Local entrepreneur aids firefighters ad campaign

United Phoenix Firefighters has launched an ad campaign, "Help Us Help Them," to redirect the outpouring of community support they've received to other local charities.

Valley entrepreneur Bob Ramsey has joined the effort, providing the seed money to get the message out.

Ramsey, who founded Southwest Ambulance, sold the company five years ago to Scottsdale-based Rural Metro Corp. and now owns several local businesses. He has donated the funding needed to purchase time on four Valley radio stations.

"The best way for the community to show its support for us is to help our local charities," said United Phoenix Firefighters president Billy Shields. "We have suspended our own Firefighters' charity activities until the first of the year so we can help other charities make it through a tough holiday season."

Ramsey's donation will pay for initial radio spots featuring Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzales and Shields.

The firefighters unveiled a TV commercial on Bank One Ballpark's jumbo screen during the World Series. The organization plans to continue with more television and outdoor ads as well as radio.

The group is looking for additional partners. For more: 602-277-1500.

Equalizer program launched

Cramer-Krasselt of Phoenix has designed a way to service several small and nonprofit accounts, which otherwise would not be able to afford the agency's services.

C-K calls it the "equalizer program," which started when the firm waived its creative fee to help Allen Fink, owner of the Valley's first kosher pizza place, King Solomon's Pizza in Phoenix. The idea expanded into the new concept.

Equalizer participants who meet program requirements, are charged only hard costs, such as photography, printing and placement fees.

The agency's goal is to work with clients with compelling business ideas for about six months, or enough time to get several elements of advertising in place.

In addition to King Solomon, C-K is working with Paul Brooke Jewelers, a startup company in Glendale; and the Men's Anti-Violence Network, which raises money and the level of consciousness on domestic violence among Arizona men.

McMurry gets MADD

McMurry Publishing of Phoenix has been hired by Dallas-based Mothers Against Drunk Driving to provide custom publishing services for its national magazine Driven.

Driven has a circulation of 1 million, according to Chris McMurry. Launched in 1997, the 28-page magazine is published twice a year.

MADD, a crime assistance organization, has more than 2 million members and supporters and 600 chapters nationwide.

R&R Partners joins AAAA

R&R Partners has been elected to the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

R&R is based in Las Vegas, with offices in Phoenix, as well as Salt Lake City, Reno, Nev., and Washington, D.C.

Mark Hiegel, Phoenix managing director, said AAAA candidates must undergo a thorough examination of their professional abilities, financial integrity and business ethics.

AAAA membership consists of large, multinational agencies in the United States, as well as hundreds of small and mid-size firms.

Format changes take shape

Dallas-based Hispanic Broadcasting bought three Valley radio stations from Big City Radio in September, adding to its two-station lineup here.

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