Posts Tagged ‘Public Relations’

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What’s your idea of beautiful?

By Chris Hagen, November 25, 2009

Recently I had the opportunity to meet a beautiful, dynamic woman with an impressive resume. Shelly Gompf is a senior vice president at Ulteig in Fargo. She’s also the newly-crowned Mrs. North Dakota International.  Our conversation reminded me of one of my favorite integrated brand advertising and public relations campaigns—the Dove© Campaign for Real Beauty.

Dove first launched the campaign in 2004 as it expanded its product offerings. Using women of all shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds the campaign confronted our cultural perception of beauty head-on and worked for positive change. It still does so today.

The Dove campaign came up because Shelly’s platform as Mrs. North Dakota revolves around building self-esteem in girls and women. She is a trained facilitator of self esteem workshops through one of Dove’s partners, Girls Inc.. Dove’s efforts map perfectly to its mission to make more women feel beautiful every day by widening stereotypical views of beauty, by provoking discussion and encouraging debate.

This campaign has definitely created discussion and debate. And you’ll find it integrated into every aspect of their communications—ads, websites, print, social and more. The Dove website links directly to bloggers on girls’ self-esteem, videos, many of which have gone viral. (I’ve been forwarded the link to the video Evolution multiple times since this video reached more than 3 million views on YouTube in 2006.) Customers are encouraged to be part of the effort on multiple levels, from entering UPC codes to increase the Dove self-esteem fund to becoming a fan on Facebook.

You’ll hear our PR team talk about developing and adopting community relations programs and initiatives that make your brand relevant to your customers and important audiences. The really good programs are those that are genuine, enduring and map back to your mission. This one is a beautiful example.

Can you think of others that are equally as integrated, effective and impactful?

Posted in AadlandFlint, Flint Communications, Flint Group, Flint Interactive, HatlingFlint, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

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Media Productions and WestmorelandFlint Partner for Fashion & Fundraising.

By Lee Massey, October 28, 2009

Several weeks ago, Media Productions and WestmorelandFlint helped maurices, a national fashion retailer with corporate headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota and 700+ stores in 43 states, launch Rescues & Runways. Rescues and Runways is a national campaign that paired fashion and fundraising to help animal shelters and the homeless pets they serve. It was the first in a series of similar events to be staged at maurices stores nationwide. The Duluth event not only helped needy animals find new homes, but it also treated eager onlookers to animals strutting their stuff down the runway, each escorted by a well-dressed model.

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The event was staged in the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, in front of the maurices’ store. The venue offered a unique set of challenges for the Media Productions team. A 20’ x 20’ skylight was located directly above the best location in the mall to produce the event. The team climbed to the roof and covered the skylight with heavy gauge black plastic to block out the sunlight and allow for creative and colorful lighting on the style show stage. Sound also required creative attention to overcome the echo-prone environment of a shopping mall.

Media Productions designed and assembled all production elements needed for the show including staging, scenery, audio, lighting, and even pipe & drape to build dressing rooms for the models.

WestmorelandFlint helped coordinate promotional aspects of the event to garner an abundance of regional and national media coverage. Additionally, Flint Interactive built the website that promoted the event and is being used nationwide as the other 700+ maurices stores hold their events.

The results of the first event were outstanding. Nearly 50 cats and dogs who were being cared for by Animal Allies found new homes as a result of the event. Donations for local animal shelters poured in for a full month following the event—brought in by people in exchange for a 20 percent-off coupon to maurices. The event and campaign raised awareness and increased volunteerism for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the local shelter. And as a result, maurices became synonymous with a great cause.

To see videos, please click here. For more photos of the event, click here.

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A Communications Lesson from Mr. Rogers

By Roger Reierson, October 20, 2009

“People do not want to hear about simple things, they want to hear about great things–simply told.”

- Mr. Rogers

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One of my most admired philosophers was Mr. Rogers (I must admit the name attracted me). He came across as a simple man, but his life lessons were full of great insight. The quote above is one of my favorites. It certainly defines the job of communications professionals and the role performed daily by many of my colleagues in the Flint Group.

It is important to start with comprehensive, accurate information and an in-depth understanding of your audience in order to properly develop your story. Of course integrity in the message is paramount, but the bigger the message, told in an easy to understand manner, the more impact it will bring to your brand.

Sounds simple right? Then why do so many companies fail?

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Posted in AadlandFlint, Flint Communications, Flint Group, Flint Interactive, HatlingFlint, SimmonsFlint, WestmorelandFlint | Comments

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Maurices: Fashion + Fur = Fun!

By Jessica Stauber, August 27, 2009

rescuesRunwaysTalk about an incredible evening! We had the privilege of working with maurices to launch Rescues & Runways, a national campaign to help animal shelters and the homeless pets they serve. The campaign kicked off on August 26 with a fashion show at Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, featuring local models walking the runway in maurices’ fall fashions with dogs that were looking for a home.

Check out the video on Fox 21 News » 

Our partner, Media Productions of Fargo, helped design the stage, set up the runway and lights, and produced the event. Media cameras were there in droves, capturing this unique show that paired homeless pets with fashion. The crowd loved the idea, too, and packed the mall to catch a glimpse.

While I helped coordinate the media, I have to admit it was an easy sell. Not only was the idea behind the event unique and engaging, but also the models included at least one on-air talent from each TV station.

Was the event successful? Absolutely! Nearly 50 cats and dogs who were being cared for by Animal Allies found new homes by the end of the night. Similar shows will be held at all 733 maurices stores across the country throughout the month of September—we hope with similar results! While this evening is over, how can you get involved?

  • All this month, people can drop off donations of pet supplies at any maurices store and receive a thank you coupon for 20 percent off an item.
  • You can purchase a Friends for Life Charm for $5 at any maurices store from mid-September through October 31, and 100% of the net proceeds will benefit the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and its national shelter outreach program.
  • Volunteer at the shelter. From walking dogs to greeting and guiding adopters, there are lots of ways to get involved.

Learn more about Rescues & Runways and see great pictures and video from the show by visiting the website, programmed by another partner of ours, Flint Interactive.

Thanks, maurices, for this awesome campaign and all you’re doing to help homeless pets and animal shelters!

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