Favorite Finds

We found some interesting headlines this week in both the social media realm and in one of our favorite areas: home décor! Following are a few of our favorite announcements:

• Picture Perfect: Perhaps needing to refocus attention away from its stock problems, Facebook launched an Instagram-like iPhone photo app called Camera.
• Launch of So.cl: We learned a little more about Microsoft’s new social network, So.cl (pronounced “social”), that combines web browsing, search and social networking.
• Wave Hello to Nautical Look: Crisp, blue nautical themes are expected to dominate home décor for the next few months.
• Pinterest Power: We learned that buyers from Pinterest are 10 percent more likely to buy from companies.
• Furniture Transformations: With a little imagination, one can transform furniture so it can be used in a completely different way.
• Crises Concern: We found an interesting infographic that explores the epicenters of social media crises, the most common triggers and the top 10 causes of the crises. 

In the Mix...Trex Goes on Tour

We coordinated a satellite media tour for our client Trex this week to raise awareness of its outdoor living products in advance of Memorial Day weekend, when many people look to makeover their backyards. Broadcasting from a one-of-a-kind Trex deck in Toronto, Canada, complete with a king-size hammock, waterfalls and fire pits, we offered interviews with HGTV personality Paul Lafrance to news stations across the U.S. and Canada. Paul advised viewers on the latest trends and products in outdoor living, and offered his advice on creating a dream outdoor oasis.  He spoke with 31 media outlets in six hours, reaching well more than a million viewers. And there are more to come as stations continue to air the story! You can check out a segment here, and find Paul – and more amazing Trex decks – on HGTV’s “Decked Out.”

In the Mix…LCWA Helps Lincoln Park Community Shelter Fight Homelessness

The LCWA team recently donated time to help the Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS) on its annual Metamorphosis Party, an evening dedicated to creating hope and change for Chicago’s homeless. From drafting materials and driving awareness to managing photos of the event, we were thrilled to play a role in raising funds for this wonderful organization. Held at Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood, the event was a great success and raised approximately $103,000 for programs and facilities that serve adult men and women experiencing homelessness. 

Samantha and Kim enjoy the Metamorphosis Party

Favorite Finds

With all the news about the Facebook IPO this week, you’d think it was the only current event!  In between stories of stocks and shares, we found some other interesting headlines. Following are a few of our favorites:

• Pinterest Power: Companies are getting good at Pinterest and early case studies are beginning to emerge.
• Headlines Make Headlines: In a world of news “overload” we’re reminded about the importance of a catchy phrase.
• Can I Get Your Facebook Card?: Because Facebook is becoming so integrated in business, now there is an option to order business cards based on Facebook pages.
• Long Live the Post: Many were nervous about the effect of Timeline on pages, but a new Sotrender study shows a post’s lifetime is longer with the “new” format. 
• Tweet Tweet: We learned about four Twitter contest ideas to keep followers engaged and interested.

LCWA Goes "Virtual" for NATO Summit

Chicago will take center stage this weekend as leaders from around the world gather here for the NATO Summit. But with train schedule changes, heightened security and potential protests outside our front door, the LCWA office may be a challenge to reach on the days surrounding the summit. That’s why LCWA is going “virtual” and allowing employees to work from home on today and Monday. Thanks to technology, our “virtual” team will be connected from many different locations, but otherwise it will be business as usual. Phones will transfer automatically to home offices, and of course the team will be available by e-mail. Like the rest of the world, we look forward to hearing news from the NATO Summit – we’ll just be watching from the comfort of home instead of our front-row office seats! 

In the Mix…Pergo Makes Flooring Easy as Child’s Play

March and April were big months for our client Pergo, which was featured in two popular magazines for parents. The new PERGO MAX collection, which combines superior durability and outstanding wear-resistance, was highlighted in photo spreads in both Parenting (2.2 million readers) and Baby Talk (2 million readers). Inclusion in these top-tier publications positions Pergo as the ultimate kid-friendly flooring choice for consumers – which is ideal for a floor that can stand up to all the wear, tear, mess and mayhem that a busy household dishes out every day! 

In the Mix...Trex Travels Abroad

Our client Trex is expanding its brand internationally, which means introducing consumer and trade media in different countries to its beautiful, durable decking! The LCWA team is working with two of our Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) partners to coordinate media outreach in the United Kingdom and Germany. Thanks to our partner firms, Spider PR (UK) and IC-Gruppe (Germany),  European media already are buzzing about the benefits of the low-maintenance and eco-friendly decking. This is a great example of how our network firms can work together to create PR programs that cross languages and cultures. We’re looking forward to working with Spider and IC-Gruppe to generate stories all summer long!