An Endorsed Member Service

• Do customers understand your company’s differentiator? Does your sales team?
• Does your company have a compelling story to tell?
• Do you want to expand your network, but do not have the time to figure out social networking?

The TAKE FLIGHT custom PR service for GALA members may be for you. Developed for small to mid-sized member companies, the TAKE FLIGHT service helps members to establish the most difficult parts of a new public relations and marketing program: the ”take off.” Once completed, members will be equipped with the tools and guidelines they need to ascend even further in their own promotional efforts.

TAKE FLIGHT is a GALA Endorsed Member Service, GALA’s first external professional services offering. Services will be provided by Petras Associates, a PR and marketing firm based in Seattle with a deep knowledge of the language services and technology industry. Petras Associates has been GALA’s PR and marketing provider since 2007. As an Endorsed Member Service, TAKE FLIGHT has been vetted by the association for quality and success.

Members can choose from three distinct TAKE FLIGHT offerings.

TAKE OFF

This tier one program provides a foundation for the member company. Most importantly, it kicks off with a differentiator and messaging session with key management, leaving the company with clear guidelines for developing all marketing materials. TAKE OFF also provides solid content for the member, including two press releases, a fact sheet or datasheet and an article or interview. Finally, participants are provided support on disseminating content to key constituents.

Time of engagement: Two months
Cost for member: 2000 USD

SOAR

SOAR includes everything in TAKE OFF, but also offers ongoing counsel on all communications for the length of engagement, additional content creation, possible submission of a speaking abstract to a researched speaking engagement, and content for 8-10 web pages.

Time of engagement: Four months
Cost for member: 3000 USD

SOCIAL NETWORK PRIMER

Offered either as a standalone or an add-on program with TAKE OFF or SOAR, the social network primer includes an audit of current social networking, establishment of a social media program, and a ‘care and feeding’ guide to help the member expand social networking after the engagement ends.

Time of engagement: Two months
Cost for member: 2000 USD
Discount for TAKE OFF or SOAR participants: 250 USD

NOTE: External costs, including press release distribution rates, are not included in the pricing.

FAQ

What is the duration of the service?

The entry-level PR program runs for two months and the second tier program is a four month engagement. The third option, the social media primer, is a two month project, and if selected in conjunction with one of the other two services, would occur at the same time.

The length of each project is based on reasonable pre-set deadlines for both the PR team and the member company, and this requires that the PR team receive materials and feedback from the member in a timely manner. If circumstances are such that the member needs more time to provide materials and feedback, the length of engagement will be adjusted accordingly.

Is TAKE FLIGHT available in any language?

No. TAKE FLIGHT is an English language service. However, language service providers around the world can benefit from English content and are certainly encouraged to translate the content developed in this program for their diverse audiences. Target media also will be English speaking.

Will the member work directly with Petras Associates or through GALA?

The member will work directly with the Petras Associates team. However, the service agreement and payment will be administered by GALA.

How will the PR team ensure firewalls among members involved in the program and between members and GALA?

Private company information will not be shared with GALA or with any other client. As such, the Petras Associates team will sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the service agreement with every member company. 

What is the benefit of using the TAKE FLIGHT program rather than a different, independent PR service?

There are a number of reasons why a small to mid-sized language service provider will benefit from the GALA TAKE FLIGHT program, but two are most important. First, Petras Associates is deeply knowledgeable about the localization and language industry and can provide counsel immediately based on that background. Second, GALA was able to negotiate a reduced rate for this Endorsed Member Service, making it very affordable for members. 

Does GALA benefit from this program?

GALA does receive a pre-negotiated percentage of the TAKE FLIGHT payment, which is then used to create more value for the membership as a whole. TAKE FLIGHT is the first of a number of Endorsed Member Services that GALA is hoping to offer as optional professional services for members. By pooling our resources as a broad member association, we are able to negotiate discounted rates for such services. We also are able to evaluate the services carefully and provide an endorsement to members.

Will members in the program have greater access to GALA’s industry PR program?

The GALA PR program was established to ‘raise all ships’ within the association and in the industry, and is a benefit for all GALA members. We specifically focus on educating key constituents (such as marketers, website developers, internet retailing sites, etc.) about professional language and localization services, and we will continue to do so in an effort to build awareness of the industry. The TAKE FLIGHT program is an Endorsed Member Service and is independent of the association’s public relations efforts.

Download this information as a PDF.

View an introductory webinar about this program.