Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Finkelstein & Partners Announces Major Win for Nation’s Veterans

Feb

07

2011

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AJ Ross Creative Media

For Immediate Release
For more information, contact: Danielle Mackey, 845.563.9522 or
dmackey@lawampm.com

Finkelstein & Partners

Finkelstein & Partners Announces Major Win for Nation’s Veterans

In Landmark Order, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Finds VA in Civil Contempt

Newburgh, NY – Men and women of our nation’s armed forces have made great sacrifices in their service to our country. Now, thanks to a landmark case argued by Finkelstein & Partners’ Veterans Services Group, they’ll no longer sacrifice their health, well-being, or quality of life waiting for the benefits to which they’re entitled.

For the first time in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims found the VA in civil contempt for failure to expeditiously handle a veteran’s claim after the Court had issued a previous decision on the case.

Renowned veterans law attorney Katrina J. Eagle, Director of Finkelstein & Partners’ Veterans Services Group, represented the petitioner, Mr. Cleveland Harvey, in this landmark case. Mr. Harvey is a Vietnam-era veteran who served our nation honorably in the U.S. Army.

In September 2008, Mr. Harvey successfully obtained a remand order from the Veterans Court.  At that time, the Court ordered the VA to assign an earlier effective date for the payment of compensation benefits instead of military retirement pay for Mr. Harvey. With the assignment of the earlier date, the VA’s only task was to simply calculate how much, if any, additional compensation was owed to Mr. Harvey. However, for 18 months, the VA took no action on the claim. Frustrated, Mr. Harvey returned to Court in March 2010.

Mr. Harvey requested that the Court order the VA to make the final calculations and to sanction VA employees for the significant and repeated delays in processing his claim. The allegations were based on two well-established laws, 38 U.S.C. §§ 5109B and 7112, which require all veterans’ claims that have been remanded by the Veterans Court or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to be given “expeditious treatment.”

The Court agreed that Mr. Harvey’s case had not been properly handled after the Court’s 2008 order. “ [T] he evidence in this case illustrates that, rather than being reasonably diligent and energetic in attempting to comply with the Court’s remand order expeditiously, the Secretary was grossly negligent and lacking in diligence while processing the petitioner’s remand . . .  Therefore, . . . the Court finds the Secretary in contempt,” cited Court documents. The Court then sanctioned the VA approximately $20,000.

“This is a significant decision for the rights of veteran claimants,” announced Ms. Eagle. “Instead of receiving the benefits he was due for his sacrifice and service to our nation, Mr. Harvey dealt with a nightmare of unnecessary delays and distractions. With this decision, it is our hope that other veteran claimants will not have to suffer the same poor treatment,” continued Ms. Eagle.

“I’m exceptionally proud of what Ms. Eagle, and our Veterans Services Group, has accomplished on behalf of our nation’s veterans,” said Andrew G. Finkelstein, Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, headquartered in Newburgh, NY. “The Court has sent a clear message that it expects the VA to handle claims according to the laws regarding expeditious treatment. Mr. Harvey’s efforts will benefit thousands of his fellow veterans,” added Finkelstein.

Finkelstein & Partners’ Veterans Services Group (VSG) is dedicated to ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. Comprised of a team of veterans advocates which includes accredited attorneys, the VSG represents veterans seeking VA benefits for current Medical conditions caused by their military service. We handle VA service-connection claims related to combat wounds, PTSD, TBI, toxin (such as Agent Orange) and environmental exposures, and other service-related Medical problems. To learn more, visit www.lawampm.com or call 1-800-LAW-AMPM.

‘Tis the Season for Smart Business Giving and Getting – Goodwill for your Business

Dec

13

2010

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Hi. This is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media.

Today’s subject is:

‘Tis the Season for Smart Business Giving and Getting – Goodwill for your Business

The holiday season is a time when customers are frazzled, trying to get a million things done and be a million places at once. Savvy business owners, who forever keep in mind that their role is to solve customers’ problems – often before the customer even realizes they ARE problems – know that now is not the time to sell.

Now is the time to soothe.

Now is a terrific time of year to remain in the customers’ line of sight, and in the best possible light. It’s not too late to spread some holiday goodwill, and by doing so, get some goodwill for your business. This time of year, business slows down for almost everyone – make the best use of that time by connecting – and reconnecting – with clients and customers.

The time you spend making personal connections, without trying to sell anything, will, in the long run, help you sell your products and services throughout the year.

Here are some tips to stand out this season and be a last-minute goodwill ambassador.

While holiday cards are nice, yours are bound to one of many customers are receiving. Try something different. Make a phone call instead. Obviously, you can’t call every client on your list, but it’s worth it, while business slows down this time of year, to sit down and spend some quality time to make a friendly call to some of your best clients. Show them the personal touch – it will pay off big later on.

Consider an e-mail blast: one that doesn’t sell anything at all. Just a simple, positive, grateful message for their business throughout the year. An e-mail can be created in under an hour, and sent in a day. In today’s marketplace, with consumers constantly blitzed with “calls to action,” and messages to “buy, buy, buy,” a concise, thoughtful greeting will be remembered. Keep in mind, however, to avoid specific holiday references, as your customers may not all celebrate Christmas. Some light a menorah, and others celebrate Kwanzaah, and other winter holidays.

When building lists of whom to contact, think of clients and customers with whom you’ve been out of touch – this time of year is a good time to reconnect with those you haven’t heard from in a while; people are much more receptive to getting back together with you.

Don’t limit your thinking to consumers, either. The holidays are a good time to connect with business partners, and potential business partners, as well. Significant and profitable connections can be made, just by making a call or by sending a message.

We hope these suggestions work for you. In the meantime, the entire staff of AJ Ross Creative Media wishes you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season.

Honesty

Dec

01

2010

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Hi This is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media On How To Market Your Business.

I would like to talk about subject dear to me.

Honesty is the Best Policy In Your Advertising Campaign.

If prospective customers don’t believe your message or you, you might as well put out your “Going Out of Business Notice” right now.

Credibility is an important concern when advertising. As a business owner you can’t afford to be viewed by potential customers as anything less than honest, ethical and above board.

Yet few advertisers use more than half of the strategies that build trust in the prospective customer’s mind, according to advertising industry statistics. A recent study found that with major corporations, like major retail and department stores, the average advertisement was implementing only 55% of guidelines for trustworthy advertising design. Smaller companies tend to use even fewer of the recommendations.

Here are some suggestions you can use to Communicate Credibility In Your Advertising Campaigns

  1. Make sure that all your contact information about your company is complete and easy to find. Especially important is making your Website information visible.
  2. Make good use of color and photos in your advertising. Usually smaller companies tend to cut corners because of budget concerns. By adding color photos it helps to raise your level of credibility. Photos help your prospective customers trust you because they come to feel they know you.
  3. If you are selling something make sure you don’t make prospects look all over for the price. Price it fair and put it there.
  4. Make sure your advertisement looks professional, is up to date, and is free of spelling and punctuation mistakes.
  5. If you require a specific disclaimer, Display it and let your prospects know why it is important.
  6. Make sure your prospective customers can reach someone quickly if they have questions, need help, or wish to do business with you.
  7. Give your prospective customers what they are looking for. If they’re looking for information on a particular service, don’t make them read through a three page brochure about your company before they get to the instructions.

According to and old saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” If you want to be successful in advertising, it’s an essential policy as well.

You’re Working With a Professional Here…

Nov

15

2010

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Hi This is Allan Ross on How to Market you business. Today’s subject is:

“You’re working with a professional here….”

How many times have you sealed the deal with a new client by touting your expertise—that you’re a professional. I know it works on me! I want to make sure that I’m getting the best-qualified person to handle what I’m not qualified to do myself.

Why wouldn’t you want to do the same thing when it comes to where and how you advertise? When it comes to your business, we all know that the old spaghetti-thrown-on-the-wall technique is not necessarily the best of business practices. It can be costly and not generate you the business leads that you are looking for. In pains me when I speak to people about their dissatisfaction when it comes to the response they received on their advertising dollar. Especially when there was no research that went into the initial buy…

It’s not about just advertising. It’s about being in the right place at the right time—and making sure you’re not paying out the nose for it! That’s why you go to a professional!! We do the research necessary. Not only do we get to know your business, we get to know who your consumer is; we get to know the cycles of your business (and every business has them); we get to know the best mediums to reach your ideal consumer. And then, we get you the best price possible to get you the presence you need. It’s difficult when you go in as an individual to negotiate the prices of advertising. When you go in with a Media Buying company, you are afforded the buying power that is garnered through multiple companies purchasing in the same place (or the potential of it) and the Media Buying company can leverage a great rate; sometimes the number quoted isn’t even on their rate card!

And then there’s the little added bonus that you didn’t even know was bothering you. You don’t have to speak to any salespeople from any media. We do it for you. And then you get the feel really great when they do call and you get to say “Talk to my Media Buying agency. They handle all of that business for me.” How great is that.

So next time you find that you need to get that phone to ring a little more, ring a professional. They’ll get you going in the right direction to make sure you get the piece of the pie you deserve.

When Your Business Needs Fresh Ideas By Allan Ross

Sep

16

2010

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Advertising and Marketing

When Your Business Needs Fresh Ideas

By Allan Ross

If this recession has taught me anything it is the value of employees, colleagues, and friends who think outside the box. They believe, like I do, that businesses cannot survive the current economic challenges by sticking their heads in the sand and doing nothing. Maintaining the status quo is not the answer.

Instead, businesses must take advantage of the vacuum that now exists and market their services not only to the local market, but globally as well. As the economy starts to show signs of recovery, the window of opportunity is beginning to close for those who choose the forward-thinking strategy to aggressively seek out new customers and new markets through targeted advertising, marketing, and Public Relations campaigns.

Advertising during a bad economy clearly creates a competitive advantage by creating “Brand Assurance,” thus establishing confidence in your demographic by consistently being in the public eye. People don’t stay loyal to products or companies based on the memory of advertisements viewed months or years ago in rosier economic times.

With more than 20 years experience managing advertising, marketing and Public Relations for clients across the country, I’ve never been more convinced about what my business needs to do to compete locally and nationally. Some of my clients, with the guidance of AJ Ross Creative Media, have employed similar game plans that have reaped prodigious results.

What to Look For Before You Choose

If you are looking for a firm to help you in your advertising, marketing, and Public Relations efforts, here are a few pointers:

1)    Contact a number of prospective firms that have good reputations and have them provide you with their background, list of accomplishments, key personnel, etc.

2)    Make sure the firm you select has experience and first-hand knowledge of your industry.

3)    Have them show you some examples of their recent work. See if their ads, marketing materials are in step with your core beliefs, values, and goals.

4)    Stay clear of the firm that spends more time showing you the ads and marketing pieces promoting their services and little with campaigns they conducted for their clients.

5)    Sit down with the company’s principals or key staff prior to making a selection. The people you choose will have the future growth and prosperity of your business in their hands. You want a company that has experienced writers, designers, and marketing professionals who have the talent and imagination to take your company to the next step.

6)    Select a firm that has broad and well-rounded experience in all aspects of advertising including web design, marketing, media placement and Public Relations. More times than not, a company has talent in one area, but only dabbles in the others. That is a recipe for disaster.

These are just some of the things you should look for in an advertising, marketing, and Public Relations company. Hire the firm that best fits your needs and your budget so that you get your message out ASAP that your business is alive, well and ready to grow. Good luck!

Allan Ross is President of AJ Ross Creative Media, a full-service global advertising, marketing and Public Relations agency celebrating their 20 th year in business located in Chester, NY. A former NYC session musician, jingle writer and producer, Ross parlayed that experience into the development of a full-service strategic marketing agency. AJ Ross offers Brand development, Print, Radio, and TV advertising production, graphic design, Website development, and Public Relations. Some of AJ Ross’s accounts include Orange County Tourism, Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union, Finkelstein and Partners, Jacoby and Meyers amongst others. To learn more about AJ Ross Creative Media, visit www.ajross.com, call 800-723-4644, or email info@ajross.com .