North Bay Business Journal

Napa e-tailer creating destination shop

NAPA VALLEY — Al Jabarin, owner of early e-tailer CalWine, sees the future of both Internet and retail sales of fine wine in providing a unique destination experience, so for his planned move closer to downtown Napa this summer he brought in expertise in blending marketing and space design.

Perfecting the tiny wine bottle

The decade-old promise of wine e-commerce still isn’t as easy as point, click and sip, but two local companies are putting millions of dollars toward making direct marketing of wine to consumers and the trade a closer and more cost-effective approximation of the tasting room experience.

Facebook does an about-face on dairy ban

NORTH BAY — Clover Stornetta Farms and Straus Family Creamery, which have nearly 2,000 and 1,000 Facebook page fans, respectively, were surprised to hear early last week of a recent change in the giant Internet social network’s promotions policy banning dairy products.

UPDATE, Dec. 22, 2009: Facebook revised its promotions policy to remove the ban on mentioning dairy but still prohibits the offering of dairy products as prizes.

Sales Moves: Getting people to discover their own motivation

Dear Jeffrey: I’m a reporter with the Peoria Journal Star in Peoria, Ill. I’m working on a story on how the down economy is affecting motivational speakers. More business? Less? Do the times dictate a change in tone or approach?

Growth in ‘green’ wine production brings more confusion, skepticism

SANTA ROSA — Wines made with environmentally sensitive methods in the vineyard or winery are increasing in number in the marketplace, but also increasing are consumer sensitivity to the price of such wines, confusion over their greenness and claims of sustainability, according to experts this morning at a large conference on green wine.

Residential Real Estate: Agents, brokers venture into social networking

Realtors have long searched out new ways of marketing themselves and the homes they sell. And it is particularly important in this harsh economic climate to be innovative about how clients are searched for and kept around.

Groups examine winery event rules

NAPA – Napa Valley Vintners, a trade group representing more than 350 local wine producers, is working with related organizations – Winegrowers of Napa County, Napa County Farm Bureau and Napa Valley Grapegrowers – to present the Napa County Board of Supervisors with a thorough analysis of the 1990 Winery Definition Ordinance by late January. [...]

Wine marketers launch virtual ‘marketing co-op’

HEALDSBURG – Two wine marketing consultants are launching a business-to-business Internet site they believe will give wineries, winegrape growers, suppliers and service providers a more informative, targeted virtual venue for finding each other.

Planeteria owner to launch Web-based resource for elder care

SANTA ROSA – Former Microsoft designer and owner of one of the North Bay’s most prominent Web marketing firms, Jamie Spooner, will go live with a new business venture in about three weeks – a comprehensive elder-care Web platform developed as a tribute to her father.

Sales Moves: Misinterpreted law of attraction can lead to inaction

I’m a bit sick of all the bogus information I read about “the law of attraction.”

Entrepreneurs turn shoe-string budget to gold

SANTA ROSA — At an age many are still novice in their career and in a time new business is sparse, two North Bay entrepreneurs have turned a once miniscule enterprise into a nationally recognized firm uniquely dubbed The Engine is Red.

San Francisco marketing agency merges with San Rafael’s Groove 11

SAN RAFAEL – In a time of shrinking employment, Groove 11, the third-largest creative marketing agency in Marin County, just grew its San Rafael staff by 50 percent and gained a presence in Portland through a merger with San Francisco-based Asterix Group.

Title companies adjust to tough limits on associations

NORTH BAY – Title companies have had to make changes in how they operate since the passage of California Senate Bill 133.

The 12 ways of marketing, including ‘10 minutes musing’

Yes, it’s the season to be jolly (and proactive) about your marketing efforts. While the rest of the world settles in for a long winter’s nap, you should have visions of robust media presence, heightened brand awareness and happy new customers dancing in your head.

Wine Industry Executive Profile: GLENN SIEGEL

SANTA ROSA – Just like the catchy complexity and unpredictability of the music he crafts and performs, Glenn Siegel’s pioneering wine telemarketing company has been connecting clients with serendipitous selections for their cellars, parties or dinner tables for 18 years.