The new addition to the Ultimate collection is proving to be one of the most innovative window designs on the market for builders, remodelers, architects, and homeowners. Most uniquely, the Ultimate Casement window features a revolutionary wash mode which allows the window to be cleaned on both sides, while standing indoors. In just three simple steps, homeowners can rotate the exterior glass, saving time, money and effort. In addition to the wash mode, the Ultimate Casement window offers commercial-grade hardware, to ensure the window operates smoothly and opens easily for high-quality performance. This new casement window is available in a variety of designs and sizes. The largest size is 40” wide and 92” tall or 36” wide and 96” tall, allowing for unobstructed views and maximum fresh air.

Amerimix, a brand of Bonsal American (an Oldcastle company), has launched a line of colored mortars called Chromatics. The company’s brand new product line has certainly captured the attention of the ECPR team. The line includes 23 colors, available in either pre-blended Portland cement, lime and sand (AMX 405C) or pre-blended masonry cement and sand (AMX 505C). Both are factory blends engineered to provide long water retention, exceptional workability and superior bond strength over masonry substrates. The company’s pre-blended, colored mortars can be custom made to match any desired color. Amerimix colors are able to match, complement or contrast interiors and exteriors.

To ensure color accuracy, the company uses computerized color matching and verification. This unique computerized color system uses spectrophotometric technology during the batching phase, which allows company technicians to evaluate and account for color variations that always occur naturally in cement and aggregate. Having this knowledge before reaching the intended jobsite is critical, giving way to a new level of efficiency.

In addition to being color consistent, Amerimix Chromatics have other quality features. For example, high bond strength and extended mortar board life. Also, these colored mortars have increased yield, compared to typical field mixed mortars. Another advantage of Amerimix colored mortars is the fact that they are available in Types M, S and N. In combination with the features listed above, Amerimix Chromatics have the ability to reduce the amount of labor time and enhance productivity. Conveniently, the mortars have already been pre-tested to ASTM specifications.

All Amerimix mortars are engineered for load or non-load bearing construction. They are available in small or bulk bags, depending on the size of the job. Residential and commercial builders / contractors as well as distributors, if you are interested in learning more about Amerimix Colored Mortar or other Amerimix products, contact a local sales representative by clicking here. Also, visit Bonsal American’s website at www.bonsalamerican.com for information about the company’s other brands and products.

One of our clients, Terra Nova Nurseries, has launched new social media channels as well as a mobile site and QR Codes. With new technology on the rise, the company’s decision to launch new social media and interactive platforms was to allow information and insights to be more accessible to customers. In addition, creating multi-platforms, participatory communications with growers, retailers and consumers; and engaging with various online communities, enables Terra Nova Nurseries to better understand and reach out to more diverse demographics.

Thus, the ECPR team has been working with Terra Nova Nurseries to develop a series of channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and a blog, all to evoke online collaboration. The company’s social media channels are designed to develop interactive relationships as tools to better assist and encourage deeper, more meaningful conversations with horticultural experts, media members and consumers.

Our work with Terra Nova Nurseries has included a new Facebook page, which is being used as a social-networking site where fans can view plant and nursery photos, and converse with Terra Nova staff members through posted comments and questions. Friends and fans can also find valuable insights like plant and collection introductions, breeding highlights, liner availability specials for growers, support content for retailers, and even how-to articles and tips for home gardeners. For more lengthy, in depth information and articles, Terra Nova Nurseries’ fans can tune into the company’s new blog. A variety of topics include a range from current plant availability, personnel bios and company news to grower tips / benefits, media coverage and trade show events. Conversely, we worked with Terra Nova Nurseries to launch a Twitter channel that features short, informative “tidbits” of news and updates for more frequent, and timely interactions. This method of communication enables staff members and those who follow the feed, to receive information “on-the-go.” In addition, a Flickr channel was created to share photos of new plants and series as well as photos from trade shows, speaking engagements and garden tours. Since Flickr is indexed in search engines, this makes finding and sourcing posted images in an organized fashion a simple task.

With the addition of Terra Nova Nurseries’ social media channels, the company has most recently set up a YouTube channel. The brand new videos, co-produced and hosted by Dan Heims, showcase information such as breeding advancements in Cyclamen, Echinacea, Sedum, Coreopsis, Penstemon, Trailing Tiarella, Trailing Heucherella, and reblooming Kniphofia. Other videos showcase the company’s prized on-site gardens and all there is to know about the Heuchera Crisp Series.

With Terra Nova Nurseries’ focus on building online engagement, QR barcodes linked to smartphone applications have also been developed. Intended to tighten the circle between plant branding and point-of-sale for retailers, the QR codes supply consumers with interactive access to plant information through their phones. The codes have been added to Terra Nova’s plant tags. Each plant variety has been assigned a QR code which has been linked to a new mobile website that mimics the company’s main site. The codes are also linked to individual online plant profile pages, making plant characteristics and growing conditions readily available for all smartphone users no matter their locations.

As we have done for Terra Nova Nurseries, ECPR offers social media services for companies desiring to develop deeper relations with their own clients and customers. With technology advancing and methods of communication changing, the need to develop social media channels has become not just an added bonus, but more of a necessity. At ECPR, we specialize in P.R. 2.0., assisting companies in creating and maintaining social media channels and traditional public relations. Our team agrees it is time for more companies to realize the importance of social media and how it can help companies grow and enter the digital world of online communication. For more information about how we can assist industry-related companies with social media channels and to learn more about P.R. 2.0., visit our website by clicking here.

The Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit International Convention and Exposition is just around the corner. Retailers, suppliers, importers / exporters, wholesalers, growers, trade press, and more, will be attending this year’s show in Atlanta, Ga., from October 14-17. The show will highlight some of the newest trends in the industry as well as provide exhibitors and show goers great networking and business opportunities.

As a useful tool prior to the show, the National Grocers Association (NGA) released the 2011 Consumer Survey Report, to help industry professionals better understand consumer wants and needs. On behalf of the NGA, www.supermarketguru.com conducted a survey between November 2010 and January 2011 in which 1,718 chief household shoppers shared their supermarket purchases, experiences, eating habits, purchase influences, and nutritional concerns on www.supermarketguru.com’s online consumer panel.

To view details about the 2011 Consumer Report, visit our Facebook page by clicking here. Also, for additional information about Fresh Summit, including a full list of events taking place, visit the show’s website at www.freshsummit.com.

Note to Exhibitors: Send us your press releases regarding industry insights, new products and trends, as we will be writing a number of articles for our blog and several trade magazines following the show.

Founded in 1886, GAF has become one of North America’s largest manufacturers of commercial and residential roofing. GAF roofing products have been featured on a number of well-known and respected television programs, including CBS, Discovery Channel, Women’s Entertainment, Fox, PBS, and A&E. The company’s success is based on helping homeowners and architects choose the best roofing options as well as assist distributors and roofing contractors build business and avoid hassles.

Recently, GAF exhibited at the 2011 CONSTRUCT Show in Chicago, and part of our team interviewed company representatives on site to uncover exactly what makes their products so unique. At the show, the company showcased one of its newer products, EverGuard Extreme™ TPO. This revolutionary product is a single-ply membrane, engineered to protect roofs from extreme heat generated from solar panels as well as from highly reflective architectural structures on adjacent buildings. Regular single-ply roofing membranes are constructed from organic polymers, and over time, organic polymers are subject to damage from extreme heat, sunlight and UV. Additionally, solar panels can create heat temperatures up to 190 degrees on roof surfaces, exposing single-ply membranes to intense heat. Thus, leading to cracks in membranes as well as damage to building rooftops.

GAF’s EverGuard Extreme TPO provides a wonderful solution. Company scientists have created a new grade of TPO single-ply membrane designed to withstand extreme heat to prevent cracks and damages. EverGuard Extreme™ TPO uses proprietary stabilizers and UV absorbers to achieve weathering performance far beyond current standards. During testing phases, the company’s product far exceeded standard TPO single-ply membranes. EverGuard Extreme TPO was exposed to accelerated weathering and aging tests, the results were remarkable. The heat-aging tests were conducted at 280 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature well beyond the most rigorous ASTM tests. The strength and durability of EverGuard Extreme TPO is through the roof, pun intended.

Needless to say, GAF’s EverGuard Extreme TPO is one of the most innovative and effective single-ply membranes available. For our trade magazine editor friends and contacts, please contact us if you have questions or interest in sharing this information with your readers. To learn more, visit the company’s website at www.gaf.com.

The new year is approaching, and 2012’s color trends are poised to be bold and daring. From neutrals to earthy greens and brilliant oranges to calming blues, 2012’s color trends are sure to be a hit among outdoor room designers, interior designers, retailers of home products, and others.

1. Neutral colors are the “in” thing right now. They generate an ambiance of tranquility and serenity, for a soothing effect. As noticed at this year’s Casual Market, tan, light brown, beige, and sand colors are a huge trend among the fabrics used in many of the new casual outdoor furnishings. 
2. Earthy greens create a feeling of enrichment and sustainability, allowing for one to connect with nature and blend with the surroundings. This spectrum of colors can add warmth and comfort to living spaces, encouraging family and friends to feel at home. For example, Pantone’s color report for 2012 says “Margarita” will be a popular color. As seen in the photo below, “Margarita” is a soft green color, ideal for adding warmth to outdoor rooms as well as interior walls in living rooms, dining rooms and bedroom spaces.
3. Calming blues are also in 2012’s color forecast. Inspired by rippling, dark blue waters and bright blue skies, these bold, blue hues are a designers’ dream palette. No matter the shade of blue, this primary color is a classic favorite in modern and traditional home styling. Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, was a keynote speaker at this year’s Casual Market. Her presentation, sponsored by Casual Living magazine, used Sherwin-Williams’ Colormix 2012 to highlight trendy colors for the upcoming year. In her speech, Jordan mentioned one popular color trend for outdoor furniture includes blue denim fabrics.
4. Brilliant, juicy oranges and pinks are among 2012’s color trends. These vibrant hues aim to refresh and enliven dull living spaces. When paired with neutral colors, oranges and pinks stand out among the crowd, showing true personalities. Retailers, take note, homeowners will soon be seeking splashes of oranges, pinks and even reds on pillows; in accessories to add touches of brightness; as well as on lighting products with red accents, cording and beading.

National Gypsum Company showcased one of its newest products at the CONSTRUCT Show this year, and it certainly caught our eye as we were scouting for trends and insights for various articles. The company’s ProForm XP® Ready Mix Joint Compound with Dust-Tech was the talk of the show. The product, recently named by Professional Remodeler as on the Top 101 products for 2011, is an all-purpose, vinyl-based joint compound specifically formulated to reduce airborne dust while sanding, and save time with quick and easy clean-up. XP Joint Compound with Dust-Tech can be used for all phases of drywall finishing, texturing, patching, and renovations.

ProForm XP® Ready Mix Joint Compound with Dust-Tech

One notable feature of the XP Joint Compound with Dust-Tech is that it reduces airborne dust by 60%, thus minimizing its impact on indoor air quality. The product also offers superior mold-resistance, and has achieved the highest mold-resistant scores on industry tests.

The product has many applications. It is designed for tape application, faster spotting, complete joint finishing of gypsum board, and can also be used to repair cracks in plastered walls, to texture surfaces, and laminate gypsum board to other surfaces. Several advantages of using the XP Joint Compound with Dust-Tech is that not only does it reduce airborne dust, it also sands without clogging sandpaper, has a low VOC content and is GREENGUARD Children and Schools Certified.

The National Gypsum Company is one of the largest gypsum board producers in the world. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has over 40 operating plants throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to producing gypsum board, The National Gypsum Company also produces a wide range of products such as interior finishing products and cement boards. To view the company’s full product availability, visit www.nationalgypsum.com.

Specializing in home, garden, design, agribusiness, and architecture / building, ECPR team members are devoted to following breaking news in these industries, as well as stories that are part of daily conversations via social media. In addition, our work for clients involves managing their presence and involvement via public relations and through social media. One tool we use to stay up-to-date about topics of relevance is the microblogging service, Twitter. As many of you know, Twitter instantly connects users to what’s most important to them—friends, experts, business professionals, favorite celebrities, and news. It is also a great resource for determining the latest industry trends and topics. Our team compiled a select list of what is trending on Twitter in a few of our PR specialty categories. We’ve also included examples of tweets that are indicative of the evolving trends.

It is important to note, our findings are based upon strategic observation and monitoring of Twitter trends. If you’re interest in important and common Twitter subject-matter is peaked after reading our insights, you can follow various statistical Twitter trends at websites such as Trendsmap or Trendistic. Without further ado, here is our list of timely trends divided by category, and, as always, we welcome your comments!

Interior Design and Furniture

We’ve seen some crafty repurposing of doilies recently and this charming pendant lamp is no exception: http://bit.ly/ruedOq
–Apartment Therapy

Outdoor Furniture

“Living Rooms” for the Great Outdoors – Forget flimsy, nylon-strap furniture on a concrete slab. Today, it’s all about creating a well-designed patio that could be thought of as another room of the house. More U.S. families are investing in outdoor rooms where they can unwind amid mood lighting, water features and fully equipped kitchens. As a result, outdoor retreats have also become a hot topic in Twitter feeds as homeowners, designers and writers seek out and share ideas.

Weekly faves! Check out the outstanding #outdoor #rooms inspiring me lately! http://casasu.gr/18871182
–Casa Sugar

Garden and Landscaping

Edible Ornamentals – To maximize the space of their yards, many consumers are turning to plants that can perform double-duty: plants that are both beautiful and edible. Recent Tweets have drawn attention to frilly-leafed herbs, compact veggies and ornamental melons and peppers. Creating a kitchen garden is also economical, as food prices continue to rise.

She’s all about cooking with fresh food from the garden. @DigginFood is our #blogoftheweek. Check her out:http://ow.ly/6dv1Q #gardening
–Birds and Blooms

Construction

Eco-responsibility – Green building has gone mainstream, and many products used by green builders are becoming the industry standard. In recent years, green-minded individuals in the construction industry have turned to Twitter to share resources, tools, media, and inspiring content. Some of the recent Tweets we’ve noticed have included solar heating, drought-tolerant landscaping and composite siding.

In Seattle, work starts on ‘greenest’ office building http://bit.ly/q0eZb1

Photo courtesy of Emily Harris

Harris’ work will be displayed at the Carroll St. Café through the month of September. A reception will be held later this month on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is part of Atlanta Celebrates Photography, a non-profit arts organization.

Where: Carroll St. Cafe, 208 Carroll St. SE Atlanta, GA 30312
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun: 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Fri, Sat: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Phone: (404) 577-2700

While continuing their trade show tour in Chicago, ECPR’s Jeff and Don made their way to the CONSTRUCT Show at McCormick Place. The two-day, commercial building event presented by Hanley Wood is geared towards architects, specifiers, engineers, facility managers, building owners, general contractors, designers, and other industry-related professionals. Exhibitors at the show are showcasing revolutionary products, services and technologies ranging from building systems, roofing, lighting, and energy products to finishes, stone / tile, stairways, elevators, concrete products, and much more.

While visiting booths on the tradeshow floor, Don and Jeff stopped to watch a demonstration at National Gypsum’s exhibit. Mundise Mortimer, LEED AP, Manager Technical Marketing, presented a demonstration of the company’s Gold Bond Brand eXP line of products. The line features several products such as the Gold Bond eXP Tile Backer; Gold Bond eXP Extended Exposure Shaftliner; Gold Bond eXP Extended Exposure Sheathing; and the Gold Bond eXP Extended Exposure Interior Extreme.

In addition to touring the tradeshow for new, ground-breaking products, Jeff and Don have been attending a selection of educational seminars. As seen in the photo above, the pair sat in on the High-Performance, Continuously- Insulated Rain Screen Wall Systems seminar presented by Dow and Knight Wall Systems.

Stay tuned for follow-up details and articles for both the CONSTRUCT show and Casual Market soon.

Enlarge the photos by selecting each individual photo.