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Tag: Triangle Family Services

10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit Secures Regional Coverage

December 12, 2012January 31, 2023 Margot HorganBlog, Clairemont Client News, In Our Community, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, The Clairemont Team10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Carolina Parent, media coverage, media relations, Our State, Public Relations, Raleigh Public Relations Agency, Southern Living, Triangle Family Services1 Comment on 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit Secures Regional Coverage

For the past three years, Clairemont has had the honor of promoting and participating in one of the Triangle’s most anticipated holiday events of the season – Triangle Family Services’ Annual Gingerbread Benefit, the premier, vital fundraising event for the longstanding local nonprofit.

This year, marked not only the tenth anniversary of the Benefit, but also the 75th anniversary of Triangle Family Services, which provides programs to families in need in the Raleigh-Durham area in three key areas – financial stability, family safety and mental health services.

With 2012 marking prominent milestones for both the Benefit and Triangle Family Services, we knew that we wanted to make this year’s Annual Gingerbread Benefit bigger and better than any other.

Our plan? A detailed and strategic media relations campaign that would target news coverage in both regional and local publications. With gingerbread-themed media kits in tow, our work started this summer with our “Christmas in July” push to long-lead news outlets. Diligent pitching and coordination with our media contacts continued through the year and throughout the day of the actual event.

The result? Substantial coverage promoting the 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit in leading publications like Southern Living Magazine, Our State Magazine, Carolina Parent Magazine and Philanthropy Journal, just to name a few.

Southern Living Magazine, Nov. 2012
Our State Magazine, Dec. 2012
Carolina Parent Magazine, Nov. 2012

Interested in hearing more? Check out some of the other coverage in the links included below:

Gingerbread houses and more for a good cause

The News & Observer

>>View Story

Entertainment Briefs

The Durham Herald Sun

>>View Story

Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit

Cary Citizen

>>View Story

Gingerbread Benefit Feature

NBC 17 – My Carolina Today

>>View Clip

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What Does a PR Agency Do? Community Relations Case Study

June 20, 2012January 31, 2023 Josephine ButlerAwards, Blog, Case Studies, Marketing, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, Social Media + Influencer Engagementaward entries, award winning PR, case study, gala fundraiser, Gingerbread Benefit, media relations, non-profit, Nonprofit, PR, Public Relations, Public Relations Agency, Triangle Family Services, what does a PR agency do
ABC 11’s Angela Hampton poses with Santa Claus, himself!

People commonly ask us what a PR agency does. We thought the best way to answer that question would be to share case studies from our work that was recently recognized at the North Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s (NCPRSA) InSpire Awards. Clairemont won 14 InSpire Awards, and we hope that this “Award Winning Wednesday” blog series will inspire you, too!

Client: Triangle Family Services, a United Way of the Greater Triangle partner agency that has been dedicated to assisting families in need for 75 years, providing programs focused on financial stability, family safety and mental health services to more than 7,000 area residents.

Objective: Provide media relations support for the Annual Gingerbread Benefit, the premier fundraising event for TFS, with the following goals in mind:

  1. Use the event to boost overall awareness of TFS and the role it plays in the community by securing local news stories
  2. Help TFS repeat revenue generation of the 2010 event, totaling $93,165 (the largest in the event’s history)
  3. Increase attendance of new donors to help address an overall challenge facing TFS – its aging donor base

Execution: In addition to providing media relations support, Clairemont team members served on the event planning committee for the Gingerbread Benefit.

  • Research: The Clairemont team researched the Gingerbread Benefits held in   previous years. We interviewed the organization’s director and event co-chairs to determine their expectations for the event. Additionally, we took a look at what other popular holiday events were going on in the Triangle around the same time. We used this information to identify what types of events would garner the most attendance and what types of auction items would secure the most interest from bidders.
  • Planning: The Clairemont team participated in monthly meetings and calls to begin planning for the event. Based on our research, we identified several target audiences, including first-time (or new) donors, as well as outlined objectives for our media relations support.
  • Execution – pre-event: Previous pitching experience, including pitching the 2010 Gingerbread Benefit, taught us that local reporters often feel overwhelmed by the number of pitches they receive surrounding holiday benefits. Because of this, we knew we had to get creative with our pitches and took the following approach:  Business angle: Any information or updates surrounding the corporate sponsors of the event, we submitted to business outlets and reporters. Business angle: Any information or updates surrounding the corporate sponsors of the event, we submitted to business outlets and reporters. Chef pitch: Because the event featured gingerbread houses created and then donated for auction by local celebrity chefs, we identified the area’s most recognized local food blog, the News & Observer’s Mouthful, as an appropriate target. With the idea in mind that building gingerbread houses offered excellent visuals, we also successfully pitched local TV stations. Attendance drivers: We submitted event information to local online event calendars. Additionally, we issued two releases on Business Wire to share with reporters and boost SEO.
  • Execution – onsite logistics: The Clairemont team provided onsite support the day of the event, with one team member serving as volunteer coordinator. Because of our strong ties to ABC 11’s Angela Hampton, the emcee for the event, the Clairemont team also served as her point of contact. Additionally, we took photographs of the gingerbread houses as they were being delivered and shared them via the Triangle Family Services Facebook page. Tagging participating vendors and chefs created last-minute buzz that enticed additional people to come to the event that evening.
  • Results: Our media relations campaign was a success! Here’s how we measured up to each of our stated objectives:
  1. Through the placement of nine news stories including interviews on ABC 11 and NBC 17, we strengthened brand recognition of TFS and the Gingerbread Benefit. Additionally, advance coverage from outlets such as Cary Magazine and Mouthful, gave the event credibility and helped increase ticket sales.
  2. Clairemont helped raise total event revenue by 3 percent from 2010 and 174 percent from 2009.
  3. Tickets purchased by new donors represented 50 percent of all ticket sales (a 20 percent increase from last year).

All in all, our efforts were a total success and helped us exceed each of our objectives. Now, we’re already kicking things into high gear to begin planning (and pitching) the organization’s 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit and 75th anniversary! Stay tuned…

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My First 30 Days at a Raleigh PR Agency: Day 13

June 15, 2012January 31, 2023 Margot HorganBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit, entry-level PR job, PR Agency, Raleigh Public Relations Agency, TFS, Triangle Family Services2 Comments on My First 30 Days at a Raleigh PR Agency: Day 13

 

10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit

Triangle Family Services’ Gingerbread Benefit isn’t until November 29 at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., but planning for this annual benefit is already well under way at Clairemont. The event’s past success coupled with Triangle Family Services’ 75th anniversary this year means the pressure is on for this benefit to be bigger and better than any other.

It may be only June, but we have been getting into the holiday spirit in the Clairemont office lately. We have been researching and compiling media lists and drafting and editing press releases and backgrounders in preparation to pitch long-lead publications like Southern Living, Bon Appétit and Our State. The best part, though? Researching gingerbread-themed goodies, bags, boxes and folders to use for media kits.

Ideas like gingerbread candles, chap-stick and sticky notes have been suggested, but personally, I’m still looking for gingerbread-scented paper (inspired by Elle Wood’s pink scented resume in Legally Blonde – “It gives a little something extra, don’t you think?”).

After working on these projects and looking at pictures from past Gingerbread Benefits, I almost forget that it’s still only the summer and more than five months until the event. It has shown me how much work and preparation goes into the event months and months ahead of time. It’s an exciting process! I am able to watch the planning, and in November, will see all of the hard work come together into a great event.

Fearrington House chefs created a beautiful gingerbread house for the 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit!
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Green Thought Thursday: A Tree-Mendous Challenge

December 15, 2011January 31, 2023 Josephine ButlerBlog, SustainabilityAmerican Tobacco Historic District, Durham, green Christmas tree decorations, green ornaments, natural holiday decorations, The Herald-Sun, Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge, Triangle Family Services

We just can’t seem to stop talking about Triangle Family Services. From the recent media successes of the Ninth Annual Gingerbread Benefit to spending time chatting with CEO Alice Lutz, the Clairemont team is always ready to jump in and help this wonderful organization, which has been serving families in crisis for nearly 75 years. And now…it’s your turn to help. I have a tree-mendous challenge for you.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Durham’s American Tobacco Historic District is sponsoring the Second Annual Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge. The organization invited more than 60 nonprofits to come out and decorate a tree in hopes of winning one of several prizes, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. In addition to the all-star judging ceremony held on Dec. 18, fans have a chance to have their say, too. Be sure to head over to www.triangletreechallenge.com to cast your vote for Triangle Family Services — tree No. 59!

And what does this have to do with Green Thought Thursday? Well, just take a look!

We love Triangle Family Services' naturally decorated tree!

Doro Taylor, an avid TFS supporter and board member, dressed the tree with natural decorations in celebration of the organization’s upcoming 75th anniversary. She wanted to use ornaments that would have been used in 1937, the year the organization was founded. The “no frills” approach, Lutz told The Herald-Sun, models Triangle Family Services’ straight-forward approach to helping families in crisis.

From pinecones to berries, I never considered the fact that a tree could be made so beautiful by simply using materials from your own backyard! Once the holiday season is over, this will certainly save a lot of old decorations from going into the landfills, and the best part? There’s no breakdown involved. It’s a mess-free Christmas tree!

So won’t you please take a moment to vote for TFS and Doro’s creativity? And be sure to share ways that you use nature decorate your home for the holidays. We’re all (elf) ears!

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Whaddaya Think About That?

December 14, 2011January 31, 2023 Josephine ButlerBlog, Clairemont Client News, In Our CommunityABC 11, Cary Citizen, Cary Magazine, Independent Weekly, media coverage, NBC 17, News & Observer, Ninth Annual Gingerbread Benefit, Triangle Family Services, Winston Salem Journal
Coverage by the News & Observer

In lieu of our usual Q&A session, we’d like to dedicate this Whaddaya Think Wednesday to Triangle Family Services’ 9th Annual Gingerbread Benefit. As huge proponents of this wonderful organization that helps more than 7,000 individuals and families in the Triangle each year, we were honored to create a media strategy for the benefit, the agency’s premier fundraising event.

Believe it or not, we began planning our media strategy for this year’s Gingerbread Benefit at last year’s Gingerbread Benefit! After successfully landing coverage with the News & Observer, Triangle Business Journal, Cary Citizen, Garner Citizen, ABC 11 and several local online news sources (and winning an Award of Excellence during the North Carolina Public Relations Society InSpire Awards, as well as a Gold and Best in Division award from the Raleigh Public Relations Society Sir Walter Raleigh Awards), we set even higher goals for 2012.

Through carefully crafted messaging and diligent pitching efforts, all of the hard work paid off! TFS received some really critical coverage before the big Dec. 1 event, making it the most successful Gingerbread Benefit to date! So whaddaya think about that?

Check out some of the coverage by visiting any of the links below:

Articles

The 8th Annual Gingerbread Benefit
Leslie Huffman, Cary Citizen
>>View Article

Gingerbread Benefit
Cary Magazine
>>ViewArticle

Gingerbread Benefit
Zack Smith, Independent Weekly
>>ViewArticle

Gingerbread Gala on tap for Triangle Family Services
Carol Tanzer Miller, The News & Observer, Mouthful
>>ViewArticle

Gingerbread Houses Raise $90,000 in Cary
Lindsey Chester, Cary Citizen
>>View Article

Videos

Coverage by ABC 11

Preparations begin for Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit
ABC 11
>>View

Triangle Family Services
ABC 11, Heart of the Carolinas Perspectives
>>View

Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit
NBC 17
>>View

Triangle Family Services Gingerbread Benefit
Winston Salem Journal
>>View

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