By Minette Yao

This past Saturday, Terlato Wines International concluded a National Brand Campaign Contest at Duke University, asking students for their expertise on marketing, “Do you have what it takes to develop a national brand communications campaign for Tangley Oaks Wine?”

The challenge was to develop a campaign that would increase name recognition of the Tangley Oaks wine brand, but their success coming out of this tactful contest was more than meets the eye.

This contest was certainly a win-win situation. On the one hand, students were given the opportunity to try their hand at crafting a marketing plan, and with a powerful motivator, “The Reward: The winning plan will be put into action by our corporate sponsor. Imagine highlighting a successful national campaign on your resume.” On the other hand? By asking students to get involved, Tangley Oaks not only successfully outsourced their PR strategic planning, they also engaged with a community of driven students and the larger Duke network; the competition was highlighted for alumni during the annual Fannie Mitchell Career Conference Networking Event. The winner was announced at a networking reception, while alumni and of-age undergraduates munched on crackers and cheese, to accompany their glass of Tangley Oaks Merlot or Chardonnay. Smart.

The wine group’s marketing team undoubtedly knew quite well what they were doing, nodding to two of the most popular trends in the media today: social media and social responsibility. The competition itself encouraged students to focus their campaign around social media outlets, in a way that would highlight the solid foundation of good PR the wine group was already involved in. One of these endeavors is a green partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation for the Tangley Oaks Plant-A-Tree Campaign.

Driving conversation by talking about the conversation is strategic. And in this case, Tangley Oaks returned the favor in more ways than one: Sponsoring an event for alumni networking, affording students the opportunity to develop a national brand campaign, and planting trees for the environment. A toast to them! Straight out of a lesson book for good public relations.

Photo Source: Tangley Oaks

Gov. Bev Perdue Says N.C. Is A Great Place For Green Jobs

By Stephanie Johnson

A new Pew Center report titled “The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering jobs, businesses, and investments across America”, will be supporting Gov. Bev Perdue’s green energy plan, which includes making green energy jobs a major part of the North Carolina economy.

The report listed North Carolina as one of the top 12 states in growing green energy jobs.   This information was gathered by tracking the growth and progress of green jobs in the state over a period of time.  In 2007 green energy jobs employed a total of 17,000 people in North Carolina.  Governor Perdue stated in order to make this a strong effort North Carolina must work on building the strengths that will attract green companies such as “a well-trained, educated workforce; existing relationships between business and research institutions; and a strong link between energy policy and economic development.”

Not being a native North Carolinian myself, it is refreshing to see a state putting issues of the environment front and center.  Having a state be among the top dozen in the country for green energy jobs is impressive and sure to bring in new businesses and residents to the area, especially when “going green” seems to be an issue of growing importance to millions.

At a time when the stability of the economy is unsure and environmental concerns are on the minds of many this seems to be a great time to launch this project and hopefully North Carolina will continue it’s progress as being one of the “greenest” states out there while providing jobs for thousands.

Go Green with your Extra Blue Jeans

Whether they are full of holes, too short or just out of fashion, we all have those couple of pairs of jeans that never get worn.  While most people discard them, Cotton Inc. has figured out a way to use this unwanted denim to help the environment.  In 2006, Cotton had its inaugural Dirty Laundry Tour.  The goal has been to promote a student-run campaign that educates college students about the usefulness of denim, while allowing them to contribute to the green cause in their own unique way.  Denim is almost 100 percent cotton, and is recycled into Ultra Touch insulation.

Cotton has turned the initiative into a competition amongst universities to see who can collect the most denim.  Each school was given a goal of collecting 500 pieces of denim (enough to insulate one Habitat for Humanity Home) and receive prize money in exchange.

This year, Cotton partnered with UNC’s Public Relations Student Society of America to conduct the drive. UNC students gathered denim through the month of October in hopes of both helping their community and using their public relations skills. The result? UNC collected almost 1,000 pairs of jeans, enough to completely insulate two Habitat Homes.

The denim drive is a great public relations strategy for Cotton as they are not only able to help those in need, but by targeting college students they are producing future green activists and promoting their brand at the same time.

Does your organization need a PR firm?  MMI Associates is a full-service public relations firm located in Raleigh, NC.  Please visit the MMI Associates website for more information.  Any questions? Give us a call at (919) 233-6600.

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Green Tip of the Week

Rolls-Royce Rolling in the Green

Green Tip of the Week

The Green Tip of the Week is something that we started once a week at team meeting.  They center around ways to improve efficiency in your office and home environments.  We have enjoyed these tips of the week and hopefully you will as well.

The Green Tip of the Week this week is to avoid using cover letters on your faxes whenever possible.  Seventeen million trees per year are cut down to supply fax paper in the United States.  Not every fax requires a cover letter.  If it is an interoffice fax or if the person is waiting for it on the other end, consider not using a cover letter as it will save paper on both ends.

Does your company need a public relations firm?  MMI Associates is a full-service public relations firm located in Raleigh, NC.  Please visit the MMI Associates website for more information.  Any questions?  Give us a call at 919-233-6600.

Green Aircraft Engine Design a First for Rolls-Royce

When you think of Rolls-Royce, your first thought may not be aircraft engines.  For years Rolls-Royce has been a symbol of luxury in the car industry but a new fuel efficient aircraft engine by the company is catching headlines.

Although still in the development and testing stages, the Rolls-Royce open rotor engine promises as much as a 25% – 30% increase in fuel efficiency.  The secret to the technology is the dual fan blades that rotate in opposite directions.  The second blade catches and untwists the wind-flow of the first blade for increased efficiency.  In addition, the dual propeller blade design reduces the noise associated with propeller engines.

Rolls-Royce is in a unique position.  While they are best known for their luxurious cars, they are also producing breakthroughs in green technology.  From a public relations perspective this new technology is pure gold (or green if you prefer).  If Rolls-Royce continues to push green technology they will be positioned to create a new niche in the aircraft engine industry.  They can’t afford to be complacent however, as GE, Airbus, and Boeing all have other green aircraft technologies in the works.  If all goes according to plan the Rolls-Royce open rotor engine will be in regular service by 2017.

Does your business need some public relations help?  MMI Associates is a full-service public relations firm located in Raleigh, NC.  Please visit the MMI Associates website for more information.  Any questions?  Give us a call at 919-233-6600.

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Green Tip of the Week

Ecogeek’s Take on the Open Rotor Engine

Google Clean Energy 2030 Plan

Take Out the Take-Out

While we all know that eliminating fast food is good for your body, did you realize that it is also good for the environment?  In total, the packaging that take-out food comes in represents 33% of the garbage produced in the United States. Decreasing the amount of take-out food you consume will help you both cut calories, and reduce your negative environmental impact.

Cooking more, purchasing less single-serving foods, buying in bulk and storing items in reusable containers, buying packages made from recycled materials and using detergents and cleaning supplies that are made from concentrate are just some of the things you can do to help the environment.

Look here next Tuesday for another Green Tip of the Week. Is your company looking for a public relations firm in Raleigh? If so, visit the MMI Associates website for more information. Have questions! Call me, Patty at (919) 233-6600.

Payless Goes Green

It’s October. The air is cooling, the leaves are turning, and the array of magnificent autumn colors is popping up everywhere. Although vibrant reds and

pumpkin orange seem to be the season’s favorites, one retailer seems to find comfort in shades of green. In a campaign to promote a healthy earth as well as a healthy sense of fashion, Payless ShoeSource will soon be launching a sustainable line of shoes and accessories, made from materials that have less of an effect on the environment. The products will feature an eco-friendly flare and, as always, that ever-so-popular consumer-friendly price.

Payless has been making stylish, affordable footwear for years, but has just recently taken greater strides to improve the design and overall quality of their products. The new line of shoes and handbags could further boost the manufacturer’s efforts to create the most appealing items to consumers, and ultimately start a successful trend in green fashion. Retailers across the globe have already started promoting green goods, but many have since failed due to skeptical consumers and the inflated price of eco-friendly products.

However, Payless already has one major advantage over other retailers whose green marketing efforts have offered nothing but little success. By taking advantage of a large market presence, they have been able to save money on the cost of materials and provide consumers with the most affordable brands of shoes in the business. Although Payless appears to be new to the green market, they are no stranger to satisfying consumers through quality shoes at low prices.

Shoes and accessories will be made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp and recycled rubber outsoles. The new line, yet to be named, will be endorsed by Summer Rayne Oakes, a model and fashion/beauty expert for Discovery Network’s Green Channel. If the retailer can hold up to its name, Payless might just come out on top of green manufacturing and the next big thing for fashion.

Does your company need a public relations company?  MMI Associates is a full-service public relations company located in Raleigh, NC.  Please visit the for more information.  Any questions?  Give us a call at 919-233-6600.

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Google Clean Energy 2030

Clean Energy 2030: Google’s Energy Plan

The Google Clean Energy 2030 plan was announced at the beginning of the month by Google CEO, Eric Schmidt.  The plan calls for approximately $4.4 trillion over the next 22 years but also promises $5.4 trillion in savings returned to the economy.  A summary of the energy plan shows a complete and far reaching plan that includes major overhauls in the electricity sector, personal vehicle sector, and in economic policy.

Clean Energy 2030 is not the only plan on the table.  T. Boone Pickens, a wealthy Texas oil-man, has said repeatedly that this is a problem that we can not drill ourselves out of.  Both the Google plan and the Pickens plan require vast changes in consumption practices and renewable energy.  Currently the Pickens plan is receiving a large amount of TV time as the race to the White House nears its end.  The Google Clean Energy 2030 plan has not been advertised on TV but it has received significant attention in the blogosphere.

Google should consider advertising its energy plan.  They don’t need to use the TV…they own the most powerful tool in the world for spreading information!  Google won’t change its organic listings for the energy plan but there is nothing to stop the company from adding the plan to their paid advertising section.  This would keep the discussion open and allow Google a chance to garner grass-roots support for their clean initiatives.

Does your company need a public relations company?  MMI Associates is a full-service public relations company located in Raleigh, NC.  Please visit the MMI Asssociates website for more information.  Any questions?  Give me, Patty, a call at 919-233-6600.

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Fall Warms Up with Environmental Activism

Raleigh Green Tip of the Week

Green Tip of the Week

This Green Tip of the Week is the first of many to come.  Check back here every Tuesday for a new tip!

This week’s Green Tip of the Week focuses on how you reheat your food.  The greenest, and safest, way to cover your food for microwave heating and cooking is to use oven-safe glass cookware, which eliminates waste and the potential for chemicals leaching from plastic wrap.

•If you do use plastic, only loosely cover food, allowing steam to escape, and never let plastic wrap touch food directly.
•Only use ink-free paper towels in the microwave. Most printed paper towels use non-food-grade inks.
•Microwave-safe” and “microwavable” labels on a plastic container or on plastic wrap packaging only means that the plastic won’t melt or crack in the microwave, but doesn’t guarantee that it won’t leach chemicals into your leftovers.

Look here next Tuesday for the next Green Tip of the Week.  Does your company need a public relations firm in Raleigh?  In North Carolina?  Visit the MMI Associates website for more information.  Any questions?  Please give me, Patty, a call at 919-233-6600.

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Reserved Parking for Hybrids

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New Jersey Nets Go Green

Raleigh Hybrids and Reserved Parking Downtown

Almost a year ago the City of Raleigh purchased and modified a Toyota Prius to be able to run completely on batteries.  The vehicle retains its gas engine for long commutes and acceleration but runs primary on batteries and attains 100 miles per gallon.  Our friends at The Raleigh Connoisseur recently found that the city parks their green vehicle in the municipal parking garage on Morgan St.  The City of Raleigh reserved a parking spot for their Prius in the lot with a sign that reads, “Reserved Parking for Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Only.”

The City of Raleigh should consider creating reserved parking spaces for all hybrids in the downtown area.  By reserving parking spots, the city would be encouraging and rewarding energy efficient commuters.  Reserved parking spots for hybrids would be another reason for locals to purchase a hybrid and would be promoted by Raleigh for some good public relations.

Raleigh has committed to reducing its fossil fuel consumption by 20% over the next five years.  There are many ways to accomplish this goal.  Look for our green tip of the week each Tuesday.  This tip will focus on how individuals and companies can become more sustainable and energy efficient.

Looking for a public relations firm in Raleigh?  In the Triangle?  Check out the MMI Associates website for more information.  Any questions?  Give me, Patty, a call at 919-233-6600.

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The New Jersey Nets Go Green

Reserved Parking for Raleigh Plug-In Prius