Newsletter Archives
Vol. 10 No. 5 • April 2006
Get Down to Earth [Day]
Rolling blackouts triggered by extreme (and unseasonable) temperatures and worsening drought conditions are not-so-subtle reminders about the importance of protecting our environment on Earth Day 2006 (Saturday, April 22). These environmental challenges motivate us to work even harder for our clients, who are committed to saving water, promoting renewable energy, eliminating litter and smoking, and educating Texans about voting so their voices can help shape—and protect—our planet.EnviroMedia Earth Day Op-Ed Circulating Nationally
To celebrate Earth Day 2006, EnviroMedia circulated an opinion-editorial this week asking, "Are Americans Doing Too Little to Support the Environment?" The op-ed, which is published in the latest editon of the Austin Business Journal, has also been posted electronically by a wide range of interests, from the Houston Chronicle to The Auto Channel. An excerpt appears below.
"Earlier this month, Gallup released its annual environmental poll with the headline, 'Most Americans Say Government Doing Too Little for the Environment.' In fact, according to Gallup, 62 percent of Americans say so.
The environment always seems to get the back seat, doesn't it? There's the Kyoto Protocol, ideas about oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the worst energy crunch since the '70s.
Sure, government can do more, but as our country's 26th Earth Day approaches April 22, it's time we ask ourselves the same question: Are Americans doing too little to support the environment?
We still drive gas-guzzling SUVs, idle in drive-through lanes and blast the A/C in our cars, homes and offices. Recycling has plateaued as we toss our PET water bottles into the trash, and we're over-watering our lawns while many parts of the country—including Texas—are experiencing the worst drought in decades.
Perhaps Gallup should do a follow-up survey asking Americans what they're doing to support the environment. Are we being efficient with our limited water supplies, protecting air quality, and curbing the garbage we generate and energy we consume?"
Click here to read the entire piece on our Web site.
Helping Texans Raise Their Water IQ
Do you know where your water comes from? Nearly three out of four Texans don't. Water— and having enough of it—is an important issue for Texas as we deal with rapid population growth, high temperatures, and in North Texas, the worst drought in over 50 years.
That's why we're working with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) on a water awareness public education campaign called "Water IQ: Know Your Water."
NTMWD serves more than 1.5 million people in 60 communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and this wholesale water supplier will be first out of the gate with the Water IQ campaign. Plans are to take the Water IQ campaign to other parts of Texas to help the "water awareness" movement inch its way closer to a statewide tipping point.
Water IQ is a compelling way to educate people on water's importance to North Texas' future by challenging them to think about where their water comes from (for the NTMWD it's Lake Lavon), while encouraging residents to take simple steps to save water.
Local radio and newspapers are running Water IQ trivia quizzes. The campaign also includes shopping mall, gas pump and billboard advertising. TV spots will begin airing in June, timed with an outreach tour to teach people how to save water. From the plants you choose to how much mulch you spread—you don't have to be a genius to have a higher Water IQ. Check out WaterIQ.org.
Nobody's Waterproof—Not Even You
Speaking of "firsts," EnviroMedia is helping the Lower Colorado River Authority launch a new lake safety campaign, "Nobody's Waterproof." The people most likely to die in lake accidents are young (and male), so our outreach team is boarding a special pontoon boat to cruise Lakes Travis and LBJ, encouraging boaters and swimmers to "play it safe on the lake." The campaign will kick off with a press conference on May 11.
Easier. Faster. More Secure.
The Texas Secretary of State's VOTEXAS yearlong voter education campaign is gearing up for a summer outreach tour after a successful push leading up to the March primaries. One-on-one outreach is getting more people involved and educated about the voting process. And, the campaign's key message—Easier. Faster. More Secure.—is working.
Two months after the launch, research showed 45 percent of registered Texas voters had heard of VOTEXAS, more than double our 20 percent recall goal and well ahead of our November '06 timeline. Additionally, 80 percent agree voting in Texas is easier and faster, and 72 percent believe it is more secure.
Green Energy on the Airwaves
Returning to the airwaves for the first time since 2002, Green Mountain Energy Company debuted three new 15-second TV spots in the Houston market in March. The spots, which promote renewable energy as part of a healthy lifestyle, will also air on Dallas TV and in theaters beginning late April.
Home, Safe Home
We have another new client—the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). The mission of this Florida-based nonprofit is to strengthen homes and safeguard families from natural and manmade disasters. EnviroMedia's first project is to build a kids' zone on FLASH's Web site (www.FLASH.org) to educate 9- to 12-year-olds on how they and their families can make their homes safer.
Stepping Up, Stepping In
2006 marked many firsts for EnviroMedia, including the agency's first Vice President in its nine-year history. In March, EnviroMedia promoted Ted Burton from Managing Director to Vice President. He has been with the agency since 2002.
EnviroMedia also expanded its experiential marketing department with the promotion of Tamala Barksdale to Director of Outreach and Administration.
Kelli Johnson is EnviroMedia's new Media Relations Executive. Johnson worked for Half Price Books in Dallas handling Texas and national media relations.
We also have two new Account Executives. Kyre Osborn is providing valuable expertise for clients like the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Texas Department of State Health Services Office of Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Samantha Rose hails from San Francisco, where she worked in television news promotions at two network affiliates. She's working on our Water IQ campaigns.
Star Intern Leah Mason has hired as to Account Assistant, and Matt Nelsen is our new Assistant Media Buyer.
Just this week, EnviroMedia Principal Kevin Tuerff was elected to a four- year term as a director of the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District 17. The water district is a retail nonprofit public utility providing water and wastewater service in the Lake Travis area.