JANUARY 27TH, 2012
As an Emmy award-winning journalist, Kimberley Kennedy is one of Atlanta’s media darlings, and a wise and inspiring addition to the EOS’ team. As our media and communications coach, she leverages 25 years in the Atlanta market serving WSB, WXIA, and CNN, where she told stories that created indelible impressions for captivated audiences across the Southeast.
This experience in front of the camera and podium, coupled with Elyse Hammett’s 20 years of award-winning PR work, is just what we needed to launch EMPOWER, our unique and comprehensive, hands-on communications and media training program.
So, if you want to shine for a new business pitch, a press conference, a speech to your employee team, a media relations campaign or a YouTube video series, EMPOWER is your answer.
SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2011
Every day, my iPhone barrages me with bad news - grim tales of recession, loss, cheating, the list goes on and on. Yet, 1692’s revered Desiderata was right “With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Strive to be happy.”
To that end, this week was about modern day happiness. About making hay while the sun shines, and finding lemonade in the lemons.
Why? Here are four reasons:
- Gigi’s Playhouse, one of our pro bono accounts is a 501-(c3) nonprofit dedicated to providing free programs and therapies to families and individuals with T21, otherwise known as Downs Syndrome. The program provides more than 25 different literacy treatments, muscle toning exercises, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, family support and social events that enable them to have a normal and productive life. The first playhouse opens October 8 in Amsterdam Walk, and has rallied more than 250 Atlanta volunteers and raised thousands for this life-changing cause.
- The Community Foundation is working with four beloved Atlanta faith leaders who are dedicating their time to creating a blog to engage, challenge and uplift Atlanta’s best ideas and biggest opportunities. Named Higher Ground, this ecumenical group includes an Imam, Rabbi and two denominational Christian leaders. Never faith-biased, the organization has been formed to inspire positive change, help people think, collaborate and connect, and - most importantly, to initiate positive action in the local community. Very exciting stuff-and more on this soon.
- Last, but certainly not least, one of our Coca-Cola contemporaries, Pam Bashiani, is married to a tenacious chap who just biked 8,000 miles around the continent of Australia to raise awareness for rare diseases through Cycle for SMILE. Throngs of people lined the streets to offer water and sustenance, and more than 400 Aussies were there to greet him when he crossed the Sydney-area finish line. Yes, it took him 80 days to travel five times the distance of the Tour de France, but the ROI is that the SMILE Foundation (Supporting Medical Innovation for Life Enhancement) is a household name in Australia and we can all learn about ways to help.
So, what’s the net/net? People do lift as they climb. People still care. Hope springs eternal. And happy days are still ahead.
Cheers-
Margaret
SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2011
The right pair of shoes can make or break your entire outfit—and it turns out that the same is true about office space. The right space can inspire and lift you up – through the view from a window or the colors on the walls. In the biz world — it’s a statement of your values and what you aspire to be for your clients. And, especially for our clients –its comfortable – a place to relax and think outside the box.
We moved a stone’s throw from our original location – but we transformed our work life and our view by those 50 paces. Brimming with light and embracing a massive, century-old oak tree that hugs the outside perimeter of the office’s expanse, the space has offered us a place to spread our wings, and to add some unexpected EOS’ flair.
The piece de’ resistance is at the heart of the agency. The “Collaboration Center” showcases bar-height tables made of zebrawood, surrounded by a 25-foot long magnetic, porcelain writing wall. Designed to maximize creativity and provide a casual, empowering environment for our clients, the center provides a great space to solve complex problem with lightning speed.
So, if you are in the neighborhood, drop by and experience it for yourself. The coffee’s on — and a light too!
SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2011
On Friday, September 2, we’ll close the firm to honor our EOS’ team with an extra day off for all they do. Elyse, Margaret and Susan are available by cell if needed.
Savor your last blast of summer, and we’ll be back to the marketing magic Tuesday, September 6 at 8:30.
JULY 28TH, 2011
We took our PR smarts to the links this year with the nation’s 16th ranked amateur event, The 2011 Dogwood Invitational. Held at Druid Hills Golf Club since 1941, EOS created a PR plan to increase coverage of the tournament and heighten the cache of the club.
EOS used its marketing magic to get the Dogwood name out. And it worked. Resulting in 41 television stories, 45 million media impressions equaling $240,000 in corresponding ad values and a 45% increase in Facebook fans, not to mention two, four-year college scholarships thanks to the tournament sponsors. It’s safe to say that the 2011 Dogwood was a hole-in-one.
Check out photos from the two media days and the tournament on our Facebook Page, and call us if we can make the magic work for you.
JUNE 10TH, 2011
Heron Bay Golf & Country Club is a premier master planned community located just south of Atlanta in Henry County. Named community of the year in 2005, Heron Bay is renowned for their outstanding selection of amenities and family-friendly lifestyle. A community thriving in the age of social media, the community Facebook page is an important part of its marketing strategy. The participatory experience for residents provides additional insight into the lifestyle the community offers, and its neighborly vibe.
Heron Bay’s Facebook page is the place where residents can stay apprised of what’s happening with their neighbors and share their thoughts and opinions. A 900 member community, Heron Bay wanted to increase their fan base as well as showcase the community to friends and prospects. The Heron Bay Facebook Tournament was a way to increase the number of Facebook fans and expand the playing field in a way that would get engage residents and get them excited about their community.
Incorporating a sports theme helped get residents excited and added a competitive flair. Engaging residents through e-blasts that explained the rules of the game and how to become the MVP, we also offered participants an incentive. The resident who brought in the most “new likes” would win the title of MVP along with bragging rights, fifteen minutes of Facebook fame AND a $100 American Express gift card with a basket full of summer fun!
Lasting for two weeks, the tournament gained momentum as more residents got in the game. Posting score updates and rooting on the most valuable players as well as the underdogs evoked team spirit among friends, family and co-workers as residents relentlessly spread the word for others to “Like” the Heron Bay Facebook page in an effort to help them take home the title of MVP.
The result? Heron Bay Golf & Country Club almost doubled their fans moving from 404 to 745 in just two weeks!
The Facebook Tournament was a new and fresh approach to increasing the fan base and reach of the community in a social world where opinions and conversations have all become viral.
MAY 12TH, 2011
The City of Snellville wanted a fresh start. In 2010, they hired an economic development manager and made the decision to create a new town center where community and commerce could thrive.
In partnership with globally recognized DPZ of Seaside, Florida fame, and distinguished city planners Clark, Patterson Lee, EOS worked with residents, businesses and employees of The City of Snellville to study, research, poll and understand the opportunities to create a new Town Center for Snellville’s future. After more than 1,000 Snellville community members participated in our quantitative online surveys and qualitative one-on-one interviews, as well as a four-day envisioning charrette, and branding workshop, the City’s future plan to develop a new Towne Center as a place that welcomed the future through entrepreneurial opportunity and the friendly neighbors of Snellville was complete.
On Monday, May 2, more than 140 Snellville constituents gathered with reporters and the Snellville City Council for the great reveal… a monumental plan for Snellville’s future.
For more about the City of Snellville’s plans, check out: www.thetownecenteratsnellville.com, or follow the news on Facebook.
FEBRUARY 22ND, 2011
Residents of Snellville
Mama swears that I learned to read via the pages of Southern Living magazine. I have 1970’s-era Kodak photographs of me curled up in an easy chair immersed in the featured communities. So, last week as I listened to Scott Ball, a principal with the internationally renowned Duany Plater – Zyberk (DPZ), talk about New Urbanism and illustrate how town centers create “rooms” that eliminate suburban sprawl as well as places where friends and business associates live, work and play, I was taken from the moment he said, “Hello”…
With millions working in front of a computer screen 10 hours every day, coupled with Atlanta’s average commute of 35 minutes (each way!), communities who have destination places for quality face-to-face time are those who have succeeded. Tree-lined sidewalks that lead to local diners, wine café’s, and frozen yogurt parlors, or shoe boutiques where girlfriends gather to chat about their workweek and try on shoes provide the sense of place residents needs to engage, nurture, participate and encourage sustainable growth. Where there is a sense of place, residents will spend their time and their money.
EOS is partnering with Clark Patterson Lee and DPK to serve the City of Snellville by creating a new town center and a brand for this new destination. We’ll be using an interactive planning and design process that will include focus groups, public information meetings, multi-day design charrette, and more. Join the conversation on Snellville’s Facebook page and help shape the future of this great Gwinnett community: Snellville Georgia.
FEBRUARY 15TH, 2011
EOS has been selected as a part of team retained by the City of Snellville to create a brand and comprehensive communications plan for the city’s new town center. Working in conjunction with Clark Patterson Lee and Duany Plater-Zyberk, EOS will create a brand strategy that resonates with the target audiences of Snellville’s Town Center district. In addition, the firm has been tasked with developing a communications program that encourages two-way communication between the center and its constituents.
The three firms will serve Snellville by guiding the city in creating a well-crafted town center that promotes sustainable economic development, establishes a promotable image, and outlines physical enhancements necessary to bring the vision to reality. Snellville City Council selected Clark Patterson Lee, a full-service planning and design firm located in Suwanee, based upon their service as the city’s engineer since 2004. Clark Patterson Lee’s team will be joined by two key project partners: Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ) and EOS Marketing, both located in Atlanta. DPZ is internationally recognized as the co-founders of the Congress for New Urbanism, and leaders in the direction and practice of community master planning and traditional neighborhood development. The collective team of architects, branding experts, development specialists, engineers, marketing analysts and strategists, urban designers, planners and public relations practitioners will address all of the issues and needs identified by the City of Snellville.
Using an interactive planning and design process that engages the community and its business owners, the project will include focus group meetings with key stakeholders, public information meetings and a multi-day design charrette offering the community at-large opportunities for hands-on design input.
“We’re excited about partnering with EOS and the expertise they bring to our Town Center efforts,” said Eric G. Van Otteren – economic development manager, City of Snellville. “They listen to the needs and wants of their clients and craft strong messages that resonate. In today’s busy world, we need both a brand and a communications strategy that will cut through the clutter and that we can be proud of.”
