	Winter '09

This edition of our newsletter brings you the latest news, helpful hints and useful information on topics related to cost-effective, results-oriented marketing and sales.

Funding - Mission Impossible?

Several of our clients, in 2008, embarked on a quest for outside funding but the second half of last year turned out to be a very bad time for this endeavor! Even venture capital firms that had earlier expressed an interest in these companies ended the year by saying they were only investing in existing portfolio companies.

All is not lost! Two of our clients managed to complete the process of securing outside investments early this year. A combination of factors - the basics, plussome recession-focused activities - were material contributors to their success. We want to share our tips with you. Request our white paper: Top Five Tips for Funding.

Email us for a copy of the Top Five Tips for Funding

Launching a Company - in January 2009!

Yes, it is possible to conduct a successful launch, even in these trying times. We launched Sciformatix Inc. in late January of this year, to healthy media attention and even unsolicited interest on the part of venture capital firms!

The founders of Sciformatix are bringing professional laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to the large, under-served market of small and midsized labs. We worked with them on the business plan and market sizing, media and analyst relations, sales channel strategy and training, and the website. Find out why this launch was such a success.

New Partnerships


		MintSalad, a UK-based firm that brings branding and image to a whole new level, is partnering with Candia Communications for our PR and media relations assistance throughout the UK and Western Europe.

		BlueApple Design specializes in design - graphic design, web design, user interface and Flash animation. We partnered with them on the Pagemill Partners identity project and are working on new projects as well.

		Fedsalesconnect is the premier sales and marketing platform for government contractors. We provide proposal writing services to small and medium-sized businesses responding to government RFPs - giving them the boost they need to close government contracts in record time.

About Candia Communications

Candia Communications LLC brings results-oriented marketing and sales assistance to companies around the world. We have helped companies fine-tune their business plans, determine market sizing, obtain funding, launch products and build momentum. Our assistance with PR, media and analyst relations and writing (web, collateral material, contributed articles, case studies and white papers) materially contributed to their success.

Last year was a record year for us. We were able to work with a variety of industries - green-tech, cloud computing, investment banking, business continuity software, gunshot location technology and social networking companies.

For more information about our services, please visit our website at www.candiacomm.com


	Need a VP of Marketing but can't hire a full-time person now? We can help! Cut costs and retain profits. Our cost-effective approach delivers results on a shoestring. Find out more. Need help writing proposals for government contracts? We can help!

	Events


	PRSSA - Public Relations Student Society of America Tanya Candia spoke on Wednesday, February 18 at San Jose State University on the topic of Integrated Marketing Communications. PDMA - Product Development & Marketing Association Tanya Candia will speak on the topic of Green Marketing at an upcoming NorCal PDMA meeting. Contact us for details. Orrick Sutcliffe Startup Boot Camp Tanya Candia will present two sessions at the next Boot Camp, April 7, 2009. Topics to be addressed include Market Sizing and Competitive Analysis. Contact us for specifics.

	Out-market your Competition!


	1. Tighten your focus. Pick three marketing initiatives (e.g. PR, web and electronic collateral) and put all your efforts into them. 2. Be creative in using media outreach to build the buzz. Track editors' interests via Twitter, blogs, etc. so that your pitch will strike a chord. 3. Outsource complex tasks. A down economy is no time for on-the-job-training! But make sure your outsourced resources have a solid track record of delivering. 4. Streamline your messaging and validate it with current customers, strengthening your bond in the process. 5. Take a new, fresh look at events. Read Joanne Ireland's fascinating article, "Tips on how to reduce your company's event costs in today's economy" here.