The Step2® Company Names HM&P As Agency of Record
RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 17, 2011 – Howard, Merrell & Partners was recently named the agency of record for the Step2® Holdings Company, LLC – and its Step2® and Infantino® brands that foster learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years. Howard, Merrell & Partners will provide brand management support, integrated marketing collaboration, public relations and social media, event planning, and creative development..
“We need an agency that can look at our business strategically and execute upon that knowledge in an integrated fashion across multiple marketing disciplines,” said Jerry McDermott, chief marketing officer, Step2® Holdings. “Howard, Merrell & Partners possesses a long and outstanding track record of seamlessly integrating marketing activities into unified campaigns that strengthen brands. We are looking forward to this partnership.”
HM&P Wins 10 ADDY® Awards
RALEIGH, N.C. – February 23, 2012 – Strategic advertising and branding agency Howard, Merrell & Partners was a big winner at the recent local ADDY Awards Banquet. The agency brought home 10 awards, including a prestigious Judges Choice recognition for an out-of-home campaign executed on behalf of Georgia-Pacific Professional.
The ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition. This year’s local competition, sponsored by the Raleigh-Durham chapter of the American Advertising Federation, was held on Feb. 17. A panel of advertising professionals evaluated the entries, and gold awards will advance for judging in a district competition and finally the national competition.
Weekly Wrap Up #19
This week marked the celebration of Social Media Week 2012 for cities across the world! It is no surprise that social media has taken over by storm. Businesses all over the nation are implementing social media strategies within their advertising and public relations campaigns. But just how powerful can social media really be? Read on to find out!
5 Ways To Connect With Consumers With Pinterest
“Are you on Pinterest?” This question is coming up in more and more conversations by the day. If you answered no, you’re missing out on one of today’s hottest social media platforms. Despite its invite-only status, Pinterest experienced tremendous growth with a 4,000% increase in site visits from 275,000 per week to 11,000,000 in the latter half of 2011. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard where users can pin and organize images from around the web to different boards. These boards can help them do everything from collecting recipes for their next dinner party to discovering DIY tips for turning their old cardboard boxes into stylish storage solutions.
Weekly Wrap Up #16 – It’s all about Facebook
This week in Facebook!
Yes, that’s right. This week’s wrap up is all about Facebook. The mega-awesome, all-inspiring, IPO-releasing (eventually…), Facebook.
Join the PR and Social Media Department!
We are searching for a Public Relations and Social Media Account Executive to provide support to national and regional accounts. The AE will be responsible for helping to manage day-to-day public relations activities and social media efforts, as well as collaborate with other departments to execute fully integrated communications campaigns.
Strong writing skills required — i.e. press releases, newsletter articles, press kit materials, bylined articles and blog posts. Experience executing social media programs for companies/organizations a must. Attention to detail and knowledge of AP style is required.
Must have previous experience in national media relations, crisis communications and corporate branding campaigns. Should be able to effectively multi-task, work in team environment, and communicate with clients, team members and vendors. Knowledge and experience with trade shows and event management is preferred. Candidate should be a creative thinker, independent worker and team player with strong organizational skills.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, at least four years relevant PR/Social Media experience (post graduation)
Send resumes to: sstyons@merrellgroup.com
Weekly Wrap Up #14
From playoff games heard around the social media sphere – to a Today Show 60 Year anchor reunion – we’ve had a week of media highlights to remember. 2012 has already brought interest to a number of new tech tools, networking sites, and articles worth checking out. Explore some of the links below, and continue your new year with some online inspiration!
Major Culture Shift and I’m Jumping on the Band Wagon
I’ve been at the Internet Summit in Raleigh, NC the 15th & 16th of November, and I have to admit I left feeling like a changed woman. As for any conference, the speakers and sessions can be hit or miss. I gained some valuable industry tips on paid search, digital marketing and SEO but the most impactful event for me was the keynote speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk. Prior to the conference, I’d never heard of this guy and now I can’t wait to read his book, The Thank You Economy and use his business practices in my own life.
Weekly Wrap Up #10
It has been another action-packed week here in Raleigh, and another Friday means another weekly wrap up. This week had a lot of great stuff floating around, so here are 5 links for you to check out!
1. Heinz builds on QR code success with new cause-marketing effort
The new 20oz Heinz Ketchup bottles now have a QR code to support the Wounded Warrior Project. With over 1 Million scans from their previous QR code campaign, the expectation for the current project is to have consumers scan the code and be able to send a “Thank You” to soldiers from as part of the Wounded Warrior project, as well as to “Like” the Heinz Facebook Page. For every “Like” or “Thank You” sent, Heinz will donate $0.57 up to a total of $200,000. If you want to read the full article you can find it at Mobile Marketer.
Weekly Wrap Up #9
1. Purchasing funnel for the ‘New Social Consumer’
Social media has infiltrated the purchasing funnel, helping consumers make informed decisions, from what to have for lunch to where to go on vacation. Depending on the decision, sometimes you turn to your social graph, and sometimes you turn to Google. What online channels should you be targeting in order to reach the perfect audience for your product? M Booth and Beyond took a look inside the “new social consumer” to find out how they research products and services online. Check out the full infographic at Mashable.
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