FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Creative Marketing Alliance
(609) 297-2235
CMA Efforts Bring Audiobook Events to New Heights
Princeton Junction, NJ – June 30, 2011 – Creative Marketing Alliance (CMA), a management and marketing firm in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, recently managed three major events on behalf of their association client, the Audio Publishers Association (APA)—the association’s annual conference, APAC; the Audies®, the only award show devoted entirely to honoring spoken word entertainment and the Book Expo America (BEA) Heard Word Audiobook Tea. APA praised CMA for expert management on- and off-site for the three events which were held May 23, May 24 and May 25 in New York City.
APAC provided attendees with a jam-packed day of education and networking. CMA supported developing the comprehensive program covering hot industry topics pertinent to attendees, including designated tracks for publishers and narrators. CMA handled logistics for the event including speaker arrangements, room set-up at the Javits Center, food and beverage management and attendee registration. The PR team secured prominent industry media to attend and cover the event including Book List, Library Journal and VoiceOver Extra.
The 16th Annual Audies Gala was held at The TimesCenter in New York City the following day. Often considered the “Oscars” of the audiobook industry, the Audies are the only completely juried awards program covering audiobooks. In managing the gala, CMA coordinated everything from stage management and food and beverage selections, to attendee registration, as well as the production of the awards to be given and organizing the night’s program.
The awards gala was promoted through the association’s website, public relations and email marketing, all managed by CMA. The PR team was successful in obtaining a segment on National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation, as well as coverage in the Los Angeles Times and industry media, leading to increased consumer awareness for audiobooks nationwide.
The next day, TV personality Star Jones hosted the 11th annual Heard Word Audiobook Tea event, also at the Javits Center. Approximately 200 librarians were in attendance. Panelists included historical author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Tony Horwitz; bestselling thriller author, Karin Slaughter; and bestselling author of 10 suspense novels, Brad Meltzer. CMA assisted the Public Relations and Events Committee with event support, including product giveaways, set up and promotion. Attendees commented it was the highlight of the entire Expo.
“Year after year the CMA staff continues to find new ways to make these events even more educational and engaging,” said CMA president and CEO, Jeff Barnhart. “Attendees remarked this year’s events were even more rewarding than the last.”
CMA works with various trade and professional associations to provide event, administrative, financial and member services management, supported by comprehensive strategic marketing communications programs with the goal of driving membership and increasing conference attendance. Using CMA’s innovative marketing analysis techniques and planning processes, the firm transforms research, industry trends and market forces into compelling positioning messages and creative products to help associations realize their full potential.
For more information, please visit www.ThinkCMA.com.
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About Creative Marketing Alliance (CMA)
Based in Princeton Junction, NJ, Creative Marketing Alliance (CMA) provides integrated marketing programs, high-impact creative services and single-source association and event management to produce measurable results on a regional, national and global scale. CMA is one of only 60 association management companies worldwide accredited by the Association Management Company Institute (AMCI). For more information, please visit www.ThinkCMA.com.
About the Audio Publishers Association (APA)
The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade organization whose primary goals are to promote awareness of the audiobook industry, gather and disseminate industry statistics, encourage high production standards, and represent the interests of audiobook publishers. Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks. Please visit www.audiopub.org for more information.
Photo Caption (left-right): CMA staff members Jennifer Thayer, Kaitlin Friedmann, Diane Galante, Elizabeth Roe, Meghan Higgins, Colleen Reasoner and Lindsay Piccolella attended APA’s 16th Annual Audies® Gala at The TimesCenter in New York City.