Course Deadline Extended

From the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Edition — April 7, 2001

The registration deadline had been extended through Tuesday for the third of four college-level courses by the Institute of Residential Marketing, or IRM, for housing industry professionals.

The 10-week course, "Implementing the Marketing Plan (Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising and Promotion Strategies)," is being offered at UC Irvine Extension. Lectures will focus on the importance of a comprehensive marketing plan to ensure that a residential development is well received.

Guest lecturers will address the disciplines involved, as well as show how to create, motivate, communicate with and manage a cohesive marketing team.

The class sessions will cover advertising, graphics, interior design, merchandising, landscaping, and public relations. Specialists tentatively scheduled to speak on the topics are Lester Goodman, Carole Eichen, Elliot Light, Sandra Keedy, and Robert Mirman.

Co-sponsored by UC Irvine Extension and the Sales & Marketing Council of the Building Industry Assn. of Southern California, or MSC/SC, this session of classes is part of the "Marketing for the Residential Builder" course series offered as a UC Irvine Extension Certificate Program.

Developed by IRM, an affiliate organization of the National Association of Home Builders, the four courses are presented in conjunction with an intensive educational program required of housing industry professionals seeking to obtain the Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing, or MIRM, designation.

The class can also apply toward the fulfillment of up to 15 hours of the continuing education requirements needed for California Real Estate License renewals. This IRM III course is a requirement, as well, for the UC Irvine Extension Certificate in Light Construction and Development Management program, which is co-sponsored by the Home Builders Council of the Building Industry Assn. of Southern California.

The "Marketing for the Residential Builder" series is directed by Michael Hixson, a senior vice president of Prudential New Homes Real Estate, a Southern California-based sales and marketing organization. Holding an MBA degree from Cal State Long Beach, Hixson is a past president of both IRM and SMC/SC.

Presented through UC Irvine's Extension program, the IRM course will meet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on success Tuesdays through June 5. The cost is $360 per person.

Completion of earlier courses in this series is not a prerequisite.

To enroll, contact UC Irvine Extension at (949) 824-5414.

For more information about this class, the IRM series or scholarships for the SMC/SC education programs, contact Joanne Williams at Strategic HR Services (800) 789-5655, Ext. 5002, or Hixson at (949) 567-7200.