Network Affiliates

Saying the same old thing every day is turning off viewers.

noreply@blogger.com (Kibeth) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:58:00 +0000

The public is a lot smarter than you may give them credit for. Saying the same old thing every day is turning off viewers.

It's time that law firms changed the message they send to prospective clients. South Carolina-based McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates recently initiated such a change through a Network Affiliates-produced commercial spot called "Hope for the Future."

It's a clear, succinct personal injury advertisement that speaks to the public through a public story. Rather than focusing exclusive attention on the firm, we changed the tone to focus on the financial devastation that people often deal with after a personal injury loss. When families are wondering about how to recover work loss, their livelihood - even how to put food on the table - McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates is positioned as a critical solution.

While the firm continues to help people recover compensation and quality of life, McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates is uncovering more qualified cases than ever through this highly targeted, response-driven marketing campaign.

To view additional examples of how we're helping law firms tap the right clients with smarter messages, visit www.netaff.com/legal (click on Showcase).

Network Affiliates pioneered the model of legal advertising 26 years ago. Today, we're at the forefront of creating customized yet cost-efficient marketing campaigns. Our full-service agency offers a range of services - from custom TV commercials to comprehensive media planning, plus specialties in mass tort and Latino-specific marketing.

Is your marketing strategy sending the same old message? Find out now. Please contact me at 1-800-525-3332 and I'll be happy to provide a complimentary, confidential evaluation of your current marketing approach. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,

Harlan Schillinger
Vice President
Legal Marketing Division

Meassaging is Changing: Personal Injury Lawyers that Advertise better pay attention:

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Messaging is changing. Simply look at where the public is in terms of our political
environment. "Change" is the most used word in the 2008 election. To cut through the clutter of law firms all shouting the same message, you have to be willing to change. LA-based injury lawyers Jacoby & Meyers realized that and called Network Affiliates to help them make a fresh start in an over-played, over-crowded marketplace.

The firm's new message is simple yet compelling: We're on your side. Rather than touting three decades of experience as "America's Most Familiar Law Firm", we changed Jacoby & Meyers advertising to appeal to real people grappling with hardship and not knowing where to turn.

Through the voice of Sue, a 42-year-old whose husband was injured in a serious accident, Jacoby & Meyers tells a genuine story about the reality of medical bills piling up and the need to get families what's fair. A critical support message completes this commercial narrative: We deal with insurance companies every day to get families the compensation they deserve.

Today, Jacoby & Meyers' campaign is translating to a higher caseload with better quality clients. To view additional examples of how Network Affiliates is changing the way law firms deliver targeted marketing campaigns, visit www.netaff.com/legal (click on Showcase).

For 26 years, Network Affiliates has been at the forefront of creating customized yet cost-efficient marketing and advertising for the legal sector. Our full-service agency with vast in-house capabilities offers a full range of services-from a la carte custom TV commercials to comprehensive media planning. We also provide niche specialties in mass tort and Latino-specific marketing.

Maybe it's time to change your firm's messaging strategy. For a complimentary, confidential evaluation of your current marketing approach, please contact me at 1-800-525-3332. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Harlan Schillinger
Vice President/Director of Legal Marketing

Great advise from my friend Cole Silver on Client service for Personal Injury Law Firms.

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:43:00 +0000

Dear Harlan,

I've been in-house counsel to several companies and I've hired lawyers from all over the world and paid out millions of dollars in fees, and I would have to say that only a handful really get client service. At the conclusion of a matter, whether it is transactional or litigation, very few ever ask for feedback. They rarely ask whether I was satisfied with their work, attentiveness, billing, or how things could be improved. They're just not following through because either they don't know what to do, don't care, or they don't want to hear any negative feedback. The inherent problem with this lack of follow-up is that you will not improve on your service levels nor will you fully understand why a client leaves you. Studies show that dissatisfied clients tell an average of 10-20 people and up to 93% of dissatisfied clients will not return to you and won't tell you why! The statistics also indicate that many corporate clients are dissatisfied with their law firms; as only 2 4% would recommend their primary law firms. This client dissatisfaction is not due to a lack of legal expertise; it's primarily due to poor client service or perceived indifference. Don't let this happen to you...ask for critical feedback and then address those issues. Ask: "What can I do better?" "How can I better serve you?"

Ask for critical feedback and you'll have a client for life!

Stay well

Cole
The Silver Group Ltd.

8 Dorchester Lane, Suite A
Moorestown, NJ
08057
US

Tim Russert

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:31:00 +0000

Dear Harlan,

For some strange reason I was shocked about the passing of Tim Russert. I'm not really sure why since I never met him nor did I watch his show that much. Maybe it was the fact that he's just a few years older than me, or that he died suddenly, or
that his doctor said he had just passed a stress test in April, which I also did. Or maybe, just maybe, I should eating better and exercising more.

No, I think it was more than that. It brought home my own mortality and that when's its over, it can come suddenly without warning and without time to say good-bye.
What does this have to do with practicing law and marketing? To mean it has to do with getting hung up in the grind and forgetting to forgive others and myself. To be a bit less judgmental, not nearly as ready to "make someone wrong," not nearly as impatient, not nearly as peeved or frustrated...all things that sometimes occur practicing law and being involved in a stressful career.

But equally as important, it brought home to me that life is short and why not experience more fun and enjoyment...even in my career? So, I don't know about you but I'm going to start to bring into my career more activities that contribute to my sense of joy and happiness... spending more time doing things and being with people I care about deeply.

So, thank you Tim.

Stay well and be happy,

Cole
The Silver Group Ltd.

So What Makes You So Special?????

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Doing what the other guys are doing doesn't make you special. It just makes you look and sound like the
other guys. And that just doesn't cut it in today's crowded market. You need to make yourself stand out.

We are Network Affiliates: legal marketing experts. We've spent the last 27 years
uniquely positioning
our clients in a me-too market. We have increased the number and quality of their caseloads with our
marketing and advertising .
We can help you position your practice and stand out from the crowd.
Call me. What do you have to loose.
Harlan Schillinger
800-525-3332......

Discretinary Spending Taking a Big Hit!

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Discretionary Spending Taking a Hit (Source: BIGresearch, 05/01/08)

Thunderstorms remain on the radar for the U.S. economy and consumers continue to feel the pinch.

According to the latest American Pulse Survey of 4,055 respondents, 61.7 percent are dining out less, 57.3 percent are driving less, 47.4 percent are attending fewer movies, 46.1 percent are forgoing department stores for discount retailers and 45.3 percent are cutting back on their vacation budget to cope with the current economic environment.

What is impacting consumer budgets the most (percent of those saying "very much")?

-- 67.9 percent say gas prices
-- 47.2 percent say groceries
-- 46.8 percent say home heating and cooling costs
-- 36.1 percent say taxes

One way consumers appear to be coping with pressures on the family budget is by learning a new shopping skill -- haggling for price. According to the survey, half of Americans (50.3 percent) report having negotiated for better prices on products other than a home or vehicle in light of the current economic situation.

Americans say they haggle the most for better costs on tires/batteries/auto repair (38.6 percent), followed by appliances (37.3 percent) and electronics (37.2 percent).

Hispanic Population At 15% per US Census.....

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:00:00 +0000

U.S. Hispanic Population Surpasses 45 Million
Now 15 Percent of Total

The nation’s Hispanic population increased 1.4 million to reach 45.5 million on July 1, 2007, or 15.1 percent of the estimated total U.S. population of 301.6 million.

National and state estimates by race, Hispanic origin, sex and age released today by the U.S. Census Bureau also show that the Hispanic population exceeded 500,000 in 16 states.

Hispanics remained the largest minority group, with blacks (single race or multiracial) second at 40.7 million in 2007. The black population exceeded 500,000 in 20 states. Blacks were the largest minority group in 24 states, compared with 20 states in which Hispanics were the largest minority group

Blacks were followed by Asians, who totaled 15.2 million; American Indians and Alaska Natives, who totaled 4.5 million; and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, with 1 million. The population of whites (single race and not of Hispanic origin) totaled 199.1 million (See Table 1 [Excel]).

With a 3.3 percent increase between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, Hispanics were the fastest-growing minority group. Asians were the second fastest-growing minority group, with a 2.9 percent population increase during the period. The white population grew by 0.3 percent during the one-year period.

Overall, the nation’s minority population reached 102.5 million in 2007 — 34 percent of the total. California had a minority population of 20.9 million — 20 percent of the nation’s total, Texas had a minority population of 12.5 million — 12 percent of the U.S. total.

Four states and the District of Columbia were “majority-minority” (i.e., more than 50 percent of their population is made up of people other than single-race non-Hispanic whites). Hawaii led the nation with a population that was 75 percent minority in 2007, followed by the District of Columbia (68 percent), New Mexico (58 percent), California (57 percent) and Texas (52 percent). Next in line, though not majority-minority, were Nevada, Maryland and Georgia, each with a minority population of 42 percent (See Table 2 [Excel]).

Highlights for the various groups:

Hispanics

* California (13.2 million) had the largest Hispanic population of any state as of July 1, 2007, followed by Texas (8.6 million) and Florida (3.8 million). Texas had the largest numerical increase between 2006 and 2007 (308,000), followed by California (268,000) and Florida (131,000). In New Mexico, Hispanics comprised the highest proportion of the total population (44 percent), with California and Texas (36 percent each) next in line.
* The Hispanic population in 2007 had a median age of 27.6, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6. Almost 34 percent of the Hispanic population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

Blacks

* The black population increased by 1.3 percent, or 540,000, between 2006 and 2007.
* New York had the largest black population in 2007 (3.5 million), followed by Florida and Texas (3 million each). Georgia had the largest numerical increase between 2006 and 2007 (84,000), with Texas (62,000) and Florida (48,000) next. In the District of Columbia, the black population comprised the highest percentage (56 percent); Mississippi (38 percent) and Louisiana (32 percent) were next.
* The single-race black population in 2007 had a median age of 31.1, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6. About 31 percent of the black population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

Asians

* The Asian population rose by 2.9 percent, or 434,000, between 2006 and 2007.
* California (5 million) had the largest Asian population on July 1, 2007, as well as the largest numerical increase during the 2006 to 2007 period (106,000). New York (1.4 million) and Texas (915,000) followed in population. Texas (44,000) and New York (33,000) followed in numerical increase. In Hawaii, Asians made up the highest proportion of the total population (55 percent), with California (14 percent), and New Jersey and Washington (8 percent each) next.
* The single-race Asian population in 2007 had a median age of 35.4, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6.
* Asians were the largest minority group in Hawaii and Vermont.

American Indians and Alaska Natives

* The American Indian and Alaska Native population rose by 1 percent or 45,000, from 2006 to 2007.
* California (689,000) had the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives on July 1, 2007, with Oklahoma (394,000) and Arizona (335,000) next. Texas had the largest numerical increase (8,300) since July 1, 2006, followed by Arizona (4,900) and Florida (2,800). In Alaska, American Indians and Alaska Natives made up the highest proportion of the total population (18 percent), with Oklahoma (11 percent) and New Mexico (10 percent) next.
* The single-race American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2007 had a median age of 30.3, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6. About 27 percent of the American Indian and Alaska Native population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.
* American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest minority group in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders

* The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population rose by 1.6 percent, or 16,000, from 2006 to 2007.
* Hawaii had the largest population (269,000), followed by California (262,000) and Washington (50,000). California had the largest numerical increase (2,900) of people of this group, with Texas (2,500) and Florida (1,100) next. In Hawaii, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders comprised the largest proportion (21 percent) of the total population, followed by Utah (1 percent) and Alaska (0.9 percent).
* The single-race Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population in 2007 had a median age of 30.2, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6. About 29 percent of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

Whites

* The non-Hispanic, single-race white population of 199.1 million represented 66 percent of the total population.
* California, New York and Texas had the largest population of this group (15.6 million, 11.6 million and 11.4 million, respectively), but Texas experienced the largest numerical increase (95,000), followed by North Carolina (92,000) and Georgia (57,000). Maine (96 percent) had the highest proportion of whites, followed by Vermont (95 percent) and West Virginia (94 percent).
* The white population in 2007 was older than the population as a whole: The respective median ages were 40.8 and 36.6. About 21 percent of the population of this group was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

Also released today were tabulations by age:

* Thirteen percent of the total population, 37.9 million people, was 65 and older in 2007.
* The number of people 85 and older reached 5.5 million, or 2 percent of the population.
* In 2007, working-age adults (18 to 64) totaled 189.8 million, which was 63 percent of the population.
* The number of preschoolers (younger than 5) was estimated at 20.7 million.
* The number of children 5 to 13 was 36 million, with children 14 to 17 numbering 17.2 million.
* States with the highest percentages of older people (65 and older) included Florida (17 percent), West Virginia (15.5 percent) and Pennsylvania (15.2 percent). States with the lowest percentages were Alaska (7 percent), Utah (8.8 percent) and Georgia (9.9 percent).
* States with the highest percentages of preschoolers included Utah (9.7 percent), Texas (8.3 percent) and Idaho (7.9 percent). States with the lowest percentages were Vermont (5.2 percent), Maine (5.4 percent) and New Hampshire (5.7 percent).

The American Trial Lawyers Associations New Magazine...

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:19:00 +0000

The American Trial Lawyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the recent Mass Torts Made Perfect seminar In Las Vegas, Mike Papantonio and Keith Givens talked about The American Trial Lawyers Association and the upcoming publication, The American Trial Lawyer.

The American Trial Lawyer is the official magazine of The American Trial Lawyers Association and is poised to be one of the most talked about legal periodicals. With a contemporary approach to examining the current legal trends affecting Civil and Criminal Defense trial lawyers, The American Trial Lawyer will feature passionate and frank discussion of our nation's prevailing political and social climate and the consequential influences on our justice system.

Monthly, The American Trial Lawyer will also look at business and technological trends, significant cases and litigation, interesting personalities, as well as some humor to balance serious issues facing the trial bar today.

If you are interested in contributing to The American Trial Lawyer, contact Libby Planz, Director of Marketing and Media Relations at lplanz@us-legal.com.

Accutane Verdict:

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:27:00 +0000

Third Straight Plaintiff's Verdict, and Largest to Date, in Accutane Litigation
On Tuesday, a jury in Atlantic City, NJ, ordered the pharmaceutical manufacturer Roche to pay plaintiff Kamie Kendall $10,578,500.00, for injuries caused by its drug Accutane. Ms Kendall developed ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), after taking Accutane. The jury found that Roche failed to warn Ms. Kendall and her physician about the risk of IBD associated with its drug. The $10.5 million compensatory award is the largest in any Accutane case to date. Judge Carol Higbee denied Plaintiff's motion to present the issue of punitive damages to the jury, ruling that the evidence supporting the claim post-dated Ms. Kendall's diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. However, the specter of punitive damages looms in many of the cases still pending in Atlantic City, NJ. Ms. Kendall, a resident of Utah, brought suit against Roche in its home state of New Jersey. Ms. Kendall was represented by attorneys Mike Hook and Steve Bolton of the Hook & Bolton firm, Pete Kaufman of the Levin, Papantonio firm, Dave Buchanan of the Seeger Weiss firm and Mary Jane Bass and Jack Lurton of the Beggs & Lane firm.

Blog post from My friend Ari Kresch: Worth Reading........

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Marketing to Hispanics

Harlan,

For those of us fortunate enough to have marketed legal services when it first became permissible, we understand the yearning for the "good old days". Those days were filled with opportunities like a growing market and little competition. Though those days are gone, there are segments within our market that are still growing and have little competition. It's a no-brainer, the Hispanic market. You have featured statistics about how it that market is growing at 4 times that of the general market. Yet, most marketing lawyers are still oblivious to the spectacular opportunities within that market and will likely miss their window of opportunity to dominate.

How does one promote their practice to Hispanics? Firstly, unless you ask for the business you won't get it. Asking means advertising and letting them know that you want to serve them. You need to let them know that you speak their language, that they have rights that you will fight for. Most importantly, they need to know how to reach you. That is where an easy to remember Spanish vanity number, 1-800-DERECHOS comes in.

Business in America has learned the importance of branding. Companies such as 1-800-CONTACTS, 1-800-FLOWERS, 1-800-MATTRESS, 1-800-DENTIST, and 1-800-PETMEDS, all have become the leaders in their industries, and have flourished because they have branded themselves with an easy to remember telephone number that screams what they do. Now, a law firm can scream this message in a way that it will NEVER be forgotten.

Though I have worked with some of your clients in the Spanish vanity number arena, I am still shocked at how slowly law firms are moving toward marketing to Hispanics and utilizing a vanity number.

1-800-DERECHOS is not a new concept. It is a new application of a concept that has proven effective for marketing many industries directly to the consumer. When an Hispanic tells glory stories about his 1-800-DERECHOS lawyer he never has to pull out a business card to relate the phone number. There is never confusion about how to reach their lawyer. They simply dial 1-800-DERECHOS.

My firm owns 1-800-DERECHOS and is happy to work with you or any of your clients in helping them brand their practice utilizing 1-800-DERECHOS. I will provide the number without charge to any of your clients for 3 months. I will guarantee improved results or they can cancel and owe nothing. If they decide that the program is one that they want to stick with, I will lease them the number indefinately for a monthly fee.

For more information please see our you tube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uoIZ7J6Rv0 or speak with Harlan Schillinger at Network Affilliates.

Do you really know what your competitors are doing?????

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:38:00 +0000

When was the last time you sat down and reviewed all of your creative messaging?

Maybe you're not really talking to all the right audiences. Perhaps there's a better way to deliver your message. After all, your firm's reputation and caseload may depend on it.

Network Affiliates recently helped Philadelphia-based accident lawyers Stark & Stark gain a fresh perspective on how they appeal to accident victims needing representation. Using a strategic TV commercial campaign, we crafted a humanized message for Stark & Stark that speaks through the voice of an actual victim. "Darryl's" personal story about his 13-year-old's permanent, life-altering injury and the compensation his family received as a result is just the type of real, heart-felt narratives that bring new and qualified cases in the door.

Another Network Affiliates-created Stark & Stark commercial touts - not shouts - the firm's 70 years of experience, expertise, and specialized tools and technology. For this piece, we used a few plain facts and welcoming faces to express a universal message in a direct and approachable way. As a result of the multi-faceted campaign, Stark & Stark continues to increase its caseload and quality - not to mention its passion for personal injury work.

To view additional examples of how we're helping law firms reach qualified clients through simple, savvy marketing approaches, visit www.netaff.com/legal (click on Showcase).

With 26 years of legal advertising experience, Network Affiliates has been at the forefront of creating customized yet cost-efficient marketing campaigns. Our full-service agency has the capability to provide a single custom TV commercial or comprehensive media planning. We also offer specialties in mass tort and Latino-specific marketing.

See what we have to say about your overall messaging strategy. Please contact me at 1-800-525-3332 and I'll be happy to provide a complimentary, confidential evaluation of your current marketing approach. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Harlan M. Schillinger
Vice President/Director of Marketing

Your creative message????????

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:42:00 +0000

When was the last time you really looked at your creative message?

A decade ago?

You might see that your firm's caseload - and quality - is suffering because for too many years you've simply said the same thing in the same way. Maybe it's time for a change in how you relate a story - to an accident victim, for example.

The specialized team at Network Affiliates can help you uncover what really resonates about your firm's creative message. In fact, we recently reinvented the way Utah-based Siegfried & Jensen reaches personal injury victims by focusing a TV commercial on the human elements that really matter to people - family, fairness and quality of life. Not just the money. The results have been significant!

As Network Affiliates has proven, creatively positioned law firms can reach new and better audiences with an original twist on the stale money-for-victims legal advertisement. By humanizing the idea of compensation for others' carelessness, for example, we can elevate your message to one that will not only stand out, but will pull in highly targeted prospects. (View an example at www.netaff.com/legal and click on Showcase.)

With 26 years of legal advertising experience, Network Affiliates understands the subtleties of marketing law firms and is versed in finding creative advertising pathways that are both customized and cost-efficient.

Our full-service agency offers everything from targeted custom TV production to comprehensive media planning, plus niche specialties in mass tort and Latino-specific marketing.

A fresh perspective is just a call away. Please contact me at 1-800-525-3332 and I'll be happy to provide a complimentary evaluation of your current marketing approach. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Harlan M. Schillinger
Vice President/Director of Legal Marketing

Cole Silver's Legal Marketing secrets: He is a Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:07:00 +0000

In today's very difficult times, there are few who truly understand the secrets of Marketing Your Practice.

I've just added Cole Silver's Legal Marketing Secrets to my list of Links. Once you understand that he has been both lawyer and client, you'll see that the wisdom on his blog is borne of broad experience. Cole also has launched a unique audio program designed to help lawyers make more money, get more clients and enjoy their practice more. He has interviewed hundreds of world renowned experts who share their insights.

The program contains thousands of ideas and insights. I am honored to have been included in audio series along with a great number of extraordinary people whom I greatly admire--Gerry Riskin, Harry Beckwith, Larry Bodine, Jim Hassett, Bruce Marcus, Dan Hull, Ed Poll, Kevin O'Keefe, Monica Goebel and so many more. You really need to check it out at www.FindCareerCuccess.com.

Harlan Schillinger
Network Affiliates

Hispanic Marketing 101

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:40:00 +0000

The Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown at a rate much faster than any other ethnic group and now sits at 44 million. Hispanics are a fast-growing, diverse ethnicity in the United States. With growth surging nearly 58% from 1990 to 2000 (more than four times the growth rate of the U.S. population) and almost another 13% from 2000 to 2003, Hispanics now comprise 14.7% of the total population. More significantly, the community is expected to keep growing at a strong and steady pace. By 2010 it is estimated that there will be 56 million Hispanics; by 2050, 30% of the entire U.S. population will be Hispanic. This is demographic growth that would be foolish to ignore!

The simple basics of marketing teach us that business growth is directly related to increased market share. In today's competitive legal arena, that isn't easy to do. Each year more firms enter the advertising arena and strive to take away your share of market to grow theirs! Businesses look to accomplish growth by either introducing a new product or by introducing their product to a new market.

The emerging Hispanic market represents potential for significant growth in your practice. Members of the Hispanic community are among the most loyal and strongly convicted referral based demographic groups in this country. Assuming you provide them a good service, extend to them a warm welcome, embrace their families and respect their cultural differences, you can reap the benefits of a client (which translates to community) for life. They will tell everyone they know in their close-knit, strongly connected community about you and your services if you treat them well and connect with them.

There are many sub-markets within the comprehensive Hispanic market out there and a "one size fits all" approach will probably fail. In today's competitive market, it is not good enough just to say: "we are going to target the Hispanic market". A more analytical approach is needed.

Whether it's television or radio, grass root events or interview style talk shows, crafting the messages to appeal to the specific heterogeneous, multicultural-multiethnic Hispanic communities within your market is of paramount importance. A Mexican doesn't dance Tango and an Argentinean doesn't sing Rancheras. An effective Hispanic marketing strategy is so much more than translation. It's interpreting and transcreating messages and concepts and branding elements that are relevant and impactful and meaningful to the specific Hispanic audience you want to target.

In addition, don't just rely on an ad campaign. You will have to make a commitment to implement specific Hispanic marketing strategies to help your practice establish the internal infrastructure to address the needs of your new Hispanic clientele.

The Hispanic community, if targeted appropriately through carefully considered marketing messages and cultural competency, is one that can provide your practice with significant growth potential.

Interesting Story: Website vs Yellow Pages Experience.

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:56:00 +0000

Since we are always talking about internet and yellow pages, I thought I would share a personal story. I thought this was interesting seeing this through the eyes of a consumer. I need to get my dishwasher repaired in my home, so I first went to Google and searched "repair dishwasher Sellersburg Indiana". I looked through the listings on the first two pages and the PPC listings and did not find anyone for appliance repair in my geographic area. I even clicked on a referral service listing by entering my zip code but they did not have anyone for my area.

So, I went to the yellow pages under appliance repair. I didn't want to waste a lot of time shopping, so I went to the first and largest ad, which was a 1/4 page and called them. It is fascinating to me that even though I know all their advertising tricks I still went right to them. For example, they are listed as "AABLE Appliance Service" to be at the front of the listing. They had different telephone numbers for each city listed and my city was listed in their ad. Although, I know they are all RCF numbers that ring to the same location I still called the number for my town. They were polite on the phone and scheduled an appointment for Monday afternoon. They obviously track their calls because he asked me where I found their name, I said the yellow pages, then he asked me if I had the book, which I was looking at the ad when I called, and asked me what page I was looking at and asked me which phone number I called.

This company got my business from the yellow pages, but if they had a web site with good Google placement they would have gotten me there first.

Karl Truman
Karl Truman Law Office, LLC
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by NBTA
offices in Jeffersonville, IN and Louisville, KY
karltruman@trumanlaw.com
www.trumanlaw.com

Value of Your Cases

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:45:00 +0000

If I were to ask you where the best cases come from in your law firm, what would you say?

Most lawyers would say the best cases come from referrals. They come from satisfied, happy, current and past clients.

So, if you honestly agree that your best cases come from referrals, what steps are you currently taking to increase your referrals?

Most lawyers say, "Not enough."

I just spent two days with lawyers from about 30 law firms. This meeting was open only to Network Affiliates clients. Most of our clients agree that our networking meetings are among the best services we offer to our clients. The firms openly share their ideas as well as their successes and challenges with each other. We covered a wide range of topics including how to increase client referrals. There were a number of good ideas from several successful law firms.

Call me and I will tell you exactly what to do. No strings attached. No cost to you other than your time.

Harlan Schillinger
303-232-2707

Tort Reform Fears are Materializing in Florida:

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Friends,

As we predicted in Florida, it seems many of our tort reform fears are materializing.

I've attached the Philadelphia Inquirer article, "Medical-Device Immunity, FDA to the Rescue?", dated February 27, 2008, as well as the transcript from the U.S. Supreme Court Argument yesterday.

The Supreme Court's path is incomprehensible... using their logic, one could argue that we need to prohibit all medical malpractice claims because juries are not intelligent enough to determine if the doctor committed malpractice and we should leave that decision to the state medical board. The medical board can stop the doctor by removing his license (just as the FDA can remove the drug from the market - even though it actually can't) and who cares about compensating the injured patient. Why not also grant immunity for car accidents since the police have jurisdiction over traffic rules. Clearly, the Supreme Court is agenda driven. Hold on tight... it's going to be an interesting ride.

Best regards,

Richard

RJA:jd

Enclosure

Tort%20Reform%20Article.pdf

--
Richard J. Arsenault

rarsenault@nbalawfirm.com
nbalawfirm.com
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REALITY and YOUR YELLOW PAGES:

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:11:00 +0000

We thought we would share a true story with you all this Monday morning, that we believe to be a now common occurrence in offices and homes across the country........

About two weeks ago our local phone company Qwest, delivered a large shipment of brand new 2008 telephone books to our offices at 940 Wadsworth Blvd. An email was sent out to four floors of employees (over 125 people - 6 different companies) to please come and pick up the new 2008 editions of the Yellow and White Pages. A final email was sent out last week stating that no one had picked up the new editions of the phone books and that they would be sent to recycling at the end of the week. We can count on one hand how many people picked up new phone books last week. Six huge stacks of phone books are now off to the recycling plant. As you evaluate the value of your Yellow Page Advertising, make sure you are doing so based upon actual response from those ads. Use different RCF (Remote Call Forwarding) numbers in every ad so you can see on every monthly report from the phone company exactly how many calls you are getting from that ad. Spend wisely in the Yellow Pages.

Happy Monday.

Tammy Kehe
Vice President
Network Affiliates

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Breaking News on TRASYLOL

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:26:00 +0000

BREAKING NEWS ON TRASYLOL

According to a report on 60 Minutes, the delay in taking Trasylol off the market after the publication of Dr. Dennis Mangano's groundbreaking study showing elevated risks of kidney damage (including dialysis), heart attack and stroke may have cost 22,000 lives. Dr. Mangano estimates that as many as 1,000 people per month died as a result of the use of Trayslol during Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery from the publication of his article in January, 2006 until the drug's withdrawal in November of 2007. You can view the entirety of the report by clicking the link.

On February 21, two studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Both studies confirm that Trasylol causes an increased risk of death and kidney damage compared to alternative medicines or no medicine at all. Trasylol is an antifibrinolytic agent used during cardiac surgery to reduce the risk of blood transfusions. However, for patients that require the use of such a medication, two alternatives exists - aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid - both of which are substantially less expensive than Trasylol. According to the two most recent articles and Dr. Mangano's study, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are equally effective in reducing the risk of needing blood transfusions due to blood loss and present none of the health risks associated with Trasylol.

According to the February 2008 article by Dr. Andrew Shaw, et al., "survival was worse among patients treated with [Trasylol], with a main-effects hazard ratio for death of 1.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.55) for the comparison with patients receiving no antibrinolytic therapy (P=0.003) and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.46) for the comparison with patients receiving aminocarpoic acid (P=0.004).

In addition to the Shaw article, an article by Dr. Schneeweiss, et al., is also being published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month. This is the study that was actually funded by Bayer and withheld from the FDA until after a pivotal Advisory Committee meeting on Trasylol. This study concludes that the risk of death is 64% higher with Trasylol compared to aminocaproic acid (relative risk, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.50 to 1.78).

Levin Papantonio is one of the leaders in the Trasylol litigation. We have filed multiple cases and are proceeding in both state and federal court. We are in the process of reviewing millions of pages of documents produced by Bayer in relation to this dangerous drug. Next month, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hear argument on the formation of an MDL. Levin Papantonio is supporting an MDL in the Northern District of Georgia or the Middle District of Florida. Bayer is proposing an MDL in the District of Connecticut. Other alternatives proposed are the Southern District of Florida and the Northern District of California.

We know you will be interested in pursuing clients who were injured by Trasylol. We believe, given Dr. Mangano's estimates of the number of lives that could have been saved, that a lot of people injured by this drug are currently unrepresented. Please call Levin Papantonio immediately for any assistance you may need in the pursuit of clients and the prosecution of these important cases.

When was the last time you really looked at your creative message?

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:10:00 +0000

When was the last time you sat down and reviewed all of your creative messaging?

When did you REALLY look at your television commercials, print brochures, Internet and Database marketing materials?

I think that if you take the time right now and pay particular attention to what you are saying to the public in 2008, you will find that you can do better and be more profitable.

Messaging is changing. Simply look at where the public is in terms of our political environment. "Change" is the most used word in the 2008 election so far.

The public is a lot smarter than you give them credit for. Saying the same old thing every day is turning off viewers.

So, honestly,when was the last time you sat down and looked at your entire market? What your competitors are saying? What you are saying?

Wishing you a great 2008. Let me know if you would like to chat about YOUR MESSAGING and YOUR OPTIONS.

Regards,
Harlan Schillinger.

Florida Supreme courts ducks advertising issues on Web Ads

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:56:00 +0000

The Florida Supreme Court yesterday issued an advertising rule opinion... our biggest concerns as we waited for this had involved Web site restrictions. The Court ducked them, for now, saying:

"Existing rule 4-7.6 (Computer-Accessed Communications) governs computer-accessed communications such as websites and electronic mail. The proposal would make several changes to the rule. However, the Court notes that the Board has appointed a special committee to review issues regarding websites and Internet communications. The special committee is charged with making recommendations to the Board if appropriate. Thus, it is not efficient or sound for the Court to address the regulation of Internet advertising at this time, while the special committee is studying these very issues. Accordingly, the Court does not adopt the proposal for rule 4-7.6. The Court will consider the regulation of Internet communications when the Bar files the report of the special committee."

So, we appear to remain where we were, with the recommendation of the state bar to the special committee last spring being that home pages be required to comply with all general Florida Bar advertising rules, except the filing requirements. On subpages, lawyers would be able to post all the verifiable information they want. I have reviewed the situation with Page1.

The entire opinion is posted on the Florida Supreme Court site. There was a lot of revision to language, but nothing in it, as best as I can see as a non-lawyer, affecting anything we do or have planned.

Everyone is a potential client for a law firm. Who are you advertising to?

noreply@blogger.com (Kibeth) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:09:00 +0000

Some of the best cases come from the strangest places. Peeking outside the legal advertising box may introduce your firm to a whole new realm of prospective clients.

As the pioneer of advertising for lawyers, Network Affiliates can show you how to do just that - look beyond the obvious. In a constantly changing environment, we're responsible for knowing what's new - and what's not. We believe good marketing taps industry trends and stays pace with technology.

At Network Affiliates, embracing change is balanced with relying on 25 years of experience, knowledge and resources in the legal marketing niche. Maybe that's why some 85 firms in 90 markets count on us to develop advertising strategies that solicit responses - especially the surprising ones.

As a full-service advertising agency, our offerings include comprehensive marketing programs as well as a la carte services in the following areas:

Ready to see who your next client could be? Call me at 1-800-525-3332 and I will provide a complimentary, confidential evaluation of your current marketing approach and introduce you to how we do things at Network Affiliates.

Sincerely,

Harlan Schillinger
Vice President/Director of Legal Marketing

Are you satisfied with the quality of your caseload? Maybe it's time to change your Ad Agency....

noreply@blogger.com (Kibeth) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:44:00 +0000

They say 30 percent of leads don't translate to cases. What's your firm's average? Sure, advertising is about making the phone ring. But clever advertising sends your firm the quality calls that become cases.

As the pioneer of advertising for lawyers, Network Affiliates brings 25 years of experience, knowledge and resources to making marketing work in the legal field. Today we develop advertising for 85 firms in 90 markets, providing clients targeted, response-driven campaigns.

Our full-service agency is made up of people who not only understand strategic advertising for lawyers but know the nifty-gritty nuances of marketing law firms. In addition to a staff that "gets" the legal industry, Network Affiliates' state-of-the-art, in-house resources help deliver tailored marketing campaigns in, well, some pretty nifty packages.

Whether your firm requires super-targeted TV ads or media planning and placement, Network Affiliates will help you send the right message to better leads, ultimately resulting in a higher quality caseload. Our offerings include comprehensive marketing programs as well as a la carte services in the following areas:

Want to better your average? Call me at 1-800-525-3332 and I will provide a complimentary, confidential evaluation of your current marketing approach and discuss how Network Affiliates can create a quality advertising campaign for your firm. I appreciate your time.

Sincerely,

Harlan Schillinger
Vice President/Director of Legal Marketing

Merck To Settle Vioxx Litigation for $4.85 Billion

noreply@blogger.com (Kibeth) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:46:00 +0000

The hot news this morning is that Merck has agreed to a Vioxx settlement. The total cost of the settlement for Merck is $4.85 Billion.

Although all the details of the deal are not yet known, the terms apparently require that at least 85% of the plaintiffs must agree to the deal or it won't happen.

The deal also establishes some kind of matrix by which each claim will be judged - although the specifics of the matrix have not yet been reported. Presumably the factors that will determine the value of each claim include the length of time that the victim had taken Vioxx as well as the severity of the injury (or death) and the impact on the victim's life. Presumably the details will become public in the very near future.

The question for plaintiffs and their lawyers is whether or not to accept this settlement. I am sure that some attorneys will still want to try their most dramatic cases, but victims who have waited so long may be tempted to take the money and run.

Merck on the other hand seems to have escaped what could have been an even bigger liability with over 40,000 plaintiffs already having filed suit, the defense attorneys' fees alone would have run into the billions of dollars if they had all been tried.

Many of our clients actively advertised for Vioxx and other mass tort claims and our clients have generated thousands of cases with our TV advertising. One of the advantages that we offer is that our clients were on TV advertising for Vioxx cases just days after the news broke giving them a huge advantage over their competition.

Harlan Schillinger

Hispanic Marketing 102......

noreply@blogger.com (Harlan Schillinger) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:52:00 +0000

Hispanic Marketing
The Hispanic population in the U.S. has grown at a rate much faster than any other ethnic group and now sits at 44 million. Hispanics are a fast-growing, diverse ethnicity in the United States. With growth surging nearly 58% from 1990 to 2000 (more than four times the growth rate of the U.S. population) and almost another 13% from 2000 to 2003, Hispanics now comprise 14.7% of the total population. More significantly, the community is expected to keep growing at a strong and steady pace. By 2010 it is estimated that there will be 56 million Hispanics; by 2050, 30% of the entire U.S. population will be Hispanic. This is demographic growth that would be foolish to ignore!

The simple basics of marketing teach us that business growth is directly related to increased market share. In today's competitive legal arena, that isn't easy to do. Each year more firms enter the advertising arena and strive to take away your share of market to grow theirs! Businesses look to accomplish growth by either introducing a new product or by introducing their product to a new market.

The emerging Hispanic market represents potential for significant growth in your practice. Members of the Hispanic community are among the most loyal and strongly convicted referral based demographic groups in this country. Assuming you provide them a good service, extend to them a warm welcome, embrace their families and respect their cultural differences, you can reap the benefits of a client (which translates to community) for life. They will tell everyone they know in their close-knit, strongly connected community about you and your services if you treat them well and connect with them.

There are many sub-markets within the comprehensive Hispanic market out there and a "one size fits all" approach will probably fail. In today's competitive market, it is not good enough just to say: "we are going to target the Hispanic market". A more analytical approach is needed.

Whether it's television or radio, grass root events or interview style talk shows, crafting the messages to appeal to the specific heterogeneous, multicultural-multiethnic Hispanic communities within your market is of paramount importance. A Mexican doesn't dance Tango and an Argentinean doesn't sing Rancheras. An effective Hispanic marketing strategy is so much more than translation. It's interpreting and transcreating messages and concepts and branding elements that are relevant and impactful and meaningful to the specific Hispanic audience you want to target.

In addition, don't just rely on an ad campaign. You will have to make a commitment to implement strategies to help your practice establish the internal infrastructure to address the needs of your new Hispanic clientele.

The Hispanic community, if targeted appropriately through carefully considered marketing messages and cultural competency, is one that can provide your practice with significant growth potential.

Looking to grow your business in 2007? Interested in learning if Hispanic opportunities exist in your market? Give us a call at 1-800-525-3332 or email for your individual market analysis.

Put us to the test right now.
Stop what you're doing right now and take 10 minutes to call me at 1-800-525-3332. I'll give you two new ideas on how you can strengthen your Internet strategy today. You've got absolutely nothing to lose and a powerful practice marketing tool to gain.

On behalf of our entire legal division, thank you for taking the time to read this issue of Inside the Network. We'll be back next month with another topic of vital importance to your practice.

Sincerely,

Harlan Schillinger
Vice President
Legal Marketing Division