Media Alert: Avaya Hosts Free Social Networking Workshops for New York and New Jersey Small Businesses

BASKING RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - October 19, 2009) - This week, Avaya will host free social networking workshops in New York City and Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. The workshops are designed to help small businesses interested in using social networking technologies to gain customers through a new generation of online venues.

The workshops -- created for small businesses of all sizes and industries -- help business professionals understand the best ways to use social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to succeed. Social media strategies and tools are explored in depth, as are the common mistakes that small businesses should avoid. Details are as follows:

WHAT:   --Free Avaya Social Media Workshops for Small Businesses Discussing
          How to Use Social Media to Successfully Promote Products and
          Services.
        --Experts are available to discuss the topic of social media for
          small businesses with media.

WHEN:   --New York City: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2009
        --Mt. Laurel, New Jersey: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 22,
          2009

WHERE:  --New York City: Omni Berkshire Place (21 East 52nd St., New York,
          NY)
        --Mt. Laurel, New Jersey: Seminar Enterprise Conference Center
          (3331 Route 38, Mt. Laurel, NJ)
        --See below for registration information.

WHO:    Richard Brasser, social media and on-line marketing expert, is the
        key speaker for these events. Richard has more than a decade of
        experience in interactive media, is one of the leading experts on
        social media and online marketing, and is the CEO of The Targeted
        Group.

Media Briefing Opportunities

Avaya small business experts are available to discuss how New York and New Jersey small businesses can use social media to promote their products or services. These experts can provide tips on topics such as determining the right goals for social media efforts, identifying the best social media platform for different small businesses, how to empower people to tell the story for you, and other social media topics.

In addition to Richard Brasser, the following Avaya executives are available to discuss social media for small businesses in depth:

--  Paul Dunay, co-author of "Facebook Marketing for Dummies," and Global
    Managing Director of Services and Social Marketing, Avaya
--  Isabelle Guis, Senior Director of Marketing, Small and Medium
    Enterprises at Avaya
    

Registration is required to participate in the workshops.

For New York, please visit http://avaya-news.com/makeover/workshop/newyork/

For New Jersey, please visit http://avaya-news.com/makeover/workshop/mountlaurel/

Contact: Jonathan Varman of Avaya (908-953-6432; jvarman@avaya.com) if interested in interviewing Avaya small business experts or hearing the workshops.

About Avaya

Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

Contact Information: Media Relations: Jonathan Varman 908-953-6432 jvarman@avaya.com