Category: Clairemont Client News

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.

Read More

WGU North Carolina Turns Three!

Kelli FletcherBlog, Case Studies, Clairemont Client News, , , ,

This month Clairemont client WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of Western Governors University, is celebrating its third anniversary. WGU, an accredited, competency-based, nonprofit online university, offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Since launching in 2017, WGU North Carolina’s enrollment has more than tripled to 3,900 active students spread throughout nearly all of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

To celebrate, Chancellor Catherine Truitt has announced the launch of the WGU North Carolina Three for Three Scholarships in which 10 residents will receive $3,000 each in tuition credit.

We’re proud of the work we do with WGU North Carolina as they aim to expand access to higher education across our state.

Below is the official announcement from WGU North Carolina.

Image courtesy of WGU

WGU North Carolina Announces $3,000 “Three for Three” Scholarships in Recognition of Third Anniversary

— Ten winners will each receive tuition credit of $3,000 —

On October 5, 2017, Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher visited the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh to officially launch WGU North Carolina as a state affiliate. The establishment of WGU North Carolina was previously authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly and Governor Pat McCrory in October 2015. In recognition of its third anniversary, Chancellor Catherine Truitt has announced the launch of the WGU North Carolina Three for Three Scholarships. Ten residents will receive $3,000 each in tuition credit (at $750 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms).

Designed for working adults, WGU is an accredited, nonprofit online university offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in IT, business, K-12 teacher education, and healthcare, including nursing. WGU offers an asynchronous, competency-based model that allows students to log in and access coursework at a time convenient for them, and to accelerate at their own pace. Tuition is around $3,250 per six-month term for most undergraduate degree programs.

Over the past three years, WGU North Carolina’s enrollment has more than tripled to 3,900 active students. School officials also shared the following statistics (as of September 2020):

  • 4,217 WGU graduates live in 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties
  • Over the past three years, nearly $1.3 million in scholarships has been awarded to 606 recipients
  • 74% of students work full-time, and 10% work part-time
  • Students range in age from 17 to 75
  • 22% of students are from low-income families
  • One in five WGU North Carolina students is affiliated with the military community

“WGU North Carolina was established to expand access to higher education in our state, and at this time, an affordable degree in a high-demand field can provide individuals with the means to help their families weather tough economic times and eventually thrive when things return to normal,” said Chancellor Truitt. “Our Three for Three Scholarships will provide meaningful assistance to 10 individuals who are committed to furthering their education and their careers.”

To apply for the WGU North Carolina Three for Three Scholarships, you must be a resident of North Carolina. Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, plus other considerations. The application deadline is December 31. To learn more about the WGU North Carolina Three for Three Scholarships or to apply, visit nc.wgu.edu/3for3.

For more information about WGU North Carolina, visit nc.wgu.edu.

About WGU North Carolina

WGU North Carolina is an online competency-based university established to expand access to higher education for North Carolina residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. WGU has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at nc.wgu.edu.

Interested in how we’ve helped other clients celebrate anniversary milestones? Read more here.

Read More

Good Food for a Good Cause

Kelli FletcherBlog, Clairemont Client News, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR, , ,

These past few months have been a doozy. We’ve all done our share of coping in one (or more … ) ways. I’ve tried a few different tactics myself. But mostly, per the advice of Mr. Rogers, I keep my eyes peeled “looking for the helpers.”

Once it was a family on my street who walked the dog of their elderly neighbor after she experienced a bad fall shortly after lockdown. I’ve also seen it in an individual on the listserv who offered to collect grocery lists and shop for people who are high-risk. Every day I spot more and more helpers who #wearamask.

This month, it has been our client, PDQ, the fast-casual restaurant beloved for its famous chicken tenders, signature sauces, fries and shakes. To celebrate its grand re-opening, PDQs in the Triangle partnered with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, which has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of people facing hunger in the service area since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

At its kickoff on July 12, PDQ donated a meal for every meal purchased at its Triangle locations in Durham, Raleigh and Wake Forest. Since then – and for one more week at each of these stores – customers have the option to round up their checks to further support the Food Bank.

Image courtesy of PDQ.

So, if you have a longing to DO SOMETHING while also hankering for delicious chicken tenders, wings or a shake that will take you back to simpler times (aka your childhood), swing by the closest PDQ and round up that check to give back locally during this unprecedented time.

We’re proud of the work we do, especially when it not only helps our clients but also the broader community. Want to read more about our clients and the work they’re doing? Check out our Client News section on the blog!

Read More

In the News: Lightin’ a Fire for Firefighters

Cherith AndesBlog, Case Studies, Clairemont Client News, , , ,

The data is sobering.

Seventy percent of firefighters in North Carolina are volunteers, and that number is plummeting by 12 percent each year. This begs the question — What will happen when you call 9-1-1, and no one is left to respond?

The North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC) took action. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the NCAFC launched a critical two-year campaign designed to boost the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in North Carolina.

Clairemont Communications, along with partner The Felice Agency, is thrilled to work with the NCAFC on this exciting and worthy campaign. In addition to fire chief trainings, marketing toolkits and messaging, we’ve been “on the horn” sharing this story far and wide. Within just a few weeks of the campaign launch, we secured 14 strong media stories to spotlight the need and move the needle for our client.

Check out this feature from Spectrum News!

A fun fact? Fire departments have positions for volunteers of all ages, stages and skill sets! If you’re interested in learning more, visit Volunteer Fire NC.

This campaign targets select fire departments across 12 at-risk counties, including:

  • Bladen County: Elizabethtown Fire Department
  • Buncombe County: French Broad Volunteer Fire & Rescue and West Buncombe Volunteer Fire Department
  • Cherokee County: Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department
  • Duplin County: Chinquapin Volunteer Fire & Rescue
  • Forsyth County: Lewisville Fire Department and Rural Hall Fire Department
  • Franklin County: Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department
  • Harnett County: Harnett County Chiefs Association
  • Northampton County: Gaston Volunteer Fire Department
  • Pitt County: Town of Winterville Fire Department
  • Wake County: Wake County Fire Services
  • Wilson County: Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Department
  • Yadkin County: East Bend Volunteer Fire Department and Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department

Needing help lighting a fire for your campaign?

Drop us a line!

Read More

Briar Chapel Wins Best Neighborhood

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

Nothing makes us happier than seeing our clients succeed.

We’re thrilled to pop the bubbly for client Briar Chapel, one of the largest green master-planned communities in the Triangle. For its fifth consecutive year, Briar Chapel won Best Neighborhood in Chapel Hill, a voters’ choice award from the readers of Chapel Hill Magazine.

That’s not all that Briar Chapel has on its shining record. Throughout the years, this community has nabbed accolades such as Developer of the Year from Green Builder Magazine, Best Neighborhood by Where to Retire Magazine and Best Neighborhood/Subdivision in the WRAL Out and About Voters’ Choice Awards.

Complete with resort-style amenities, green-built homes and a vibrant network of neighbors, this community is topping many homebuyers’ dream lists. Clairemont Communications has been honored to serve as Briar Chapel’s agency of record for years. From media relations and social media strategy to creative events and awards submissions, we’ve loved being a part of its growth for almost a decade.

Real estate is one of our areas of expertise. Do you have news you want to get covered? Events you’re planning for your business?

Drop us a line!

Read More