Hello,

We recently went through our annual agency planning exercise, always a challenging and enjoyable task. The fundamental result was a commitment to "Helping Clients Create Change" through a focus on key issues such as energy, youth, technology, economics and local government. Our goal is to support a select group of clients with innovative marketing programs that help them move the needle in their respective areas of endeavor. This focus also is represented in the service partners we choose to work with, like ColorGraphics, one of the country's premier printing companies with a dedication to working as a strategic communications partner with their clients. This month, we're pleased to highlight some exciting accomplishments with the Orange County Transportation Authority as an example of that philosophy in action.

Sincerely,

Sinan Kanatsiz
Chairman / CEO
KCOMM, Inc.

In This Issue...

• Why Politics and Leadership are Moving Closer to the Center
  
  
• OCTA Selects KCOMM as Agency of Record for 55 FWY Project
  
  
• KCOMM Wins Award for Best Internet Marketing Program for Transportation Authority
  
  
• Orange County Irvine Amphitheater Brings Gwen Stefani Home

Why Politics and Leadership are Moving Closer to the Center

For the past several generations, politics has been about winning seats for Republicans and Democrats. The advent of new industries, mediums and attacks by terrorists have opened our eyes to many things. The new generation is focused on issues.

Recently I polled some high school and college students and was overwhelmed by the majority voting on issues vs. party. "My dad is a Republican, my grandfather was a Republican, but I don't care about a party affiliation. I just want to be part of change," comments Jack Sanchez of Yorba Linda High School. These types of comments lead me to believe that there will be a growing trend of independent leadership, much like Governor Schwarzenegger, Mayor Bloomberg and potentially a new political party that brings the center closer together.

I predict that the next generation mainstream voter will be voting on immigration, education and energy, not the next Republican or Democrat to hold office. The next generation in my eyes is a supportive generation, not out for power, but out for purpose.

Sinan Kanatsiz

OCTA Selects KCOMM as Agency of Record for 55 FWY Project
KCOMM Selected by OCTA for 55 Fwy Study

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) selected KCOMM to provide communications support for the public agency's SR-55 Major Investment Study (MIS) public involvement program. OCTA will be studying possible transportation solution alternatives for improving the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach.

KCOMM will provide comprehensive communications and media relations support to effectively inform, educate and garner participation among OCTA's target audiences, ensuring maximum participation from the government agencies, community and business leaders.

Serving more than three million people in Orange County's 34 cities and unincorporated areas, OCTA delivers safer, faster, and more efficient transportation solutions in Orange County through countywide bus and paratransit service, Metrolink commuter rail service, the 91 Express Lanes toll facility, freeway, street and road improvement projects and motorist aid services.

KCOMM Wins Award for Best Internet Marketing Program for Transportation Authority
KCOMM and OCTA Win "Award of Excellence"

KCOMM and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) were recognized once again for their outstanding services. This time, the two organizations teamed up to earn the "Award of Excellence" recognition (correction: earlier stated as "PROTOS Award") in the Internet and Online Marketing Program category for their highly-acclaimed electronic newsletter campaign. The honor was bestowed by the Public Relations Society of America, Orange County Chapter as part of its "PROTOS Royale 2007" awards program.

For OCTA's Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) Improvement Project, it's crucial that residents, commuters, businesses and elected officials were regularly informed about project updates and announcements.

KCOMM created and implemented an electronic newsletter program - an innovative, effective and visually pleasing way to inform OCTA's audiences.

Take a look at the award-winning "New 22" materials KCOMM developed for OCTA:
September 2006 - May 2006 - February 2006 - October 2005 - June 2005

KCOMM's technology actually allows the client to view and quantify the results of readership by reporting who received the newsletter, who actually opened it, which pages they viewed (included web site links posted in the newsletter) and for what duration of time. In the end, the client learns what information is compelling to its readers - and what information isn't.

One common challenge was the ability to capture and sustain readers' interest. Helping to overcome this challenge, the e-newsletter program served as an advanced effort that capitalized on concise, locally specific content, easy-to-use formatting, a colorful combination of content, pictures, graphics and charts, and a technologically-innovative reporting system that reported readers' habits and content interests. In doing so, newsletter tactics included:

• HTML design
• Creative layout
• Template layout
• Database development
• Database management
• Distribution testing
• Reporting
• Metrics
• Click-thru analysis
• Open-rate analysis

Greatly exceeding expectations, the newsletter program helped grow OCTA's database of community recipients exponentially grew while regularly educating and updating its numerous audiences - all in a way that was convenient for recipients, cost-effective and visually pleasing.

Orange County Irvine Amphitheater Brings Gwen Stefani Home
No Doubt Turns Up During Gwen Stefani's Encore in Irvine

Along with family, my fiancee and I went to see Gwen Stefani in concert on Saturday night. As we drove up to the Irvine Amphitheater, I was feeling nostalgic and thinking back to when I used to go to Lollopalooza to see my favorite grunge band. To this day, the concert venue holds strong and is one of Orange County's best entertainment staples.

We already knew Gwen's old band, No Doubt, were all in town and hanging out. Adrian Young (drummer) had already told Rolling Stone the entire band was going to see the Police at Staples Center Wednesday night. By early evening Friday, after savvy insiders who apparently overheard some familiar tunes during Gwen Stefani's sound check had posted hopeful news on a key message board or two, the rumor of a surprise No Doubt reunion was out.

And a little before 11:30 p.m., as Gwen began her encore to the screaming delight of a capacity crowd, it had become a reality: No Doubt had returned to the stage.

It was a great treat - one that people who split around 11ish, thinking Stefani was wrapping up, sadly missed. What's more, the insane reaction to No Doubt's sudden appearance suggests the band will be eagerly embraced whenever it properly returns, whether that's late 2008 (as some have speculated) or beyond.