Cabo Deals

Friday, June 4, 2010 by Leah Laskarris
I stumbled across a great deal in Cabo.  Los Cabos Guide is the most comprehensive directory available with detailed listings of hotels, resorts, restaurants and stores it's indispensable. Outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, horseback riding, water sports, ATV riding, SCUBA diving, snorkeling and beaches are regularly covered in editorial features. The program works like this: agencies that advertise in the publication do not pay them with money. Instead they pay by giving the publisher coupons (vouchers if you will) for their service, be it a restaurant, fishing company, whatever.  The publisher uses local advertising and then sells the coupons to people like us at a significant discount, 35-50%.

A couple we met recently bought (for an upcoming trip) $955 worth of restaurant and cruise dollars for $605.  A pretty significant savings! Here is the nice part... if you don't use them you simply return them and get your money back.  They have no expiration date so you can save extras if you want for your next trip.  Also, when you are down in Cabo, if you want more you simply go or call their office in Cabo or call the one in San Diego and they will have the coupons delivered to your hotel.

The coupons work like cash, but have no cash value, i.e. you cannot get cash back when paying your bill so always be sure your bill is the amount of coupons you have.  You cannot use them for tips either.  You simply order by saying, "I would like $100 at the La Golondrina restaurant."  If they have that available then you get it for $65.00.  If for example they only had $50 available then you would get that for $32.50.  Some restaurants and activities are 50% off.  I want to go to this Greek restaurant in San Jose which had a deal for 50% off.  So I will go there and imbibe $100 worth of food and drink for $50.  Not bad.... 

This new franchise marketing company utilizes co-op advertising, local advertising and local internet marketing which turns out to be a good deal for all involved.  They are adding new participants to their list as the popularity grows.  There are restaurants, activities, golf, a few hotels, car rental company, and some shopping stores.

So, the next time you are headed to Cabo, be sure to visit the site http://www.loscabosguide.com/discount.htm.


Adios Cabo!

Friday, May 7, 2010 by Leah Laskarris
Stretching along the tip of the Baja Peninsula are the sparkling waters and resorts of Cabo San Lucas. In the last fifteen years Cabo has evolved from a sleepy hideaway for recluse fisherman and yacht owners into one of Mexico's most popular destinations. Visitors are drawn into miles of sandy beaches, the Mexican culture, golf, nightlife, and warm temperatures.  So why, in the recent years, has Cabo grown so fast to become one of the top destinations in Mexico? Cost, travel time, culture, and experience are all reasons people are choosing Cabo over other Mexico destinations. Having traveled all over Mexico, I can't clearly define why I keep choosing Cabo over Cozumel, Xtapa, or Puerto Vallarta. There's something about its unique charm coupled with the warm hospitality of the Mexican people that becomes addicting causing me to return 1-2 times per year.

The local market as well as national advertisers have been quick to take advantage of this influential audience and demographic in this unique setting. An ideal product launch marketing environment, tourists are exposed to new water, recreational and personal products. In addition to tapping the temporary international tourist market, Cabo utilizes local marketing strategy, local advertising, local marketing ideas, and local internet marketing to draw in tourists from all over Mexico, it's not just Americans and Europeans who travel to this exotic place. I've met tourists from Canada, sail-boat racers from New Zealand, and chefs from England. 

Every trip I make to Cabo holds a new exciting adventure ranging from snorkeling and fishing, to meeting locals and people from all over the world. With each journey home brings sadness but unforgettable memories. 

Docs and Technology

Friday, April 23, 2010 by Leah Laskarris

For the past four months I've had the opportunity to work with oral surgeons, prosthodontist, and periodontist. These doctors are some of the most intelligent, educated, and involved people I've met. New gadgets, devises, and software programs come out every month which can make it very hard for anybody to catch up, keep up, and put up with fast-moving computer-based technology. Everyday I'm faced with the challenge of working with these very smart doctors but lacking on the basics of their computers and the internet. Now I want to clarify that not all doctors have this disadvantage but I strongly recommend that if this is you, then please save us all the time and grief and go out and take a class on the internet and day-to-day usage of a computer. Basic operational skills can make all of our lives easier because more than anything, their lack of technology causes them to become very frustrated and impatient. Sign up for an online class, through a university, or most public libraries offer free, one- to two-hour, hands-on classes in basic computer and Internet skills that are geared for adults. No need to be ashamed or embarrassed but as you get older you should never stop learning and this can be admirable by others. 

Keeping yourself up-to-date is crucial to utilizing our Ad Builder Software, local internet marketing, local marketing software, online meetings, internet searches, and email usage. 

Starting a New Job

Friday, April 9, 2010 by Leah Laskarris
Starting a new job is rated one of the top most stressful life changing events in a person's life. It's rated in the top 5 along with getting divorced, married and having a kid!  I will admit when making the change I was very scared of the unknown and leaving my safety net. Walking into this strange office with a deer in headlights look wondering what will my first day be like - Will I love the work? Who do I sit with at the lunch table? And who's the weird girl always singing??

Of course with every new job there's a change in terminology and coming out of the food broker industry, I couldn't understand but a few words in the daily conversations around the office. Everybody's been there before - just give the head nod and say "hhhmm interesting."  There's no way I could have told you what CRM Marketing Automation, product launch marketing, or channel marketing software meant! On top of learning a new world of advertising, all of my accounts are doctors! Double whammy! I have learned more in the past few months about dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontist versus periodontist than I ever could have imagined. 

Luckily Balihoo is an amazing place to work! Most people in the world don't get to say that they really enjoy work; more often than not you hear how much they dread waking up every morning and driving to their dull, unfulfilling, unappreciated, suck-the-life-out-of-you cube jobs. The people and culture set Balihoo apart from those jobs. Fortunately my program manager is amazing and a very patient teacher! I'm very thankful for this new opportunity and for the people who welcomed me with open arms!

Teaser Trailer for Twihards

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Leah Laskarris

The Twilight saga continues! It's true fellow Twihard admirers; the new teaser trailer of the third book, "Eclipse" was released to the public yesterday.  The vampire series continues to captivate and totally annoy the nation. The one-minute-and-thirty-second clip that arrived online dabbles into the not too surprising events about what we'll see in the upcoming movie.

Watch the trailer below and let's break it down, shall we? When the music begins instant goose-bumps occur and Edward’s hypnotizing voice mesmerizes all enthusiasts. We all know that Bella and Edward love each other but for all you Jacob fans we believe that Bella should choose the irresistible Jacob (sorry Team Edward I’m loyal to Team Jacob). “The Vulturi do not give second chances” and Bella has to change from a human to a vampire but Edward is hesitant with the consequences to follow. Jacob will fight for Bella (shirtless) until “her heart stops beating” showing off his hunky, muscular figure. A new Victoria, with her firey red hair, is back to obtain her vengeance.  Rest assured I will be standing in line alongside the die-hard fans to purchase my ticket for the midnight opening showing.

After reading the very popular Stephenie Meyer books, people of all ages (yes not just girl teeny boppers) eagerly search for the new trailer and click on whatever sight pops up first. Local businesses are utilizing the effective and affordable local internet marketing by posting these clips to generate demand to their sites. Local store marketing is taking advantage of the hype utilizing POS materials to drive sales of the last video which will release the 20th, even Volvo saw significant lift in their sales when the movie was released!  By using co-op advertising and local marketing ideas, stores are placing Twilight posters, wall hangers, and selling fan gear to effectively drive brand awareness. This movie has spent significant marketing dollars developing and nurturing their name which has proven successful. Twilight set the opening-day box office record taking in $72.7 million on the first day and grossed $258.8 million! New Moon pulled in $26.3 million just on the midnight showings and broke the record for the most pre-sales for any movie! Let's see what Eclipse has in store for us.