Portfolio

HOW WRAPPED IN “PINK” BECAME PART OF THE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MOVEMENT

Storage Mobility, Inc.
Storage Mobility, Inc., the world’s largest independent provider of PODS® moving and storage services, wanted to find a way to reach out and help educate the public about women who have survived and died from breast cancer with the use of a PODS® container.
Buffalo Bills for their annual BILLieve week, a breast cancer awareness event held in Niagara Falls, N.Y. A PODS® container was wrapped in pink and the inside of the container featured breast cancer factoids, photos of survivors, prevention facts and an area for breast cancer survivors and their families to sign on. Using strategic placement and press coverage, PODS was able to position itself through educational outreach and create a long-lasting impression to honor breast cancer survivors.
“Pink” the PODS® container has been very popular. Pink is the subject of a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByDN-BCnQWg and will take part in a number of breast cancer awareness events in 2013 and beyond.

HOW WE HELPED PODS OF CHICAGO BECOME A LEADER IN THE MOVING AND STORAGE INDUSTRY

PODS® of Chicago
PODS of Chicago wanted to position itself as a leader in the moving and storage industry in the Chicago area and educate audiences on the many benefits and ways of using a PODS® container to safely and securely store items.
In October 2012, Consortium Media created a promotion with WGN Radio and Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador/Hall of Famer Bobby Hull for an exclusive event with PODS of Chicago in Pioneer Court to help collect toys for children with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. People started lining up at 7 a.m. and stayed throughout the entire day in the rain to donate a toy to brighten a child’s day. The total campaign: a combination of radio and online commercials, print ads, promotional messages and a PODS® container on the highly trafficked Pioneer Court resulted in hundreds of thousands of impressions along with walk-by traffic.

BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES: HOW WE SHARED THE STORIES OF FORGOTTEN FOSTER YOUTH

Aspiranet: One of California’s largest foster care and adoption agencies Each day, thousands of foster children in California wait for loving families to call their own. To raise awareness of the great need that exists for more foster parents, Aspiranet needed a campaign that removed the stigma that is often associated with foster children while highlighting the benefits that families receive when they open their hearts and their homes to foster youth. Aspiranet’s Heroes campaign centers on the extraordinary results that often occur when foster children are paired with loving families. By sharing personal stories of hardship and hope on camera, teens conveyed how the love from a foster family helped change the course of their lives. “Hear My Story” profiles were deeply personal and moving accounts about how foster parents make a huge difference. In just a few short weeks of the campaign’s launch, which included powerful TV, radio, interactive online media, and print ads, there was an increase in calls from prospective foster parents and a surge in participation in Aspiranet’s online foster parenting orientation program.

HOW WE HELPED FIGHT HUNGER ONE MEAL AT A TIME

FOOD Share / County of Ventura Human Services Agency Due to negative implications often associated with California’s CalFresh program (formerly called Food Stamps), combined with a lack of awareness about the benefits of participating, thousands of Californians were going to bed hungry every night. FOOD Share, Ventura County’s only regional food bank, and the Ventura County Human Services Agency faced the difficult challenge of changing public perceptions about CalFresh while educating adults, families, and senior citizens who would greatly benefit from accessing supplemental nutrition to help them feed both themselves and their families.   A powerful print, radio, and online campaign was created to raise awareness about what CalFresh is, how it works, and who is eligible. Using a colorful and upbeat look and feel, the campaign effectively removed the stigma surrounding governmental food assistance and encouraged hungry people to seek help. In addition to the traditional forms of advertising, CalFresh representatives were recruited to inform people in need at community outreach events. The entire campaign centered on how CalFresh helps families and seniors stretch food budgets and allows them access to a greater variety of healthy food options. Just one week after the campaign’s launch, calls and online inquires rose dramatically and have continued to rise each month.

HOW WE HELPED MOVE A CITY TO BRING BIKES TO AFRICA

  In the San Francisco Bay Area, PODS wanted to boost sales and increase awareness about their products and services. The moving and storage company was looking for a way to educate the local consumer about the affordability and versatility of PODS® containers and needed a local promotional campaign that brought them closer to the communities they serve. CMS formulated the perfect promotional partnership by bringing together, headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Mike’s Bikes, a large San Francisco bicycle retailer. PODS stepped up in support of Mike’s Bikes’ “Africa Bike Drive” charity by donating storage containers at their eight Bay Area storefronts in Berkeley, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Walnut Creek. The public was encouraged to stop by any Mike’s Bikes Bay Area location and help fill the PODS® containers with donated bikes to be sent off to one of Mike’s Bikes’ sister stores in Africa in order to help Africans begin their own small bicycle repair businesses. Radio and public relations efforts quickly spread the word, and in two short weeks, Mike’s Bikes had amassed as many donated bikes as it would have taken them in several months to collect. This collaboration between two like-minded businesses helped to significantly improve brand awareness, increase market share, and boost sales.

HOW WE RALLIED A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES

PODS Enterprises, Inc. PODS needed more product education and awareness in the San Diego Area. They needed a local campaign that brought them closer to the community. A promotional campaign was developed in conjunction with radio and public relations efforts to spur a donation drive for military families in need of household items. The promotion helped rally the local community to fill a PODS® container with much-needed furniture and housewares for military families living on fixed incomes. Three separate drives accomplished this unique promotion and PODS was honored to have an Honor Guard present, as well. PODS was able to deepen their awareness in the local market and create brand loyalty. CMS garnered coverage of these drives in print, radio, and television to support these great events.

POSITIVE PRESS HELPS FEED A GROWING NEED IN VENTURA COUNTY

FOOD Share Food Share, Ventura County’s only regional food bank, currently feeds over 74,500 hungry people each month. With the population of hungry people who need help to feed themselves and their families steadily increasing, FOOD Share was faced with the challenge of raising enough food and funds to keep pace with growing demand. A year-round series of publicity campaigns was launched by CMS to help raise awareness about the growing hunger problem, inform the public about FOOD Share’s mission to eradicate hunger in Ventura County and motivate individuals, businesses, and community organizations to pitch in and help. Each May, U.S. postal carriers collect donations for FOOD Share during their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” day. In September, FOOD Share’s “30 ways in 30 Days” is publicized to motivate people to make small changes that yield big results, and during the holidays, FOOD Share undertakes its annual “Tackle Hunger” donation drive to help restock the shelves of its Oxnard, California warehouse distribution center. To learn more about the stories pictured above, click here: Ventura County Letter Carriers Team Up with FOOD Share FOOD Share Encourages 30 Ways in 30 Days

HOW A PRESS RELEASE HELPED SAVE LIVES, ONE LIMB AT A TIME

West Coast Vascular At-risk demographics in Ventura County were unaware of the health concerns and danger associated with P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease). West Coast Vascular wanted to bring to light the seriousness of the disease while educating the community on the exceptional resources and patient-focused treatment they offer. To position West Coast Vascular as the leader in vascular care, we needed to inform a targeted audience of men and women, ages 50 and older, about P.A.D. and the risk of limb amputation, stroke, and even death. We developed a series of press releases, public service announcements, educational seminars, and community screenings to teach the public about P.A.D. and how a simple, non-invasive screening could save their lives. Personal stories of P.A.D. survivors were featured alongside a national P.A.D. awareness campaign. In response to the press coverage, three public screenings were filled to capacity, saving the lives of many throughout Ventura County. To read more, click here: Get a Leg Up on Vascular Health with a Free Screening Screenings for Artery Disease

HOW TELLING A STORY OF BIG DREAMS CAN ‘UP’ LIFT A COMMUNITY

PODS Enterprises, Inc. PODS is constantly striving to position itself as the leader in the moving and storage industry and educate audiences on the benefits and ease of using PODS® containers and its safe and secure storage centers. Chosen as the official moving and storage company for a California family moving across the country to Utah into the replicated house from the film ‘Up,’ we saw an opportunity to tell an inspirational story that grew to fruition with the help of PODS. We developed press materials that were received by national media, garnering strategic placement and press coverage for PODS. The press coverage served as a public recommendation from the customer on their successful and stress-free move, earning thousands of impressions. To read more, click here: “Up” House Owners Move into a Utah Home Full of Disney Magic

SHARING SUCCESS STORIES HELP TO FOSTER FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Aspiranet: One of California’s largest foster care and adoption agencies For every child Aspiranet successfully places with a foster or adoptive family, there are thousands more California children and teens who patiently wait for a family to call their own. As one of California’s largest and most innovative social services agencies, Aspiranet was looking for a better way to motivate more adults to consider fostering or adopting a child, teen or sibling set. Using CMS’ “good news approach,” CMS pitched to the press personal stories of Aspiranet families who experienced unexpected joy when they welcomed foster and adoptive children or teens into their lives. By consistently communicating the central fact that foster and adoptive families come in all shapes and sizes and that the only real prerequisite for the job is having a patient spirit and a huge heart, calls from prospective families increased in each community where a family profile story appeared in print.

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY: LET PODS LEXINGTON BE THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE!

PODS Enterprises, Inc. – Lexington PODS Lexington was seeking to grow its social media networks to create online communities that engage past and future customers on a deeper level. PODS wanted to have open conversations to better educate consumers in Lexington on the benefits of using PODS and its services. We launched a cross-promotion using social media and radio encouraging participants to enter to win two months of free storage. To gain more awareness, we launched a second promotion during the same time frame where fans had the chance to win an iPad 2 by “liking” PODS Lexington’s Facebook page and entering to win. In order to successfully spread the word we sent out multiple email blasts, cross-promoted the giveaway on a local radio station with direct links to the Facebook page on the radio stations website and created a microsite specifically for the promotion to make it easy for participants to become fans. This cross-promotion between traditional media and social media doubled Lexington’s fan growth and increased overall presence and engagement on all social media platforms, and also promoted brand name awareness and educated the community.

IT’S TIME TO GET “CARRIED” AWAY WITH PODS ALBUQUERQUE

PODS Enterprises, Inc. – Albuquerque We needed to increase community awareness and involvement of PODS Albuquerque as well as fan growth on social media platforms and brand presence at local events. The Balloon Fiesta Sweepstakes was launched to maximize involvement with the local events in the community and the number of fans on Facebook. Albuquerque residents were given the chance to win two tickets to the Balloon Fiesta along with a free hot air balloon ride by “liking” PODS Albuquerque’s fan page and entering to win. In order to successfully implement this promotion we created a Facebook event, sent out email blasts to all PODS customers in the area, created a flyer with event details and graphics and added an iFrame tab with the direct link to enter the sweepstakes. With the popularity of hot air balloons in Albuquerque, this was the perfect solution that brought positive feedback. We were able to generate buzz from the Balloon Festival brand and social fan base, gain new fans, friends, and followers on Facebook, and Twitter, and increase rapport with the community and local organizations.

MUSTANG WATERPARK: KEEPING IT “COOL” NO MATTER WHAT

Mustang Waterpark We needed to launch a family theme park’s social media platform from the ground up and bring much-needed awareness to this local business, as well as bring seasonal promotions to help the park compete with other major attractions in order to increase customer base. We utilized the theme park’s strong website following to establish a base of social media fans. We effectively launched several promotions via social media over the course of the summer which included discounts and prize giveaways, and created an increase in customers. In order to give Mustang a family-friendly and local feel, we encouraged customer feedback and interaction by allowing them to submit pictures of their day at the waterpark and posted them on Facebook to create excitement. With all the success of promotions, email blasts, creative work, and social media involvement; we established a very strong social following and level of engagement in just three months.

HOW BRINGING THE AUDIENCE TO TEARS BROUGHT HOPE TO A COMMUNITY

Ventura County Health Care Agency / Ventura County Medical Center The Ventura County Health Care Agency, a wide-reaching health care network, needed a strong, community outreach program to educate local residents about Ventura County’s top-notch medical system. The hospital wanted to foster a greater emotional connection to its audience and increase awareness of the county health care system’s experienced doctors and many levels of quality care for children and pediatric oncology patients. CMS produced a half-hour television show promoting the county health care system that featured a six-minute segment on Ventura County’s new Pediatric Oncology Clinic. The show, which followed the stories of two young children in their fight against cancer, ran every weekend on the local TV affiliate and educated thousands about the high-quality medical care being offered right in their own community. For nearly 15 years, CMS has created a series of shows featuring many of the Ventura County’s Health Care’s departments and services.

BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES: HOW WE SHARED THE STORIES OF FORGOTTEN FOSTER YOUTH

Aspiranet: One of California’s largest foster care and adoption agencies Awareness of the desperate need for loving foster families for older children and teens was a key message that was not reaching Aspiranet’s target audience. Aspiranet wanted an impactful campaign that would remove the stigma of foster children and open the eyes of potential foster families and share the tremendous need for families to open their home and hearts to foster youth. We produced a series of print advertisements and web banners to promote the Aspiranet Heroes campaign. The ads and web banners had a strong focus on sharing foster teen stories of hardship and the hope they received when a family opened their homes to them. The combination of dramatic photography with emotional quotes from real foster teens in the design of the advertisements helped to inspire families to make a difference in a child or teen’s life by becoming a foster parent. Call center volume and inquiries specific to foster parenting increased dramatically. The “Hear My Story” inquiries and online orientations on the web rose to hundreds within a few short weeks of the campaign.

ONE MEAL AT A TIME: HOW WE HELPED FIGHT HUNGER

CLIENT: FOOD Share / County of Ventura Human Services Agency We needed to remove the stigma of food stamps and increase positive awareness of the new CalFresh Food assistance program. FOOD Share and County of Ventura Human Services Agency were faced with the challenge of educating the public about the benefits of CalFresh and spread the word to senior citizens, families with children, and newly needy families affected by the downturn in the economy. We developed a set of powerful design materials, which included brochures, flyers, postcards, posters, outdoor banners, print and online advertisements, in order to educate local populations of the new CalFresh food assistance program. The fresh and inviting design of the elements helped to remove the stigma of food stamps and government assistance. The materials were used at community outreach events and emphasized that CalFresh helps families and seniors stretch food budgets to allow a greater variety of healthy food options. Calls and online inquires rose dramatically just one week after the campaign launch and continued to rise each month after.