For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Contact:
Ed Barks
(540) 955-0600
Click here to send an e-mail.

Barks Unveils Communications TARP,
Delivers Savings for Training, Consulting Clients

For the second consecutive week, Barks Communications took steps to help its clients cope with the current economic uncertainty by announcing today's launch of Communications TARP (Training Assistance Rescue Program).

“We created Communications TARP to help our clients who depend on us for communications training and consulting services,” said company President Ed Barks.

“Corporations, associations, and public relations and public affairs agencies are in some cases stretched to the breaking point,” he continued. “We devised Communications TARP to relieve some of that tension.” He added that the program takes effect immediately, and committed to maintaining it at least through March 2009.

Communications TARP contains a number of key elements. Among them, Barks now adds a second complimentary mini-program for clients that retain him for an executive media, presentation skills, or Congressional testimony workshop. To deliver added flexibility, this second program can be donated to a service organization such as a CEO forum, professional society, association, or networking group. The client is responsible only for any additional travel expenses.

Barks also committed to waive travel costs for his Rapid Response Counsel services. That offering presents a follow up to an executive training workshop under which Barks provides on-the-spot advice during the client’s media tour, presentation, or legislative or regulatory hearing, assuming it occurs the same day or the day immediately following the workshop.

Finally, Barks reduced the commitment necessary for an exclusive day-long consultation. Formerly, organizations that bought at least 500 copies of his book, The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations, earned his services carte blanche for a full day. Effective immediately, that quantity has been lowered to 350 copies. He will also absorb all travel expenses.

In addition, Barks pledged an indefinite extension of two key lifelong learning services tied to his executive training workshops. One is his complimentary 30-minute follow up telephone consultation. The second is his offer to respond to future quick questions posed by workshop participants. As he puts it, “Once you are my student, you are forever my student.”

Last week, Barks initiated the Economic CARE program to provide relief to his speaking and lecture clients. “We will continue to monitor the economy. Should the situation warrant, we will not hesitate to take further action if we can find ways to benefit our clients,” he said.

Ed Barks works with corporate and association executives who need a magnetic message and sharp communications skills, and with public affairs and public relations experts who counsel their bosses and clients. The former radio broadcaster is the author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations. As President of Barks Communications since 1997, he has taught more than 3000 business leaders, association executives, government officials, athletes, entertainers, non-profit executives, and public relations staff how to succeed when they deal with the media, deliver presentations, and testify before government officials.