On the way to Oprah: Go local to publicize a new product

September 29, 7:35 AMPublicity ExaminerCarrol Van Stone

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No driver likes getting a traffic ticket. No driver likes getting caught in a speed trap. PhantomAlert solves both problems. It is a breakthrough product, no seen since early radar detectors, which is a GPS based speed trap and red light camera alert system. PhantomAlert is a GPS unit that alerts drivers when they are approaching red light cameras, speed cameras or old school police manned speed traps. Portable and easy to operate, the GPS receiver is loaded with over 23,500 locations. When plugged into the car lighter, it alerts motorists to slow down to avoid having their picture taken by a camera and getting a $300 to $600 ticket in the mail a week later. Drivers who already own a GPS unit like a Garmin or TomTom can download the PhantomAlert database onto their own GPS system. So, whether used as a stand-alone alert system or as a supplement to an existing GPS, PhantomAlert is a terrific product, safe, legal and very affordable but like all terrific products -- nobody can buy it if they don't know that it is there.

Without an advertising budget, PhantomAlert executives will be counting on grassroots marketing and word of mouth. Once they can demonstrate early sales activity they can then attract investors, partners, and retailers who will carry the product on their store shelves. Every company would like to have Oprah’s endorsement and her syndicated audience to begin their product launch but since only a few get that shot the alternative is to strike hard and heavy across the nation in the local markets. This is how PhantomAlert utilized local media for publicity to build awareness and sales.

Local TV. The local news @ 5am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 5pm, 6pm, 10pm, and 11pm are all opportunities to promote your product. Local news programs in the morning, early eve, and late night all have different reporters, producers, and segments. One show might feature your product as a consumer-oriented segment while others might cover it as an investigative piece. Most importantly, if affiliates share video footage so something taped in an east coast city could be included as a feature segment on the west coast and everywhere inbetween!