Acumen Guidebook & Toolkit is comprised of three core elements: the detailed Guidebook; the tools (project plans, marketing programs budget  & template, and general document templates); and, the executive interviews.  It is a unique solution that addresses the previously unmet needs of most marketing professionals who end up driving broad marketing communications programs based on previous on-the-job experience in a single, narrow discipline, or with only academic exposure to marketing practices. 

The 300-page Guidebook is sprinkled with examples from successful programs and senior insights along with step-by-step processes to assist users in delivering a creative and effective MarCom Program.  Some of the many areas covered include: branding; logo development; look and feel (and sound); building the collateral tree; developing websites; using PR to roll out products; managing ad development and media planning/buying; generating leads with direct marketing; setting up events and tradeshows; and, much, much more.

The Toolkit includes the tools needed to actually execute the programs addressed in the Guidebook.  Eighteen key MarCom project plans, with in-depth detail inform users of the various milestones, timeframes and staffing requirements to complete a project.  The plans were developed so that users work from either a start date or known end/due date, and the program will calculate requirements and rollout the project plans automatically. Weekly email Project Briefings are also available to pro-actively manage projects without separate project management software.  A marketing programs budget (with tools to develop and actively manage a budget for all marketing programs - including the media plan) is also included, as are templates for 13 key MarCom documents such as the MarCom Plan, positioning, creative platforms, press releases, tradeshow booklet, etc.

Finally, executive interviews with seasoned executives in areas such as branding, positioning, corporate ID design, website design, and general PR are also provided.

The Guidebook and Toolkit give users:

Pricing and Availability

The MarCom Acumen Guidebook and Toolkit sells for US $495 and can be purchased at www.marketingacumen.com/Guidebook.  With the purchase of the Guidebook, users also get access to the Members site which periodically delivers product updates and additional tools for the marketing professional.  Additionally, users can sign up for Project Briefings which mirror the 18 project plans that come with the product, but are delivered weekly via email.  These are ideal for the traveling executive who prefers email to Microsoft Project.

About Marketing Acumen

Marketing Acumen, LLC, is a marketing management consultancy that empowers marketing professionals – regardless of their level of expertise - with the tools, training, consulting and mentoring necessary to effectively manage the complete spectrum of marketing programs, deliverables, and budgets. Marketing Acumen’s unique blend of products and services empower marketing professionals with proven best practices and the solutions to implement them – over and over again – on their own. Customers realize improvements in their marketing program returns, with a quick ramp-up and short learning curve. Founded in 1998, Marketing Acumen is based in Oakland, CA, and does business around the globe. www.marketingacumen.com

All company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2004 Marketing Acumen, LLC. All rights reserved.

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