Marketink

Recently selected to fire up a national ad campaign for Red Brick Pizza, San Diego ad agency Departure is preparing to debut Red Brick's first ever TV spot, in all major markets.

Despite the economy, Departure plans to increase Red Brick's market share by highlighting the chain's cooking style and recipes, under the theme "The New Italian."

Departure's prior work includes campaigns for several high-profile restaurant chains, including Wolfgang Puck and Pick Up Stix, and fine dining establishments such as Quarter Kitchen downtown.

"This is a good time for companies to gain market share," said Departure Principal Emily Rex. "We admire RedBrick's bold move during a time when so many companies are cutting their marketing budgets, adopting a wait-and-see attitude and failing to seize the opportunities. There's a certain confidence in this decision and people will intuitively respond to it."

Reflecting adidasGolf's philosophy that golfers are athletes, as well as its mission to create equipment for the body, Encinitas-based ad agency NYCAhas created a Web site for the performance-focused company that gives users the opportunity to interact with the footwear and apparel, be inspired by a fitness regime specially designed for golfers and enhance their own golf game.

The site, adidasgolf.com, centers around the idea of "Suit up," a battle cry born of the idea that when one puts on their golf clothing it should look great but be more than fashion -- it must get them mentally and physically prepared to take on the challenges of the game.

The site's technology part goes into detail about the innovations that adidasGolf brings to the golfer.

In the unique, interactive "Suit up" section, golfers are able to change the weather at some of the most challenging golf courses, including Royal Birkdale and Whistling Straits, and learn how to conquer the elements with equipment suggestions for those specific conditions.

According to Michael Mark, creative director/CEO at NYCA, "From the idea to the design, everything about adidasgolf.com is about athleticism and performance. It's an authentic connection between the game, the golfer and apparel and footwear that perform for the golfer the way true equipment should."

The San Diego American Marketing Association is "Cracking Open the 'Black Box' of Search Engine Optimization," at their monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Mission Valley Hilton.

The luncheon will feature Andrea Connelly, SEO Manager for Turbo Tax, who will describe how search engines work and explore tactics to make Web sites more search-friendly.

Connelly's discussion will begin with the basics of SEO and will progress to advanced techniques that customers like Intuit are applying in their SEO strategies. Registration can be completed at sdama.org.

PRSA San Diego will host two leadership development events for local PR and communications professionals.

On Saturday, they will host a one-day "Jump Start" study course for the Accreditation in Public Relations exam.

The workshop will be held all day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Diego office of Allison & Partners in Mission Valley.

Dr. Glen Broom, author of "Effective Public Relations" and professor emeritus at San Diego State University, will be the primary instructor for this course.

APR preferred job listings are increasing nationwide and salary surveys consistently reveal APRs earn 25-percent more than non-accredited peers.

PR professionals are encouraged to take advantage of the "Jump Start" study course even if they have not yet submitted an APR application or advanced from Readiness Review.

Space is limited to 20 participants to ensure one-on-one attention. Registration and payment information is available online at prsasandiego.org.

In today's tough job market, the APR certificate provides distinguishing influence among PR professionals.

Completion of the APR certification program designates a commitment to the profession, and serves as a credible verification of experience, knowledge and good ethical judgment in PR.

Additionally, on Sept. 23, PRSA will conduct a free teleseminar for local professionals to learn more about board service and the nominating process for 2010 term.

The call will be led by Sara Wacker, the chapter's president-elect, and this year's executive committee -- which is available to explain the process, commitment and any other questions by prospective board member volunteers.