GROW! Marketing and Public Relations Tips

Courtney Kates

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The Most Interesting Campaign in the World

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, May 4, 2016 @ 11:33 AM

I don’t always enjoy nine years of the same marketing campaign, but when I do, it’s because Dos Equis does it right.

Jonathan Goldsmith, also known as the Most Interesting Man in the World, has been the iconic face of Dos Equis for almost a decade. After years of Goldsmith encouraging fellow beer drinkers to “Stay thirsty,” the beer company is saying goodbye to its famous spokesperson.

And of course, he has to go out with a bang. The company launched the final advertisement of Goldsmith’s campaign, which features him taking off on a one-way mission to Mars.

So, after nine years of a wildly successful campaign – the number of beer cases shipped by the brand increased 34.8 percent since 2007– why is Dos Equis sending off their legendary spokesman?

Continue reading to learn how your business can create interesting marketing campaigns.

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Topics: PR Campaign, creating content, audience, trends, social media, marketing, Garden Media

Trending Thursday: The Makers Lifestyle Deep Dive

Posted by Courtney Kates on Thu, Apr 28, 2016 @ 1:30 PM

Move over DIYers, there’s a new movement in town – the Makers.

People are shifting from “doing” to “making” as the Makers Lifestyle takes off. The movement is based on creating experiences that are unique to each individual’s taste. The Yuccies are a major player in this trend as they seek validation of their intellect and lifestyle, no matter the price.

PR pros need to be aware of these trends in order to more effectively reach their target audience through specific, unique campaigns.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most popular trends of the Makers Lifestyle.

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Topics: Public Relations Trends, Trending Thursday, trends, Garden Trends, Garden Media

What PR Professionals Can Learn From Will Smith

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, Apr 20, 2016 @ 10:07 AM

Each year, the MTV Generation Award is given to an actor or actress whose timeless work is representative of an entire generation. Previous winners range from comedian Adam Sandler to America’s sweetheart Reese Witherspoon.

The 25th annual awards winner was different.

This year Will Smith was honored with the award because of his incredible career as musician, sitcom superstar and Oscar-nominated actor. Smith has succeeded in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry.

So, while PR professionals might not be billion-dollar superstars like Will Smith, their careers definitely have a few things in common.

Read more to discover what you can learn from Will Smith and his diverse career.

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Topics: audience, branding, PR Strategy, Public Relations Trends, trends, image building, Garden Media Group

Trending Thursday: How the Housing Market Affects Your Garden Business

Posted by Courtney Kates on Thu, Apr 14, 2016 @ 12:12 PM

The divide between homeowners and renters is continuously growing.

Renters are spending more of their income on housing each month as it becomes an increasingly popular living option, especially among young people in urban areas.

Meanwhile, homeowners are taking advantage of current interest rates to keep monthly payments low.

It is essential for garden companies to understand the differences between homeowners and renters. These two groups have different lifestyles that affect how and where they spend their money. You need to target marketing techniques to the different groups.

So, what are some of the most important differences between these two demographics?

Read more to learn about how you can adjust your market strategy accordingly.

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Topics: audience, Trending Thursday, Marketing to Millennials, garden business, Garden Trends, marketing, Garden Media

Speaker Series: Nicole Guarasci’s Love of PR Grows at Garden Media

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, Apr 6, 2016 @ 11:57 AM

For this week’s Speaker Series, we sat down with the newest member of the Garden Media team, intern Nicole Guarasci. Nicole is a Junior at the University of Delaware, majoring in mass communication with minors in advertising and journalism.

Nicole definitely stays busy at school! She is the public relations VP for her sorority Gamma Phi Beta, a social media ambassador for the University of Delaware (you can find her @BlueHenNicole on Twitter), and a Style Guru Intern at CollegeFashionista. 

Through her experiences at the University of Delaware, Nicole has really found her place in the PR world.

Continue reading to learn more about Nicole’s experiences at Garden Media.

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Topics: Public relations, creating content, Instagram, Garden Media, Speaker Series, Internship

3 Secrets to Building Brand Loyalty

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, Mar 23, 2016 @ 9:04 AM

To the untrained eye, Wawa might seem like any other convenience store or gas station. However, residents of the mid-Atlantic see it as much more.

We worship at the altar of Wawa here at Garden Media, there is one spitting distance from our office. Why? Wawa provides its consumers not only with food, fuel and coffee, but also a sense of belonging and community.

Mashable's recent story about the die hard Wawa enthusiasts, included one fan who even wrote an ode to the store.

How did a seemingly run-of-the-mill convenience store become a place loved by so many members of the surrounding area?

By utilizing current trends, offering customization and maintaining a sense of community, Wawa has become a staple in many people's lives.

Read more to learn how you can replicate Wawa’s intense brand loyalty.

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Topics: branding, PR Strategy, trends, Marketing to Millennials, image building, Garden Trends, Garden Media

The Power of Positivity

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, Mar 16, 2016 @ 10:57 AM

Think of that one friend, coworker or client who knows just the right thing to do to get under your skin. You have probably found yourself complaining about this person once or twice.

It’s easy to complain about negative habits, especially when you are repeatedly exposed to them on a weekly or daily basis in the workplace. 

Next time a negative trait in the workplace presents itself, challenge yourself to spin it into something positive. We are PR pros after all. With that kind of attitude, you’ll definitely be more successful and also find yourself feeling happier.

Continue reading to learn how to transform negative habits into positive thoughts.

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Topics: Public relations, audience, lawn & garden public relations, trends, Garden Media, lead

Trending Thursday: The Year of the Blueberry

Posted by Courtney Kates on Thu, Mar 10, 2016 @ 9:18 AM

From purchasing indoor houseplants to eating organic food, people are becoming increasingly aware of their health and wellness.

Welltality is a rising trend not only in the garden industry, but also across the country.

One of the most common places we can see this trend taking off is in the kitchen. People are growing their own fresh food and enjoying the fruits of their labor with garden-to-table meals.

Packed with vitamins, antioxidant and dietary fiber, homegrown blueberries are on the forefront of this trend. They are easy to grow and their delicious taste will have kids and parents alike craving more.

BrazelBerries®, a collection of delicious compact edible berry plants from Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, embodies the welltality trend. The company continues to introduce new berry varieties each year for anyone to enjoy in their own backyard. New to the collection this year is Perpetua, a true double cropping blueberry that fruits in mid-summer and then again in the fall.

Continue reading to learn how BrazelBerries utilizes popular trends and current events to boost their business.

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Topics: Public Relations Trends, Trending Thursday, trends, garden business, Garden Trends, Garden Media

Trending Thursday: The Top Garden Apps

Posted by Courtney Kates on Thu, Feb 11, 2016 @ 11:41 AM
With an increased connection between gardening and technology, gardening apps are on the rise. They help users identify plants, gain gardening knowledge with tips and DIYs and virtually design their garden. The apps vary in price range and typically become more expensive for more advanced gardeners.

Most gardening apps fall in three main categories: plant identification, gardening tips and garden design.

These apps are designed to make the gardener’s life a little bit easier. Here are some of our favorites from each category.

Continue reading to learn more about the top gardening apps.

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Topics: lawn and garden public relations, Digital Branding, Trending Thursday, trends, internet media, Garden Trends, Garden Media

Everything You Need to Know About the Next Generation

Posted by Courtney Kates on Wed, Dec 16, 2015 @ 9:09 AM

We’ve talked a lot about the importance of marketing to Millennials.

But, who is next?

Last week, MTV released a new name for the next generation: the self-proclaimed Founders.

So, who are they...? 

Read more to learn about who the Founders are and how to appeal to this next generation.

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Topics: audience, branding, PR Strategy, trends, internet media, garden industry public relations, social media, Garden Media

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