Chamber Warns Local Businesses of Advertising Scam

HUTCHINSON, Kansas (June 14, 2010) The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is advising businesses that receive calls from representatives of Hometown Productions to be wary of purchasing advertisements for placement on local maps. The company, part of Universal AdCom, is falsely claiming a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.

Hometown Productions has been calling members of the Hutchinson/Reno County business community to solicit advertising for a local map, which it says it is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to produce. However, the Chamber does not have a contract with this company. Hometown Productions utilizes high-pressure sales tactics and misrepresents that advertising done with them will benefit local organizations.

Information found online about Hometown Productions indicates that the company operates under a host of different names. It produces low quality maps and does not circulate its product. Further research uncovered a Better Business Bureau rating of “F” due to questionable sales tactics, billing for orders never placed, and government action taken against the business.

The Chamber encourages thorough investigation before entering into a contract to advertise with anyone. The only official map endorsed and distributed by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is produced every two years in partnership with a company called Target Marketing/SouthComm Publishing. Chamber businesses are notified via fax and email when a new map is being produced to avoid any confusion about Chamber affiliation with the project.

For more information, contact Jade Piros at jadep@hutchchamber.com or call the Chamber office at (620)662-3391

RELEASED BY:

Jade Piros
Director of Communications & Marketing
620-662-3391/Fax: 620-662-2168