Alpha JAM Quarterly

ALPHAJAMQUARTERLY August 2010

JoAnn McCleod The Development of a Leader Savor the Flavor of What We Do

Leadership Portfolio Issue Master of Entertainment Business

ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

About the Editor JoAnn McCleod JoAnn McCleod has been on an exciting and challenging adventure of discovery of higher learning at Full Sail University. In this issue of Alpha JAM Quarterly the articles and reflections are products of her monthly adventures in preparing her to become a leader in the Entertainment Business Industry. It will also chronicle her experiences with working Operation Breaking Through, a community outreach that is dedicated to helping the disadvantage and exoffender population of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

JoAnn was raised as a military brat and was born in Landstudl, Germany.

She currently resides in Virginia and she loves the beautiful scenery and natural wonders of her state. JoAnn McCleod has a bachelor’s degree in Music Media with a major focus in Vocal Performance and a master’s degree in Cinema Television with a major focus in Directing Feature Film. She has directed, edited, sound edited, wrote and produced many short film projects and some professional local commercial projects. She was the first at Regent University to actually produce an action video short. JoAnn aspires to do many things in the Entertainment Industry and she truly focused on giving back to the local communities in Virginia.

She believes strongly that if we give those in need the things needed to be successful our communities and our country would be a better place.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

A REFLECTION ON THE BEGINNING “JOIN A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR TWELVE MONTHS”

It was my goal during for twelve months to assist Operation Breaking Through, (OBT) to establish multiple forms of income through product sales and services, the development of a major donor database, planning major fundraising events, development of a marketing and public relations plan, and the establishing the first phase of a major vocational training facility that is dedicated to assisting the ex-offender in getting back on his/ her feet after severing their time in incarceration, disadvantage low income families & individuals and the homeless . It was also my goal to assist OBT with acquiring the things and funding needed to renovate a new headquarters facility in Hampton, VA and the completion of a high quality thrift store.

While I was working as treasure of the advisory board of

OBT I gain much knowledge and understanding in my position of influence within this non-profit organization. I looked forward to working on my leadership skills in the following areas: prioritizing, self-discipline, problem solving, vision and staff development. I believed these were the areas I need improvement in and I believe that during my year of working on the board and participating actively in many of the events I developed those needed leadership skills and using what I learned in my course work and required readings at Full Sail University in the Entertainment Business Masters of Science (EBMS) program it allowed me to be more of a asset to Operation Breaking Through and strategy in the development and successful of OBT’s store called Hidden Treasures.

It was my desire to grow as an emerging leader in the community and in the Entertainment Industry. I truly believe that my experiences working with this community outreach has assisted in the development those leadership skills I mentioned early in my reflection.

It is my continued goal to network and gain influence to assist in the continued efforts of Operation Breaking Through in making a difference in helping people in need in the Hampton Roads Community area in Virginia. It is and has always been my ultimate goal to to get the funding need for my business plan so I can become one of the major donors of this community outreach.

(OBT’s logo in background)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

PROJECT TEAM MANAGEMENT A REFLECTION ON TEAMWORK “ A PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR WXYZ CHANNEL 45”

Team work, saying it is one thing actually working on a team to complete a project is totally a different thing all together. In Project Team Management the leadership portfolio project was an assignment for that required the team members to use all the skills and development processes we learned during the duration of the class in one major project. WXYZ Channel 45 was in major need of immediate funds as well as the need to rebrand themselves to gain support, sponsorship and new viewers for this network. It was my teams job to create a venue that will create immediate funding, present WXYZ Channel 45 in a new light that will motivate a wider target market range and gain also a younger demographic to consider

being viewers of their network. We also came up with other long term development strategies for WXYZ Channel 45 to use to build their fan base using social media networking.

The venue concept my group called, The Elements came up was SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH BARBARA STREISAND!!! A one night only concert benefit, with local artists and a Major recording Artist in the line-up. The concert will be sponsored by local business and charities and we will have information booths for each sponsor around the venue. We’re taking over the Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego for an unforgettable evening filled with music, raffles, food and

much more. Take an active role in your community and come see what Channel 45 WXYZ is all about. Donate your time and maybe some money and we guarantee that you will have an amazing time while helping your city!

This proposal required all members of the group to use the skills we had learned in class such a risk management and assessment, conflict resolution, budgeting and scheduling and project time management. These skills that I learned doing this project allowed me to assist in the development of the Operation Breaking Through Fundraiser (continued)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Project and Team Management In April of 2010 Operation Breaking Through had their Annual Fundraiser and it was called, The Compassion Care Pageant & Concert. We invited local churches to participate in the concert and we sent out press releases to the local radio stations to motivate people in the Hampton Roads area to come out and see the great things OBT is doing, see a free concept of the local talent in the area and support a worthy community outreach. We was able to get the location of the Point Plaza

Hotel in Newport News to house our venue. It was a grand affair because we was able to show and do many things that kept the people who attended interested. We was able to show on the big screen a testimonial video of the many program leaders and show how they interact with families, children and how OBT programs are making a difference in peoples lives.

lasted two hours. We were able to raise through letters of event participation that amount of $6,000 dollars for the outreach and at the event we raised $2,000 in cash donations. We also collected over a hundred pledge cards to commit to monthly donations.

I believe I successfully used the skills I learned in Project and Team Management to help plan this event turn out to be a positive fundraiser.

The executive director Kevin Brown and I hosted the event that

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

OBT HIDDEN TREASURES A REFLECTION ON TEAMWORK & LOVE FOR COMMUNITY “ THE SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF THE THRIFT STORE �

I am proud to say it was some of fellow board members and my persistent push for Operation Breaking Through to consider opening up a store to bring in income for the outreach and be a help to those in surrounding low-income communities.

I suggested opening a store back in April 2009 and that we use what we have access to make money.

The donations of a variety of items that was just collecting dust until we could give it away to those in need now we are using those items to make profit of OBT. The advisory board that I am on decided to go with the idea and vision of a thrift store and we was successful in getting the building renovated and

up to city code to open in October 17, 2010. On that Saturday we celebrated with the community the grand opening of Hidden Treasures.

The Daily Press newspaper reporter and Channel 3 local news anchor Barbara Ciara came to the event. It was such a great accomplishment for the board.

We all had our assignments to make the store a reality and we did it. We started with no money, no location to having a successful business up and running for OBT. During the holiday months we made major profits and we have been able to successfully counsel several families in need.

The store has cut down the Rent-

A-Center financing in the community down 35% percent giving families the opportunity to buy electronics for a low cost to own that is equal to the cost of one-week rental from Rent-ACenter. The community has truly embraced our store.

In organizing the needs for the store and accessing the risks the team was able to discuss risk management issues with the board and come up with great solutions that minimized the problems in getting the store open.

I took the lead in pushing the opening of the store and I used what I learned in Project Team and Management to help in the successful venture for OBT.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Entertainment Business Finance

Commercial Banking Interviewing a Friend

largest trust operation between Maryland and Louisiana and it was the largest in the south.

By JoAnn McCleod

First National Bank and Trust of Asheville merged with Union National Bank in 1958 and in 1964 First Union expanded by acquiring a national mortgage banking and insurance firm called the Cameron-Brown Company. In 2001 Wachovia Corporation came about by merging with First Union Corporation.

In December 2008 the Wachovia Corporation was acquired my The Wells Fargo Corporation. William Fargo and Henry Wells founded the Well Fargo Corporation back in 1852 and they are a consolidation of many thousands of companies with diverse histories of their own.

Quwanna Pompey is a Commercial Banking Financial Advisor for Wachovia Bank in Hampton VA. Wells Fargo brought out Wachovia back in December of 2008 and the banks are still going through major transition.

When I knew I needed to do this my paper I knew I wanted to interview Quwanna Pompey because I knew she would be very informative and I already have established a personal and professional relationship with her through my own personal financial transactions in banking with Wachovia. In this paper I will be talking about how I met Quwanna Pompey, commercial banking through Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank, what the bank has to offer their potential customers, were does Quwanna see herself in the next five years working for Wachovia/ Wells Fargo Bank and talk about my unofficial pitch my business idea to get some constructive criticism from a commercial financial advisor’s prospective.

I met Quwanna at another job and I noticed that some of my marketing department co-workers had the tendency to judge Quwanna based on the position that she held on the job and they made assumptions about her life goals and potential.

We worked for a well-known Bishop in our area and he is getting major television exposure all over the world, some of his close friends are Bishop T.D. Jakes and Bishop Eddie Long. My department coworkers talked about Quwanna and said things like she wants to be us and on the Bishop’s core team of workers. Because she was not they treated her like she was the plague.

Quwanna was the only female security guard that the Bishop had on his security team and she got the training and qualifications needed to not only do her job well she carried a registered fire arm at all times. Because she was at the front desk of the building I worked in we spoke every morning and over time we talked about the things that we were interested in doing besides our current jobs.

Quwanna Pompey is a commercial banking financial advisor for Wachovia Bank in Hampton VA. Wachovia has a very interesting history in 1879 William A. Lemly decided to move his bank from Moravian village of Salem to Winston and because he was changing towns he needed to created a new business charter and give his bank a new name and that new name was Wachovia National Bank. They opened for business with the amount of $100,000 for capital. In North Carolina years later Wachovia Loan and Trust Company. The bank was ran by two men and their boss was a railroad entrepreneur name Francis H. Fries and in 1911 the two banks merged and the name became Wachovia Bank and Trust Company.

She said that she already had her The banks began operating with $ 7 million bachelor’s degree from New York University dollars in total of financial resources. in Business Finance and is working on her Wachovia Bank and Trust Company was that Master’s in Global Business at Regent

University. She said she wanted to be a financial officer for a bank one day. She also said that she was working two part time jobs, one with Starbucks and the other on campus at school. She said she was taking classes to get her certifications to be able to offer a bank’s financial products to their customers.

We at time would have lunch together because I did not like the way my other coworkers talked about her and I soon realized they never took the time to get to know this great person that worked security.

She shared her dreams and goals and so did I over lunch many times and after getting to know her and becoming good friends she left the job to pursue a career at a financial institution. We tried to keep up with each other with phone calls and she would come by the office building to visit and leave me messages if I was not their.

I have an account at Wachovia and one day I went to an unfamiliar location near my home and while I was waiting in line to be served by the tellers Quwanna Pompey walks in and she goes to an office. She comes out moments later and when she realizes that she recognizes me she says come to her office after I finish my business at the bank counter. When knock on her office door I wanted to take that moment and put it on video tape to show my co-workers that the person that you thought wanted to be you is currently living her dream, had her own office and was making more money than all of us on the old job. (continued)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Entertainment Business Finance

Quwanna invited me in her office and she told me how she got her certifications and licenses needed and that she just started the job at that location a few weeks ago. She had the title of Investment Officer at Wachovia and that she really loved her job.

to assist their employees in dealing with reorganizations and mergers have used this book. She says that because she has not been with Wachovia that long the transition to new ways of thinking and doing business will not be hard for her but she does see some of her co-workers that are not transitioning well The definition of a commercial bank is because they have been with Wachovia long an institution that is mainly focused on enough to have tenure. working with large corporations and large businesses by accepting deposits, making I asked Quwanna what kind of services business loans and other related services like did the bank offer for those that are interested savings, time deposits and checking in commercial banking. She said, “The bank accounts. These banks are in business to offers many options for commercial banking. make profit receiving deposits and some We are interested in large companies, maybe members of the Federal Reserve however; we do not neglect the small System and they are owned by a group of business owner or someone that is interested individuals. in looking for financing to start a business.” I was very interested in hearing that because I Some banks are just commercial banks am looking for possible working capital for but many are both for personal/individual starting my own business. She said that banking as well as offering commercial bank some of the services are, business loans, options for their business clients. Wachovia/ business checking, assisting businesses in Wells Fargo is considered to a bank that coming up with solutions for handling their offers retail banking and commercial banking. companies cash flow, extending credit so they Quwanna Pompey job is assist customers can have cash when needed and offering a that are interested in both retail and their sweep account option that allows a commercial banking. She does hold the title company to be able to invest your idle cash in of Commercial Banking Financial Officer, to predetermined investments. She also however; Wachovia and Wells Fargo is very mentioned insurances they can provide for customer service focused and they believe in your business needs. the one stop resolution. What that means is whatever a customer has need of that the I asked Quwanna what she has planned tellers can not take care of and they need to for the next five years in the financial banking talk with a financial officer if she is available industry? Quwanna just laughed and then they will be help by her because she cross- she said, “Right now I am planning to get trained in retail banking as well as married in the next few months and then we commercial financing. plan on having kids.” She continued to say that she wants to stay with Wachovia/Wells Quwanna has been with Wachovia/Wells Fargo she really like the people she works Fargo now for a little less than a year and she with at the bank and after her recent meetings says that since Wells Fargo bought out with some of Wells Fargo Corporate Wachovia it has been major changes in the management she said that she will have way they do business.

She would not many opportunities for advancement in the elaborate on specifics but, she did say that Well Fargo Corporation. I started thinking her bank manager required that they all read about how far she has gotten since she we the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. first met back in 2006 and how much she has Spencer Johnson. This book tells a story of accomplished in reaching her goal working for four main characters that are dealing with a bank in a position that she enjoys. change. Many companies and corporations

Quwanna asked me during our interview, “What I was doing now?” and I explained that I was attending Full Sail University working on my second masters in Entertainment Business. She then asked me, “What about me dreams of having my own production company?” I for some reason started to get nerves because now I have to pitch my company, Alpha JAM Network and the financial needs that I believe I need in order to launch my business. I started to remember that I was not just in front of a commercial banking financial advisor but I was in front of a friend. I needed the practice of pitching my business idea and vision not to mention to get some good feedback from a professional.

I talked about my company Alpha JAM Network being a online network that offers television and film viewing material that customers will have the option to watch anytime with their families not to mention they will have the option to customize their viewing for a week at a time and how they can forward that information to their for viewing on their own television. I explained to her what I thought made my company unique and different from other online television viewing networks. I explained that my niche is that every thing that the customers see on the productions for example the clothes, interior décor, jewelry will be offered for purchase via online or the customers can purchase through a toll free number. Quwanna asked me how much money I needed to launch my online company? I told her I was looking for an investment of $500.000 thousand dollars.

She then asked my how much money did I have and they if I had any collateral such as property, stocks, bonds, mutual funds or 401k investments. I told her that I only had about $400.00 dollars in my checking account, about $100.00 in my savings and I plan to use the money in my checking to pay bills in the near future. We both laughed and I continued saying I do have an (403K) investment account with Ing Direct but it was not much in that account currently. (continued)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Entertainment Business Finance

Then she asked me did I have a business plan or prospectus that she could review and possibly forward to upper management to see if the bank would consider a business loan? I explained that I have not completed it but it is a work in progress. Quwanna said that she thinks that my business idea a very interesting and she can see it being successful. She also said as friend I know you have a great vision but if I am going to be any help to you I need to make some suggestions. I told her to tell me the truth because I need to be prepared to pitch to possible investors in the future. She suggested that I should have at all times a one sheet business plan and/or prospectus in order to be reviewed because you never know when you might be in front of possible investor. She also asked me how was my

personal credit and I told her it was not the best. She said because of the economy the bank is prepared to loan money but they want to minimize the risk of lost finances on a possible risky business venture. They want to be sure you are able to pay the loan back over time. She also stated that I should work on building and/or repairing my credit while I complete my business plan and develop a prospectus for potential investors. She said that she would be willing to review my business plan and/or prospectus to make sure I had those things needed to gain financing.

prepared and professional manner when seeking funding from a commercial bank.

Quwanna also shared with me the importance to show the bank that I have some collateral and a history of good credit. It was also nice to here about the diverse history of Wachovia and Wells Fargo how the recent merger is still being working out as information and direction is pass down to the local banks.

Quwanna has reached her goal to work in a bank as a commercial bank financial advisor but because of merger with Well Fargo she sees an even greater opportunity for advancement in her company. It was a chance to visit with an old friend and to see I have believe my interview with her achieving her goals motivates me to go Quwanna Pompey was a good interview and I forth and achieve my own. realized very plainly the areas I needed to work on in order to present myself in a more

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

OPERATION BREAKING THROUGH THE UNITED WAY AND COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN “ A CAMPAIGN TO GET CORPORATION FUNDING �

During the month February it is the time for United Way to campaign for corporate dollars by getting company employees to give through United Way and the Combined Federal Campaign. It is really a big deal because the major corporations match what their employees give and pledge during this time.

United Way and Combined Federal Campaign does not let you campaign with them so it was my responsibility to come up with a campaign strategy that will get as many people as possible be aware of what Operation Breaking Through does in the community and to support us by letting United Way and Combined Federal Campaign representatives know that they want their community donations to come to us. I came up with a two phase campaign plan, in the first phase the advisory board and the pastoral board was required to go to the local churches and campaign for corporate donations by talking

about what OBT does and how the church members can make a difference by using our campaign codes to give through this jobs.

We were successful of campaigning to more than 50 local churches. In the second phase the pastoral and advisory board needed to get volunteers to solicit Operation Breaking Through campaign flyers at the gates of several large corporations for the last two weeks in February several board members and I participated in passing out flyers at Northrop Grumman Shipyard and The Coal Terminal and many other big companies in the area.

We were successful in our solicitation and we raised $3500 dollars through United Way for 2010 and $5000 dollars through the Combined Federal Campaign.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Global Entertainment Business Strategy

By JoAnn McCleod

The availability of the internet globally and the wealth of information that is on the world wide web has motivated many entertainment companies to research if having an online presence is needed for their produced content. Many companies such as ESPN Network and ABC Family Channel to name a few have established themselves an online presence that shows their entertainment content.

They both have established and successful mainstream television and cable network affiliations for years. In this paper I will briefly talk about the influential people that was on the Media Summit 2009 discussion panel, what I gleaned from the webcast of titled, “The Web: The AllMedia, All Consuming Phenomenon – PC, Mobile and Television,” that was on March 19th in New York City, New York and how this webcast discussion pertains to my business plan idea for Alpha JAM Network.

The Media Summit 2009 discussion panel had many influential people on their panel. It was Danny Passman, he is currently the Global head of Programming for the company Joost, Stephen McKenna, he is the Vice President of Media, Entertainment Communications for Hewlett-Packard, Todd Krieger is the Senior Vice President of Denuo, Scott Kessler he is the Senior Director of Information Technology, Internet Software and Services for Standard & Poor’s Equity Research Company. Artie Bulgrin was also on the panel, he is the Senior Vice President of Research for ESPN, so was Dan Suratt, he is the Executive Vice President of Digital Media and Business Development for the Lifetime Networks and the special guest panelist was Shawn Gold, he is was formerly the Vice President over Marketing and Content for MySpace.com and he is currently working on a new start up social network and media company called, “CoCodot.” This company is scheduled to launch in September 2010.

The company that I am interested in starting is an online network called Alpha JAM Network. This network will focus on supplying good wholesome programming for the whole family. The network will allow parents the interface their home television systems with their computer and the interface will make it easy for parents to customize what they want their children to watch on television by allow them to program their own viewing schedule. The interface will also allow them to be able to have different programming so they can set one programming schedule for their children and another for themselves.

The reason why the webcast was interesting is because it talked about if having an Internet network presence was lucrative for production networks that are already making millions through traditional mediums in the Entertainment Industry.

Scott Kessler, spoke the most during this panel discussion and he had much to say about mainstream Entertainment companies’ presence on the World Wide Web. He is the Senior Director and Equity Analyst with Standard and Poor’s Research Company. His main focus is on Internet Software, Services and Internet Retail Sub-industries. He is an expert in his field of influence and many well-known Entertainment Industry giants for his expertise and information have called upon him. Kessler said that through his own research he has noticed that the Internet is a supplemental service for those that do not have the time to view news and entertainment.

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Negotiation and Deal Making

ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Negotiating for a New Home for Operation Breaking Through

By JoAnn McCleod

Operation Breaking Through (O.B.T.) is a non-profit organization that deals with the disadvantage and ex-offender populations of Hampton Roads and Tidewater Southside. I am currently on the board of directors and I hold the title of Treasurer and Chairperson of the fundraising Committee. We have been recently in negotiations for a new facility that is 5,000 square feet and the facility will be able to house all of our programs under one roof. In this paper I will discuss the history of both parties involved, what both parties want from the negotiations and an analytical summary of the outcome of the negotiations.

Operation Breaking Through is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization that has over 110 local churches, city, and civic agencies in collaborative partnerships to produce holistic solutions for the impoverished communities throughout Hampton Roads and the Tidewater Southside Areas. OBT actively serves 91 at-risk communities in 9 cities of Hampton Roads and Tidewater. In their 20-year history, the OBT network has touched the lives of over 200,000 people in need through many of our services such as youth employment, emergency/ disaster relief, academic tutoring, health and dental care, and athletic programs just to name a few. OBT has helped thousands of people to establish self-sufficiency from being on welfare. “Eight-five percent of our outreach is directed toward child and youth enrichment.” (OBT, 2009) The other fifteen person is focused on restoration and preservation of the family unit. The vision of OBT is “To be a life-giving interdenominational, multicultural network of Christian churches breaking through the cycle of human suffering throughout the impoverished communities of Hampton Roads.” (OBT, 2009) and the mission is “To exhort, equip, and engage local churches in long-term transformational relationships with disadvantaged communities of Hampton Roads.” (OBT, 2009) The Messiah Center is pastured by Dr. Wade he is an entrepreneur and successful businessman. His ministry has chosen a non-traditional way to support the needs of the ministry by having a business on the church campus. The Messiah Center successfully owns and operates a Chick-A-Sea Restaurant is has been a successful restaurant for over 15 years. The restaurant supplies jobs for his members and those how they help in the community. Dr. Wade believes in giving back to the community and the ministry has many outreach programs such as the soup kitchen, clothes and grocery give away, and many others to name a few.

The Messiah Center currently owns a vacant facility on their campus that is 5,000 square feet and it has been vacant for the past

five years. Dr. Wade became aware of OBT’s need for a new facility when he was in communication with the director Kevin Brown.

Because Dr. Wade is aware of OBT’s history in working with the community and he his ministry is one of OBT’s partnership churches he wanted to go into negotiations for OBT to acquire this vacant facility.

He states that it would be a win-win situation for both parties. Verbal negotiations have been going on since April 2009 and official negotiations started as of November 12, 2009.

The date was set on November 19, 2009 for all parties to come to the table to negotiate if OBT is going to acquire the property offer set by the Messiah Center and Dr. Wade. The four people that was sent to sit down to negotiate the agreement was John Maser with Wachovia Securities, Tim Davidson with Capital One Securities, JoAnn McCleod With Designs by JoAnn, Greg Garrett with Greg Garrett Realty and Kevin Brown the Executive Director of OBT. Dr. Wade had three of his associates with him in the negotiations as well. We met at the Messiah Center to do the negotiations but we first take another tour of the property again before we started our negotiations. The when we got back to the negotiating room the atmosphere seem very thick and tense. The board members that came to negotiate had already met several times to prepare for this negotiation meeting. The main purpose for me being in the meeting was because I am the treasurer of the board and I needed to negotiate the financial requirements in behalf of OBT all with the financial experts John Maser and Tim Davidson.

I did my reach and on the cost of leasing for a professional building in the area and the rental monthly amount average was 3,000 dollars a month for the same size building. The Messiah Center was requesting the amount of 1,200 dollars a month after 5 years of free rent. The 5 years of free rent is being given because of the cost that we will have to pay out for renovations and them knowing that our renovations will increase the value to their property. Dr. Wade started the meeting by saying that he felt that OBT has been dragging our feet in deciding on getting the facility. I stated that we have shown much positive interest in the facility by securing all the parties needed to make the renovations needed. I continued to say that we have brought contractors to the facility and we have their confirmations in writing that they will do the work needed.

Greg Garret the realtor on our board asked Dr. Waded and his associates “Why do you want OBT to move in so badly you seem to have a hidden agenda.” Dr. Wade looking extremely offended answered by saying (continued)

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Negotiation and Deal Making In their 20-year history, the OBT network has touched the lives of over 200,000 people in need through many of our services such as youth employment, emergency/disaster relief, academic tutoring, health and dental care, and athletic programs just to name a few.

“I feel that your Pastoral Board do not want you here because it will look like your outreach is under my ministry and I do not have a hidden agenda. I want the people that I serve in the community to be able to participate in the programs that OBT offers as well. “Kevin Brown, the executive director stated that our Pastoral Board has already approved us to pursue getting the facility and we would gladly allow those that your outreach assist participate in our programs that is how the partnership works. Then Dr. Wade stated that their concern after the 5 years will we be able to pay rental agreement and the utilities. I stated that, “We foresee in 5 years it will not be an issue making the payments because we will be housed in one facility and our rental costs will only be for one location currently we are paying for three separate locations. John Maser and Tim Davidson spoke up in agreement with my statement. Greg Garrett spoke out and stated that he agrees with Dr. Wade’s statement that it will look like our outreach is under his ministry and he has not clearly stated his reason for us taking over the responsibility for the building and for that reason the negotiations is over. We were all shocked because that was not what we all discussed how we plan to approach negotiations in our preparation meetings. Garrett acted out of character and on his own when he spoke out in the meeting and our united negotiation group fell apart. Dr. Wade and his associates was offended once again and discontinued the negotiates. We did not get the option to come back to the negotiation table and we left the negotiations embarrassed and disappointed.

Our own board member Greg Garrett over stepped his role and position in the negotiations. In our book, “Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate”, talks about you expressing appreciation it states, “Find merit in what others think, feel, or do and show it.” (Fisher and Shapiro, 2005) I feel that was done on our previous non-formal negotiations and that was the reason for the very generous offer. Fisher and Shapiro state in their book, “To deal with emotions, our general advice is to take constructive action. Rather than worry about labeling emotions, diagnosing their causes and figuring out what to do, you can often overwhelm whatever negative emotions a person might have with positive ones. This is done if you express appreciation, build affiliation, respect autonomy, acknowledge status and choose fulfilling roles.” (Fisher and Shapiro, 2005) The book goes on to say that strong negative emotions like frustration, anger or fear can drive the emotions of other people and they may stop negotiations. This is what happened in our negotiations and I feel as if I should have suggested my team read the book, Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate”, maybe the negotiations would have turned out differently. I was the only female in the negotiations and maybe Dr. Wade and his associates did not take what I said seriously but, that is just speculation. I think that Dr. Wade wanted us to be in the building but may have been influenced by hearsay than factual information that was presented. The use of the 5 core concerns that Fisher and Shapiro talks about was not used by the majority in the negotiations and that is the reason for our failure to come to an agreement. The way the meeting ended not only caused us not to get the building but also, caused damaged to our In my opinion the people involved except for myself, Kevin Brown, professional relationship with the Messiah Center.

John Maser and Tim Davidson had too much emotion and personal issues involved in the negotiations and caused a negative outcome.

(The Messiah Center Location (Below)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

OPERATION BREAKING THROUGH HOLIDAY CAMPAIGNS “ THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYS �

During the month November and December Operation Breaking Through works with the local food bank and grocery stores in a group effort to put together gift baskets for those in need for the holidays. I came up with the theme, Hope for The Holidays to help OBT to start branding their holiday giveaway events. We had three major campaigns for the holidays. The first event is our major homeless thanksgiving dinner celebration. We have a local church volunteer their church and fellowship hall to hold our event.

year around. Barbara also did a feature story two days before Thanksgiving on how OBT is making a difference in the lives of people in the community by giving them food baskets for the holiday. The three featured families talked about how Operation Breaking Through has made a difference in their lives and gave them hope for during the holidays.

The last event for the holidays is our christmas toy giveaway. We allow parents to come and shop for toys and other things for our family so they can a good holiday.

I was responsible to doing the press releases We used New Life Church sanctuary and fellowship to toy and getting the local media involved. I was able to get giveaway. In eight hours we helped over 200 families for Channel 3 anchor Barbara Ciara to come out and take the christmas holiday. part in the event. She reported the event on the evening The holiday outreaches allowed me the opportunity news. Barbara gave the director Kevin Brown the opportunity to talk about OBT outreach programs and how to start OBT branding and marketing OBT to the we assist in the needs of the disadvantage population all communities they have been helping for 19 years.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

BUSINESS STORYTELLING & BRAND DEVELOPMENT A MOVIE REVIEW ON “ JOANN’S TURNING POINT STORY: THE MOVIE” In this project I told the story of when my grandfather assisted me in getting prepared to tryout for the Jefferson Davis Junior High School Cheerleading Squad.

It was so many things that I did not know how to do and I was so surprised that my grandfather was encouraged and motivated to teach me how to do a hand-stand, a backward and forward flip, and a round-off flip. He worked with me for two and half weeks and when it was tryout day he was the only father at the event. He was not embarrassed to be the only man at the tryouts because he came to support me. I did not make the cheerleader squad and I was disappointed about to cry

but my grandfather came up to encourage the volunteers of me and told me that I did great.

Operation Breaking Through and motivate new people to become a I learned in this class and part of this community outreach. through the readings and other assignments that it is very I have also been able to important to encourage your come up with brand development workers and/or team members on concepts and plans to start the good work that they do and branding OBT. They have been give positive feedback that will so focused on helping the needs motivate improvement and quality of the community they never of work. worked on building their brand and now it has become a major I also learned it is very problem in gaining major donors. important to the success of a company not only build a Now brand development has productive business but also build become a major focus for OBT and cultivate your company’s and I have been given the task to brand. I was able to used what I lead the team in developing OBT learned in this class to come up brand campaign. with ideas to motivate and

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Product and Artist Management

ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Artist & Business Manager Spotlight Showcase featuring

Theodore “Teddy” Rainey Founder of Mega Blast/RPM Management

by JoAnn McCleod

I chose Theodore Rainey because I have watched his career for years from a far as a musician and music producer to artist manager. I wanted to know what he did to make money in our local economy because it seemed as if he never to the traditional road in getting a regular 9 to 5 job. This man takes care of his family solely on the money that he makes from managing his artists. He is the only black artist manager in the Hampton Roads Area that I know of that is being requested by major artists to manage them because of the buzz that he is getting in the Music Industry. He has done work with Wyclef, Lil Wayne and many other famous artists in the Music Industry. You may not have heard of him before but I believe that him and his artists will be in the Music Industry limelight very soon

receiving rave reviews from the DJ community. After being booked for several dates on the ” Ambush Tour ” the group has went on to open for hip –hop elites such as Jadakiss and Lil Wayne and is currently preparing to embark on a national college tour. The album consist of production by up and coming producers Desperawdos , Caution and Velly who have produced for artist such as Twista , Busta Rhymes , Keri Hilson , and Wayne Wonder. OPHISHAL is influenced by artist such as Run D.M.C., KRS ONE , Wu-Tang , Lil Wayne, Kanye West , and Jay-Z because of their creativity , longevity, and overall lyricism. With the release of their album “ The Clarification of a Movement ” they hope to turn doubters into believers and believers into fans., United Souls Band (The Reggae Group) The United Soul Band has arrived! This native New York funk posse is all about giving the popular music scene a much-needed jolt of electricity and ultra-heavy dosages of its soulful rhythmic hip-hop blend. We all love funk and soul, whether you’re White, Black and Hispanic, young or old, rich or poor, The United Soul Band delivers what we’ve all have been sorely missing in today's music scene.

Theodore Rainey was born and raised in Newport News, VA. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Artists. He also minored in Music Performance. He currently plays the bass and electric guitar and has played in about three successful local bands back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He is married to Jackie B. Lipford-Rainey with three lovely children that he shares his love for music. He has been in the artist management business for The core of the group, formed in 2000, includes bass and over ten years and is almost at the moment of major success with all vocalist Al “Boogie” Davis, drummer and vocalist Dwight Crudup, guitar his artists that he currently managing. and vocalist Al Cone and keyboardist James Hollie Jr. Along with this dynamic group of musicians, there are three soulful singers who sing He currently manages three diverse music groups, Ophishal (The everything from jazz, disco and funk, they are Ms. Ty Blue who with her Hip Hop Rap Group) OPHISHAL is hip-hop’s newest three man silky smooth voice has performed in some of New York’s most well collective from Danville , Virginia which consist of group members Eric known venues, Ms. Terri Lowe who comes straight from the motor city Harris (DOE), Robert Fallen (360), and Dayan Wilson. The debut album (Detroit) where she has performed for and helped the youth awareness “ The Clarification of a Movement ” is slated to be released this year on on such issues as , voting, youth violence and AIDS, also Mr. Eldred Megablast/R.P.M/101 Distribution. The first single “ Forever Hood “ Johnson who is a vibrant versatile entertainer who captivates audiences charted for eight months to no. 32 on various national urban club charts where ever he performs, he is also the group’s manager and has a style with limited promotion. The current singles “ Dirty,Dirty,Dirty “ and ” So all his own and who has been in entertainment since the 1970’s.

Committed ” , which are available for downloads and ringtones, are (continued)

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Product and Artist Management This exciting ensemble vigorously presents a collection of genuine, old school" funk explosions peppered with Al’s sizzling riffs and Al boogie’s thumping bass lines, while Hollie performs his wizardry through hip-hop incantations coupled with Dwight’s syncopated flavor.

This can be witnessed too in the energized staged performances that The United Soul Band has brought to some of New York's most featured showcase venues. No doubt about it The United Soul Band is the contemporary evolved stage of the soulful, funk experience forged by such pioneers as James Brown, the Isley Brothers, Ohio Players and Rick James.

The U.S. version will also be released in May through DME distribution. They have performed at numerous venues in the Hampton Roads area, including the premiere Rock & Roll venue in South East Virginia, The Norva. Rah Element while putting the final touches on their EP, are preparing for a national tour in the United States as well as launching a promo tour in Japan. All of Teddy’s groups have a major following in their local area and in Europe. They are preparing for their European tour and Teddy is extremely happy with being an artist manager but, he does have strong opinions about the Music Entertainment Industry. He believes that the Internet has planed a major part in the changes in the the Music Industry. He also The last but not least group Rah Element Band (The Rock feels that the Internet has also made major changes in how people Group) What do you get when you mix a bass player from Scotland, a listen to music and purchase music. drummer, guitarist and a vocalist from Virginia? You get the amazing Alternative / Rock band Rah Element. Rah Element, comprised of L.A. I believe I was a little nerves during my interview but, Mr. Rainey ( lead vocals), Eric (Drums), Rendell / Vocals (Guitar) and Dennis was very gracious to take the time to allow me to interview him. “Artist (Bass / Vocals ), incorporates various styles such as Funk, Pop, Punk, Management is glorified babysitting” Mr. Rainey said. (Rainey, 2010) I Metal, and Hip Hop break beats to give the band its sound. Influenced have done a lot of babysitting but, honestly I think it takes more than by artists and bands like Living Colour, Follow For Now, Tool, that he just makes it look easier than it really is from my point of view.

Fishbone, Bad Brains, George Clinton, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Artist management income is based on what they make happen for Rah Element has worked with producers Victor Lundon ( Run DMC, their artist if they are successful in getting them booked to do local Hi-Five, Teddy Riley) and engineers Paul Arnold ( Red Hot Chili ventures, a chance to tour with well-known artist and distribution of Peppers, Tupac, Christina Aguilera), Woody Bradford and Medi(sin) their artist’s music they will make much money. It seems from my Productions to complete he music on their debut album including the interview that artist managers have to continually come up new and lead single "Please Forgive Me". Rah Element is in the process of innovative Ideas to make money for their artists and themselves. I signing a contract with White Records ( Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Steel believe that Mr. Rainey really enjoys being an artist/business manager Pulse, Sex Pistols, Chaka Khan, UB40 etc. ) in Manchester England. and because he loves what he does he is really doing great things for The contract will have Rah Element single on White Records annual his artist. I do not see myself ever doing this kind of work but, It was compilation with up and coming artist from around the world. The interesting to learn about artist management from someone that does compilation, distributed through CBS Records will be released in May it well. of 2008. Rah Element will also be releasing a dance mix of " Please Forgive Me" in the United States, followed by the rock version shortly thereafter.

OPHISHAL

RAH ELEMENT

UNITED SOULS BAND

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Advanced Entertainment Law

Intellectual Property Law Spotlight Showcase ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

featuring Attorney Ronald D. Johnson

by JoAnn McCleod

I had the opportunity to interview attorney Ronald D. Jackson he is licensed to practice law before all Oregon and Pennsylvania state courts, and the United States District Court in Oregon. He concentrates his practice in business law, intellectual property law, and real estate law. I interviewed him about practicing intellectual property law.

What I liked about the advice that I received from Attorney Ronald D. Jackson was that he was very clear in concise in making sure that I understood what he was saying. I asked if he could suggest any books or information that would be helpful in my learning more about Intellectual Property Law he directed me to two websites one of them was www.uspto.gov , the United States Patents and Trademarks Office. It is a very good website for information on trademarks, patents, the policies and procedures in on how to trademark your business name and patenting your newly developed software.

Attorney Ronald D. Jackson is an awesome person. The reason why I say that is because I contacted him after having problems getting the two attorney’s in my area to contact me about doing an interview. I emailed him through his firm’s website, I called the phone number on his website and left a voicemail explaining what I needed and that was having problems getting an interview with the other attorney’s. He called me immediately within 15 minutes of me leaving the voicemail and asked me to explain what I needed, as soon as I told him what I needed he said he would do the interview with me now while he was driving to go to an appointment with a client. I was shocked but, I rushed around the house cutting everything off I thought would mess up my audio recording of the interview and I put him on speakerphone to do the interview. He really made me day and you can tell I was still in shock during the interview.

I respect anyone that has a teachers heart and it seemed to me that even in the short time that I had in doing the interview with Attorney Jackson he made it a teachable moment. He politely corrected me when I asked him to give me and my classmates his insight on doing intellectual law. He corrected me by saying that he practices intellectual property law. He gave a clear definition of what intellectual property law is and he also talked about the areas of intellectual property law that he practices and does not practice. He He has written his own publication that is on his website that is called, also gave me examples so that I could better understand what he was Choose the Right Legal Structure for Your Business, this article that saying in the interview.

Attorney Jackson wrote talks about the different kinds of business structures that you can have and based that kind of business what are I like his Practice Philosophy, the other things I took the time to read on the pros and cons of having that structure. He also has a list of his website and the interview that he did with me. Attorney Jackson questions and answers that will assist you deciding what business would be an attorney that I would consider doing business with because structure to consider before starting your business. His articles are he would take me though the process of establishing my internet easy to understand and they will really help in preparing you in talking business the right way. He seem to be the type of person that would with him about your legal business needs and what structure of not only do a great job in representing me but he would take every business that will be best for me. opportunity to make sure that I have a full understanding of the kind of liabilities that I could face in establishing my online network.

The other website that he suggested was www.copyright.gov , the United States Copyright Office. This is another good website that Attorney Jackson said would be very helpful for me to gain some good information from about copyrights. The website has informational fact sheets and circulars that I can read in order to gain understanding and prepare myself to copyright my music, films, etc.

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Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution

Alpha JAM Enterprises, Inc. ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

The Company, The Products, The Marketing & Distribution Strategies

by JoAnn McCleod

The Book

The Founder

Alpha JAM Enterprises, Inc. is an incorporated company with several Limited Liability Companies under our umbrella. Currently there are three companies that is a part of Alpha JAM Enterprises, Inc. they are Alpha JAM Publishing, LLC, this company publish works such as poetry and books, Alpha JAM Productions, LLC, this company is dedicated to the production of film, television and animation projects and Alpha JAM Network, LLC, this company is specifically dedicated to the development of internet media. Our company’s greatest strength is in our people and the ability to combine complex and new technologies with cutting edge artistry from concept to development to finished product. Currently will are working on the “Church Girls Project.” This project involves the book, Church Girls and the making of the film of the same name.

The “Church Girls Project,” is two items that Alpha JAM Enterprises is currently working on. The Church Girls is a book written by Vallorie Rose a VA Beach, VA native. The book is a collection of several women’s’ stories about their lives and how they have outcome their life struggles and while maintaining their faith in God. The partnering item in the project is the development of a film called “Church Girls,” that will use the stories in the book as the springboard for the film. Both items will be stand-alone products, however working in the promotional campaign for both of them together we believe will add dimension and an interesting dynamic to both products.

Our goals are to create and develop a marketing and promotional plan that is creative, interesting and engaging for the “Church Girls Project.” The soft back printed book and the audio book will be marketed and promoted on QVC Network and on their website that will be our first phase of our marketing and promotion plan for both forms of the book. While the book is being offered on QVC we plan to take advantage of all social media networks such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and many others to build a up a fan

The Film

base for the book. The social networks fan base will be the springboard for promoting the film that will be released within six months after the release of the book. The foundational demographic and target market will be the church community between the ages of 16 to 35 with the financial demographic income that ranges between 7,000 to 65,000 dollars. We mainly see a major interest in the female population that will have a major interest in the book as well as the film. Our second phase of marketing and promotion for the , “Church Girls Project” will be promoting the film on The TBN Network, The Tyler Perry Talk Show, and many other talk shows. We also plan to market the book thru Movie Theater advertisement, we will acquire a few screens to promote the book and then later we add film trailer to promote the movie. We plan the release the movie “Church Girls within six months after the book has been released. We would like to release the film around February 14, Valentines Day because the movie is dealing with all types of relationship issues. Our final marketing and promotional phase will be releasing commercials about the book and film trailer on television.

My company is working with the author in a joint venture to publish her book, “Church Girls.” Our concept in manufacturing is simplistic we plan to outsource the manufacturing of the book to the company Blurb to produce our print soft back version. We are also developing an audio version of the book, which will be outsourced to the company Discmakers to produce. We have used both companies in the past and their quality of work, turn around time, and costs for production meets our budget requirements.

The book will be distributed first thru our website and QVC Shopping Network they require at least 10, 000 units in order to put our item on air. We plan to offer the printed soft back version and the audio book for the price of $20.00 dollars per unit. Having QVC Shopping Network distribute our products will allow us to make a quick financial turn around in profit and gain new orders for the product by offering it on air with the Author and their QVC product host. (continued)

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Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution

ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Savor the Flavor of What We Do

We will also gain new orders online thru their website. Working with QVC Network will also us to get international exposure for the book without having to put out a large dollar about of money. The large amount of money will be in the pay out for the manufacturing. Our second phase of distribution will involve making distribution agreements with Wal-Mart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a Million. We will be working toward making an independent movie deal to get the film on the big screen with Lionsgate or Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) Films and Gener8xion Entertainment.

We plan to work in our agreement distribution with both companies. We do plan to distribute the film on DVD with QVC, Amazon and Wal-Mart.

Our goals are to create and develop a marketing and promotional plan that is creative, interesting and engaging for the “Church Girls Project.” The soft back printed book and the audio book will be marketed and promoted on QVC Network and on their website that will be our first phase of our marketing and promotion plan for both forms of the book. While the book is being offered on QVC we plan to take advantage of all social media networks such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and many others to build a up a fan base for the book. The social networks fan base will be the springboard for promoting the film that will be released within six months after the release of the book. The foundational demographic and target market will be the church community between the ages of 16 to 35 with the financial demographic income that ranges between 7,000 to 65,000 dollars. We mainly see a major interest in the female population that will have a major interest in the book as well as the film. Our second phase of marketing and promotion for the , “Church Girls Project” will be promoting the film on The TBN Network, The Tyler Perry Talk Show, and many other talk shows. We also plan to market the book thru Movie Theater advertisement, we will acquire a few screens to promote the book and then later we add film trailer to promote the movie. We plan the release the movie “Church Girls within six months after the book has been released. We would like to release the film around

February 14, Valentines Day because the movie is dealing with all types of relationship issues. Our final marketing and promotional phase will be releasing commercials about the book and film trailer on television.

Alpha JAM Enterprises, Inc. though the limited liability companies Alpha JAM Publishing, LLC and Alpha JAM Productions is working on the, “Church Girl Project”. This project is the publishing, marketing, promotion and distribution of the book in print and audio form and the film of the same name. We plan to distribute the book in print and audio form through QVC Network for the amount of $20.00 dollars per unit. We plan to promote and market the book and film through all social media networks, the Internet, movie theater advertisement and television to build a major fan base and interest for the book as well as the film. The target market demographic is between the ages 16 to 35 with a foundational target market demographic being the church community and female population. Our vision is to release the book first and then six months later the release of the film.

In this class I learned about how to professionally publish many of my creative products now to start to bring in income to help with funding the BIG VISION of my business plan. I also learned many skills sets as a leader on manufacturing and distribution that I will use in the future development of Alpha JAM Enterprises, Inc. and Alpha JAM Network, LLC. A Reflection on Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution by JoAnn McCleod

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Internet Marketing & Web Search Optimization

ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Family Entertainment Online is It Really Possible?

By JoAnn McCleod

Parents are always looking for things to do as family not to mention their desire to find things that have dual purpose such as entertaining programs for their children that also educates. When you also configure the need of Parental entertainment, the lack of time and money.

There is a major opportunity to for those that are embarking into the Entertainment Industry via online to come up with new and innovative ideas that could and would assist in the satisfying the need of parents that is looking for entertainment for family, entertaining and educational programs for their children and finally entertainment for adults.

Currently there is a company in Virginia called Cinema Café they have four locations and their main focus is family entertainment by combining casual dining with the movie theater experience in a one stop shop.

They have been very successful in their expansion another company that seem to be successful in satisfy the needs of the family is Netflix. The Netflix company is an online company that allows you to pay a monthly fee so you can get movies sent to you as often as you want and any movie you want. They have also come up with technology so you can get movies downloaded to their home television via a Netflix device instantly. This is a successful company “ With more than 13 million members, Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world’s largest subscription service streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by mail.” (Netflix, 2010) The company has been growing leaps and bounds since 2005 their financial profits was 55 million and in 2009 they made 66 million.

So you see with the two above examples that families are interested in family entertainment and people in general are also interested in the convenience and the simplicity of companies like Netflix that offers them and opportunity to watch what they want when they want for a small fee other companies like Hulu.com and Revision3 Television also are growing leaps and bounds servicing the need of anytime entertainment and almost limitless selection is making the Digital Entertainment Industry a lucrative online venture. Hulu.com makes over 1 million dollars a month and they are also growing quickly. Their success is in their collaboration with major networks for content as well as their successful arrangements with advertisers has made them a successful online Digital Entertainment Industry company.

Revision3 Television company’s profits are over 16 thousand a month and they do not have the collaborations for content as Hulu.com because they are more focused on developing their own content. I believe for a company that is creating their own content and they have secured advertisers and a growing viewer base they are really doing well.

With all that has been stated and said, Can families really find good entertainment online? I must say yes. Is it a saturated market? No and that is good thing for those new companies look mine, Alpha JAM Network to have a chance to get a piece of the Digital Entertainment Industry profit pie. The internet is the new frontier the imaginative and innovative person that can see the opportunities to make money as well as entertain families and those that are intrigued with the idea of custom designing their own viewing pleasure.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

OBT BACK TO SCHOOL OUTREACH HELPING KIDS GET READY FOR SCHOOL “ OBT AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OUTREACH CAMPAIGN �

This is the time that I enjoy helping the kids get the items they need to be prepared to go back to school. It This is always a fun event and the kids had a great was my job to assistance in soliciting the churches and time now they was ready and prepared for the new year. I local business to give backpacks, and school supplies so have established a real leadership presence on the board we can distribute them to kids in need. advisory of Operation Breaking Through and I believe that my confidence in making decisions on the board has come We had the Back to School Outreach at New Life from the things I have learned while attending Full Sail Church on the third Saturday in August 2009 it was a University. I plan to keep working the OBT to help them grand event allowing OBT to do a joint venture with 10 become a nationally known outreach and intermediary for different churches to supply over 500 kids with school local community development corporations and churches supplies and backpacks. The board members and I that are interested in doing joint ventures to assist the the passed out school supplies, food and gift certificates from communities and families in need.

Chick-Fil-A during the event.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

MOBILE MEDIA MARKETING & COMMERCE A REFLECTION ON THE MOBILE MARKETING SURVEY RESULTS

One of the most important parts of any kind of marketing is the gathering information. Some information for marketing analysis can be gathered through surveys and polls. Even though mobile media marketing is new it still requires research in order to do a successful mobile marketing campaign.

Understanding the way people use their mobile devices will better help marketers to come up with dynamic mobile marketing campaigns that will have positive results.

In this project I was required to come up with survey questions and survey a wide range of people to get a full understanding on how people use their mobile devices. I surveyed 14 people all of the surveyed individuals were AfricanAmerican a total of 8 women and 6 men. The demographic age ranges of those surveyed were between 24 to 69 years of age.

The financial demographic range was between $25,000 to 80,000 dollars.

The educational demographic of those surveyed were some college courses to

doctorate degree holders. Out of the 14 people surveyed 8 of them are business owners and 2 are full-time students, 2 are retired senior citizens and 3 hold leadership positions on their jobs and in their communities.

The information that I compiled and learned has shown me that I will need to come up with dynamic and inviting mobile marketing campaigns to motivate people to want to subscribe for my mobile alerts, updates and mobile blogs.

Because the majority of the people surveyed stated that they are not interested in paying for mobile marketing ads I can see offering my customers discounts and free products to compensated for the text message charges. If I develop a culture and/or community of people really interested in my Alpha JAM Network it will encourage them to want to stay connected via mobile devices, social media networks, and emails understanding that people want convenience on

demand, a great price and flexibility in plans and quality service. I learned that in order to making my Internet entertainment network business successful I will have to take the things I learned doing this survey, in online lectures and the assignments in Mobile Media Marketing and Commerce that If your customers are satisfied with your products and services they will market your business by sharing with others. I also learned that mobile media marketing is ever changes and if I want to be in a leader in the Entertainment Industry online I will have to keep up with the with the changes and new trends that develop.

This class allowed me to assist in developing a major marketing campaign for Operation Breaking Through bringing in the concept of mobile media marketing and social media network relationship building is going to open more opportunities for OBT and build an online fan and donor base.

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Business Plan Development

Getting An Expert Opinion on Business Plans ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

By JoAnn McCleod

The creation of a business plan is a major endeavor it takes much research and marketing analysis to gain the information needed to create a successful business plan.

An experts wisdom can be a wealth of information in order to avoid the pitfalls in creating a business plan that may not get funded by sought after investors. In this paper I will discuss the wisdom gain from interviewing two experts in business, I will discuss the similarities in their views on business plans as well as their differences, how I am going to apply what I have learned and what I have gleaned from the two interviews.

Dr. Phillip E. Lucas (Dr. Phil) is a successful business owner, leader and founder of the Covenant Pastors Association and Pastor of Greater Bethlehem Christian Assembly Church. He is a B. A. degree in Political Science and Business Administration from Shaw University. He also has two M. A Degrees one in Urban Affairs Planning and Administration from Norfolk State University and the other in Divinity from Providence Bible College and Theological Seminary. He also received his Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Providence Bible College and Theological Seminary. Dr. Phil has received many honors such as the ABI Man of the Year award in 2004 and Who’s Who Among Outstanding Business Executives and Professionals in 2002.

Dr. Phil states that one of the main things that investors are looking for how they are going to get their investment money back after they interest.

Dr. Phil says that investors want to make sure that you have done your homework that you have done all the research and marketing analysis required to complete and informative and compelling business plan. He mentioned that each person that is conceptualizing his or her new business needs to do a S.W.O.T analysis. A S.W.O.T analysis is strategic planning concept to analysis the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that may be associated with your business. He believes that if do your research and marketing analysis you will have a good understanding of your market.

He also believes that if you take you time and do the financials of your business you will have a better understanding of the money need to start and maintain your business.

Joyce Parker Johnson (Joyce) is also a successful business owner. The main reason for choosing her for this article is because her business is developing business plans for her customers. Joyce Parker Johnson has a B.A. d e g r e e i n M a r k e t i n g f r o m Vi r g i n i a Commonwealth University, and a double M. A. degree in Business Management and Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

She currently owns Abaca Business Plans. Inc.

Dr. Phil states that one of the main things that investors are looking for how they are going to get their investment money back after they interest. He continues to say that the need for start up funds most be clearly stated in a business plan, what amount of money you are seeking and what amount the Joyce states that one of the best ways to investors will gain for the use of their money avoid pitfalls is the seek advice from a to start up your business. professional on topics you need assistance on. She continues to say that getting good

advice and/or assistance will save you, time and money.

Joyce says one critical key issue that investors are concerned about is how they are going to make their money back with interest. She states that information needs to be clearly stated and defined in your business plan. She continues to say that you also need to make sure that you have done all your needed market research to complete a successful business plan, with that information an investor may not be familiar with your market will have a better understanding of the market from your information that is why you to make sure that your verbiage is professional but, clearly stated so all who are reading your plan will understand.

Joyce says that even though she develops business plans she still needs a considerable amount of information from the business owner in order to develop their business plans. She continues to say that it is hard to create a solid and successful business plan when the owner of the business can’t give her a clear understanding of the business they are trying to start. (continued)

Joyce Parker states that information needs to be clearly stated and defined in your business plan.

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ALPHA JAM QUARTERLY August 2010

Business Plan Development

Joyce says that information is strongly needed in order to do the marketing analysis to see if it is a market to gain profit in the business her client(s) is trying to start.

Another critical issue that investors know how soon will they make a profit on their investment? Investors need to know thru the financials how soon their will get profit on the money they invested.

Joyce and Dr. Phil both believe in taking your time to do all research and marketing analysis so you can use that information to assist in completing a successful business plan. They also agree that investors want to have a clear understanding of how much money is needed to start up the business and how soon will they get back their initial investment with interest back.

and simplistic in what you need the investment money for, how much money you need and how soon will your company be able to pay back the initial investment with interest. Dr. Phil talked about knowing your competition and what risk may arise because of the competition.

In conclusion I believe it is not just great to have a grand and innovative idea you need to have a successful business plan developed to access in making your dream business become a reality. Poor planning in financial documents, marketing and research analysis can delay or even extinguish your dream. If you take to proper steps to develop a winning business plan you will have a great business foundation to grow and expand.

The only differences in the information given by both experts is that Dr. Phil will assist you in developing your business plan by asking you questions that he requires that you go and research the answers in order to have a better understanding of the business that you are trying to create. Joyce on the other had believes that everybody is on going to be able to create a great business plan so she promotes you doing what you can and enlist others with expertise to create those components that you are not successful doing for your self. Dr. Phil mentioned that you need to know your competition and what risks may arise because of your competition.

I believe that I learned that from my experts that a business plans takes much time and research in order to create successful document investors might be interested in financing. I also learned that you need to be concise

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