Howard County is fortunate to have an abundance of excellent marketing, media and communications specialists who are in the business of helping you increase yours.

In this issue of The Business Monthly we highlight some of those talented experts and allow them to tell about their own businesses.

Please note that for the purposes of this month’s focus section, we have listed each specialist under only one category even though, multi-talented as they are, they may fit under two, three or four. Be sure to check related topics if you are looking for a particular service.

IMPACT Marketing & Public Relations, Inc.

Creative marketing doesn't have to cost a lot to be effective -- to increase your visibility, credibility and your customer base, that is. That's the philosophy at IMPACT Marketing & Public Relations, Inc. -- a philosophy often referred to by the company's clients as "common sense" marketing.

Whether an organization needs a one-time letter, a customer retention program, a complete audit of its marketing/customer service programs, or a fresh marketing plan and the manpower to implement it, IMPACT is a creative, cost-effective resource. The company can handle a single project or can serve as your outsourced "marketing department."

Organizations large and small (including professional service providers who don't fit the typical client profile for a "traditional" ad agency) will benefit from IMPACT's integrated, planned approach to marketing communications -- an approach that addresses two of the biggest pitfalls of marketing -- putting "all your eggs in one basket" and "panic-mode" marketing.

Founded in 1989, IMPACT’s team is led by Carolyn West Price, The Business Monthly's marketing columnist who is also an adjunct professor of marketing at Loyola College. She was named one of Maryland's "Top 100 Woman" in 1996 and has two SBA awards to her credit.

Mays & Associates

Are you looking for a communications and design group with cutting edge creative, real world marketing savvy, superior media buying muscle and proven prowess at public relations? It’s all right here at Mays & Associates. This Ellicott-City based ad agency works with an impressive roster of local, regional and national clients, including companies involved in real estate, home comfort products and services, glass manufacturing, food, the arts, the law and more.

But if you think Mays is just another traditional ad agency, think again. The focus here is a hands-on approach by the award-winning creative team, plus the use of state-of-the-art computer and communications technologies in print, television, radio, interactive multi-media and web site design.

According to president and creative director Ken Mays, five major factors help the agency get results for its clients:

• Reach: Developing an advertising program that strategically positions each client and creates the image and product awareness needed to capture attention.
• Technology: Using today’s new technologies to develop attention-grabbing creative.
• Impact: Employ new, fresh and innovative ideas to persuade consumers to buy.
• Cost Effectiveness: No high agency commissions. One flat monthly fee covers all agency contact time.
• Direct Access: Clients work directly with the creative team, ensuring better communication and inspiring superior concepts.

To schedule an appointment, call Mays & Associates at 410-313-8177

Lazarick Communications

The famous sports columnist Red Smith once said that writing is easy, "You just sit down at the typewriter and sweat blood." That’s how a lot of people who have written thousands of letters and memos feel when they need to put out a newsletter or write something for publication.

That’s where Lazarick Communication comes in. I’ve been a professional writer and editor for more than 25 years. I’ve written thousands of pieces in every style and format for both print and broadcast media, and edited almost every kind of article. News, profiles, essays, features, columns, how-to articles, newsletters, broadcast scripts, brochures, news releases. I’ve built and led teams of photographers and designers to produce successful, eye-catching publications that have produced results and won scores of awards.

So if you’re sitting at your keyboard sweating blood, or have a bulging folder in your desk filled with ideas for a company newsletter that has never quite happened, give me a call. I’ll sit down with you, learn about your organization, and then we’ll tell the world about it. No sweat, at least for you.

Call Len Lazarick, president, 410-312-9840, fax 410-312-9841 or e-mail lenlazarick@home.com.

Marketing Partners

The last time we appeared here, we discussed the need to make marketing a more respectful part of your budget. With the economy going great guns (and your business following suit, we hope), marketing is probably a more prominent part of your business. That doesn't mean you should give it carte blanche. Marketing Partners--your business-to-business marketing specialists--believes in targeted, affordable and practical marketing solutions. The kind that yield quick, measurable and profitable results.

Marketing Partners recently conducted a telemarketing campaign for an insurance broker. Our goal was simple. Bring in new clients. Our results surpassed expectations. The broker hired two additional sales people to follow up on the hot leads we produced and close them as sales.

A finely targeted direct mail postcard program we conducted for a recreational location resulted in three weeks of solid appointments and an over 80 percent closing ratio. Not bad for targeting just 4,000 prospects.

Different clients, different solutions. But the same Marketing Partners philosophy drove both programs. Targeted marketing designed to reach prospects who are most likely to respond, and touch their hot button so they do.

To see how Marketing Partners can help you build your business through affordable, targeted marketing, visit our web site at http://www.mpus.com or give us a call at 410-309-9686. Effective marketing, done cost-effectively. That's the Marketing Partners way.

The Pomerantz Agency

The Pomerantz Agency specializes in marketing and public relations for small to medium size high technology companies in Baltimore, Washington, Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Our marketing team provides the right combination of contacts, designers, writers and other specialists to make your company stand out from the crowd. Whether you're a government contractor, a force in the commercial arena or both, we offer strategies that will increase your market share, open new markets or help position you to form key strategic alliances. Name the challenge: enhancing a name or identity, making a splash at trade shows, being seen in the right publications—we'll show you the solution. The more help you need, the more we can help you.

For a free consultation, contact us at 410-216-9447 or by e-mail at info@pomagency.com. You can also visit our web site at http://www.pomagency.com.

Professional Writing Services

Successful professionals know using powerful marketing tools to maximize visibility is critical for the growth of any business. Newsletters and brochures are two of the most effective advertising vehicles a business can invest in, offering a wealth of information, extended shelf life, and excellent portability. At Professional Writing Services (PWS), we work with our clients to create dynamic, creative promotional newsletters, brochures and business cards to keep them on the cutting edge.

Using state-of-the-art equipment and design software, as well as a variety of exciting papers and inks, PWS helps businesses and associations share industry news, customer testimonials, new products and services, and staff profiles via stylish, sophisticated publications. We also create newsletters for churches, schools, family reunions and other groups.

PWS offers the following services: masthead design, writing, editing, proofreading, typesetting and layout (including photographs, artwork, graphics and clip art), printing and mailing. We also prepare professional letters, resumes and training manuals.

To support the local community, PWS is donating its time and talent to two Howard County public schools. Professional Writing Services is part of OmniTI, Inc. Please contact Sherry Schlossnagle at 410-880-4878 or 10-776-6376 or sherry@omniti.com for more information.

CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc.

CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc., located in Ellicott City, continues to demonstrate telemarketing and call center excellence in a field dominated by fierce competition. For the second year in a row, CR Dynamics has been awarded the Rising Star Award by Call Center Solutions (formerly Telemarketing Magazine) for one of the fastest growing call center outsourcers in the United States and Canada in the small business category.

Earlier this year, CR Dynamics & Associates was awarded Outstanding Minority Owned Business of Howard County by the Howard County Economic Development Authority in collaboration with the Equal Business Opportunity Committee. Also, because of CR Dynamics’ relentless pursuit of quality, customer service, on time delivery and accountability, the company has been nominated for quality assurance awards by the American Telemarketing Association as well as Call Center Solutions Magazine.

CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc., was established in 1994 as a home based business. Today, with two suites located in the Pine Orchard Office complex, CR Dynamics takes advantage of the finest Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) hardware and software solutions found anywhere in the industry. The technological investment rivals call centers five to 10 times its size in terms of staff and productivity.

CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc., is owned by Charles Ramos. He can be reached at 410-480-1500 or on the web at http://www.crdynamics.com.

Marriner Marketing Communications

Marriner Marketing Communications is one of the largest marketing communication companies in Howard County, and among the largest in the Baltimore-Washington metro region. Founded in 1989 by Randy Marriner, the company specializes in communications for clients in the food, financial, health care and technology industries. Prominent national advertisers such as ARAMARK Refreshment Services, Pompeian Olive Oil, MICROS Systems, Sodexho Marriott Services, Sweetheart Cup, McCormick Spice and Kraft depend on Marriner to create breakthrough advertising in all media, as well as collateral materials, direct mail, and electronic media. Marriner also counts as valued clients major local and regional advertisers including first National Bank of Maryland, the ARK Funds, Patuxent Medical Group and the Waverly Woods planned use development in Howard County.

"Our clients don't view us as suppliers, or even as just an advertising agency," explains Randy Marriner. "We are strategic marketing partners. We get involved in how products are brought to market, how they're positioned, and of course, how they're advertised. Above all, we make sure that our clients' brands have a clear voice, a unique and distinctive voice, and that that voice is heard."

Marriner Marketing Communications employs 23 people at its lakefront offices in downtown Columbia. For more information, call Randy Marriner or Tighe Merkert at 410-715-1500.

R & R Associates, Inc.

Bob Russell originally started his little company in 1981 with Paul Rhetts (then the PR director for the Howard County Board of Education) and hence, R & R Associates. They were going to be a mailing house and brochure design firm. The mailing house idea soon went by the wayside and the guys, with Barbe Awalt, created Columbia, The Next America Game, a sort of Monopoly game with a Columbia connection (e.g., CA cards, villages, neighborhoods, taxes, incentives, lien payments). They produced 2,000 copies, sold 1,000 copies and broke even. Rhetts purchased the rest of the inventory for his shares in the company, leaving Russell the sole owner.

Bob currently publishes two national newsletters (Financial and Retirement Insights), which are used by stock brokers, registered investment advisors and financial planners as a marketing/educational tool to send to their clients. He also does a lot of ghost writing for financial advisors nationwide. The other part of Bob's business is to provide logo design, press releases, brochures, newsletters, fliers and other desktop publishing items for local businesses. His practice continues to grow mainly through word of mouth marketing. His business boasts "casual Fridays" every day, a pot of coffee on the stove and a smile for each and every client.

Desktop design, prepress coordination, printing and delivery: on time, accurate and reasonable. Bob Russell, R & R Associates, Inc., 301-596-6175 or 800-598-7693,

e-mail: brussell@r-r.com or visit http://www.r-r.com.

Lietzau Communications

Just when you thought you had everything under control, your boss demands one more task. If that entails writing a report, article, newsletter or other business communication, freelance writers are invaluable.

Identify your freelancer: Identify a writer in advance so you’ll know who to call quickly. There’s nothing worse than trying to find, at the last minute, someone who works well with you and your team. Try him or her out on non-emergency tasks and find the best writer for you.

Writing/editing: I’m a local writer who fulfills the communications needs of companies from national corporations to local, one-person operations. I’ve devoted the last decade to freelance work, after more than 15 years in the corporate world. With a B.A. in Communications and several writing awards, I’m well equipped to help your business with its communications needs.

Writing seminars: On-site writing instruction is offered, tailored to your company requirements. Seminars and workshops are designed specifically for your employees--from executives who need to polish writing skills, to support staff requiring basic instruction.

Joy Lietzau is the owner of Lietzau Communications, based in Ellicott City. She may be reached at 410-750-3186.

The Communicating Arts Agency

To hell with location.

"Position, position, position," is the battle grunt for today's tough business environment.

Who are you? What do you do? How do your goods and services differ from those of your competitors? Who are your best customers? Are you positive you're reaching your best prospects? And when you reach them, what are you telling them? And when they need you, are they remembering your name, your slogan, your benefits first—or are they pricing the competition first and thinking about you as a fall-back?

And how do they think about you?

Are you taking maximum advantage of potential positive alliances with complementary established brands? In your advertising and marketing collateral, is your language as good as the image produced by your designer and printer? In general, are your corporate communications generating investments, competition for your jobs, new networks for growth and glowing referrals? And how's your press—is your business getting the positive recognition it deserves?

Every one of us wakes up asking the same basic question: "What can I do today to make more money and improve my position?" However, it is our differences that make or break us, and, in fact, a long series of unique inquiries drive individual business and career-building processes. My company's prescription: answer the right questions for your business; test the answers; respond strategically; move forward.

J.S. Oppenheim, 301-725-7010, e-mail commart@smart.net.

Marketing Outsource Associates

There is an 80-20 rule in business. It is that 20 percent of your clients will bring you 80 percent of your business. Marketing Outsource Associates will analyze those profitable 20 percent, create a profile of them, and find you more prospects that match a similar profile. Why waste money marketing to prospects that have the potential only to be marginal clients? We will focus your efforts on solid prospects.

We will also help you to build a database of dependable prospects. We then assist you in scheduling a calendar of contacts, so that you are in front of them on a regular basis. When they are ready to buy, they will think of you.

If you are too busy, our staff will handle all of the marketing details for you. We will design the materials, set up the database, send out the mailers and give you reports of who has received what, and when they received it. We can also give you and your sales team a list of who should be contacted.

Gloria Berthold is owner of Marketing Outsource Associates and an instructor at George Washington University. Her workshops on business and marketing are presented through the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Resource Center and other organizations. She may be reached at 410-579-1346.

Snelling Creative Staffing Network

The world of marketing communications has been sent into a revolutionary whirlwind with the exploding emergence of creative software and the use of the World Wide Web as a marketing media.

"The challenge of investing wisely in diverse marketing approaches requires a sharp communications professional and a widespread use of creative talent seldom found under one roof," states Cheri Brown, regional sales/marketing manager of Snelling’s Creative Network located in Columbia.

"We recognized the struggle that businesses were experiencing in meeting the challenge." In response, Snelling expanded its staffing solution capabilities to include all areas of marketing and creative communications through a unique registry concept.

We engaged the services of Ron Pottle, a former creative director for Earle Palmer Brown Advertising and recipient of both Addy and Clio awards, to identify and qualify talent to refer to our clients.

"Our registry includes marketing professionals, creative directors, graphic designers, CAD operators, copywriters, production artists and technical writers. Each is unique in their own style and professional expertise." We can identify and provide talent either on a freelance project basis or on a temp, temp to hire or direct hire basis.

We can be reached at 410-312-7850 or visit our web site at http://www.jobs4u.com.

Marketing Solutions Unlimited

The question really is, can you afford not to call Marketing Solutions Unlimited? Your image is you. Prospective clients buy based upon how competent you appear. Looking good isn't a luxury, it is a necessity. Marketing Solutions Unlimited knows that clients don't fall from the sky. That's why many companies turn to MSU to help with their logos, newsletters, brochures, marketing plans, press releases, newspaper, radio, television advertising, post cards, direct mail and so on.

For more than 12 years, Marketing Solutions Unlimited has worked with businesses, organizations and individuals in planning and executing their marketing strategies. Marketing is everything a company does to promote itself, from logo and letterhead design to paid advertising and all in between. A marketing specialist with proven expertise helps eliminate reinventing the wheel as well as avoiding costly mistakes. MSU works with companies to develop strategies that ensure sales goals are reached while staying within budget.

President Becky Mangus has been in the communications field for more than 20 years and has been named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women. She also speaks to organizations and businesses on topics including successful marketing strategies, effective networking, and starting your own business. Call Marketing Solutions Unlimited at 410- 719-8609 for more information or a hot-off-the-press brochure.

Full Circle Communications

Greetings and welcome from Full Circle Communications, a Columbia-based entrepreneurship with Rene Dancy as Master Wordsmith. One highly-skilled, proficient specialist composing, configuring and reconfiguring series of words into cohesive representations of units of language.

Resumes that work, business plans that sell, copy that's read, lyrics that sing and concept development that grows are forged and produced utilizing tools that include natural ability and creativity, perceptiveness, resourcefulness and keen attention to detail.

The currently unemployed, agencies that assist these persons, workers in transition, current and potential entrepreneurs and small businesses will benefit from the advantage of individual, personalized, one-on-one service.

Call Rene Dancy at 410-964-3305 and share a personal hello.

Buckley Marketing, Inc.

Buckley Marketing, Inc. is a full-service advertising/public relations firm located in the heart of Columbia, Maryland. As a team of marketing and creative professionals, we have the knowledge, the experience and the talent to give you the competitive edge necessary in today’s marketplace.

Our range of services includes television and radio advertising, video and film, audio/visual presentations, print advertising, direct mail, public relations, recruitment advertising, multimedia, Internet/World Wide Web design and hosting and CD-ROM development.

With the new opening of BMI Studios, our one-stop-shop for video production, photography and set design, we can handle our clients’ campaigns from conception to the finished project. We have also expanded our services to an office in Hagerstown, Maryland. To see what we can do for you, call 410-740-3311, fax 410-740-3317 or e-mail nancy@buckley.com us. Or, you can check out our web site at http://www.buckley.com.

Hammer Marketing, Inc.

Hammer Marketing, Inc. is a promotional merchandise company providing effective, creative, direct advertising on useful and attractive wares. This merchandise can be given as a thank you, a trade show traffic builder, or perhaps a direct mail piece.

Categories can be separated into: Recognition Awards: plaques, lapel pins; Presentation materials: binders, folders; Wearables: shirts, hats; Business gifts: padfolios,

desk accessories; Calendars: small, large, stock or custom

Our strong points are product knowledge, successful case histories and keeping in mind the client’s financial resources. Our client base ranges from the small single proprietorship to the mega corporation, and include associations, insurance agents, government agencies, small businesses, banks and large corporations.

We would be happy to assist you in successfully promoting your organization or business through the use of our products. Look for our ad in the Business Consultants directory in the first section.. Please call 1-888-240-3304 to find out more about our products.

Tom Bury is the president of Hammer Marketing with over 15 years experience in the Promotional Merchandise business. He has attended numerous educational seminars, trade shows and really enjoys promotional marketing.

Jean Moon & Associates

In its brief two-year history, Jean Moon & Associates has attracted a broad mix of clients interested in high level business development consultation and communications services such as public relations, creative services, advertising, events.

Having spent over two decades managing a fast growing community newspaper publishing company, Moon is noted for her business, marketing and business development acumen. A community activist with a history of leadership in local and regional nonprofit organizations, Moon has deep roots and a wide network of contacts in every segment of community life: business, education, government, media and nonprofit organizations.

Jean Moon & Associates specializes in comprehensive corporate communications programs for a wide variety of organizations and companies based in the Howard County area. The firm has been involved in a range of assignments where a communications program has been a key ingredient in achieving business objectives: re-establishing corporate reputation and credibility, entering a new market, launching a new product, merging with a larger entity.

Jean Moon & Associates includes award-winning designers, nationally recognized photographers, published writers, media buyers and event planners. For further information, call 410-730-0316, or send e-mail to jeanmoon@bellatlantic.net.

Cotter Advertising, Inc.

Believe it or not, I love writing ads about my clients. It's my life. That's what gets me excited. And when the results come in, I get really excited. But the idea of creating an ad about myself . . . is kind of a big yawn. To be honest, Cotter Advertising has never made much of an effort to advertise ourselves. We found out pretty early in the game that the most powerful advertising tactic is a job well done. And by that I mean actual, quantifiable results: more recognition for our clients in the marketplace, more growth and more profits.

For some reason people in the business world seem to focus on this "profit" thing. So when they see the results, they get excited, and they tell their friends. That's how Cotter Advertising has grown over 500 percent since we opened our doors in 1990. Our mission has always been to answer this question: "How, exactly, do I get your business from point A to point B?" To do that, we ask a lot of other questions like, "Who's buying your message?" "Where?" "How?" And my personal favorite: "Why?" That's where our ideas come from. Our approach is sometimes (in a denigrating way) referred to as "results-oriented advertising." Call it what you like.

If you'd like to know more, contact Chris Cotter at Cotter Advertising, 410-461-7288.

Robert S. Holland Design

Robert S. Holland Design (RSH), which began in 1991, is owned and operated by Bob Holland. Holland’s design work has been primarily in the area of corporate and institutional communications. He has designed annual reports for banks and corporations, leasing brochures for developers, capability brochures for accounting firms, catalogs and posters for museums, student recruitment and fund-raising material for universities, periodicals for hospitals, and identity campaigns for a wide range of organizations. Holland has designed material for some of the largest corporations in the area as well as some of the smallest nonprofits around and has had work published in leading design journals.

Holland’s design strength is in corporate communications and special projects that require a high level of design and creative expertise. He is known for strong concepts and is highly respected for his ability to design with type, his sense of color—and—for his ability to come up with design solutions that are both highly creative and appropriate to the situation at hand.

In addition to running RSH, Holland is also a part-time instructor at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. For further information, Holland can be reached at 410-531-2481, fax at 410-531-6768, or via e-mail at RSHolland@aol.com.

Watermark Communications

What is a watermark? Webster says it is "to impress a given design on paper." It is from this definition that we draw our name. Our company provides creative design for all forms of print media from corporate identity packages for start up companies or those wishing to upgrade their image to annual reports. We provide creative design coupled with unmatched client service for brochures, catalogs, direct mail advertising, media ads and a print management service. We will work with you to reach your targeted audience while addressing your product or service.

John Crovo, president, brings to the company years of experience as vice president of marketing and sales for two major companies. Kelley DuBois, creative director, has a degree in advertising design as well as experience in all areas of design and marketing. This combination of abilities enables Watermark Communications to offer our clients a wide range of possibilities. The number of repeat clients that come back for our services measures our success.

Our client base includes members of the nonprofit community, high tech companies, service and product oriented companies, members of the hospitality industry and property management companies.

John or Kelley can be reached at 410-792-9447 or via e-mail at wtrmrk@erols.com.

IMAGE-ineering

I have worked as a marketing/advertising specialist at Parcel Plus in Ellicott City and have my academic credentials in graphic design from Catonsville Community College. I have specialized in advertising and graphic design for emerging businesses to develop instant visibility in the marketplace at a reasonable cost. After over seven years of experience, I have formed IMAGE-ineering to offer personalized service specializing in home-based businesses.

Using my creative versatility, I provide copy writing, graphic design and advertising services from concept to product without need for costly middlemen. All tasks are performed in-house by me or under my close supervision. Budgets and deadlines are adhered to religiously. My clients have included the Enchanted Forest Merchant Association, StriTech and CareersPlus.

Please give me the opportunity to listen to your needs and show how I have met similar challenges for past clients. My portfolio will give convincing testimony of my capability of quality work with minimal impact on your bottom line.

Stephen Caruso is president of IMAGE-ineering, an Ellicott City design business. He is certified in computer graphics by Catonsville Community College. He may reached at 410-531-1285 or via e-mail: steve@enchfrst.erols.com.

Block Design

I have worked in an award-winning design studio, in a corporate in-house design department and in advertising agencies. I have over 12 years of graphic design experience and formed Block Design seven years ago to offer a more personalized service to local clients.

Serving as project manager, I assemble a creative team to best serve the client's needs. Copywriters, photographers and illustrators have different styles and strengths. Knowing who to bring to the project ensures the success of the endeavor. I take a straightforward approach to producing a project: make it happen on time and on budget.

My clients range from an industrial engineering firm to an independent music label. In between there are restaurants, a physical therapy practice, a medical practice management company, a major Baltimore ad agency and a specialty foods retailer.

My enthusiasm is evident in the portfolio presentation, in the thorough investigation of the client's service or product and in the desire to produce quality work. These characteristics are what separates me, the experienced professional, from my competition.

Courtney Block is the owner of Block Design, an Ellicott City design business. She may be reached at 410-465-5477 or via e-mail at cablock@smart.net.

Translingua

Translingua features an in-house staff of project managers, translators and graphic artists, plus a large contractor base capable of working in most of the major languages of the world, including the languages of Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. Translingua specializes in international communications services, technical translations for print, video and multimedia, localization of software and web sites. Product documentation, labeling and packaging for the food and biomedical industries is a specialty. Cross-cultural consulting and training is also available. Customers include manufacturers, advertising companies, financial institutes, printers and management consulting companies. Call for a brochure or free consultation.

Translingua, Inc. is located at 5457 Twin Knolls Road, in Columbia, MD. Contact Mary J. O'Neill, Ph.D.at 410-730-9700, 410-730-9736 (fax). You may contact us by e-mail at Info@translingua.com, or visit our web site at http://www.translingua.com.

LSE Designs

Lisa Emmerling of LSE Designs graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in graphic design and returned to her native Maryland to work for W. B. Doner Advertising, one of the largest ad agencies in Maryland.

"I started at Doner, as part of art services, and then became an art director. Working there was a wonderful, eye-opening experience. I don’t think any graduate program could have taught me more about advertising than W.B. Doner." Her career continued at Gilbert Sandler and Associates and J.D. Mathis and Associates.

In 1986, after moving to Howard County, Emmerling decided to give full-time attention to her part-time freelance business, and LSE Designs was founded. Some current clients include Bet Yeladim Preschool, Fireman & Associates, Makino Financial, Mom’s Shuttle, PlayPals, Reisman Video Productions, Sarubin Family Dental Associates and Dr. Russell Schub.

For advertising and graphic design that gets noticed and gets results, get Lisa Sarubin Emmerling Designs at 410-461-3883.

U.P. Graphics, Inc. Commercial Concepts

More than 10 years ago, I began my creative venture in fine/graphic arts and design. I opened my studio, U.P. Graphics, Inc. Commercial Concepts, extending services in photography, communications and printing. Our specialties focus creatively upon advertisements, corporate and sales brochures, CD and Cassette packaging, and direct mail media. Further, we design logos and corporate identity packages. We provide distinct marketing communications, new media (web site development), print communications and stationery systems. Textiles and T-shirts are also created in the studio. Over three years ago we have incorporated to our list of specialties production services including commercials, music videos, musical scores, animation and more. We partner with you to develop visual solutions.

Serving as principal designer and art director, my responsibility places emphasis on the individuality of each client. The project(s) are ultimately created with a vision in mind and produced to satisfy a client’s specific needs. Our clients range from small businesses to fashion designers to recording artists; we also do consulting with ad agencies.

Paulette Blackwell is principal designer and art director for U.P. Graphics, Inc. Commercial Concepts and can be reached at 301-596-5283 or e-mail: upgcc.rs@juno.com.

Dever Designs

Dever Designs, Inc., is a full-service graphic design studio located in the heart of Laurel. We have been in the business of providing quality design solutions to our clients for the past 13 years. We offer a wide range of design services with our projects, including annual reports, publications, corporate identities, posters, magazines, packaging and exhibit design. We are particularly interested in creating effective client responsive graphics that communicate your message. Our strength in handling difficult typographic problems combined with our illustrative capabilities and strong graphic style make us particularly well-suited to this task. Our clients include associations, corporations and small businesses. We pride ourselves on customer service, which is evident through our return client base and many referrals.

Our full-service studio includes two art directors, three designers, marketing coordinator and production artist. Our equipment list continues to grow to keep pace with today's technology as we acquire more Macintosh computers and many peripherals. Call Kay Rosburg today at 301-776-2812 to set up a portfolio review. We're Dever Designs, the point where art and communication meet.

Millennium Printing And Graphics

A new Millennium is right around the corner--in more ways than one. Not only is the year 2000 fast approaching, but the new Millennium Printing and Graphics has arrived, and it's located "just around the corner" at 10110 Washington Blvd. in Laurel.

In September 1997, JT’s Graphic Design, a seven year old design firm merged with Millennium Press, Inc., a 15-year old family printing business. The combined forces of a top quality design firm with an established printer pays big dividends to customers. The new Millennium combines expanded services—design, print and ad specialties—with printing and design business savvy all in one location.

Millennium’s goal is to work with clients as an extension of their business, teaming up with their marketing department and sales team to save them time and money—and to make an impact with marketing materials that the public will recognize and remember.

Additionally, Millennium offers a full range of services of commercial and quick printing, including high speed copying, color copies from your original or digital files, one to four color printing, graphic design services and advertising specialties.

With a dedicated team of print, design and ad specialty experts, Millennium Printing and Graphics is ready to take you and your business into the next Millennium. Call 301-725-8000.

GraphTec, Inc.

A revolutionary change has occurred in the dissemination of information over the past few years. With the ubiquitous nature of the computer and its technology, the creation of informative materials is in the hands of anyone with a computer. In many cases, the data needs to be developed only once but can be used in a variety of formats. The term "digitize once and use many times" means that you or your graphic designer can not only produce data for a brochure, web page, video document, CD or multimedia presentation, but use that data interchangeably for other outputs. For instance you can design a brochure to be printed and use that same data for a web page to go out to the Internet.

What benefits do you accrue from this Graphic Arts Revolution? You add value to your communication budget by multiple usage of your documents in the variety of media mentioned above. Equally important, you control the message throughout your communication pieces by insuring consistency regardless of the method you choose to inform your public.

For additional information as to how you can take advantage of this communication technology contact Jay Goldscher, director of marketing at GraphTec, Inc.

The Quinn Design Group

The Quinn Design Group is a local Columbia-based graphic design firm with a truly unique approach to marketing. Although firmly rooted in traditional marketing principles, their work is innovative and highly conceptual --the kind of marketing that just never gets lost in the crowd.

This team of award-winning designers begin with a careful review of a company's previously successful and unsuccessful marketing attempts. They define a precise target market and develop an innovative strategy on how to appeal to that market. Then the fun begins, and let's just say it's much more than just pretty pictures.

The firm's full digital platform allows it to provide state-of-the-art capabilities and quick turnaround. Although the creative process is still cerebral, there's very little these creatives can't do with a computer.

In addition to design services, the company also offers copywriting, illustration and photography services. But the bottom line is: "Does The Quinn Design Group's approach work?" Ten years of success stories for local, regional, national and international clients can answer that question in one word: a resounding "Yes."

The Quinn Design Group, 8173 Main Street, 2nd floor, Ellicott City, Md., 21043, voice 401-750-2138, fax 410-750-2185, http://www.cqdesign.com.

Maryland Blueprint Company

MBC (Columbia) and MBC Repro Express (Fairfax and Tyson’s Corner) are specialists in digital color graphics. Your ideas and our experienced staff are the only ingredients necessary to create professional, attention getting digital color graphics. From design and conceptualization to finishing, from an 8.5" x 11" color copy to a 54" wide print, MBC provides design, color and printing solutions to the entire business community.

Whether you are a trial lawyer who needs courtroom exhibits or a retail store working with point of purchase displays, MBC can help. We specialize in Large Format Digital Graphics and Printing using both Mac and PC platforms. And because we are award winning Xerox and Hewlett Packard dealers, our production equipment is always the most current available.

Bring your images or text to us on a disk, on a CD-ROM, send it via modem or e-mail, or bring us a photograph. We can scan, crop, enlarge, reduce or color correct. Your image can be printed, plotted or written to a CD-ROM. And we can produce output at most any size to suit your project or your message.

MBC looks forward to working with you to create: posters, banners, retail signs, displays, trade show exhibits, courtroom exhibits, sales promotions, brochures and manuals

Call Casey Hickman, digital imaging specialist, at 410-992-9611, fax: 410-992-0120, e-mail BCmail@MBC-online.com or visit our web site http://www.MBC-online.com.

Thunder Grafix, Ltd.

Thunder Grafix, Ltd., a full-service graphic design, web design and typesetting business celebrated its sixth anniversary this past June. The two owners, Marsha Harding Stepowany and Roberta Poling enjoy a casual and friendly relationship with their clients and are always up to the challenge "to do everything and anything needed by their clients."

The company offers a wide variety of products and services ranging from designing and producing camera ready art for stationery, newsletters, books, advertisements, T-shirts, pizza boxes and everything and anything that is printed, as well as logo design and web page design. Thunder Grafix offers high-resolution (1200dpi) output from Macintosh and PC disks and can output to as large as 11x17 inch paper. They also offer high resolution scanning at reasonable prices and can produce large format full color posters. The company will also act as printing brokers for clients, and they are a dealer for Carlson Craft wedding invitations and social stationery.

They are located at 10280 Old Columbia Road, Suite 240, Columbia, Md. 21046. They can be reached at 410-381-0078, fax 410-381-1317, e-mail: marsha@thundergrafix.com, roberta@thundergrafix.com or on the web at http://www.thundergrafix.com. Visit Thunder Grafix, Ltd. today and find out why they are the best little graphics house in Columbia.

Pathway Interactive

Today’s corporate web sites are collaborative projects. Unlike earlier sites, which may have been created entirely by one person, new sites require input from marketing, design and technical professionals, as well as from representatives of different company departments.

Pathway Interactive partners with design and marketing firms and departments within companies to set up the strongest web teams. We have the experience (our sites serve more than 10,000 visitors each month) to understand the possibilities that exist for each project. This allows companies the freedom to set their own goals and get as much benefit as they can from their site.

Pathway Interactive also has the technical skills to turn the team’s ideas and goals into reality, whether that means linking databases to the web, adding electronic commerce, measuring site traffic, or simply producing the greatest visual impact.

But for Pathway Interactive, creating a web site is only the beginning. The company maintains long term relationships with clients, working to update content, promote the site and analyze its usage over time so that adjustments can be made.

Please browse through the wide variety of web sites that we have worked on at http://www.pathwayinteractive.com/sites.html. Then call Jason Tripp at 410-884-5805 for a free consultation.

Comcast@Home

Comcast@Home is ending the "World-Wide-Wait" in Howard County. Comcast@Home’s high-speed Internet service offers the fastest residential Internet service available in the world right here in Howard County.

Through its fiber-optic cable network and state-of-the-art high-speed cable modem, Comcast@Home delivers Internet access up to hundreds of times faster than traditional 28.8 Internet connections over a phone line and up to 10 times faster than an ISDN line. The faster speeds allow users to download files in just seconds that usually take minutes or longer on other Internet services. The faster speeds allow users to enjoy multimedia content over the Internet that they never thought possible, such as real-time video, audio clips and 3-D virtual reality images. Comcast@Home also offers unique local and national content that you won’t find anywhere else.

In addition to the unlimited Internet access and content, Comcast@Home does not require dial-up or a phone line for service, so users can stay connected to the Internet around the clock. Comcast@Home also supplies customers with communications tools including e-mail, chat rooms and professionally trained customer service support 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

For more information on how Comcast@Home can have you surfing the web at lightning fast speeds, call toll-free at 1-888-793-1800 or visit us on the web at http://www.InBaltimore.com.

Tempest Web Publications, LLC

Do you have an effective Internet site for marketing and selling your products? Do you know what percentage of your sales came from your web site during the past 12 months? Wouldn’t you like to do better in the next 12 months? Tempest Web Publications can help you. I started Tempest Web Publications four months ago out of frustration with an inability to find good technical information on the Web. I’ve worked on advanced programs for 15 years for a variety of companies. I have a proven ability to work well with many different disciplines and express complex information in clear and understandable terms. This ability is just what your high tech company needs to convert "technischesprache" to useful web-based technical information on your products and services. That translates into more sales for you.

My current clients include The Quilt Block, Inc. (http://www.thequiltblock.com) and Scott Teague’s Academy of Martial Arts.

Joan Cranmer is the CEO of Tempest Web Publications. She can be reached at 301-774-7436, by e-mail at joan@tempestweb.com, or visit the web site at http://www.tempestweb.com.

CyberVillage Networkers

CyberVillage Networkers is a full-service web site and Internet marketing provider. We specialize in helping businesses who require a professional and attractive Internet presence to acquire new customers, who may need quick turnaround on web site changes, or who want an Internet marketing provider who can partner with a traditional media advertiser to deliver their entire marketing package.

We find that what our clients like best is our experience, our performance to their expectations and our cost effective pricing. The co-owners of CyberVillage Networkers, Connie and Kenneth Mazur, both have extensive knowledge of advanced data and voice communications through their backgrounds in national defense and security; they have been using Internet and Intranet technology for over a decade each. Their combined experiences in marketing, new product launch, and computer programming and their access to other top talent allow them to deliver Internet sites built exactly to buyers' specifications. Several factors enable Cybervillage Networkers to provide cost effective pricing, but our top reason are our satisfied customers. They frequently refer us to other business associates, thus allowing us to focus on selling and marketing our clients' goods and services rather than our own.

Verio

Verio is not like any other Internet company. With its dedication to cater to small and mid-size businesses, Verio is the only Internet Service Company that combines national strength with the personal, hands-on service of locally managed providers. The people at Verio are some of the most talented and experienced Internet professionals in the industry. They live and work in their customers' backyards, providing the personal attention and responsiveness that makes doing business with Verio both easy and effective.

Verio is a company that grows with the increasingly sophisticated Internet needs of its customers. Its team is constantly seeking out the best technology and applications software that the Internet has to offer, and through its local offices helps its customers implement these tools to increase productivity and profits. Additionally, Verio's strategic relationships with leading Internet vendors such as Cisco, Sun, Microsoft and Netscape facilitate us in creating customized solutions for the most demanding clients.

The newly consolidated Verio Mid-Atlantic region offers a full range of Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet services, including high-speed access, web site development, web hosting, electronic commerce, virtual private networks, consulting and other services.

Call Tracy L. Adams, director of marketing, at 410-995-0551 x 263, e-mail tadams@verio.net or visit the web site at http://www.mid-atlantic.verio.net.

Internet Marketing Solutions

A focus on the Bottom Line

Internet Marketing Solutions helps businesses use the web to improve their bottom line. With our strategic marketing focus we help you evaluate your market position, identify and analyze your target customers and improve your competitive position. We examine ways to improve efficiency and save you money. Shopping carts and e-commerce solutions are available.

An Integrated Approach

We feel that organizations achieve better results when they are well prepared to get involved with Internet-based marketing and customer service. That’s why we include training, an integrated marketing plan and a plan of implementation.

Working Within the Local Community

Internet Marketing Solutions works with local businesses that are brought together with IMS mostly through referrals from satisfied clients. Internet Marketing Solutions was chosen to participate in the Howard County Chamber of Commerce’s Direct Benefits Program.

Call: 410-799-9283, fax: 410-799-9633, e-mail: ask@IMarketingSolutions.com, web site: http://IMarketingSolutions.com.

TypeIt, Inc.

There are lots of ugly documents out there. Poorly-designed forms. Newsletters fraught with typos. Brochures designed with 16 different typefaces. By-and-large, these documents are created by individuals whose primary function is not the design of documents, but who still need to communicate information on paper. "Who cares if it’s not perfect?" they say. "It gets my point across."

If you fill out a badly photocopied, typewriter-generated form in a doctor’s office, how do you feel about the quality of care that doctor will provide? Poorly designed or error-ridden documents communicate a lack of regard for detail—an impression a business can’t afford to make. Everything about a business, from its correspondence to its business cards, should convey the appearance of professionalism, which translates into competence plus attention to detail.

At TypeIt, Inc., our business is to fuss over the details of your documents. We place emphasis on technical and grammatical accuracy, consistency and attractiveness. We want you to look good, because we hate ugly documents.

TypeIt, Inc. offers diverse services, including layout of most text-based materials such as fliers, newsletters, menus, proposals, business plans, directories, manuals, forms and contracts. Additional services include tape transcription, mailing list management, merge mailings and labels, and proofreading and correction of existing documents. We can be reached at 410-772-0339.

Downtown Printing Company

Founded in 1980 by Jack and Karin Indig, Downtown Printing Company has been serving the printing and reprographic needs of the Howard County and Columbia area for 18 years.

A full-service company, DPC offers one-, two- and three-color printing, high-speed Xerox capabilities, full-color laser copying, plus engraving, foil and thermography (raised printing). In addition, we offer a full line of personal printing needs, including wedding invitations, personal stationary and party invitations.

Our guarantee--unique to the industry-- is the commentary that has stood to signify downtown Printing's business philosophy and success. Very simply, every job is guaranteed. If you are not completely satisfied, we will either re-do the job or refund your money. This philosophy has allowed Downtown Printing's reputation to flourish and grow.

Located in downtown Columbia in the lobby of One Mall North Building, DPC can be reached at 410-997-8119.

Allegra Print & Imaging Center

The Allegra Print & Imaging Center in Columbia has again expanded its prepress and graphic design department by doubling its direct digital color output capacity. Their state of the art system is networked to both Mac and PC platforms allowing it to run most of the popular software packages in use today.

Clients of Allegra have access to:

Advanced Printing Technology -- The latest design & pre-press capabilities combined with expanded digital, full color printing services

Design & Layout Consultation -- Whether the project requires traditional typesetting or mail piece design, a trained consultant is available to work directly with clients to develop comprehensive solutions to their needs

Customer Education -- Allegra is committed to assisting their clients by providing educational materials and training programs in these rapidly advancing technologies.

These advanced printing and support services reflect their clients' increasing demand for more sophisticated high-quality, yet flexible printing solutions. To learn more, just call Allegra Print & Imaging center at 410-381-9580, fax 410-381-5771 or e-mail allegra@clark.net.

Corridor Printing Inc.

Victor Kishter began printing in Howard County in 1975 and opened Corridor Printing in February of 1988.

Since the beginning, Corridor has focused on doing business with integrity and excellence, delivering a quality product to area businesses and designers. With a team of craftspeople who are veterans in their field, Corridor specializes in high quality short to medium jobs in one, two or multi-color printing. The company is geared to serve businesses, providing design to delivery on everything from business cards to company brochures and presentation folders.

Corridor Printing recently was recognized by the Printing Industries of Maryland with an Award of Excellence in the stationery category at the 1997 Print Quality Awards banquet.

For information, call 410-290-9590.

Pixel Workshop, Inc.

Pixel Workshop opened its doors in the spring of 1995 with the goal of providing high-end video, multimedia, graphics and animation support for the Washington, Baltimore and Northern Virginia region. In the three years Pixel has been operating, we have grown to become one of the most respected animation boutiques in the region.

Video Production - We offer our clients an array of video production services, including Beta SP and digital field production. Our in-house editing suites are built around the Media 100 editing system, offering the highest image quality currently available for nonlinear online editing. Producer and director services are also available for location and live multicamera events.

Graphics & Animation - Our talented animators use powerful tools such as Form-Z, Electric Image and Adobe After Effects for 3D rendering, animation and compositing. We have earned a reputation for being one of the region's best animation studios, and pride ourselves in the quality and creativity in our work.

Multimedia - From touch-screen kiosks to sales presentations for on-the-go executives, we have the creative spark and solid programming skills to make our clients’ vision a reality. Multimedia is where all of our skills converge to offer diverse, cost effective options to present information in an entertaining and compelling way.

For more information on Pixel Workshop, please call us at 410-715-9050. Our

web site can be found at http://www.pixelworkshop.com.

Diversified Video Enterprises

Video is the most effective, powerful, cost-effective marketing tool available to business owners today. Business owners can use this leading technology as sales and marketing tools; as video brochures to augment direct mail efforts; and for video presentations to describe your product or service.

Another opportunity for business owners is cable television. Since the cable industry is steadily expanding its audience, this can be an excellent opportunity at affordable rates. Diversified Video Enterprises is in the process of developing a program with a format that allows businesses to detail their product or service in four to six minute segments that can be packaged with local business bulletin board clips to create a half hour Business Showcase Program. This type of programming offers a unique, high-impact, low-cost advertising opportunity for businesses large or small. This medium gives the business owner the best of television, radio and print all in one, and offers the chance to zero in on your market and utilize the purchasing power of cable viewers.

Jim Martin is an independent video producer and owner of Diversified Video Enterprises of Laurel. He can be reached at 800-971-9455 and by e-mail at dvepro@tomco.net or visit his home page at http://www.tomco.net/~dvepro.

Arvil Daniels Photography

Picture this. It's 1972. Hurricane Agnes has caused the New River to rage and roar through the mountains of West Virginia. And, on a raft in the midst of it all is Arvil Daniels--taking photographs. After all, he'd always wanted to break away from his 9 to 5 world.

For Arvil Daniels, a life of photography has fostered a sense of fun, adventure, and most of all, creativity. Daniels attributes his success to aggressive marketing and an unconventional approach to customer service.

One only has to look at the "portrait angle" of his business to gain insight into his business philosophy. "Everyone is a potential customer," he explains. "You just have to reach them." To do so, Daniels tries to stay in front of potential clients with direct mail, mall shows and meeting customers face to face. This gives him a chance to brainstorm with potential clients and get a feel for what they want out of a photo session.

This is not to say that his photography is limited to portraits. In fact, Daniels and his staff offer just about every sort of photography imaginable. To their credit are commercial photos of business professionals, photographs for the U.S. Information Agency, architectural photos and an occasional photo-journalism assignment at the White House and the Pentagon.

Stolen 2 Productions

Have you seen the many faces of Stolen 2 Productions's Julian Coiner? Blond hair, brown hair, long hair, no hair, goatee, smoothee--sounds like a Dr. Seuss book. But it's not.

One of the best assets Julian possesses is his chameleon-like quality. Whether it's a suit meeting at the corporate headquarters or a swim suit on the beach of the lake outside his business pitching new ideas to clients, Julian's conforming and non-conforming methods of business have made him very successful.

This company has been around for seven years, and you may be asking yourself what exactly does he and his company do?

Here's a quick breakdown:

*Video Production to include corporate, training & marketing videos

*Television & Radio Commercials and Print Ads

*Ad placement of all three above

*Concept Development, Script Writing & Collateral material

*Recording Studio to include Music for TV/Radio Spots, Jingles, Movie Scoring & session work for Local & National Artists

Julian and his wife Maya share 14 years of experience in concept development, writing and video/film production. They share a common philosophy that the client comes first. All projects are handled with an emphasis on customer service. Stolen 2 Productions, Inc. gives you an ad agency feel without ad agency rates.

Call Julian or Maya at 301-865-6835 or e-mail stolen2@stolen2.com for your next production. Stolen 2 Ad Agency: Service...At a Steal.

Presentation Media Corporation

Presentation Media Corporation provides high tech audiovisual support for business events, including presentations, demonstrations, meetings, training, convention shows and electronic exhibits. We also have extensive experience in the installation of electronic courtrooms and litigation support. We serve as an excellent resource for conventional audiovisual equipment and specialize in computer display monitors (15" to 37") and state-of-the-art LCD, DLP and CRT projectors.

PMC was founded in 1990 to fulfill the computer projection needs of audiovisual departments for hotels in Washington D.C. and the vicinity. The evolution of portable (laptop) computers and presentation software has taken the power and speed of the desktop workstation on the road. This trend has created the need for higher resolution, brighter portable projectors to support presentations from boardroom to ballroom.

Located in Jessup, Steve Wallace and PMC will deliver, stage and pick up equipment for events at offices, hotels, convention centers and almost any other location in Maryland, Washington D.C. and upper Virginia. PMC's operations personnel have years of experience and welcome the opportunity to provide consultation and quotations free of charge. We have emergency service at night and weekends, by calling 301-470-6300.

James Ferry Photography

James Ferry has been photographing Columbia and its people for 27 years. He has photographed interiors and exteriors of award winning homes and commercial buildings. He has also photographed a wide variety of products for advertising.

But if you had to name his real specialty, it would be making photographs of people. The photographs might be for an annual report, a brochure, a newsletter, a newspaper ad, a publicity release or portraits for the family. The basic similarity is his ability to capture the right look for the specific use. When photographing people, it is imperative that the photographer analyze the facial structure of the subject to choose the best angles and the lighting patterns that will be most complementary. After that, the photographer needs to be able to help the subject relax, to have the natural expression that looks the best.

The photographs that James Ferry produces for his clients, show that he excels at these skills. His studio has a large white on white posing area that is great for casual feeling photographs of individuals and groups of up to 30 people.

James Ferry can be reached at 410-730-5981, fax 410-964-1527, or e-mail jferry@clark.net.

Rapid Sign Center

Rapid Sign Center was voted 1997-98 Small Business of the Year by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce.

Rapid Sign Center is a full service sign company providing custom-made signs, banners, vehicle lettering, trade show signage, architectural lettering and magnetics. If you have a signage need, you should call Rapid Sign Center because they can provide any type of sign for your business. They can also install it for you.

Rapid Sign also offers full color digital graphics to enhance the value and impact of your signage. Simply provide a photograph, artist rendering or digital file, and they will incorporate the graphic into your project.

The company is owned and managed by Joe and Judy Brown. In building the company, they have always stressed friendly customer service and an atmosphere where it is a pleasure to do business. They are also committed to providing a quality product and on-time delivery.

Rapid Sign is an active member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Business Exchange, Home Builders Association of Maryland and Business Women's Network. They also maintain an Educational Partnership with Howard County Public Schools and support many charitable activities.

Call 410-461-7300 or e-mail rapidsign@connext.net.

Signs By Tomorrow

Signs By Tomorrow -- although the name is on the door, many people are amazed that we really mean it. We can produce most professional signage in literally one day. With the latest technology we can reproduce full color artwork or photography, national and local logos with exact detail and color specifications, or create a custom design. And we can do it in one day.

The Columbia Signs By Tomorrow is located next to our national corporate headquarters and is utilized as a research and development site. Local businesses can benefit from our state-of-the-art facilities. Not only is our staff the most educated and experienced in the area, but we also have the strength and capacity of our 75 stores nationwide.

Customer service and satisfaction is the core of our business and just one of the reasons for our success. While many business owners are waiting for a return phone call from other sign shops, we have often already installed the sign. For more information about how we can enhance your company’s image call us at 410-992-7192 or visit our web site at http://www.signsbytomorrowusa.com. We are located at 6460 Dobbin Road across from the M.V.A..