Did You Miss Us? We Missed You!

Sorry it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us on the blog! Things have been pretty busy here at the mound – a.k.a Ant Hill Communications’ World Headquarters. Since our last post, we have won some great new accounts and have helped one of our existing clients, No nonsense, launch its rebranding initiative.

Two new accounts that we won that focus on initiatives we love – health and beauty – are Sun Bum and BlenderBottle. Sun Bum is a new, hip, high-end sun care line whose products are all tested and approved by The Skin Cancer Foundation. This past February, we conducted a media tour to introduce the products to the top beauty editors in NYC. The meetings proved to be fruitful as Sun Bum will be featured in the following publications: SHAPE, Teen VOGUE, People StyleWatch, InStyle, O, The Oprah Magazine, Men’s Journal and others. Sun Bum’s Face Stick was even highlighted on The TODAY Show as a beauty essential when traveling.

Our other new client, BlenderBottle, is the only shaker cup with a surgical-grade stainless steel wire whisk inside that mixes protein drinks smooth. We won this account earlier in the year and created a strategic communications plan, managed media at several trade shows (including International shows), and will help launch several new products with the help of NYC media tours.

BlenderBottle's New SportMixer We Helped Launch

Sun Bum!

Add to all this, the rebranding initiative for No nonsense as well as our growing medical business and you can see we have been busy bees, err, ants! Check back often for more exciting news!

Selecting a PR Firm: Does Size Really Matter?

A great article in PR Daily came out making the statement that in regard to hiring a PR firm, bigger isn't always better. This is music to our ears as Ant Hill Communications is a full functioning boutique PR firm. We are small and compact because we choose to be. We in turn, cater to companies that have a "start-up" mentality and recognize the importance of reaching the bottom line. This being said, we may be small but we pack a mighty punch and offer a plethora of services. Small size doesn't mean limited scope of services.

In reality, it's not about the size of an agency or firm, it's about its capabilities. In order to find a compatible match, Dorothy Crenshaw, author of this article suggests asking these questions:

1. What's the program's scope?

- This is a great question to ask. Essentially it's a "what can you do for me" question. Honestly, any business bidding for more business will tell the potential client what he or she wants to hear. That's why case studies and references are crucial when selecting a PR firm to represent your brand.

2. Is a range of services needed?

- Many times a potential client will give a firm a laundry list of to-do's to accomplish. Other times, only a few objectives need to be executed in terms of a project or a short campaign. It may not be necessary to search for a firm that operates on a large spectrum if only A, B and C objectives need to be met.

3. Are multiple offices required?

- This is pretty self-explanatory. When a service is needed on a local level, why pay a firm in a big city that will charge a big city retainer and big city hard costs?

Dorothy asks several more thought provoking questions which are sure to be advantageous when making the decision to sign on with a PR firm.

Read the article here.

Socks for America to be on CNN!

Everyone at Ant Hill is super excited today... we have big news!

We have been working really hard on the No nonsense Socks for America campaign all summer, and it is going along wonderfully. Next weekend the campaign will have get mention in a TV spot on CNN!

Two of the students traveling around giving out socks, Amanda and Shelby, were recently interviewed by CNN's Don Lemon.

Be sure to check out the interview when it airs. If you miss it, we'll post the link.

Remember to support the No nonsense Socks for America campaign by:

• Purchasing No nonsense socks! For every specially branded No nonsense three-sock pack purchased, an additional pair of socks will be donated.
• Visit the No nonsense website.
• Become a fan on facebook.

• Fun fact: For every person who "likes" the No nonsense SFA facebook page and clicks the donate button, one extra pair of socks will be donated in their name! 

• Follow the campaign on Twitter @BeNononsense @SocksforAmerica

Here are some pictures from the interview:

On the air 

Amanda getting prepped for the interview

The girls with Don Lemon of CNN

Spreading Sense with Socks

No nonsense is bringing some sense to the U.S. this summer by donating one million pairs of socks to underprivileged children all over the country.

Some little known facts:

• Socks are one of the most requested items among families in need. 
• Not only are they the most requested, but socks are also the least donated item!

So sock lovers, we present to you No nonsense's "Socks for America" tour.

Socks for America will bring attention and relief to people in need by donating just that -- socks. No nonsense plans on donating one million pairs across the U.S.

Kayser-Roth, the company that owns No nonsense, kicked off the campaign on April 11 at its manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Tennessee. The tour officially began on July 1 when four teams of college students set off across the country to deliver socks and film their experiences.

There are eight students total, each in teams of two. The students were selected from leading film, advertising and design schools across the country. Not only will these students assist in the donation events, but they will also document the trip with films and blog posts that will profile people in our country who are taking steps to a No nonsense world.

The campaign is being run in partnership with K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations), a wonderful organization dedicated to helping children in need. For over 25 years, K.I.D.S. has grown as a global charity of leading retailers, manufacturers and licensors of children's and youth products. In partnership with major foundations, K.I.D.S. is committed to helping improve the lives of children and their families who are ill, living in poverty or are victims of natural disasters.

All types of charitable organizations will be included in the campaign, from small homeless shelters to larger programs with the infrastructure to serve thousands.

Here is the Socks for America YouTube video:

If you would like to help, there are tons of ways to get involved:

1. Buy No nonsense socks! For every specially branded No nonsense three-sock pack purchased, an additional pair of socks will be donated.
2. Visit the No nonsense website.
   
3. Become a fan on Facebook.
• Fun fact: For every person who "likes" the No nonsense SFA Facebook page and clicks the donate button, one extra pair of socks will be donated in their name! 
4. Follow the campaign on Twitter @benononsense.

 

The Google+ Buzz is Shaking Our Social Media Foundations

As just about everyone in the digital world of social media knows, Google unveiled their new networking website, Google+, at the end of June. Google has been trying to dominate all internet enterprises for some time now, and this latest attempt seems to be a shot directed straight towards Facebook. 


While the network isn't yet available to everyone (it is still in testing stages), it has certainly caused quite a buzz around the internet. People all over the world are starting to ask questions about the future of social networking. 


Here at Ant Hill Communications, we have done our research and have a few questions/answers of our own.


For PR professionals, Google+ is really up in the air as of now. 


We are already extremely busy keeping up with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and many more online information centers, so why not add another?


According to Adam Singer, a social media practice director for Lewis PR and blogger at TheFutureBuzz.com, we PR professionals need to dive in at first chance. 


"A vital part of being a modern PR professional includes testing, tinkering and experimenting with new communications technologies, and Google+ is no different," Singer said. 


When the gates open up, communications professionals are expected to dive in. 


Facebook has been king for so long that we have become accustomed to the way it works, making us comfortable within its network; however, it can't hurt to explore new networking technologies.


According to Google, their new Google+ network makes it easier for businesses to communicate with consumers as well as other businesses.


All in all, Google+ is a new place to monitor, track, and have a presence in social media -- and while information overload may exist on the web, there are plenty of ways to sort out the clutter.


Ant Hill Communications is proud to be tech-savvy enough to keep up with all of the online chatter!


Read more on PRdaily and at Google.

Sunglasses for the Cool Kids

We are having so much fun working with our client, Babiators. From their cute packaging to aviator-style sunglasses for kids to throwing possible celebrities into the mix, why wouldn’t promoting their brand be exciting?!

Babiators are ‘safe, durable and awesome’.

They protect kids’ eyes from UVA and UVB rays, and they’re also made without BPA, phthalates, lead or other harmful materials—meaning they are nontoxic and super safe! Unlike those hard, plastic sunglasses that you had when you were a kid (or even now), Babiators are made out of durable rubber and can stand up to teething, playground hours and so much more. They are pretty much resistant to anything your kid tries. Did we mention that they are awesome? Check out their aviator design!

Check out their Facebook page, and look for Babiators in a retailer close to you. Your kid will be looking cool too!

The Gang is Going to New York!

Well, I think it is time to brag just a little. We are going to New York! Meetings with Women’s Wear Daily, People Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Allure and Vogue (just to name a few) can only mean one thing – time to go shopping! For the next two weeks, the Ant Hill team will be taking over New York City and we need to dress to impress! So we think that we’re pretty stylish around here; however, meeting with the fashion gurus in New York sparks a little fear in the heart of our wardrobes!

Our New York Mission – successful media tours for Dr. Nabet Skincare and Mythic Paint! Ant Hill will be helping to launch a new skin care line in the United States. On a quest to find the best skincare line that improves the appearance of the skin, American women have historically looked to their European neighbors for the most innovative products. French-made Dr. Jules Nabet Skincare is no exception. A leading doctor in his specialized field of aesthetic medicines practicing in his clinics in Paris and London, Dr. Jules Nabet produces a variety of world-class, high-end skin care products. Now available for the first time ever in the United States this spring, the product categories offered are revitalization, anti-wrinkle and skin smoothing. The buzz around this skin care line is growing and we cannot wait to meet with beauty editor after beauty editor to discuss!


Not only will Ant Hill be on the prowl in New York for Dr. Nabet, but we will be meeting with several home décor magazines and publications to talk about two new lines from Mythic paint – including Elle Décor (aka “I need a new dress ASAP!”)! The new lines – Mythic Black Label and Mythic Pro are revolutionary paint products. Mythic paint, the company that changed the paint industry with its high performance, zero VOC, non-toxic, low-odor paint, is launching its new ground breaking line called Mythic Black Label. Offered in its 1,232-color palette and able to match competitors’ colors, Mythic Black Label is a completely new, ultra-premium product that delivers paint and primer without compromise. The new product contains New Color Capture Technology™ (CCT) to provide cleaner and richer colors with exceptional color retention. Mythic will also launch a new line of products made especially for the painting expert – Mythic Pro. Available in almost any color, Mythic Pro is a non-toxic, ultra-low odor, high quality paint line designed and formulated specifically for painting professionals.

These next two weeks should be a lot of fun – hailing taxies, meeting with New York fashion powerhouses, and looking fabulous! Hopefully, our wallets can handle our shopping necessities! Hey, my new wardrobe is a tax write-off for “work expenses”, right?