Chair: Scott Starkey (Laer Pearce and Associates)
Co-Chair: Cheryl Bame (Bame PR)
Staff: Jill Workman

The Communications Committee’s goal is to create effective, truthful communications and publications to correspond with the public, members of the industry, coalition partners, local media and other constituencies that develop public and political support for our issues. The committee works to define BIA/OC as a credible resource and effective leader in the Orange County building industry.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Communications Committee Meeting
Thursday June 19th 7:30am

Speaker: Sam Allevato, Irvine Great Park PIO & San Juan Capistrano Councilman

Topic: A “Behind the Scenes Look” at one of the most highly anticipated developments in Orange County – Irvine’s Great Park!

7:30 am – Networking
8:00 am – Presentation/Committee Meeting to follow

Location: RBF Consulting 14725 Alton Parkway, Irvine
Note: This will take place of our normally scheduled monthly meeting for June.

BUY NEW! BUY NOW! Campaign Launches This Month!
The BIA’s 90-day consumer confidence ad campaign will include television, radio, print and Internet advertising.It’s just one more way the BIA is helping the industry and adding value to membership!

The “Buy New! Buy Now!” campaign, designed by BIA member L&A Marketing and Advertising, focuses on the benefits of buying a brand new home and will appear in various media throughout the region.

• Radio spots on KNX and KFWB
• Television commercials, some featuring executives from our sponsoring members, will appear on cable channels throughout the region, including TNT, TBS, CNN, HGTV and A&E.
• Four-minute video in Charter Communications/Time Warner Cable’s onDemand area and is running commercials for the New Model Home onDemand channel.
• All of the advertising drives would-be buyers to the BIA’s home finding Web site, ModelHomeTour.org, for consumer information and new home listings.
• Newspapers also have signed on as media partners, including: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Antelope Valley Press, The Desert Sun, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News, Pasadena Star-News and Redlands Daily Facts. Other newspapers, including the Orange County Register and Riverside Press-Enterprise are still in negotiations.

The 90-day campaign is funded through an NAHB grant and sponsorships from K. Hovnanian, Shea Homes, Fieldstone Communities, Pardee Homes, KB Home, Standard Pacific Homes, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and The Gas Company.

Click on the www.biasc.org Web site to view the ads.

The FY Eye Program
The goal of this program is to establish a deeper reach into BIA/OC member companies and more effectively relay important industry news and BIA/OC information. This program will educate BIA/OC members on the benefits of membership such as saving money through our Affinity Partners, or a brief reminder to register for an approaching event. Please read the full program overview click here. If you have questions or would like to become the Agent for your company, please contact Kevin Ward. (logo art donated and designed by Krush Creative).

Meet the Media Workshop
The 2008 Meet Media Event: Orange County’s Magazines and Journals conference, generously hosted by RBF Consulting, was a huge success. Moderated by Laer Pearce, Laer Pearce & Associates, the audience heard from speakers Julie Leupold, ‘Orange County Business Journal’, Peter Viles, ‘LA Times’, and Tina Borgatta, ‘OC Metro Business’. Each guest presented their expert advice on pitching stories to their respective publications. Not only were audience members able to hear the best means of reaching their target journalist, but had the opportunity to ask candid questions.

If your company needs help with media relations, do not hesitate to contact the Communications Committee and learn how to be more pro-active in creating messages for the public.

Be active in your community!

Sign-up for the BIA of Southern California’s grassroots mobilization program, The American Dream Team today. Click here now to speak out on future legislation that affects your industry!

Meets 4th Wednesday of each month.