NL- another reader’s email. I don’t have any feelings about Type 9 Models one way or the other. I don’t know them. But they could have been scammed by this award company. I also don‘t think that Xbiz should have to do research on every press release before they post it.
This is the opinion of the reader only, not mine.
Blatant Bullshit Award goes to Kevin and Type 9 Models – SMH
They buy awards to make themselves look important instead of actually
doing the work! So if I bought an award and do a press release can I be on the front page
of Xbiz too? LOL
Type 9 Models Captures 2nd Best of Chatsworth Award
from http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=158314&mi=all&q=type+9+models
by John Sanford
LOS ANGELES — For the second consecutive year, Type 9 Models has been selected for the 2012 Best of Chatsworth Award in the Modeling Agencies category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
"My team of people at Type9Models work very hard to do things the right way for talent and for the productions," said Type 9 owner Kevin O’Neal. "We are all very proud to say we have won the Best of Chatsworth Award two years in a row. I believe the awards come from a very hard-working group of people that work as a team to keep our talent working, and the production companies happy. We are looking forward to many more years of service for the talent and for production."
Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2012 Award recipients qualified as two-time award-winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category, according to the USCA. The 2012 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
The U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York-based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community.
********
From The U.S. Commerce Association’s About Us section. This is the company that gives out the awards.
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
*********
NL-There are hundreds of stories just like this one (from the Better Business Bureau) saying the awards are bogus.
from http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/06/29/daily48.html
BBB: Association scams businesses with awards
E-mails telling St. Louis-area businesses they have won “prestigious awards” from a national association are part of a scam to get companies to pay for plaques, the BBB said Wednesday.
The U.S. Commerce Association has been sending out news releases in recent months to local businesses, telling them they have been selected as “outstanding local businesses” and offering them an opportunity to buy one or more awards to mark the honor.
Pat Joshu, executive director of St. Louis’ Immigrant & Refugee Program, told the BBB that she was immediately suspicious when her organization received a news release from the U.S. Commerce Association notifying it of an award.
Joshu hasn’t heard of the association and learned she would have to pay $180 for a “hand-polished crystal” award.
Clyde Jeans, president and CEO of Critique Personnel Service, Inc., of St. Louis, said he also was notified recently that his company had won an award.
Other St. Louis area award winners included several physical therapists, a scrap metal company and a haunted house theme park.
“From everything we can find, this is just one more ploy to profit off the universal desire for recognition and approval,” said Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the St. Louis BBB, in a statement. “We are advising people to steer clear, unless they want to pay $180 for what looks to be a meaningless office decoration.”
