Author: Cherith Andes

Spearheading Internal Comms

Cherith AndesBlog, Case Studies, Public Relations, , , ,

When we say “public relations,” people often think of tactics like media pitching (hello, big news stories!), social media content, community partnerships and creative events. And yes, those are all things that Clairemont Communications does!

AND our expertise extends quite a bit further into other areas of communications, including internal communications, which is also one of our specialties.

Internal Communications? How Can That Help Me?

Internal communications means just that – that Clairemont serves as an extension of a company’s internal communications team. We have a track record of quickly getting up to speed on our clients’ projects, spearheading initiatives and helping to move the needle immediately.

For example, Ingersoll Rand, a global industrial manufacturer, turned to Clairemont to oversee several critical internal communications initiatives. When the Ingersoll Rand Industrials segment merged with Gardner Denver, Inc. to form the new Ingersoll Rand (IR), Clairemont helped to design a successful communications program to unite 16,000 employees across 70 countries for a seamless Day 1 integration. We helped craft sustainability reports, launch awards programs and roll out a $150 million equity grant with a bell-ringing event at the New York Stock Exchange — all in lock-step with the Ingersoll Rand communications team.

Ingersoll Rand celebrating its $150 equity grant by virtually ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

What Internal Communications Might Include

While working with Ingersoll Rand, here are just a few of the initiatives Clairemont helped to execute:

  • Global M&A communications strategy
  • Internal communications plan for 16,000 employees
    across 70 countries
  • Communications strategy for $150 million equity grant and bell ringing ceremony with the New York Stock Exchange
  • Executive leadership training/communications
  • Global celebrations and town halls
  • Proactive media relations in major markets
  • Award recognition program
  • Sustainability report research, writing and production
  • Content strategy for blog, website, intranet, social media
  • Video planning, direction and production
  • E-Trainings for employee programs

… and much more.

The question is — where do you need support to move the needle?

Let’s Chat!

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CLIENT NEWS: Garman Wins Newland Award

Cherith AndesBlog, Clairemont Client News, Real Estate PR, , , , ,

This is one of our favorite parts of our work — the chance to celebrate our clients, their partners and the incredible impact they’re making in our community!

Newland’s Robert B. McLeod Partners in Placemaking Award

National real estate developer and Clairemont client Newland recently introduced its Robert B. McLeod Partners in Placemaking Award. Named after Newland’s founder, the Robert B. McLeod Partners in Placemaking Award recognizes the innovation, collaboration and expertise of the many partners Newland works with to create exceptional places and experiences.

Wendell Falls, Newland’s master-planned community in Wendell, was excited to present the McLeod award to Garman Homes, one of its builders! Garman is only one of four businesses across the U.S. to receive this award this year.

Garman’s Hero Home Project

The McLeod Award honored Garman for its incredible Hero Home project. In 2020, Garman Homes joined forced with Nonprofit Operation: Coming Home, the U.S. Veterans Corps and the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County to build a pro bono “Hero Home” for the family of a recently fallen soldier – Sgt. Barreto.

The Key Ceremony where Garman Homes unveiled the Hero Home to the family of the fallen soldier.

We love that our clients and their partners blaze trails, spearhead positive change and make a long-lasting impact in our community. Congratulations to Garman Homes!

Check out more news and tips on real estate marketing and PR.

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Strategies to Build Business Connections

Cherith AndesBlog, Inspirational, Professional Development, , ,

Eighty-five percent of professional success comes from people skills. New customers. New business partners. New jobs — all from relationships.

But how do you forge authentic connections and business relationships in an era when handshakes and hugs aren’t possible?

I had the opportunity to roll out a toolbox of relationship-building strategies for a Tech Tuesday seminar with Shop Local Raleigh (SLR).

These effective, tangible tactics employ skills you may already have but aren’t actively using to make new connections, build trust with your contacts or audience, and move them to action. During this business seminar, I explored:

Social Networking

  • Finding connections
  • Initiating meaningful conversations
  • Effective follow-up
  • (And yes, Zoom)

Video
Did you know that 80 percent of your customers would rather see a live video from you than read a blog? Get camera-ready, friends, with easy strategies to use:

  • Personalized video
  • Live video

Thanks to SLR for this fun opportunity to share our insights and connect with amazing local businesses!

Catch the replay here of SLR’s seminar here! 👇🏼👇🏼

At Clairemont, we can help create a strategy to grow your business, too.

Drop Us a Line
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2021 V-Day Gift Guide (At-Home Ed.)

Cherith AndesBlog, In Our Community, Inspirational, , ,

Staying at home this Valentine’s? We collected some of Raleigh’s favorite experiences, gifts and goodies to create a fun evening at home – both DIY and Done-For-You style.

In fact, it turns out that others love our picks as well! RAL Today published a similar version of our gift guide to share the love across the Triangle!

DIY Couple Kits

Make an evening of DIY deliciousness. DECO offers a Camp Craft Cocktail kit; add your own spirit to these pre-made Mason jars brimming with dried fruit, sugar cubes and garnishes to create your favorite sangria, cranberry martini or more. Or pick up a Culture for Health cheese-making kit (yup! It’s a thing!) to pair with your favorite wine.

Vita Vite Date Night Wine Basket

Curate your favorite date night into a take-home basket. Vita Vite, Raleigh’s wine bar + art gallery (and Clairemont client!), will personalize a collection of goodies — like a bottle of wine or bubbly, a cheese and charcuterie plate to-go, a cheeseboard and cutlery set, a wine-themed candle, wine tumblers, cocktail recipe books and more. You can also grab a single item to brighten your friend’s day. Visit in person to select, call (919) 322-0649 or email info@vitaviteraleigh.com.

Valentine’s (Virtual) Cooking Class

Cook up your own chef-inspired Valentine’s dinner together at home. Join a two-hour virtual cooking class hosted by HL Catering with Chef Houston to create a Chorizo Carbonara and Chocolate Cobbler feast. Check out the details here!

“Sweetheart Meal” To Go

Don’t feel like cooking? Order a French-influenced Valentine’s dinner for two from Farmhouse Café. Its delicious menu features mouthwatering highlights like French cheese and charcuterie for two, Beef Wellington, Salmon en Croute, Chocolate Pot au Crème … and much more! Get the details!

A Picture: Worth a Thousand Words

With so much of our time spent at home, treat your special someone to a fresh look for their favorite room. Vita Vite offers a collection of art by local southern artists, ranging from small pieces to fireplace-worthy beauties. One-of-a-kind pieces for one-of-a-kind friends. Get a quick look at a few pieces! Visit in person to see them all or email info@vitaviteraleigh.com.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Bling

Put a personal twist on a traditional Valentine’s favorite. Gift one of Audra Style’s sassy-meet-classy jewelry items; commission a personalized piece from Quercus or take home one of its delicately detailed gem-stone rings, necklaces or earrings.

Forget Love; I’d Rather Fall in Chocolate

Can’t not love this sweet deal! Inspired by the founder’s 10-year-old daughter long ago, Azurelise Chocolates now offers some of the area’s most decadent truffles — which The News & Observer once described as ” … not your typical prettified confections … They’re truffles for the purist, unadorned squares of chocolate that let their flavor do the talking.” Order today!

Want to share in the love? Get ideas for your business growth?

Drop Us a Line!
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Furniture PR: GBS Rebrands as ProtectAll

Cherith AndesBlog, Furniture PR, Public Relations, , ,

We’re excited to partner with client GBS Enterprises as it embarks on a new company development. A 30+-year leader in the furniture protection services and healthy sleep bed product industry, GBS is rebranding to ProtectAll under the helm of new leadership as it expands its services.

We have to admit; we love the furniture industry and the many marketing campaigns we’ve been privileged to lead. Congratulations to GBS!

GBS Enterprises Rebrands as ProtectAll under New Leadership
– Long-standing Industry Executive Unveils New Vision, Welcomes New Execs and Chooses New Headquarters –

DALLAS, T.X. – January 14, 2021 – GBS Enterprises, a global provider furniture protection services and healthy sleep bed products, relaunched its 30+-year company under the name ProtectAll. Kevin Rupkey took the helm as the company’s CEO, joined by new industry leadership, as the headquarters have relocated from Deerfield Beach, Florida to Dallas, Texas.

“The new banner of ProtectAll ushers in an exciting era of growth, as we expand our product lines to include robust offerings beyond warranty and sleep products,” said Rupkey, ProtectAll, CEO. “The team’s rich expertise coupled with this expanded vision positions us to provide the highest quality, most innovative, customer-centric services and products in the industry.”

Rupkey, an insurance and warranty industry veteran, took the helm of ProtectAll as chief executive officer in August of 2020. Rupkey’s tenure entails c-level positions at cornerstone companies such as GE, Warrantech, Assurant Consumer Services, Home Buyers Resale Warranty Co., Bankers Warranty Group and Zale Life Insurance Co.

“ProtectAll is making significant investments in the company’s growth through personnel development, refreshed processes and new business lines,” Jeff McWey, former CEO and current executive chairman, ProtectAll. “Kevin is a great choice; his commitment to world-class customer service, and his fresh vision positions us to expand our footprint in the industry to better serve customers and partners across the globe.”

New executives also joined Rupkey at ProtectAll, bringing approximately 65 years of collective industry experience:

  • Bryan Myers, senior vice president of operations: Myers joined ProtectAll from Peloton Interactive, where he expanded extended warranty annual revenue from $13 million to $50 million, redesigned the programs and launched extended warranty programs in Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.
  • Michele Gloeckler, vice president of sales: With approximately 20 years of warranty industry experience, Gloeckler touts a track record for obtaining and closing new business opportunities with Top 100 appliance and electronics retailers.

GBS Enterprises (aka: Genie B’s Specialties) was founded in 1988 as a specialty sheet producer to the trucking industry. GBS was one of the first companies to enter the mattress protection market, and in 2009, the company launched the ProtectAll brand — now one of the largest furniture warranty providers in the United States servicing Top 200 furniture retailers. In 2011, Jeff McWey took the lead as president and CEO, developed an expanded scope of products and services, and placed GBS on the international stage. In 2015, McWey launched Healthy Sleep to provide industry-leading healthy sleep products; the line remains a sister brand to ProtectAll today. McWey has taken the position of executive chairman at ProtectAll to support Rupkey in ProtectAll’s future growth.

ABOUT PROTECTALL

ProtectAll, a leading global provider of furniture protection services, provides the highest quality, most innovative, customer-centric services and products in the industry. Its core warranty services offer protection programs for indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, adjustable beds and area rugs. Sister brand Healthy Sleep offers premium mattress top-of-bed products, such as mattress and pillow protectors, mattress and pillow encasements, pillows, sheets and blankets. The company operates multiple facilities around the country, including its headquarters in Dallas, Texas, a distribution/call center in Reno, Nevada, and a large distribution center in Savannah, Georgia. For more information, please contact Claudia Ojeda at cojeda@gbsent.com, or visit www.myprotectall.com.

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