Latest Airfoil white paper reports "Small is Big" in business marketing 

A new white paper from Airfoil explores the current marketing segments and finds that it isn't Baby Boomers or tweens that are the coveted segment but small-business owners that are the hot spot targeted by enterprises and other small businesses alike. 

While iPhone, YouTube and MySpace have dominated the headlines, the business section is filled with the efforts of large enterprises and startup companies alike to appeal to the vast small-and-midsize-business category, known as SMBs.

More than ever-and more than any other single business type-the SMB sector is producing a tremendously large and fast-growing impact on our economy.  Large companies have grown by strategically adopting and shaping technology as well as through globalizing their supply chain.  These same factors have promoted the success of small businesses, as well. 

Innovators today have easy access to the technology tools they need to transform bright ideas into brilliant products and services.  Moreover, using many of these same tools and approaches, even a tiny group of garage-based engineers, creative professionals or consultants can compete globally on a level playing field with their largest competitors-often at a fraction of the overhead cost. 

Small businesses long have been the primary source of new jobs in America, contributing about 50 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, according to the Small Business Administration.  Innovation has its foundation in small companies, and entire supply chains of SMBs spring up when an innovation takes root and they're not just jumping onto trends, they are often leading them.  According to a report from Georgetown University Adjunct Professor Derek Leebaert, small businesses produce 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than do large firms.

The surprising news is that, while many SMBs  continue to flourish and impact the economy as they prosper and grow into larger organizations, data from the U.S. Census bureau indicate that it's the smallest of the small businesses - sometimes referred to as "micro businesses" -- that may be the most influential within America's grassroots. 

The white paper offers insight on how larger enterprises are thinking small and reshaping their marketing and communications strategies into sizes that work well for startups to medium-sized businesses.  For a copy of the white paper, visit Airfoil online or request a copy at info@airfoilpr.com.

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SMB landscape continues to evolve

Emerging small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are reflecting the world around them. New companies are being created catering to segments such as the environmentally friendly, virtual businesses and stay-at-home dads.

Warrillow & Co., which provides market research regarding SMBs, encourages companies to take a look at these groups and how to communicate with them.

"Startups are going green, launching successful businesses online with minimal investment and creating an encouraging atmosphere for freelancers and telecommuters," said Airfoil's Tracey Parry, senior vice president. "Older, established companies should be communicating with these entrepreneurs to help them find the tools they need to continue their growth."

In its annual SMB report, Warrillow says that going green has evolved from a grassroots movement to a mainstream business trend. SMBs are also looking at the environmental impact of their purchases.

In addition, virtual businesses are now a reality. All business functions can be outsourced, reducing the barriers to entering and exiting new businesses. Startups are able to launch companies with minimal associated costs.

Finally, "dadpreneurs" or self-employed stay-at-home dads are a group that is on the rise. These dads, like the popular mompreneurs before them, tackle child care and work in between child duties throughout the day.

Warrillow reports that small-business owners using new media for information is past the tipping point. In its annual outlook of small businesses, Warrillow suggests that companies interested in reaching small businesses should invest in online initiatives designed to attract small businesses. Usage of blogging, webinars, discussion board and podcasting are expected to continue to increase.

"Small businesses have always looked to peers for information and advice," says Parry. "Reaching out to those with the same interests online is a natural progression."

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Podcasts deliver small-business tips and trends on the go

Hundreds of podcasts can be found online that specifically cover small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Episodes can include everything from interviews with successful entrepreneurs, the latest trends in various industries and tips on how to use the latest technology.

Below are a few podcasts you may want to try in your MP3 player:

Small Business Trends Radio
Anita Campbell hosts this hour-long radio program featuring small business experts on a variety of topics. The program is broadcast live weekly over the BlogTalkRadio network and archived as a podcast. Campbell also writes the Small Business Trends Web site and has spoken at many conferences regarding small-business trends. She also created a list of 100 small-business podcasts, which you can find here.

Small Business Advocate Show
Jim Blasingame is the creator and host of the Small Business Advocate Show, a weekday talk show dedicated to small business. Blasingame's short feature, A Small Business Minute, airs daily on XM Satellite radio's 24 talk channels. The Web site accompanying the podcast also includes the Brain Trust, a community of small-business experts who provide information and tips for running a small business.

Biz Radio Magazine
Formerly Entrepreneur Radio, Biz Radio Magazine is live every Friday on the site or available as a podcast. Host Lee Mirabal interviews business leaders about their successes and discusses information about starting and growing a business.

StartupNation Radio
StartupNation Radio is hosted by entrepreneurs Jeff and Rich Sloan, who also run startupnation.com. The show covers topics on how to start and grow new businesses.

"Podcasts are a great way to reach small-business owners," says Kevin Sangsland, account director at Airfoil. "Entrepreneurs don't always have a lot of time on their hands so many will save and listen to these shows at their convenience. Radio shows like these are packed with information and strategies that business owners find very useful."

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Haran promoted to vice president

Leah Haran has been promoted to vice president within Airfoil Public Relations' business-to-consumer practice where she  oversees several consumer marketing accounts including eBay Motors, ePrize, American Laser Centers, Syneron, Starbucks, Wireless Toyz and Winding Road. Previously, Haran was an account director at Airfoil where she spearheaded several programs including Good Coffee Day for Starbucks and eBay Motors involvement at the Woodward Dream Cruise. She has extensive experience in consumer-focused initiatives and media relations for several major brands including P&G, McDonalds and General Motors.

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Sangsland promoted to account director

Kevin Sangsland has been named an account director with the business-to-business practice at Airfoil Public Relations, where he is responsible for managing corporate, competitive and product-focused public relations programs for clients such as Microsoft's Small to Midmarket Solutions & Partners Group. Sangsland has specialized in positioning client technologies and services for the small- to medium-business space, increasing awareness of their leadership and key offerings among targeted audiences.  He has extensive experience with the development and management of campaigns focused on generating impact within the IT decision maker, business decision maker, and third-party influencer groups operating in the SMB marketplace.

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Airfoil Public Relations signs socially responsible startup Search Engine Corp.

Custom Web search engine developer Search Engine Corp. has selected Airfoil Public Relations, specialists in public relations and marketing communications for leading and emerging companies, as its agency of record. Search Engine Corp. creates branded Web search engines which generate revenue for both corporations and non-profit organizations.

"Search Engine Corp. is at the forefront of cause-based innovation having created a tremendous technology platform for public-private partnerships in support of in-need elements of our global and business community," said Janet Tyler, president of Airfoil Public Relations. "We are pleased to be able to partner in support of their endeavor and in doing so, to do our part in helping Search Engine Corp. to realize its vision of providing auxiliary funding sources to organizations in need."

With Search Engine Corp.'s custom search engine solutions, Internet searchers can contribute to worthwhile causes or organizations with the click of their mouse. The company donates 50 percent of proceeds from advertising revenue generated by searches on these sites to support organizations such as public and charter schools, community foundations and cause-based organizations.

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