Feb82010
Jessica Redman
This past weekend was the Krispy Kreme Challenge, which I mentioned a few weeks back when I registered. The challenge is to run 2 miles, eat a dozen doughnuts, run 2 miles – all in under an hour. I did not sign up as a “challenger” but instead as a “casual” runner, with a goal of 5 doughnuts and no reversals.
Things got crazy – I ate 6. There were a few close calls, but no reversals. Right as my friends were telling me they thought I was going to lose it, the guy behind me did exactly that. He lost all of his doughnuts, inches from where we were standing. At that point, everyone who was trying to eat one more immediately stopped and we began the trek back.
There’s more strategy than you think in doughnut eating. I simply eat one a time, as quickly as possible. One friend smushes them together in what we call a “doughnut sandwich” – he is convinced it’s easier to eat this way. I also saw someone dipping them in water, which is just gross.
Who’s with me next year? Goal…maybe 7? Until then, no doughnuts for me.
Feb22010
Sarah Findle
Skimming through my Google Reader on this rainy Tuesday morning I found a fun questionnaire posted on PR Junkie. The quick, one minute survey, created by design firm Pentagram, tells you what typeface best fits your personality.
I found out I was Marina Script! What is your type?
Marina Script
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Feb22010
Jim Stevens-Arce
Mother.
Family.
Education.
And success.
These are some of the core emotional touchstones an advertiser would do well to keep in mind when targeting Hispanics.
So, okay, let’s assume you’ve done that.
Now, how do you reach them?
(Outside of traditional media, which we’ll touch on in future posts.)
1. Hispanics tend to be group oriented.
They enjoy group outings such as soccer games, street fairs, and festivals.
So outdoor ads with simple messages located at or en route to these activities can generate large reach and frequency numbers at low cost.
2. Hispanics tend to shop in groups.
At the auto dealer, at the department store, at the supermarket, at the mall — you’ll often see Hispanics traveling in couples, trios, quartets, entire families.
That translates into more potential customers.
And more potential sales.
For example, “Buy One, Get One Half Off” deals can target both the shopper and the companions.
3. Hispanic families are often three-generational.
That means kids, parents, and grandparents.
So including the grandparents in ads targeting Hispanic families can be a wise marketing strategy.
4. Hispanics tend to place great stock in word-of-mouth.
When someone they respect speaks, Latinos listen.
So such a person’s endorsement of a product or service can be a powerful motivator for purchase or trial.
5. To Hispanics, relationships matter.
Latinos like to feel like a friend, not just a customer.
So in your advertising — and in your place of business — it pays to treat them as such.
:: :: ::
Next time we’ll talk about some other effective ways to reach Hispanics.
And why they work.
Stay tuned.
TAGS: Advertisers, Education, Emotional Touchstones, Endorsements, Family, Group Oriented, Hispanic Marketing, Hispanics, Latinos, Mothers, Outdoor Ads, Relationships, Success, Three-Generational, Word-of-Mouth
Feb22010
Stephanie Styons
A warm welcome to Melea Mauldin! She joins the agency as an Account Executive in the Public Relations department.
Melea comes to us from Jackson Marketing Group, a full-service agency in Greenville, SC. In the past, she has provided PR support to BMW, BF Goodrich, Food Lion, and Bloom. With Melea’s solid media relations and event planning experience, we look forward to her helping the Howard, Merrell & Partners team raise visibility for our clients.
We are glad to have Melea, a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, back in the Tarheel state.
Jan292010
Nicole Curtis
Last week HM&P traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to support the CORDURA® brand at OR Winter Market.
Leading up to the show, CORDURA® brand spokesperson and world-explorer Helen Thayer traveled around the Salt Lake City community speaking to more than 3,000 students and outdoor enthusiast. Helen also participated in a CORDURA® brand backpack donation at Escalante Elementary School, where the CORDURA® brand team donated 40 packs to the students of the Face of Fitness program.
Helen also participated in several media interview including a radio program on Access Utah and KCPW, a local NPR station. Click on the links below to hear recordings of the broadcast.
Access Utah – Utah Public Radio
KCPW - National Public Radio
To wrap up a the week, Helen joined the CORDURA® brand team at OR Winter Market. While at the show the team meet with outdoor publications such as Backpacker, Inside Outdoor and Outside USA. The day ended with an industry party at the CORDURA® brand booth. The extravaganza featured local beer, food, prizes and live music by Jason Adamo.
Scroll down for more photos from the week.
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Jan282010
Courtney Beck
Howard, Merrell & Partners received four awards Tuesday at the Carolinas-Virginia Best of NAMA (National AgriMarketing Association) program for its advertising and public relations work for BASF Plant Science. Courtney Beck and Karlie Justus attended the event and accepted the awards on behalf of BASF Plant Science.
HM&P received a chapter merit and regional merit in the Single Page Ads, Series division for the “Starry Night,” “Maze” and “Rainbow” ads created for NutriDense®. In the public relations category, HM&P won chapter and regional top honors in the Interactive Marketing Tools division for the NutriDense blog. The blog will go on for judging in the National Best of NAMA competition.
Folks from all HM&P departments contributed to the success of these campaigns, so congrats all around!
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Jan262010
Sarah Findle
To help with the relief and recovery efforts surrounding the recent earthquake in Haiti, Howard, Merrell & Partners has taken up a collection of new and gently used shoes to benefit Soles4Souls, an organization founded to facilitate shoe donations from drop off points around the country to provide poverty and disaster stricken people with proper footwear.
Locally, the Triangle branch of Soles4Souls has a goal of collecting 150,000 pairs of shoes to help the organization reach its national goal of collecting one million pairs for Haiti.
So far, at HM&P we’ve already collected over a fifty pairs, and the generous employee donations keep coming! We will be bringing our donations to Mobley’s Shoes at 7422 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh. Click here for more Triangle area drop off sites.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Soles4Souls and the amazing work they’re doing, follow them on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
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Jan252010
Sarah Findle
Last week the PR team surprised Kipp Bodnar, who was recently honored as one of the “Top 15 to Watch” by PR News, with his award and a bottle of bubbly to celebrate! The award was a nice addition to the decor in his new office! Congrats Kipp, we are proud to have you on our team!
To read the original post announcing his award, click here.
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Jan212010
Laura McAliley
Some recent HM&P work for Georgia-Pacific Professional includes an online teaching tool to help kindergarten and
first grade students learn the proper way to wash their hands. The Art of Washing Hands site (www.ArtOfWashingHands.com) is part of Georgia-Pacific Professional’s effort to improve hand washing practices across the country – and HM&P is excited to help them spread the word.
In fact, the project extends beyond the site. Earlier this month, The Art Of Washing Hands materials were shipped to schools as an insert to Weekly Reader. (Yes, the same Weekly Reader we had as elementary students!) Last fall the free materials were offered to school nurses as well. Plus, Mo, Georgia-Pacific Professional’s VP of Hygiene and Chairman of Cool, has been promoting the program in schools. In fact, he visited one in The Villages, FL just yesterday.
A press release announcing the site and the program was launched this week. Check out this great coverage:
Mother Nature Network
USAToday.com
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Jan202010
Sarah Findle
Grades are something I thought I left behind on the stage at graduation last May. Not true, I recently found. Though they may not give out suma, magna and cum laude seals of prestige there are several Web sites that can help you gage your Twitter GPA.
Sites use various measurement methods and some give you a bigger ego boost than others. For example, on Twitter Grader I received a score of 93 out of 100 (a solid A in my book) but Klout told me I was a ‘casual’ user. No where near the ‘persona’ level I dream of where rocks stars like JasonFalls, gialyons and schneidermike hang out.
Either way it’s kind of fun to give yourself a checkup to see if you make the grade. Plus, you only have to show your parents if you want to.
Here are a few more to try out:
Do you have any that you recommend?
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