Archives for 2010

Trestle, drafting, card, coffee, dressing, dining, farm, library, tea, console, and buffet are but a taste of the types of tables homeowners have come use for practicality as well as pure decoration. “Who can enumerate the countless shapes and fashions of modern tables?” is a line that we came across doing research for this blog post. The quote comes from an author of a New York Times article entitled “Tables and Table Linens: History of the Table as a Household Necessity” published in 1882. How appropriate a topic for the media back then and even more so now for all the editors today. Readers nowadays enjoy understanding the reasoning behind design and the story behind furniture pieces. This knowledge makes investing in a large or small furniture item worthwhile as the piece becomes a treasured, focal point in any room.

Well, three popular types of tables not on the aforementioned list are side, hall and the highly regarded occasional. All integral design elements for a home, these types of tables are staple purchases for interior designers and homeowners alike. And, Englishman’s Fine Furnishings, a client of ours, carries beautiful lines of all three types. Pictured below are three new tables for 2011 that we captured at Englishman’s showroom in Atlanta: a mahogany Hepplewhite side table, a mahogany Hepplewhite hall table and a mahogany Pembroke drop leaf table with drawer.

Editors, we consider the possibilities for story ideas about the history of these types of tables to be a great concept for your readers. How the occasional table played as much a part in Roman households as did the dining table. Or, how useful side tables were to English royalty that the tables themselves were nicknamed, Queen Anne tables for example. Couple that kind of information with styling advice and beautiful high-resolution photos that we can gladly provide from Englishman’s for a story any reader could enjoy.

Feel free to leave comments or contact us for more information.

~ ECPR

As the summer months continue to be hotter, there is a delicate balance act between spending joyous time in the sunny outdoors and succumbing to the heat. A client of ours, Shade Pergolas, provides the perfect solution that marries the structural beauty of a pergola with the functionality of a retractable canopy system to help attain that balance for homeowners to enjoy summer. For outdoor space designers, this translates to a new category of shade product that can be specified in exterior design plans.

We are proud to share coverage from two trade magazines we obtained that spotlight the irrefutable benefits of Shade Pergolas, Landscape Contractor and Fabulous Floors. The articles delve beyond simple product details into Shade Pergolas’ creative use as an outdoor room feature. Click on the photos below for a closer read of the two articles. And, we hope everyone enjoys them!

Cover of Landscape Contractor’s July issue

This article focuses on using Shade Pergolas to create the perfect outdoor room where homeowners and guests can retreat from sun and summer rainstorms or enjoy the space with the canopy pulled back.

Shade Pergolas are a great resource for trade professionals, such as contractors, designers, or landscape architects.

Cover of Fabulous Floors’ Summer issue

As seen in this article, Shade Pergolas are completely customizable, from size and shape of the pergola to color of the wood and shade canopy.

Another perk about Shade Pergolas is that they can be built attached to a house or building as well as freestanding.

~ Sarah Kate

With so much hype buzzing around the gardening world right after OFA Short Course last weekend, we didn’t want this wonderful tidbit of news about Terra Nova Nurseries to get lost or forgotten. So, we take to our blog to report the most recent completed study that the Mt. Cuba Center performed, titled “Coneflowers for the Mid-Atlantic Region”. Mt. Cuba Center is a non-profit horticultural institution in northern Delaware that is, according to their website, dedicated to the study, conservation and appreciation of plants native to the Appalachian Piedmont region through garden display, education and research.

While the study can be easily found on Mt. Cuba’s website, we want to bring out the highlights surrounding Terra Nova Nurseries. The basics of the study are simple: three years involving 5 species and 43 cultivars of coneflowers. The end evaluation reflected each cultivar’s floral display, habit, hardiness, cultural adaptability and resistance to disease and insects. The results exalted two Terra Nova Nurseries’ varieties as the recommended coneflowers in the white and orange categories. Echinacea ‘Fragrant Angel’ was deemed the highest rated white coneflower due to its uniform consistency or growth and floriferous and fragrant nature.

And, Echinacea ‘Tiki Torch’ stole the spotlight as the highest rated orange coneflower based on its characteristics: stunning color; broad, sturdy petals; a relaxed and open habit; and increased vigor.

The study even noted Dan Heims from Terra Nova Nurseries as one of the six breeders responsible for some of these hybrid coneflowers that were studied. What an honor for Dan!

~ Sarah Kate

For those of you preparing for the July 11 to July 13 OFA Short Course event, we know your schedules will be packed full with educational sessions ranging many timely topics. There is one you should not miss. On Sunday, July 11, at 4:00 p.m. EDT, our own Don Eberly, president / CEO of ECPR, will be participating on an educational panel regarding branding. Don and the other panelists will address the all-important relevance of developing and managing brands that create positive perceptions on the part of customers.

After helping clients create national and international brands for many years, Don will be offering some of his insights on the topic. Specifically, he will touch on the importance of retailers defining their “core” brands (the primary or nucleus brand of the retail business itself) combined with the varied “pillar” brands the retailer sells and represents (which includes all of the individual branded product lines that make up an inventory). The panel will discuss how retailers’ core brands provide foundations for the pillar brands they sell, and, ultimately, the ways in which pillar brands sustain or fortify the core brands at large.

The panel session is entitled, “What does your brand do for you, and what can you do for your brand?” Panelists include the following:
• Bridget Behe, Michigan State University (Moderator)
• Don Eberly, Eberly & Collard Public Relations
• Marshall Dirks, Proven Winners
• Diane Hund, Ball Horticultural Company
• Pam Wasson, Monrovia

Want to know more? Attend the panel event in Room E 170, or contact us after OFA for informative articles written on this subject-matter or for interviews being conducted for post-event columns and features. – For those tweeting at or about the event, don’t forget to mention us @eberlycollardpr and tag OFA #ofashortcourse.

~ Jeff

We’ve recently seen that this blog post from back in June of 2010 has received a lot of traffic to our site.  Along with the referral traffic and inquiries we’ve received, many readers asked us to share some of our top-line tips for successfully working with an agency for marketing construction materials and building products.

We understand that construction marketing is often one of the last tasks or initiatives that you may want to think about. Especially in an industry that is fairly cut and dry and often focuses more on serving your customer base than spending valuable time to think of creative marketing strategies.

But, the truth is competition is rampant in almost every product category from glass, steel, concrete, masonry, woods, plastics, and many more.  Technological advancements and R&D (research & discovery) have given builders and developers multiple competitive options in every category.

Working with a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping construction companies and building products engage, interface, and connect with lead prospects is how to succeed.

There are several benefits that come with this:

1. A Team Approach: Your team is extended and you gain access to resources and professionals that understand the latest trends and updates that are paramount to achieving your goals.
2. Accountability: A digital marketing agency will be accountable for devoting the required amount of hours to get the campaigns launched and generate results.
3. Focus on Growth: Taking the responsibility off your shoulders allows your company or brand to focus on the business side and the digital agency can, in turn, use their resources and available channels to market your product.
4. Advanced Tools: Someone could spend countless hours trying to learn about the best tools for monitoring social media success or measuring advertising spend or referral traffic but an agency already has this knowledge and can use the most advanced methods possible for getting your brand message to the intended audiences.
5. Objectivity you can Trust: Possibly the most important aspect, having true professional counsel you can trust is key. A tenured agency is a resource that can help guide your brand to make decisions that can help grow the brand and move products to their intended audiences.

Our team has been working with all manner of building products and construction materials for over 18 years. Just like below when we partnered with the National Hardware Show to produce our series of new products and innovations, we are always seeking to learn about the latest trends in the construction industry. We enjoy scouring the tradeshow floors for new finds and products that create solutions for the construction industry. Our firm has the capabilities and experience to assist our clients in winning new contracts and jobs that will move their products through the appropriate channels. We can build campaigns that convey your company’s value proposition to your customer base.

We look forward to learning about your future initiatives.

~ The ECPR Team

Original Post Below:

 

Part of Our “Best of NHS (National Hardware Show) Products & Innovations” Series…

Our “Best of…” series from the National Hardware Show continues this week with a better way to build stairs, according to GoPro Construction Solutions, who introduced the universal stair bracket. This bracket system was designed by Canadian master carpenter Eric Gobeil as an attempt to save builders time, money and headaches. With pre-stamped measurements on each bracket, the system was created to reduce effort spent measuring and marking the stringers as one builds a staircase. Screwing the steel brackets into the wood stringers compared to nailing wood to wood for conventional stairs is likely to result in less squeaking and, ultimately, a stronger staircase. The brackets also meet all state building codes and accommodate all rises, runs and pitches. It seems virtually mistake-proof to us…and that is why we are so fond of this product. GoPro Construction markets these stair brackets to U.S. stair manufacturers, lumber yards, home centers and construction hardware stores.

Construction trade industry, consumer DIY magazine and website editors, this is a means to sharing one of the most unique products with your DYI readers. The bracket system permits DYIers to easily install stairs on their own for the first time. – Trade media members, we believe that retailers, builders and contractors would find a product profile with images of great help, given their ongoing need for products that help expedite their projects and jobs.

~ Sarah Kate

 

Part of Our “Best of NHS Products & Innovations” Series…

As readers of our blog might recall from an earlier post, we previewed some features of Sears Blue Tool Crew following our time at the National Hardware Show. We mentioned the company’s obvious fresh spin on customer service with Social Media networking and the new Click-to-Call element on the Sears Blue Tool Crew website. These are the efforts Sears is making to enable its customers more interaction with the tools and brands the company carries. And, Sears carries a robust selection of power and hand tools, more than 30,000 tools from 400 national brands like Craftsman and the newest in-store addition, Hitachi.
The National Hardware Show was the venue at which Sears announced the addition of Hitachi products to the shelves of its vast tool department. Hitachi’s high-powered HXP lithium-ion battery technology proves the superior and innovative design for which the brand is known. This HXP battery technology is featured in many of Hitachi’s power tools like the Micro Series’ Driver Drill and Screwdriver, both of which provide exceptional results in smaller packaging. A great thing about a new line like Hitachi merging into the Sears family of products is that the Blue Tool Crew will be available to provide expert advice and service to customers using not only the Hitachi tools, but also all Sears tools in general.

Blue Tool Crew members serve many roles to customers, a matchmaker between shopper and the perfect screwdriver, a knowledgeable expert on drill bits, even a middle person for a consumer’s pick-up order. Customers can order online then drive to the nearest store, and a Blue Tool Crew member will deliver the order within five minutes, the “Guaranteed in 5” service. We love how available these services are for online shoppers as well. The Click-to-Call feature on the website connects to a Blue Tool Crew member either by allowing the shopper to dial 1-877-4BLUCRW or request a call back. Or, people can tap into Blue Tool Crew’s Facebook, Twitter or YouTube for engaging ways to become tool experts.

Sears’ Blue Tool Crew is making high-level products coupled with information and support readily available online, by phone and in person. This modern system of interfacing with customers is unique to the industry, and it addresses today’s younger demographic of homeowners who face their days in a hurry, with too much to do, and not enough time in which to do it. In short, the best part of the Blue Tool Crew is super-fast product information in real time and easy-to-get help from real people.

In our day-to-day article writing for editors and ongoing public relations work in the home, garden, design, homewares, and hardware categories, we have experienced various branded programs intended to supply product information and relational support to customers. But, none has been quite as impressive or wide-ranging as the Blue Tool Crew. Our hats are off to the folks behind the brand and this truly innovative initiative, which is why it was an easy decision for us to include the Blue Tool Crew in our “Best of Products & Innovations” series. – Editors and producers, comment below or contact us with your feedback and questions. The Blue Tool Crew would make for a solid expert resource to share with your readers, listeners or viewers.

~ Don and Jeff

Part of Our “Best of NHS Products & Innovations” Series…

We continue our series by showcasing a viable, safe and eco-friendly alternative to traditional herbicides called Clear Choice. And, during the summer season of cookouts and backyard play, the last thing consumers want to worry about is pesky weeds or the harsh spray covering their yards. The brainchild of Petro Canada Lubricants, Inc. (The world’s largest manufacturer of white oils), Clear Choice offers lawn and garden consumers the option to effectively knock out over 60 types of tough broadleaf weeds with a spray that has dramatically reduced chemical loads.

With more and more lawn and garden consumers aware of the harmful dangers that chemicals in weed killers exude, Petro-Canada developed the Clear Choice formula with pure synthetic isoparaffins and technologically advanced surfactants. This means that the smaller particle size formulation allows for easier absorption by the pores of the weeds, making Clear Choice as effective as traditional herbicides. And, the low odor of the spray and the ergonomic design of the bottle are two additional features that make us enamored with Clear Choice.

~ Jeff

Part of Our “Best of NHS Products & Innovations” Series…

Innovative quality shade at value prices. That is the tagline for the Shade Made Easy umbrella products: easyFlex, easySide and easyUpDown. These three shade solutions feature Shade Made Easy’s simple opening and closing technology as well as quality materials. The combination of superior manufacturing and beautiful design makes creating shade in any outdoor environment a breeze. In particular, these shade options are value-priced, making them quite attainable for homeowners. So, retailers, distributors and dealers, take note of these fantastic products from the National Hardware Show. I am sure you will be hearing a lot more about them in the near future.

The easyFlex wall umbrella allows for sun protection all day long and then conveniently folds right against any wood, brick or concrete to which it is attached, maximizing outdoor space and making winter storage hassle-free. Space-saving when needed, this umbrella product truly is shade made easy, as it allows for shade even when the sun changes position throughout the day.

Next, the easySide umbrella collapses above standard table height and requires one quick touch to open or close, making it a functional addition to patios. Whether used for a lounging area by a pool or to cover an outdoor dining space, the open-close motion supplies versatility and ease-of-use.

Finally, there is the easyUpDown wood umbrella. With its Indosian hardwood pole, quick-touch design and square or round canopy top, easyUpDown is made to fit any standard table or to stand alone. For beachside homes or just in the back yard, the basic up-down function is often most practical and necessary. This option is convenient and offers a touch of elegance as compared to so many umbrella selections on the market.

Based upon the shade product feedback we receive from our media contacts, we believe this “Best of…” will hold high interest for editors and their readers. And, see Shade Made Easy’s website, www.shademadeeasy.com, for more information and options for fabric and color.

For those interested in a higher-end designer and more fashion forward shade line, ShadeScapes Americas provides North American luxury home and contract markets with designer shade solutions, www.shadescapesamericas.com. – Media members, comment here or contact us through phone or email with any questions or for high-resolution images.

~ Sarah Kate

Part of Our “Best of NHS Products & Innovations” Series…

We continue our “Best of” reviews for products and innovations from the National Hardware Show last month with an invention from Rapid Tools called the The Rapid Shark. Aptly named, this ferocious tool combines a utility knife and wire stripper into one. The knife and stripper have been cleverly combined in a rugged yet ergonomic case, about the size of a standard utility knife, with a one-button blade change feature and storage in the body for four blades total. Wow! Rapid Tools has definitely made The Rapid Shark a worthwhile tool to have inside any toolbox. We also have to note the two different models available, the original Shark with stripping holes for AWG 10-18 wires and the Big Bite Shark for larger AWG 6-12 wires.
With a whimsical design yet powerful features, what an amazing product spotlight this tool could be for any interested editors! And readers, feel free to leave any thoughts below. – Next week, we have a few pretty incredible hardware and homeware products to feature, so stay tuned.

~ Sarah Kate

Part of Our “Best of NHS Products & Innovations” Series…

As many of you already know, we spent time blogging and writing articles about “Sneak Peeks” for the National Hardware Show that took place in Las Vegas, NV, May 4-6. While there, we scoured the trade show floors to develop a long list of products and innovations to share with everyone as our newest series titled, “Best of Products & Innovations”. With interviews we have conducted along with in-person and online research on the part of our team, we’ve narrowed our selections down to feature some remarkable items. Our showcase begins today with…Black Flag brands.

Black Flag introduced us to its powerful new indoor / outdoor pest control formula in a 1.33-gallon high-performance pump spray that protects against more than 40 different pests. We found it to seem easy, affordable, and most importantly, effective.

The pump spray boasts a 10-minute continuous spray after just a dozen or so pumps. The concentrate itself is not only fragrance-free but also non-staining, so it can be used indoors as well. This saves a homeowner the costs of hiring outside pest control services, since to spray with the Home Insect Control product costs less than 20 dollars, incredibly affordable for any DIYer. With this product, the company has made pest control easy and doable for homeowners, even those with a fear of the little critters.

For more information, visit www.blackflag.com. – Members of the media, let us know your questions or feedback.

And, stay tuned for more “Best ofs…” from the National Hardware Show.

~ Don & Jeff