RapidIO® Trade Association - Solidifying A Standard

The Client

RapidIO technology is an established, scalable, packet-switched, high-performance fabric specifically developed to address the needs of equipment designers in the wireless infrastructure, edge networking, storage, scientific, military and industrial markets.  The RapidIO Trade Association and its global members drive the RapidIO interconnect architecture. This ISO-certified, open-standard seamlessly enables the chip-to-chip, board-to-board, control, backplane and data plane interconnections needed in high-performance networking, communications and embedded systems. 

The Challenge

The RapidIO standard had existed for some time, yet competing standards and slower than expected widespread adoption had created a “wait and see” attitude among influencers and in the market as a whole.  Rumors about the demise of the standard surfaced, raising doubts not only among OEMs, but among members as well.  Our challenge was to negate these concerns and rumors, convert neutral or negative media/analysts into supporters, demonstrate the success of RapidIO in the market and drive a greater mindshare.  Essential to our success was clarifying messages and unifying the trade association members as part of the marketing team.

The Results 

Within the first 24 months, Corridor Communications’ efforts enabled the RapidIO Trade Association to regain a positive, forward-looking position and build momentum for the RapidIO standard across markets.  Many editors and analysts openly conferred unequivocal market leadership to the RapidIO standard in both the wireless and military/aerospace markets.  Interest in the standard grew significantly as measured by web statistics and record attendance at events.
Targeted programs succeeded in building advocacy among media/analyst targets who previously had been on the fence.  More than 500+ print and on-line articles were created globally through interviews, articles, and general coverage of RapidIO in publications like EE Times, EDN, Embedded Computing, Light Reading, CommsDesign, Design & Reuse, EDN Asia, EE Times U.K., EE Times Asia, Electronic Design, Linley Group, In-Stat reports, Nikkei Electronics Asia, Military Embedded Systems, RTC Magazine, Test & Measurement World, VMEBus Systems, and USA Today. 

Automotive Profit Builders, Inc. - Stop Whining, Start Selling!

The Client

Founded in 1968, Automotive Profit Builders, Inc. (APB) helps automobile dealerships sell more vehicles and make more money by combining sound, fundamental concepts of selling and servicing automobiles with real world techniques in tune with today’s market.  APB’s consulting and training services provide the selling skills, methods, and direction that allow salespeople to involve and express their own styles while maximizing each transaction.

The Challenge

Changes in the automotive retail industry including several years of rampant success caused dealers to reduce their investment in staff training and development.  Concurrently, a positive market created a plethora of “consultants” all aiming to take a share of the market, most without a proven track record.  As a result, APB needed to step up its presence as experts in the market.

The Results

In just one year, Corridor Communications’ ExpertSource program for Richard F. Libin, president of APB, resulted in 30+ bylined articles running in leading new and used car trade media, national dealer association publications, and dealer newsletters throughout the United States.  A bi-monthly column featuring advice from APB is one of the best read regular features in the number one dealer-read publication, Ward’s Dealer Business.  In addition, Used Car Dealer Magazine will highlight four feature-length articles from Mr. Libin in 2007.  Each placement generates immediate feedback directly to Mr. Libin from decision makers at dealers across the country, resulting in new business opportunities, and APB is widely recognized and sought after as the expert in automotive sales consulting and training.

Forest Lawn - More Than Just A Memorial Park

The Client

For one hundred years Forest Lawn has been the community resource where families and friends turn to celebrate life - from weddings and baptisms to funerals and family history.  Founded in 1906, Forest Lawn serves Southern California through its seven locations - Glendale, Hollywood Hills, Cypress, Covina Hills, Long Beach, Cathedral City, and Claremont - with 1250 acres, only 750 of which are developed.  In addition to its funeral products and services, Forest Lawn regularly hosts a variety of cultural and civic programs as part of its commitment to providing Southern California residents with educational and cultural events that celebrate meaningful moments in life from around the world. 

The Challenge

Forest Lawn’s reputation, while stellar, was not keeping pace with the changing demongraphics of the communities it served or with the changes in beliefs about life celebrations.  In addition, Forest Lawn’s best kept secret it seemed was the multitude of community services it offered, from educational programs, to civic celebrations, and its museum, featuring new exhibits quarterly by globally recognized artists.  Our challenge was to position Forest Lawn as a place to celebrate life’s meaningful moments, not only at the point of death, but over time as if telling a story of the celebration of life through art, history, weddings and other milestones.

The Results

Through aggressive public relations efforts, we secured feature-length articles in the Los Angeles Business Journal (feature on Forest Lawn and its new Cremation Garden), the Los Angeles Times (feature on weddings at Forest Lawn and its Centennial), LA Weekly (citation as one of LA’s Best Museums), The Wall Street Journal (story on innovation in the funeral industry), California Lawyer (article on legal aspects of pre-planning), and many other Los Angeles-area newspapers and magazines, as well as features in funeral industry trade media.  Repeated and record levels of coverage in both print and broadcast media (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Telemundo and others)  for its educational and civic events drew record attendance and promted the organization’s commitment to the community.

In addition, we launched campaigns for special museum exhibits such as “Arafat to Armenia: A Tribute in Art,” and “Revloutions: Artists Who Rocked The World of Music Industry Graphics” not only drew record crowds to the museum, but helped Forest Lawn regain its position as a primary Los Angeles attraction and asset to the community residents and visitors.