The Amtower Report

(The Amtower Report is an e-journal on the Business-to-Government market featuring the opinions of Mark Amtower, and occasionally reader comments. This newsletter is only sent to those who request it. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.FederalDirect.net and if you like this newsletter, please pass it along to your colleagues. To unsubscribe, see directions below. The newsletter is posted each Monday at www.FederalDirect.net, and the latest “Off-Center Observations” is on the home page. All back issues available at http://www.federaldirect.net/newsletterarchives.html)

In this issue:
1) Amtower Off-Center Observations
2) Events Worth Attending
3) Amtower on the Radio

AMTOWER OFF-CENTER OBSERVATIONS

Item: Listen to radio over the next 12 days and let me know your favorite radio spots.

Item: End of FY is closing in, so start planning your FY 2007 marketing - Reserve your seat NOW. Government Marketing Best Practices (the seminar) is back on September 22 at the Tower Club in Vienna, Virginia. Guest speakers include marketing veteran Fred Diamond (Diamond Marketing, www.FredDiamond.com ), Federal sales expert Max Peterson, MDF Maestro Bob Gosselin, and Michelle Barnum of Altiris discussing the Altiris web site makeover ( www.altiris.com ). Seating is limited to 60 and we anticipate a sell-out, so reserve your seats now. See Events below.

Item: The fifth Amtower B2G Catalog Summit on Selling Products to Government returns to Chicago on October 25. See Events below.

Item: I am curious to know what you think of the IBM radio spots that emulate old Sci-Fi movies. I find these quite amusing, and they certainly get your attention. Please send you thoughts to me at markamtower@gmail.com  .

Item: I was sitting at my computer Sunday (9/17) at about 8:30AM. I had the all news station on in the background when my attention was grabbed by an item: Alan Balutis, the station informed me, had hit the jackpot. (You can hear my post-Input interview with Mr Balutis at http://governmentexpress.com/radio.html ). Within a week after leaving Input, the news item informed me, he had landed a senior position with Cisco Federal. The week he started at Cisco was the annual week long sales meeting in Las Vegas. The usually witty Mr Balutis was quoted as saying the second week was anticlimactic.  We wish Mr Balutis well in his new position. There is also a rumor that those who held the same position at Input are going to have a reunion, as soon as they can find a venue large enough.

EVENTS WORTH ATTENDING

Beware of the schlock vendors, producing minimal value events, events that eat your money with no significant return! The events listed below are among those I think are worth your time, money and effort. Just because an event is not listed below does not imply it is not worth attending. If you want my opinion on a specific event or producer, call me. This topic is addressed more thoroughly in the members section at www.GovernmentMarketingBestPractices.com.

September 22, Vienna, Virginia, Government Marketing Best Practices, 10:30 AM- 3:00 PM, The Tower Club, Vienna, VA.  Five great presentations and lunch is included.
http://governmentmarketingbestpractices.com/gmbp-registration.html

October 25, Chicago (O’Hare area), The Amtower B2G Catalog Summit on Selling Products to Government, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Northbrook Hilton.
http://governmentmarketingbestpractices.com/summit-registration.html

AMTOWER ON THE RADIO

The Amtower Marketing Report Monday 5-6 PM on WBIS 1190 AM (Annapolis Md, simulcast on www.WBIS1190.com ). Amtower on Success airs Wednesdays from 9-10 AM and will be archived at www.FederalDirect.com

Upcoming guests on The Amtower Marketing Report include Nick Wakeman, editor of Washington Technology, Brian Roberts of CroixConnect and WMALs Taking Care of Business with Brian Roberts.

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As always, your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Mark Amtower

The Amtower Report is published by Amtower & Company, and is written for companies targeting the government marketplace. The opinions expressed are those of Mark Amtower unless otherwise noted. Contact us at Amtower & Company, PO Box 314, Highland, MD 20777-0314 (301-924-0058). This material is copyrighted and may not be duplicated, reprinted or otherwise replicated without written permission of the publisher. Email subscriptions are free by request: sign up at www.FederalDirect.net