"Visioneering's publicity campaign for Mindwalk was extremely successful. I believe there are two reasons for this success: 1) John's unique knowledge of the media and wide contacts both in activist and business communities; 2) his great ability to link the film with the concerns of the disparate communities he addressed as well as with the many other ideas and activities promoted by its authors and distributors. It was a great experience for me to witness this "systemic" approach to marketing. Since then, John has been working as a marketing consultant for the Elmwood Institute's Eco-Management Program, and, more recently, has been hired by publisher Berrett-Koehler to promote the Program's principal publication, the book EcoManagement. To work with John is to witness a never- ending flow of ideas and creativity. I recommend him warmly and look forward to a long continuation of our collaboration."

—Fritjof Capra, Physicist, Author, The Tao of Physics, The Turning Point

"John is never short of exciting and original ideas for attracting people's attention. I also value the way that John follows through on projects. He does not let a lead drop over time, but keeps on pushing, firmly, but politely. Perhaps I can best sum up my feelings by saying that I will continue to use Visioneering's services whenever the opportunity arises."

—Peter Russell, Futurist, Physicist, Author, The White Hole in Time

"John's help has been priceless. His work is enduring and comprehensive. His enthusiasm is matched by none, his creativity world-class, and his professionalism always present. I believe, however, that John's most valuable asset is his integrity. In publishing our national business magazine, we are daily beset by 'PR flacks' trying to get us to place stories about the companies and individuals they represent. John is not in that category. In fact, we have come to consider John as a reliable source for story ideas and potential books to review. I always return his calls -- because he represents substance. I highly recommend John Raatz (as in fact I often do). In my experience, and as his tagline says, he truly has the ability to link spirit, vision and values with communication to promote a positive future."

—Miriam Kniaz, Founding Partner, Business Ethics Magazine

"For the past 3 1/2 years, while serving us in a capacity of public relations and media consultant, advisor and friend, you have significantly helped us to clarify our vision, focus our direction and communicate our message. Visioneering is truly an example of leadership in an emerging, and greatly needed trend of conscious and socially responsible business. Therefore, we would highly recommend you to any individual or company who needs to develop new visions, define a marketing direction and plan of action and who is seeking to 'get the word out'."

—Dean Greenberg, The Progress Agency

"John made a significant contribution to the theatrical success of both Mindwalk and A Brief History of Time. He brought us his unparalleled expertise and contacts and achieved amazing coverage in reviews and feature stories in publications that ordinarily give little or no attention to films. He came up with interesting and innovative marketing ideas, such as offering a Save The Planet software program as a premium to support a direct mail campaign for Mindwalk. John is very capable, committed and enthusiastic. He has been an asset to each project we have done with him. He has our highest recommendation."

—Jeff Ivers, Executive Vice President, Triton Pictures

"I'm convinced Visioneering was able to open markets for Baraka that would never have been reached through the conventional channels. It was a real pleasure for me working with them. Your enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism are a rare combination."

—Mark Magidson, Producer, Baraka, Magidson Films

"During the Evolutions End (Joseph Chilton Pearce) campaign, Visioneering did the job they were hired to do, and much more! They are hardworking, responsible, trustworthy, and generous with their time and work. We, at Harper, are truly grateful for the work they have done."

—Leslie Rossman, HarperSanFrancisco

"Visioneering's efforts made a huge difference. The contacts and exposure have been invaluable. Visioneering is more than a public relations firm; they are powerful and brilliant networkers. Their ideas and help in creating new collaborations have been invaluable."

—Sally Fisher, Speaker, Activist Author, Life Mastery

"Visioneering has shown dynamic, solid expertise, from initiation to follow-through, in all of the projects we have worked on together."

—Robert Venosa, Visionary Artist

"The Visioneering Group demonstrates exceptional talent in the areas of personal communication, strategic planning, public relations and overall marketing. Outstanding work."

—Larry Payne, President, Samata Yoga Garden, Healthy Back, Healthy Mind Inst.

"Thank you for your guidance and support in getting my business off the ground. You were immediately able to ferret out the incongruities and weaknesses, make the simple adjustments needed to dismiss the problem and then turn the weakness into a strength. It is quite a process to witness."

—Dr. Frank Kinslow

"Visioneering defines the way 21st Century public relations should operate."

—Jeff Hutner, New Paradigm Digest, Chintamani Music

"John has helped me focus, save money, cut staff, and refine product and direction. Your advice has been the sustaining element in a sea of chaotic change. I must credit you with a good deal of our purposeful effort and steady success at this point."

—Twyla Dell, President, The Foresight Institute

"We needed an exceptionally skillful, knowledgeable and energetic company to generate enthusiasm and exposure for Baraka. Visioneering was all of these and more."

—Ron Fricke, Director, Cinematographer, Baraka

"Our personal thanks to Visioneering for their contribution to the Parliament, without which our jobs would have been much more difficult, if not impossible."

—Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions

"You are a true professional - both in your dealings with me as well as the integrity you demonstrate in the projects you take on. I really appreciate the fact that you feel an alignment with your clients and don't compromise your values. I wish you continued success and heartily endorse your work."

—John Renesch, Publisher, The New Leaders

"The Visioneering Group are well organized with excellent follow-through, and the company is always very realistic with its objectives and expectations. The results are well worth the investment, and the reports are always thorough and accurate. My record company, 4AD, will continue to use The Visioneering Group, and I highly recommend the company to anyone who wishes to market and promote to the metaphysical industry."

—Robin Hurley, C.E.O., 4AD, Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard, Brendan Perry, Heidi Berry’

"As always, the work you did for me on the launch of my latest book, The Global Brain Awakens, was a most thorough job in contacting all the appropriate people to create a very good number of placements for extracts, interviews and reviews of the book. It is so good to be able to work with someone who not only has a very strong base of professional contacts in our area, but also a deep personal interest in the field. I look forward to continuing to work with you on future projects."

—Peter Russell, Author, The Global Brain Awakens

"In consulting with me about my business and future directions, John Raatz of The Visioneering Group has been very helpful in getting me to relate my day-to-day activities with my long-term visions -- and vise versa. Instead of plunging into a flurry of activity, he has taken the time to really help me clarify exactly where I want to go. In this regard, he has helped me sort out my own ideas and priorities. His suggestions for my business direction were creative and practical. John's imagination, insight and perceptiveness, make him a valuable player in any endeavor."

—Steve Bhaerman a.k.a., Swami Beyondananda

"I knew from the beginning that John understood the very essence and core of who I am, and of what I am trying to manifest in our world. He began to advise and guide me even before we had 'signed the deal.' His enthusiasm for The Sacred Hub and his faith in its message came first. The deal came second. John then embellished his enthusiasm with impeccable skill: keen insights, revelatory suggestions, and gorgeous writing. Oh yes, concrete results began to appear from the first day, and continue to appear with inscrutable regularity."

—Robert Rabbin, Author, The Sacred Hub

"As the producer of the film, Ecological Design: Inventing The Future, I found the public relations work of The Visioneering Group and John Raatz in particular, to be of the highest caliber. Not only is he knowledgeable in his own field, but John also has the ability to boundary span and find new connections amongst diverse subject matters."

—Chris Zelov, Producer, The Knossus Project

"John is well connected, imaginative and communicative. What sets him apart, however, is the deep and personal enthusiasm that he brings to his work. John genuinely enjoys the challenges of his work and invests himself to a level which is most rare."

—Will Ackerman, C.E.O., Imaginary Road Records, Founder, Windham Hill Records

"John always demonstrates creativity and innovation with his ideas seeing possibilities where I saw none. His approach combines a sense of vision with a practical down to earth perspective. He genuinely cares and shows concern beyond just being in business, which I have come to really appreciate. His company successfully solicited reviews for my national CD release of The Music of Yosemite. He also provided me with career development advise which greatly helped me to navigate the complex waters of a career in music. John is a person who delivers on what he promises. I highly recommend him as a person to assist those who seek placement and success for their vision."

—Rick Erlien, Recording Artist, The Music of Yosemite

"John is consulting with me and my colleagues to promote the new online Global Suggestion Box, a project to create a planetwide forum for all people's creative proposals for a better world. John arranged for his client, noted transformational author Peter Russell, to represent me at, and address the London awards ceremony of the International Social Inventions Competition, when the Global Suggestion Box won that prize. John's integrity and creativity, and excellent connections with some of the world's most committed, inspiring people and groups, make him and Visioneering an excellent resource for any company, organization or creative individual with something "good" to sell."

—Gregory Wright, President, Wright Thinking

"I have known John Raatz of The Visioneering Group since 1990. John continues to be a guest speaker at my UCLA courses: Elements of Publicity and Publicity: The Working Essentials. He is effective, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and inspiring. My students, all of whom are adults, single him out every time as one of my best speakers. I also work with him regularly as an independent PR writer and find that John brings those same qualities to the service of his clients. He is bright, articulate, and visionary, in the best sense of that term. He has a comprehensive, current and forward-thinking view of the public relations field. He is worth listening to and has much to offer, especially to those individuals and companies who make and wish to make a difference in the community, the country and the world."

—Rolf Gompertz, President, Rolf Gompertz Communications

I’m best known for my ability to pick outstanding businesses and predict their ability to shine the brightest in their field.  Without giving away all of my secrets, you can tell a lot about a business simply by reading its vision mission statement and understanding that the CEO is the soul of the company.  John Raatz, The CEO and founder of Visioneering Group, vows to link spirit, vision and values with communication to promote a positive future.  As a matter of success, they have the single-most effective book launch campaign in the history of humanity with Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth webinar with Opray Winfrey.  What’s equally impressive, however, is that John finds the time to counsel and guide young talent with the same core values and wisdom that underlie the ethos of Visioneering’s competitive edge in the PR/marketing marketplace, even while he was handling the fulfillment of the largest classroom known to man.

—Natalie Pace, CEO & founder, Women’s Investment Network, LLC

"I wrote my second book, 'Free Your Mind,' out of a felt urgency to help people understand the rushing rivers of thoughts stream through their mind and to have them look for themselves to determine how detrimental ALL of them are to living a happy life.  Although this interest of mine had a good origin, I did not understand anything about how to get the book out such that the public could benefit from it.  I would have hated have it just go unread and unsold, consigned to some dusty shelves and not put to good use.  The Visioneering Group helped me understand the process of getting the word out and guided me through the overall process.  Their help with strategy and tactics of a campaign has been most helpful.  Book reviews are coming in now as are radio show interviews.  I feel happy to have met and had the chance to work with them and feel blessed to have gotten such good guidance."

—Steve Pashko, Author, Free Your Mind.

John Raatz and The Visioneering Group public relations agency take the fine art of shaping public opinion to a higher plane. When they combine their consciousness raising palette with creative cultural sensitivity, the synergy is nothing short of inspiring and the results are pure magic.

—Straw Weisman, Associate Producer, What the Bleep Do We Know!?

"Visioneering is a gift to people like us who are trying to figure out how to communicate meaningful messages to an awakening world. The people at Visioneering are inspiring individuals in their own right, and they are a joy to work with. John Raatz has amazing vision, insight and perspective. He is also one of the best-connected people on the planet, always finding ways to bring conscious leaders together. One presentation from him set our whole organization abuzz, and thrust us onto an exciting new path for growth."

—Paula Coppel, VP of Communications, Unity School of Christianity

John Raatz and Visioneering were exceptionally passionate about PEACEFUL WARRIOR and invaluable in forging key relationships to promote the movie within the community. They have a unique ability and a singular vision in identifying films which elevate them in this arena as a premiere marketing group. I'm open to any changes you'd like to make.

—Cami Winikoff, Producer, President, Sobini Fims

John, I want to personally tell you what a joy it was to get to know you and what a treasure you are to the world!!!!!! It's great to see someone walking their talk.  My love and my thanks again for who you are and all that you so generously give.  Love, Linda.

—Linda Evans, Actress

“As a spiritual being, John demonstrates a special gift of being present to the universe’s calling by standing in his truth and respectfully expecting you to stand in yours. His powerful and thoughtful communication skills encourages a gentle force of direction towards enlightened inquiry and inspired solutions. I can always count on John’s wisdom and positive intention whenever we talk about important issues at hand. His ability to examine the heart of the question results in the soul of the answer.”

—Elizabeth Estrada, Chair, Institute for Conscious Entertainment

"John is a media wizard tending to a major nodal point of intersection where concrescence and novelty are shaping the collective unconscious." He brings integrity and compassion to his everyday interactions. I am grateful for his friendship."

—Rod Mann, Filmmaker, “EntheoGenesis

"John is truly a powerful force of nature...and of spirit!  Over the years, his introductions, advice and support have proved invaluable towards reaching my goals. John and The Visioneering Group are incredible assets for anyone who wants to create the life of their dreams. He lives in alignment with his ideals, and as someone who embodies integrity, John always steers me in the right direction: up, and up!! When it comes to my own life's work, there are no other hands I trust more to place it in than his."

—Sadie Nardini, Director, East West Yoga in New York City and Author, The Road Trip Guide to the Soul

“The expert guidance of John Raatz of The Visioneering Group has been invaluable to me as a first-time filmmaker. The association has enabled me to obtain financing and added prestige to the important story of social change.”

—Burton Goldberg, Author, Speaker, Filmmaker - “Greed”

John is an extremely generous and energetic person who is genuinely interested in the awakening of human consciousness. I have found him to be highly creative, and dynamic in the launching of my book, Journey into Now and in the production and promotion of my play and DVD, Liberating Jesus. He is a visionary and a great strategist when it comes to getting the message into the market place.

—Leonard Jacobson, Spiritual Teacher, Author - “Journey Into Now,” Playwright - “Liberating Jesus!”

“I have been consistently impressed by John Raatz's savvy and knowledge in a demanding and ever-changing field. His positive vision opens doors for multiple paths of exposure, then his integrity and experience join these pathways into a unified program.”

—Duncan Burns, Publisher - “Belly Dance   A Photographic Journey”

"The Visioneering Group dynamically combines ample creativity, with pragmatic focus, and unwavering professionalism. We received the results that were promised to us."

—Danielle LaPorte Global Brain, Inc.

"John has worked for me since 1991, placing articles, getting my books reviewed in major magazines and newspapers, and finding speaking engagements for me. John's enthusiasm is immediately apparent. The creativity he brings to each job he undertakes is out-of-this-world. Having worked with 'ordinary' public relations professionals in the publishing world and having hired public relations firms to promote my work -- I can say that John Raatz is the most creative person in the field that I know of. But best of all, he is a person whose inner desire to make the world a better place is matched with this work that he does. This combination of features makes him a responsible worker -- and a delight to know."

—Chellis Glendinning, Ph.D., Psychologist, Author of Pulitzer Prize-nominated When Technology Wounds

"I am certain that I owe the success of my most recent book to your outstanding intelligence and dedication. The quality of Visioneering's work exceeds that of any public relations firm I have known."

—Chellis Glendinning, Eco-Psychologist, Author, My Name Is Chellis & I'm In Recovery From Western Civilization

"John has advised me on the marketing of my book, Awakening Earth, and I have worked with him in developing a speaker's presentation package. Based on this first -hand experience, and given his unique combination of creativity, hard work, follow-through and concern for the future, I am delighted to be able to whole- heartedly recommend his services."

—Duane Elgin, Author, Voluntary Simplicity, Awakening Earth

"I am writing to thank you for the fine job you did advertising and marketing our book India on $1000 a Day. The campaign your firm completed was a true success. Your knowledgeable, professional, and experienced approach was very satisfying. The lines of communication between us were always open, and I feel that not only did we establish a good working relationship for future projects but a trusting friendship as well."

—Charles Balter, Author, Stillpoint Press Ltd.

"It has been my pleasure to be associated with John on two projects. One was the promotion of a major film, Mindwalk, while I was at Harvard University, and the other ongoing project is the promotion of my most recent books, The Book of Pithies, Volumes I and II. John is far more than just a businessperson willing to accept and promote indiscriminately any project. Because he selects carefully only projects to which he can relate personally, once engaged, he becomes a creative, resourceful and tireless ally. Steams of ideas flow from him spontaneously. These then are developed and followed through tenaciously. He is honorable, responsive and gets results. I recommend him highly."

—Joe Simonetta, Author, Activist

“Having been a manager in the music business for more than ten years, I was delighted to be introduced to John Raatz and The Visioneering Group. His honesty, integrity and enlightened way of integrating spiritual and business practices have been nothing short of inspiring to me. I hope to work with John and The Visioneering Group many more times in the future.”

—Bennett Freed, One Love Management, (Manager of Donovan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Swing Out Sister)

"I can't thank you enough for your help in connecting us with the Compuclassics computer software company. Your ideas about joining business pursuits with real action for our forest ecosystems are beginning to take hold. Since you first suggested the idea, they have placed hard hitting information in their catalog which goes to over 100,000 individuals, in their mail order packing sheets, and in a beautiful spot in PC Magazine which reaches 695,000 readers. Plus, they are on a solid program to recycle, and to use recycled materials in their business. I was also impressed with your work in promoting the film Mindwalk. Washingtonians work a lot, and I think it was a great achievement for you to fill the auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution with such leaders as Dr. Thomas Lovejoy and Senator Albert Gore. I hope we can work together again."

—Mark Winstein, Co-Director, Save America's Forests

"Thank you for the fine work you have done this year on behalf of the Art of Living Foundation. The combination of your extensive network and your intuitive grasp of our aims and goals contributed greatly to the success of our program in southern California. I have found your resources and creative approach to be unique in the field of public relations, and I am pleased to act as a reference for your work at any time in the future. I look forward to more work together in the months ahead."

—John Osborne, Chairman, Art of Living Foundation

"You (John) have accommodated our do-it-yourself ethic by consistently giving impromptu phone consultations, broadening our home-grown marketing strategies for Transforming Your Relationship With Money and Achieving Financial Independence. Your style alone has provided a model of informed enthusiasm, for something as intangible as the new paradigm. These contacts alone have left me enthused -- and smarter. Thank you. You are providing an important service."

—Vicki Robin, Author, Executive Director, The New Road Map Foundation

“Over the years, I have observed, interacted and sought guidance from John Raatz and I'm continuously amazed at not only his exceptional skills, but also, where he applies them... from the promoting of books, magazines, music and conferences - to films, video and television. The primary reason for his success is his integrity! His sparkling creativity, undaunted commitment, insight and foresight, strategic planning and marketing abilities, plus, his awesome network, make John a man without peers in the PR world. I am honored to call him friend.”

—Claudine Schneider, former U.S. Congresswoman, Chairman, Renew America

“I want to thank you for your role in bringing about the imminent publication of the second edition of The Sacred Hub. The results of your work - including securing distribution and placing numerous book reviews as well as the interview in The World Times - helped persuade The Crossing Press that the book will do very well in general release. I also appreciated your participation in the book contract negotiations, which resulted in my retaining the rights to audiotape reproduction. I look forward to our continued partnership in promoting this new edition, as well as the audio tape version, the columns, and my second book.”

—Robert Rabbin, author, The Sacred Hub

“It has been a complete delight to work over the last eight months with John Raatz of The Visioneering Group. John has helped both myself and a book I wrote/published, Women of Power and Grace, to attain much greater recognition in the Spiritual and New Age marketplace. John is well connected to this entire 'alternative/spiritual community' in ways that most publicists for authors and publishers are not. Moreover, John brings numerous splendid qualities to his work and his relationship with the client, such as great intelligence, diligence, sensitivity, kindness, cheerfulness, honesty and integrity. He “walks the talk.” Significantly and predictably, John enjoys a quite positive reputation among the various radio and TV talk show hosts, in contrast to many other publicists, who do not seem to be as highly esteemed. (I have heard a number of them spontaneously comment to me what a joy it was to relate to John.)

I look forward to working further with John over the years on this and other projects and I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to help make a difference on the planet. He's a superb 'teammate'.”

—Timothy Conway, author/publisher, Women of Power and Grace, The Wake Up Press

"I am writing this letter in recommendation of John Raatz, whose services in publicizing my recent book Sex Death Enlightenment were effective beyond my most optimistic expectations. With almost no advance notice whatever, John was able to do in ten days what the corporate publicist at my publishing house, G.P. Putnam's Sons could not accomplish in two months; namely, to arrange radio interviews and print interest in the spiritual marketplace inaccessible to the run-of-the-mill promotion department. From the start, I was extremely impressed by John's perseverance, meticulous attention to detail, and unsurpassed access to this booming but elusive market. More than that, unlike many other for-hire publicists I'd interviewed, John brought a heartfelt enthusiasm and devotion to the job which undoubtedly helped him in enticing the media regarding the book. His highly creative approach to publicity and marketing is rare; rarer still is someone who has a vision not only for the artist's present work, but also for future works and the arc of one's career as a whole. These qualities coupled with reliability and a warm nature made working with John Raatz a delight from start to finish. I intend to hire him again to publicize the paperback edition of my book in the spring of 1997."

—Mark Matousek, Author, Sex Death Enlightenment (June 2000: Mark hired us again to help with the promotion of his latest book, The Boy He Left Behind.)

"Integrity is the word I most like to use to describe John Raatz of The Visioneering Group. Yes, he is creative, connected, and organized, but I was most impressed with his dedication, his honesty and his integrity. In today's world those are valuable assets for a professional organization to have and very rare to find. I could relax and trust John to handle the publicity for Acacia Publishing Corporation. I would not hesitate to trust John with my bank account. That is what I mean by integrity. He "walks his talk" in beauty, honesty and harmony."

—Alanna Tarkington, Publisher, Acacia Publishing Corporation

"When I hired John Raatz, I thought I was getting just a publicist, but I got much more. He's been a friend, confidante, and advisor. He really believed in my work and he actually went beyond our original agreement and continued publicizing my book long after the agreed upon termination date.

He's a skilled networker, and my book received much greater exposure because of his hard work. My book was published by one of the top three publishing houses in the world, and yet the publicity that John Raatz generated far out stripped anything that their publicity department had done. John Raatz got my book radio and magazine exposure, and he's everything a public relations professional should be."

—William J. Elliott, Author, Tying Rocks To Clouds

"As a first-time author, I found myself bewildered by the amount of hype, schmooze, and inconsistencies that seemed to surround me when my book, God Made Easy, first came out. That was until I found John Raatz. He has been my anchor and a calm guiding force in the volatile ocean of the publishing world I found myself swimming in. John has that rarest of combinations - true integrity with a capital 'I', and the knowledge, contacts and passionate commitment to his clients to help them reach their highest goals. I am proud to have him involved in representing my book and am honored to call him a friend."

—Patrice Karst, Author, God Made Easy

"When the White House called with an invitation to the Children's Television Summit, we had only two days to organize the trip and let our publics know. John Raatz of The Visioneering Group came to the rescue with a comprehensive strategy and effective implementation that was affordable. A year later, we're still reaping the benefits of his expertise and hard work."

—Elizabeth Thoman, Executive Director, Center For Media Literacy’

"In my fifteen years in representing clients in the mergers and acquisitions field I have worked with a number of public relations and marketing executives. It is a pleasure to finally work with one whose creativity and intelligence make a real difference in a company's efforts.John Raatz' unique perspective and experience make working with him an exciting adventure. He lends a great deal of value to each conversation. his strategic planning skills are well developed. His integrity, which is in short supply in the marketplace, is natural to his character and like his word does not vacillate. I encourage clients who want a fresh and inspiring approach to put their trust in him."

—Bobbie McMorrow, President, McMorrow Associates Inc.

"Before I had officially begun working with John Raatz of The Visioneering Group, I found out much to my surprise and delight, how enthusiastic and committed John is. This stemmed from the fact that one of my clients was about to begin an important U.S. tour, when an unexpected immigration problem occurred that could only be resolved with the help of an U.S. Congressperson. It appeared that the tour would have to be canceled when John brought in assistance from an associate he had in Congress. To say the least, it was a truly impressive way to begin my business relationship with John. The client that I was referring to above was Donovan. John was instrumental in helping reintroduce both Donovan and his music to the U.S. This was a project that required both equal parts hard work and passion from everyone involved. John led the charge in both areas. Donovan is presently completing his first sell out tour of the U.S. in many years, and a large part of that is due to John's hard work.

Finally, and most importantly, is the vision and integrity that John brings to his job. He truly gets involved at the beginning of a project and brings a wealth of ideas and suggestions on how to launch a campaign. Equally as importantly, this is done with a true sensitivity to the artists needs and the artist’s integrity. On a personal level, John has inspired me on how to more effectively integrate my business and spiritual beliefs. The times that we live in demand that all of us do the very best we can on a daily basis. John Raatz is someone who does just that. It is a pleasure to work with him."

—Bennett Freed, Owner/Manager, One Love Management

"John Raatz very skillfully arranged numerous interviews and publications in various media for me during the promotion of my book The Web of Life. He did so with great enthusiasm and a keen sense of the interdependence of ideas and channels of communication."

—Fritjof Capra, Author, The Tao if Physics, The Web of Life

"Over the past several years, I have trusted in the direction, guidance and advice of John Raatz and Visioneering. Throughout the duration of our association, I have come to rely upon my connection with John as life-sustaining for my business and for me personally."

—Steve Buckley, President, Youth Entertainment Services

"As DeVorss & Company evolves over the years, we continually recognize the need to organize the manner in which we present our message and titles to the world. John's guidance and consultation has not only given us an insight into publicizing our books to the media and our market, but in the process, helped DeVorss and the people behind the books, define and understand our mission and purpose for providing this material."

—Gary Peattie, Vice President, DeVorss & Company

"Your marketing plan, and the discussion of it, showed me how clearly you had grasped the potential of my business. I felt validated and empowered by your enthusiastic support for my business. For the first time I understood the vital role of marketing for a service business. You demonstrated, in bold and confident strokes, how to bring my service to the real-life market place. Your systemic approach to public relations and marketing brought to my business a level of clarity and purpose, which had been lacking. Thank you."

—Peter Oldfield, President, Transformative Environments

"John Raatz is a public relations professional who is not driven by money, although his rates are standard for the industry. If he believes in what you are doing, he will craft a way to get you started in the right direction once mutual clarity is established. Our consultations have been enormously productive."

—George Tompkins, President, Bio-Energy Research Foundation - Research Into The Phenomenon Of Kundalini

"As we're working together on a project, John has the true gift of being able to see the big picture as a puzzle. He's able to see each piece of the puzzle and guide me in taking decisive steps that put all the pieces together to form a strong and cohesive presentation. I'm very grateful for John's clear vision. It's a wonderful blend of honesty, clarity and sincerity mixed with years of experience."

—Carl Studna, President, Carl Studna Photography

"4AD has worked with John Raatz and The Visioneering Group for over five years on several albums by Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard and other 4AD artists. Since we have been working with John, the sales base of these artists has grown consistently, and I am confident that a significant proportion of this growth can be attributed to the specialist work undertaken by The Visioneering Group. It is also important that the new audience is mainly in areas that conventional record marketing does not reach."

—Robin Hurley, General Manger, 4AD USA

"John Raatz of The Visioneering Group has brought a real visionary sense of our company's mission to their PR work for us. Not only have they completely understood what we are about, they have unfailingly gone the extra mile for us. I highly recommend their services."

—Paul O'Brien, CEO, Visionary Networks, Inc.

"As the owner of a public relations firm, if I needed to hire a publicist to promote my company, the only one I would trust completely is John Raatz and The Visioneering Group. Primarily, it is John's integrity, literacy and sophistication -- both technologically and culturally -- that I value. He is one in a million."

—David Langer, President, The Langers and Company

"I am bombarded by publicists submitting authors to be interviewed on my show. I know that when I hear from John Raatz, the quality of the guest and all the support materials will be Grade "A". His clients are always intelligent, compelling and significant contributors to society. He can book my show anytime!"

—David Stuart, Co-Host, "Connecting Point" Talk Radio

"Working with John on several projects, I've been repeatedly impressed by his quick, profound grasp of the essence of a client's project or message, and the seemingly inexhaustible flood of creative ideas he comes up with to bring the project to life. I'm proud to be connected to the positive people and life-supporting projects he attracts and accepts."

—Jack Forem, Author, Editor, Ghostwriter

"One of the most professional and knowledgeable PR consultants on the West Coast. It's obvious John loves his work and loves to promote people he believes in. His patient, responsible and committed to excellence attitude makes it a joy to work with him. He has provided me with numerous marketing and publicity strategies that have helped my business become more successful."

—G. Stuart Cook, CEO, Skyward Aviation

"I have known and worked with John Raatz of The Visioneering Group for more than fifteen years and find him always to be a refreshing change from all others in the stale, stagnant and shallow business world of PR and marketing. He listens to you carefully and deeply to understand your perspective and vision, and then steers you in a productive and positive direction with very insightful and practical advice. He attends to the heart and soul of any project with his undivided attention and complete commitment. He is a guiding force in the development of my business."

—Ted Gerdes, Esq., President, Gerdes & Associates

"Recently, I had the opportunity to interact with John Raatz of The Visioneering Group on behalf of the New Age special interest group within AFIM (the association for independent music). It was a unique and valuable experience. Our objective was to broaden the understanding of New Age music in the marketplace and make it accessible to a larger audience. John's philosophy and practical approach to marketing and publicity made him the perfect consultant for our project. He took us through a very thought-provoking process even before the first meeting took place that helped to focus us in the most productive direction. For the client who "walks his/her talk" in the New Consciousness arena, The Visioneering Group is the right marketing company."

—Erin Johnson, Sales Director, NAPRA ReView

“They really live up to their name... Visioneering. Their creative vision for the “A Gift of Love” campaign was innovative, unique and sophisticated. Furthermore, it was professionally implemented and well received. Some of the coverage we got was among the very best possible in U.S. media including a full-page feature story in Newsweek magazine.”

—Donna D’Cruz, President, AMI/raSa Records

“John’s a rare person. He’s able to combine deep spirituality with a strong sense of purpose and practicality. The result is that he’s able to understand and resonate with big ideas, while having the ability to communicate them simply and meaningfully to a wide audience.”

—Don & Paige Marrs, Barrington Sky Communications

“John Raatz and The Visioneering Group have worked closely with the Inner Directions staff, to ensure that our publications reach important industry contacts at the best possible time. The service that The Visioneering Group provides to us is invaluable. The clear understanding of our products, and how to market them, directly result in increased sales and market recognition.”

—Matthew Greenblatt, President InnerDirections Publishing

“I wish I had known John Raatz and The Visioneering Group at the beginning of 1998, when I first brought out my book, Waking Down: Beyond Hypermasculine Dharmas. When we did link up with Visioneering nine months later, they helped me understand that to get taken seriously these days in the marketplace, you have to have entrée to the people who control access to it: especially in the media. John and his staff started out with a basic recognition that my work is really worth people’s noticing, and thus worthy of vigorous promotion. They were realistic about the likely results of our first campaign with them and they didn’t promise miracles, and we haven’t had any. But their diligent efforts are securing us somewhere around fifteen positive reviews in the first half of 1999 that we would not otherwise have gotten on a year-old book. They’ve made about a hundred editors and reviewers aware of my work in a very favorable light. They’ve greatly helped pave the way for whatever we may be able to achieve in future marketing and promotional efforts. So, I feel the money we paid to them is as good as any I’ve spent, and a lot better than most, in our attempts to bring our good work into the world.

—Saniel Bonder, Author, Waking Down, The Conscious Principle and While Jesus Weeps, Founder/President, Mt. Tam Awakenings

“I’ve known and worked with John Raatz for many, many years. He’s a cleaver strategist... an indefatigable idea machine!”

—Hazel Payne, Musician, Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist A Taste of Honey

“John Raatz embodies a genuine spirit of caring matched with an encyclopedic grasp of the meta-structure of marketing. John generously gave us valuable input and feedback in developing our ongoing business plan and strategy even before our contract was signed. I have no doubt as to why he is prized by many as a foremost consultant in the field of new paradigm win-win business strategy.”

—Michael Stillwater, co-founder Companion Arts

“John Raatz is quite simply one of the most extraordinary businessmen I have been graced to work with. Principled, savvy and fervently creative – Raatz guides one through the world of modern media and promotion with the clarity of a sage. He has revolutionized the way my organization thinks about itself and its place in mainstream culture. A priceless contribution, far exceeding the work for which we initially hired him. I recommend him unequivocally to any organization or project in need of a high-octane injection of self-confidence and promotional power.”

—Jeff Forrester, Manager, Worldwide Mission of Adidam

John Raatz and The Visioneering group have changed my life and that of my organization! In working with John I feel that I am receiving a dynamic training in marketing and public relations. His marketing strategy and thought processes are compelling. He communicates his radical marketing perspective in a way that is highly articulate, accessible and authoritative. In working with my organization, he has shown himself to be uniquely flexible and completely in tune with our concerns and promotional objecti\ves. He has communicated to us radical perceptions that he has had about our organization’s needs that have had far-reaching, in-depth, benign and healing consequences. By some kind of osmotic process I feel his strengths are rubbing off on my colleagues and me! I heartily recommend him to anyone wanting to fix short term or long-standing organizational problems. John offers marketing and PR solutions that can lift your organization to a new and higher level of operating. Whatever battles you may be fighting, John will put you on the winning side.

—Simon Pritchard, Manager, Worldwide Mission of Adidam

“In a world filled with empty promises, John Raatz delivers high caliber strategic marketing guidance with vision, intuition and an enormous amount of heart.”

—Gary Malkin Composer, Producer Malkin Music Group

“John Raatz and The Visioneering Group did an excellent job of promoting my book, The Alphabet Versus The Goddess. They brought my book to the attention of many reviewers who might not otherwise have known of it and generated numerous positive reviews that greatly increased the book’s exposure, thereby helping to make it to the national Best-Seller lists. I am grateful for, and applaud their work.”

—Leonard Shlain, Author, The Alphabet Versus The Goddess Art and Physics

“On reading the press kit material again after a few weeks, I continue to appreciate your skill in so artfully manipulating the concepts and information into interesting phrases and approaches. Just want you to know how much we appreciate your work....”

—Dudley Evenson, President Soundings of the Planet

“Over the last year and a half, John Raatz has been a priceless asset to my professional and creative career. Besides counseling me with invaluable and informed ideas in the areas of the music business and music promotion, John has directed my career with clarity and vision unlike any other advisor in my 10 years in the music business. He continues to be a friend and confidante, and continues to lead me on all issues concerning my career. He is constantly reminding me of what our goals are (not just MY goals) and skillfully guiding every aspect of my projects in the right directions.”

—Mike Randle, My Music Loves You, Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

“As the owner of a public relations firm, if I needed to hire a publicist, to promote my company, the only person I know who could handle the job to my standards is John Raatz. His style is exquisite. His capabilities are what every publicist should aspire to. He is one of the truly great and unique minds in public relations and promotion today.”

—Arielle Ford, President, The Ford Group (Public Relations)

“Working with John Raatz and the Visioneering group is business as we wish it would be--conscious, reliable, visionary and empowering. I especially appreciate just how wonderful John is at holding the parameters of his medium and innovating beyond them – he is always full of splendid, fresh ideas and strategies!”

—Elia Wise, Author, Letter To Earth

In Gratitude

To Ned Beatty and Jim Carrey for their contagious inspiration, grand influences and immeasurable contributions to the glorious life I live today.

“I moved to California in 1979. Actor Ned Beatty gave me my first job as his assistant and quickly recognized in me the makings of a PR person. As a gift, Ned presented to me a copy of Lesly’s Public Relations Handbook which introduced me to the field and became my bible.

Ned was one of my first public relations clients. Thank you, Ned, for believing in me and giving me a start in a field that was difficult to enter without credentials and experience."

—John Raatz

* * *

“John Raatz is working for me in the area of public relations and promotion, both in my professional career and in other projects in which we both share an interest. I find him a good fellow of fine character and enlightened habits.”

—Ned Beatty Actor, April 1979

To John Raatz -  for your unending perseverance and your willingness to boldly take Starship Carrey to places where it has never gone before.

—Jim Carrey

Accolades for The Visioneering Group

Nothing indicates success better than satisfied clients. We feel blessed to have worked with some of the most extraordinary people in the world ... people whose vision and creations are mapping humanity's road to the future. Here is what some of them have said about us.