SKIM is an expert in the field of new product development, communication and pricing decisions, offering strategic insights and customized solutions to support clients in the development and review of their marketing strategies.

To learn more about the research services offered by SKIM or to register for one of the new marketing webinars, visit http://www.skimgroup.com/attend-our-marketing-webinars .

EVENT LINE-UP AND INFORMATION:

* Your chocolate. Your fans. Your strategy. Social media research made actionable
Thursday, May 10, 2-2:30 p.m. EDT
By Sourabh Sharma, project manager, SKIM New York.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/346273702 .

Join Sourabh Sharma as he presents a social media research case study comparing consumer attitudes regarding a selection of well-known and niche chocolate brands.

Social media research is all about listening instead of asking. When individuals communicate freely and spontaneously online, their comments are often more candid and truthful. Any product or brand that is talked about online can leverage social media to formulate strategies for consumer-targeted marketing, advertising, and channel communication. Illustrated by a real world case study, attendees will learn how SKIM researchers translate social media conversations into actionable insights and marketing opportunities for brands including Toblerone and Hershey’s.

Sharma will discuss:

o “Your chocolate”
* The online competitive landscape
* A brand’s perceived identity
o “Your fans”
* Consumer personas based on online behavior
* Online platform effectiveness
o “Your strategy”
* Consequential actionable recommendations.

Attendees will learn how to use social media to measure brand equity and reach, gauge the competitive landscape, and get closer to consumers by understanding their truthful, candid and current brand perceptions.

* Product portfolio and revenue optimization
Thursday, May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. EDT
By Juan Andres Tello, director, Consumer Americas, SKIM New York.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/353140414 .

In a competitive consumer environment, it is essential to price your product right. In this webinar, Juan Andres Tello will explore ways to optimize pricing and product portfolio composition to maximize overall revenue. Tello will examine various scenarios such as what happens when product prices are adjusted, pack sizes are decreased, or premium/value line extensions are introduced.

Professionals in consumer pricing, marketing strategy, and research roles will learn how research insights can drive smarter pricing and optimization decisions – even in the most competitive consumer markets. Attendees will learn how to optimize their pricing and product portfolio composition to maximize portfolio revenue.

Tello will discuss:

o Motivations for revenue optimization
o Making the marketing research shift from insight to foresight
o Building blocks of a revenue optimization system
o Sample revenue optimization strategies
o How to deliver optimization results to both internal and external clients.

* Developing winning claims
Thursday, June 7, 2-2:30 p.m. EDT
By Paul Janssen, director, Communications Research, SKIM New York.
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/914035246 .

What distinguishes a winning communication strategy from one that falls flat? Paul Janssen will share the results of a SKIM meta-analysis of hundreds of claims across 14 categories. Among the compelling findings, results show that a tangible promise of value is critical to a claim’s success. Attendees will also learn how popular communications tactics (e.g., humor, comparative advertising, jargon) can unintentionally undermine the message and render a claim ineffective.

Janssen will illustrate how re-analyzing large amounts of data across studies and categories can be a powerful tool for generating essential consumer insights. Armed with new insights, marketing and research attendees will be prepared to develop more effective claims, which can be broadly applied to any communications strategy.

About SKIM:
Founded in 1979, SKIM is a dynamic and rapidly growing market research agency with offices in Rotterdam, Geneva, London and New York. A new San Francisco office will open in July 2012. Combining market-specific expertise and knowledge of advanced research methodologies, SKIM is a valued partner for multinational companies in consumer packaged goods, healthcare, consumer health, telecommunications and financial services. Visit www.skimgroup.com for more information.

Jackie Fame is an investment capital funded, Charlotte and Los Angeles based company; founded by kid entrepreneurs Zachary Swauger (age 13) and Joshua Swauger (age 10), launched its initial Jackie Fame(R) Network in January of 2011. After the positive response and tremendous membership growth, the brothers put a halt on growth initiatives while focusing on enhanced development efforts of its platform. With continued feedback for improvements from the FAME Kid Advisors, the brothers developed FAME 2.0 – a custom, feature rich, with a scalable network, infrastructure. Also, not surprisingly, Jackie Fame offers an interactive Android and iPhone mobile app available to download for free on over 2,500 wireless devices – FAME Mobile.

In 2011, the Swauger brothers also penned their first book in the “Kid2Kid Book Series” titled “Kid2Kid, Keepin’ It Safe Online” (ISBN: 9780615500256). This fun to read book about internet safety, which includes a chapter on anti-bullying, is now available at book stores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and public libraries.

“What we set out to do was build an awesome place on the web for kids to communicate, share and create new friendships, continue to develop our brandFAME and its superior lines of quality products, provide financial opportunity for our investor team, and prove to the admission officers at Stanford University that we have what it takes to be a Cardinal – in about 5 years,” said Joshua Swauger.

“FAME 2.0 is epic!” added Zachary Swauger. “Unlike many other social networks for kids and teens, with Jackie Fame there is no charge to be a member, no advertising in-your-face messages, and our members have the choice to be as private or as public as they want to on their page.” Initially, the system defaults to full privacy for all members to provide instant protection. “After that, it’s their choice who they friend,” added Zachary. In addition, users’ data and content is not sold to brands, advertisers, etc. “We ARE ‘the brand’ and with our merchant partners engaged with the FAME members via our FAME50 platform, coming soon – it’s really awesome.”

Jackie Fame’s BrandFAME will initially launch with the FAMEbody “body treats” personal care line and FAMEnails, the companies nail polish line, due to be in national retail store locations by Q4 2012. BrandFAME, the company’s apparel line is expected in stores by Q1 2013. All lines and been developed, branded, quality tested, and are now in the pre-sale process.

About Jackie Fame, Inc:
The Company (www.JFame.com) continues to expand its Jackie Fame brand with the national retail launch of the “FAMEbody” personal care and cosmetic lines, BrandFAME apparel lines, FAME50 merchant platform and Face-the-Fame; FAME America! the online music & talent contest for kids is launching in 2012.

The Mission of the Jackie Fame Network is to be the leading kid/teen social networking destination with the largest, most engaged audience and community. The network will be supported by its unique position as one of the strongest, most valued brands focusing in the highly coveted kid-teen audience.

Jackie Fame(R), FAME50(R), JFame(R), FAMEbody(R), and Face-The-Fame(R) are registered trademarks of Jackie Fame, Inc. All other trademarks acknowledged.

The goal of the campaign is to warn Americans about a looming problem. “The majority will be affected at some point by long-term care needs of themselves or a close family member,” says Goldberg. “Yet few are prepared for this.” The campaign is letting them know so they can avoid a financial and personal crisis. “Our new board members and the new carrier support will add to our ability to do this.”

The new carrier support includes:
* A study sponsored by Genworth. Released in November, the study found that most adults believe that long-term care insurance should be purchased between the ages of 45-64, yet 82 percent of this age group has not purchased a policy. The study also found that since the 2008 financial crisis, only 20 percent of adults have taken any action on their financial strategy.
* Marketing support by John Hancock. The company applied the “3 in 4″ logo to its newly created education materials supplied to its network of LTC agents in honor of LTC Awareness Month.

The 3in4 Association’s advisory board has been expanded from 14 to 21. The seven new members are:
* Joseph Pulitano, President, Advanced Resources Marketing;
* Bill Herring, President, Online Insurance Services, LLC;
* Steve Dozier, President, AIMS Benefit Solutions;
* Mark Leighton, Chief Operating Officer, Connect America;
* Chris Orestis, Co-Founder and President, Life Care Funding Group;
* Carol Gardner, President of LifeStyle Insurance Services;
* Barry Eldridge, President of ICBLTC.

To take advantage of the “3 in 4 Need More” campaign, LTC agencies, brokers, agents, and advisors may use a number of resources found at http://www.3in4needmore.com .

About the 3in4 Association:
The “3 in 4 Need More” campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of long-term care planning. The campaign utilizes multiple marketing strategies to increase awareness. The “3 in 4 Need More” campaign is a public service of the 3in4 Association, which operates as a nonprofit 501(C)(6)corporation. Members of the campaign cross all industries, genders and ages. The campaign supports an online platform located at www.3in4needmore.com .

This resource supports consumer plan development, and products and services that should be considered in long-term care planning. The platform also provides awareness support for long-term care planning specialists.

Jessicurl is all about providing people with curly hair of all types with high-quality hair products that will instill confidence. The company’s motto: “You have the right to remain curly.”

“For the longest time I thought I had straight hair,” explains one Jessicurl product user. “However, one day I learned that I actually had wavy hair and that I could save a lot of time on blow drying and using a flat iron. I tried Jessicurl products and quickly discovered a freedom that I had no idea existed. I now save about 40 minutes per day on my hair and I have discovered what it means to embrace my natural curls; it’s so freeing.”

McGuinty adds that, “These curly hair products are not just about making curly hair look good, they are about embracing a lifestyle.”

About Jessicurl:
Jessicurl offers cleansing, conditioning and styling products. None of its products are tested on animals; they are cruelty-free and vegan. Each ingredient in every Jessicurl product promises to have a positive effect on hair – there are no fillers such as sulfates or silicones. Jessicurl stands on the premise that when it comes to ingredients – less is more.

Jessicurl recognizes that everyone is unique. Everyone has a different hair type, texture and curl patterns. However, the common denominator is that everyone has a desire to have naturally beautiful curls and quality products to use on them.

Jessicurl products are available in stores all over the world. For more information, visit: www.jessicurl.com .

Much controversy surrounds this Florida law. Civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have even stepped in to voice their opinion. Additionally, a San Francisco musician, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, was recently booted off Southwest Airlines because his pants were hanging too low.

“Sagging has been greeted with such strong disapproval,” says Chris Gladin, vice president of sales and marketing for DukeXXX. “Some towns and cities across the country have already outlawed it and some states are taking Florida’s lead to try and institute a similar state-wide law. This is why we wanted to provide an alternative for saggers. DukeXXX ‘upholds’ freedom of choice, so to speak.”

With DukeXXX clothing, the boxers are sewn into the black, denim shorts; they are both attached into one piece of clothing. So, are the wearers of these shorts breaking any laws? Gladin, who claims a Ph.D in business, doesn’t think so.

“At DukeXXX, we believe that people should maintain the right to express themselves through their personal choice of clothing style,” says Gladin. “It seems that lawmakers should be focusing on more important issues like healthcare, the economy and the environment. Wearing sagging pants should not make the list.”

All clothing items are custom made with an urban design that resembles a cityscape. High school and college kids, skateboarders, surfers, city dwellers, guys and girls, and yes, even well-known musicians will all find something to strut their stuff in. Gladin adds that these items are not “off the rack.” They are hand sewn, high-quality clothing products made of 100 percent cotton.

Currently, DukeXXX offers clothing for guys and girls that include: shorts; bandanas; and T-shirts. DUKEXXX clothing is currently available at: www.dukexxx.com .

Participants can do the following steps to join the activity:

1. People can take advantage of every possible art and design method, using things, such as pieces of several stones, apples, roses or other things put together, modify some pictures with Photoshop or Xara Photo and Graphic Designer to make an “EASEUS” logo. As long you’re joining the activity, you will get a gift.

2. Participants are required to upload their pictures to EASEUS Facebook Photo Tab or send their pictures to market@easeus.com .

3. As soon as a participant has shared the pictures and provided EASEUS their pictures’ name, participants can choose any one of three products: EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard ($69.95), EASEUS Todo Backup Workstation ($39.00), and EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition ($39.95) – all of which are popular data recovery and hard disk image tolls, as well as partition manager software, among computer users.

4. Every month, EASEUS will choose 5 of the most creative pictures to award them another prize – Amazon gift cards worth $50 each. The award list will be shown on EASEUS’ Facebook page, Twitter feed and on www.easeus.com .

There is no limit to the number of pictures submitted for each participant in the activity. The more creative pictures, the more possible participants get the wonderful gifts. EASEUS welcomes you to share all your creative and imaginative designs.

Learn more at: http://www.easeus.com/special-offers/easeus-gift.htm .

Editors Note: version of logo shown on this page was “artistically modified” by AIN editor, Christopher Simmons (christophersimmons.com).

“By creating a distinct subsidiary for each line of business and reorganizing the management, we can sharpen our focus on each client base, listen to their unique needs, and create a more valuable, differentiated, and responsive offering.”

Keeler adds, “We will now deliver sales, marketing, and our outsourcing services and global capital sourcing services through each subsidiary. This will allow us to align the expertise of our experienced staff with the specific needs of each type of client. The move will also enable us to capitalize on our common infrastructure, especially the software and global lessor network, while we improve our positioning and messaging and clarify the value proposition for each type of client.”

Doug Slais, VP of Client Services for Ecologic Lessee Services and a long-time veteran of the equipment leasing industry, states, “The objective is to create more value by getting closer to our clients and organizing around their needs. This is a great step towards accomplishing this.”

About Ecologic Leasing Services:
Ecologic offers software services and outsourcing services to lessees and vendor captives that need to finance equipment competitively around the world. The Company currently supports lease transactions in 44 countries. Large corporate and non-profit lessees deploy Ecologic’s software and outsourcing services to save 10-25% on their equipment lease portfolio annually.

Vendor captives employ Ecologic’s services to help them finance the sale of their equipment to their customers at the point-of-sale using the best available funding sources where ever they operate around the world. Founded in 2000, the Company is headquartered in Northern Virginia, with offices in Montreal, San Francisco, and Mumbai.

More Information: http://www.ecologicleasing.com .

“We’re really just getting started,” says Craig O’Keefe, Brandjolt’s Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer. “We are in the process now of identifying strategically-appropriate categories and brands to partner with Gogo’s Crazy Bones, as well as assessing the creative approaches that helped make the brand immensely popular overseas, to adjust them for the U.S. market.”

Gogo’s Crazy Bones is one of the top toy brands worldwide outside the United States, but cultural and language differences often require shifts in creative materials used when a brand is extended into a less established market.

“Of course, part of the strong appeal of the Gogo’s Crazy Bones franchise,” says O’Keefe, “is that its popularity and flexibility can benefit partners in such a broad range of categories, from packaged foods, kids’ apparel, and QSRs to electronics, sports equipment, retailers, and more. Right now, the door is open, so we’re looking at what strategic and creative partnerships will benefit our client’s brand the most.”

According to Isaias Miremberg, PPI’s Director of Promotions, central to PPI’s choice of Brandjolt is O’Keefe’s long history of creating successful promotions and partnerships for top brands that focus on children 6-12 and their parents, including cereals by General Mills, Post, and Ralston; Pop-Tarts and Rice Krispies Treats by Kellogg’s; Keebler cookies and crackers; Kraft Mac & Cheese and DiGiorno Pizza; McDonald’s, Nestle Ice Creams, Colgate and others. “We’re thrilled to find someone with such a history of promotional programs revolving around kids and their parents,” says Miremberg. “Craig’s background, his clear understanding of what we are about, and his vision for what we can achieve make Brandjolt the best choice.”

O’Keefe says Brandjolt also sees great potential in their new partnership. “We know Brandjolt is perfectly suited for what PPI has and how they like to market their products, so we consider ourselves lucky that everything has worked out to bring our two companies together at exactly the right time.”

About Gogo’s Crazy Bones:
At its core, Gogo’s Crazy Bones is a constantly-evolving series of hundreds of small, brightly colored, collectible plastic figures based on the ancient Greek game of “astragals.” Kids love them because they come in so many varieties, are fun to collect or trade with friends, and come with free games. Parents love them because they inspire inventive play in their children, cost little, and almost never break. Each Gogo has a specific name, number, and character, and a different set of characteristics – some quite rare, some glow in the dark, some in special shapes or colors, some glitter, and so on.

Beyond the toy figures themselves, the Gogo’s Crazy Bones franchise includes stickers, game sets, calendars, a “Gogo Mountain” toy stand, a web-based game, collectible tins, and more. The Gogo’s Crazy Bones world keeps expanding, and has been among the top licensed toy properties for the past two years in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, Australia, Mexico, and Canada.

About PPI Worldwide:
PPI Worldwide is a global marketing solutions agency focused in creating novelty premiums, brand loyalty promotions and collectible toy production. Established in 1986, PPI has since then branched out to offices in Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Spain, Israel and Hong Kong where, for the last several years, they have been one of the most successful promotional and premium companies in its field. PPI currently works with multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, Danone, Nestle, and others.

About Brandjolt, LLC:
Brandjolt is a privately-owned promotions and advertising agency based near Chicago, Illinois that helps Fortune 1000(TM) companies amplify the performance of their brands through enhanced B2B and B2C platforms and programs that activate sales forces, enrich trade relationships, and heighten consumer responses. Through highly strategic, targeted programs that activate each brand stakeholder in his/her own terms, Brandjolt increases brand buy-in and demand that invigorates and improves ROI of marketing efforts and penetration into high value markets. More information: www.brandjolt.com .

“Citrus Splash” offers a unique balance of lemon and lime flavors. Product Development Director Owen Rothstein tested dozens of flavor mixtures, including several different blends of sweeteners. The results, according to Rothstein, prove that the new lemon-lime soft drink outscores the national brands by as much as a 10-to-1 ratio.

The brand name was developed by one of Multi-Flow’s Route Drivers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Reggie Garret. During the brand team’s visit to the Miami area, Reggie offered up “Citrus Splash” as a potential name for the new soft drink.

Stephens said, “As soon as it came out of Reggie’s mouth, I knew we had the perfect brand name for the perfect new beverage.” Based on “Taste Panels” from consumer focus groups, the descriptive tag, “Crisp, Light, and Refreshing” was subsequently added.

“Citrus Splash” will be branded under the “Micro-Brewed by Multi-Flow” logo, which also encompasses Kodiak Cola, Kodiak Diet Cola, Morning Dew, and a variety of other carbonated soft drinks. Multi-Flow Industries exclusively manufactures fountain-dispensed beverages, through its own distribution network along the East Coast, as well as through allied distributors throughout the U.S. Their product line is available for national distribution to restaurants, foodservice, and all other locations that serve fountain-dispensed drinks.

More information is available at Multi-Flow Industries’ company Web site, www.multiflow.net .

About the Music Computing StudioBLADE: The StudioBLADE(TM) series are complete music production workstations powered by Intel(R) processors and 64-bit Windows(R) 7, and each model ships with a total studio package with DAW (digital audio workstation), virtual instruments, mastering effects, and utilities to customize the exclusive ControlDAW(TM) MIDI control surface. Support for 2 additional monitors allows for total workspace customization.

“With remarkable audio processing capabilities like ‘drag and drop mastering,’ the StudioBLADE is one of the most powerful keyboard instruments ever built,” said company CEO, Victor Wong. “At just 28 pounds and 36-inches in length, the 61-key version of the StudioBLADE is a truly portable all-in-one ‘grab and go’ solution for the gigging musician, or a home studio user with limited space.”

A powerful combination of hands-on control begins with the tilt and telescoping 10.1-inch touch panel (more than twice the size of most workstation screens), the high-quality 61-key synth action, or 88-key weighted piano action keyboard; and formidable ControlDAW interactive knobs, buttons, and sliders, managed by GeoMIDI(TM) mapping software.

The large 64-button grid control surface, in addition to knobs and sliders, is a powerful tool for musicians using grid-style programs like Ableton Live, or classic drum pad boxes like the Akai(R) MPC. Music Computing’s TriggerGrid(TM) sample trigger player for drum pads turns the grid surface into a massive 64-pad virtual percussion instrument.

Each StudioBLADE also includes Studio One Pro from Presonus, a highly respected DAW solution complete with virtual instruments and mastering FX, plus 10GB of sounds. Music Computing’s included SonicSource(TM) VSTi soft-synth contains thousands of sound presets providing a giant (8GB) starting point for both analog and digital textures.

Pricing starts at $2599 (US/SRP) for the 61-key Intel Core2 base configuration with 24/48 audio, 2 combo XLR and 1/4-inch mic inputs with phantom power, 2 balanced outs, and headphone jack. Optional upgrades include 24/96 audio and 8 inputs, more RAM, and internal hard drives, to suit the user’s needs.

Complete StudioBLADE information and images: http://www.musiccomputing.com/studioblade .

About the Music Computing iKeyDOCK: The innovative and first-to-market iKeyDOCK(TM) keyboard workstations are OS platform neutral and suitable for any musician already comfortable with using a Windows(R) OS, and/or Apple Mac(R) notebook. The iKeyDOCK line handily bridges the gap between a system that can easily be transported to gigs, be used as a full-time docking station for any home or commercial studio, and any combination of these situations.

Similar to the StudioBLADE series, minus the touch screen and internal PC, the iKeyDOCK provides a dockable solution for any notebook; simply plug-in and start playing. Like the StudioBLADE, a full-size 61-key synth-action style, or 88-key piano-style high-quality keyboard, audio and MIDI I/O, ControlDAW(TM) MIDI control surface, and performance software are all part of the package.

For gigging musicians, finally cut the wires of having a MIDI keyboard, MIDI interface, external hard drives, and notebook as separate elements. With the iKeyDOCK, you simply place any notebook up to 17-inch screen size into the docking section and make connections for USB or FireWire and you immediately have a full workstation that looks good on stage, and fits on all standard keyboard stands. At just 24 lbs. the iKeyDOCK is a truly portable system.

There is simply no other solution on the market that does what the iKeyDOCK from Music Computing can do – and it’s affordably priced, starting at $1499 (US/SRP) with 24/48 audio, 2 combo XLR and 1/4-inch mic inputs with phantom power, 2 balanced outs, and headphone jack. Optional upgrades include 24/96 audio and 8 inputs. Optional internal 2.5-inch hard drives expand storage for notebooks to replace the need for external drives.

The iKeyDOCK may also be used with a desktop PC/Mac via 2xUSB or 1xUSB plus 1x FireWire, for maximum flexibility.

Complete iKeyDOCK information and images: http://www.musiccomputing.com/ikeydock .

About Music Computing, Inc.: A fully U.S. based company with local just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing capability, Music Computing designs, develops, and supports its products in-house. Products can typically ship within 7 days of an order being placed.

Victor Wong, with more than 20 years of industry expertise, brings his computer music and electronics design and development prowess to Music Computing, Inc. His mission for the company is to invent new technologies and to integrate them with proven standards leading to the best possible instruments for musicians, educators, and studios.