Enviromedia Social Marketing

Kevin Tuerff is leading the charge for ethical green marketing, and those efforts have been highlighted in Brandweek, USA Today and U.S. News & World Report. He is a frequent speaker for national groups like Dwell on Design, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and American Apparel and Footwear Association. He is also a guest lecturer on social marketing for higher education institutions such as Hofstra Law School, the University of Oregon, and at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin.

Among Tuerff’s key client and project accomplishments: founding and launching America Recycles Day in 1997; leading several tobacco prevention campaigns contributing to a 40 percent drop in teen smoking; developing strategy for Dell, Inc. on electronics recycling; and directing advertising campaigns for Green Mountain Energy Company, leading to a 70 percent sales jump in 2006.

He has been honored by the Texas Public Relations Association as “Outstanding Texas PR Practitioner” and by the Austin Advertising Federation as “Ad Man of the Year.” Tuerff is passionate about public service for public health and environmental causes. He chairs the UT Environmental Science Institute Advisory Council and served as an elected director of his county’s water utility district. His experience of kindness from strangers on September 11, 2001, led him to create the annual event Pay It Forward 9/11.

Whether sounding a warning to greenwashers on NBC’s Today show or spending all day in a landfill to show her dismay at the state of U.S. recycling efforts, Valerie Davis passionately speaks out about injecting ethics and authenticity into companies’ sustainability programs and communications efforts.

Davis led the Don’t Mess with Texas® campaign to victory in the America’s Favorite Slogan Competition, beating Nike’s “Just Do It” and “Got Milk?” She is a speaker at water, energy, solid waste, health, and advertising conferences, including the National Symposium on Market Transformation for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in Washington, D.C.

She is a winner of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award for outstanding contributions to advertising and furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and responsibility in areas of social concern. Davis earned a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

What I do at EnviroMedia:
I do what it takes to help the agency and our clients meet their goals. Sometimes that means intense resource analysis. Other times that means commandeering an open mic and channeling Steve Perry.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
I spent three years before EnviroMedia campaigning for a job at EnviroMedia. And at various other times I worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Keep Texas Beautiful and The University of Texas on public education and outreach.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I get to help change the world for the better every single day with people who are passionate and smart and who recognize my vocal talents.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Lance Armstrong. He came back from stage IV metastatic cancer to inspire a generation of survivors. Naysayers beware.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
Since I am a bit of a celebrity stalker, the list of brushes with fame is long, but most recently I ran into Anderson Cooper on the streets of New York. He works out a lot.

The issue I’m most passionate about is:
Health coverage for every child. Wait, I need two issues I am most passionate about. A quality education for every child in the world.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
Nothing beats arriving in a limo at a movie premier at the United Nations in New York with world media vying to photograph Jay-Z exit the car after me. I was blinded by all the flashes. Oops, he was in another car.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Working on the campaign to communicate the principles of the Help America Vote Act.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, I would be:
On. The. Beach.

If I could be someone (or something) else for a day, I would be:
Someone with the discipline to train for a marathon.

If I could enact one new law it would be:
Mandatory Peace Corps service for all.

My favorite websites are:
nytimes.com
wsj.com
austinisd.org (I am an elected member of the AISD Board of Trustees, so I try to keep up)
livestrong.org
statesman.com
oregonlive.com

In my spare time I enjoy:
Long walks, puppies, butterfly gardens, dollhouses, crafts, cage fighting and baking.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
“My first job was with a Nobel Prize-winning researcher. He pretty much discovered the effects of cholesterol on the human heart with my help. Plus, I’m 5′11″.”

What I do at EnviroMedia:
Concept million-dollar ideas. Produce on a dime.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
Armed with degrees from UT in radio-TV-film and broadcast journalism, I worked in Hollywood for William Morris, Disney, and Marketing Corp. of America. Before landing at EnviroMedia, I did grad school in Boston and taught college-level students the basics of mass communication, script writing, and video production.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
There’s no better way to change the world.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Meryl Streep for her amazing talent and her ability to stay true to her profession without contracting tabloid fever.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
Not recent, but I recall approaching Michael Richards (pre-Seinfeld) after a screening of UHF in which he played Stanley Spadowski and telling him how he was a “rising star” in the world of comedy.

The issue I’m most passionate about is:
Expression — necessary for evolution.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
Losing a bet to Valerie Davis and showing up “bald” to a company dinner.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Helping build it from scratch with a handful of the most dedicated, fun, smart people on the planet.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, I would be:
In St. John, Virgin Islands, swimming in the pristine waters and enjoying the world’s most amazing public beaches.

If I could be someone (or something) else for a day, I would be:
Steven Spielberg.

If I could enact one new law it would be:
Equal Rights Amendment.

My favorite websites are:
eonline.com
adcritic.com
phonespell.org
anagramgenius.com
apple.com
travelocity.com
harveysidfisher.com
sesamestreet.org

In my spare time I enjoy:
Reflecting on periods of my life in which I had spare time (pre-parenthood).

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
“I won an award as ‘best belcher in the park’ when I was in the fourth grade. Thankfully, I got that out of my system back then.”

What I do at EnviroMedia:
I manage public relations and advertising campaigns for our clients and do a mean karaoke performance of the B-52’s “Love Shack” at the holiday party.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
I was born and raised in Austin, which makes me an endangered species. I graduated from the University of Texas and spent 10 years working in TV news. I covered the bombing in Oklahoma City of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, went fishing with former President Bush and his son George W., and appeared on The Maury Povich Show to explain my investigation into a bikini maid service, (OK, so it’s not quite Watergate, but it certainly was scandalous.) Before EnviroMedia, I served as director of public relations for Capital Metro, which thankfully wasn’t scandalous.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I haven’t made the cut to be the next American Idol (yet) and because I love working for a company that gives a darn and makes a difference.

The issue I’m most passionate about is:
Global warming.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
Riding into Times Square waving a Don’t Mess with Texas® flag in a pickup driven by a real-life version of “Large Marge” from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
I’m still employed. Okay, seriously, I’m proud I work for a company that does something every day that makes a difference. It’s a rare and wonderful thing.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, I would be:
Snow skiing at Heavenly in Lake Tahoe.

In my spare time I enjoy:
Running, playing tennis and softball, walking my dogs, seeing movies and plays, eating slice-and-bake cookies, and watching the Longhorns play just about any sport.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
“Have you ever seen me twirl?”

What I do at EnviroMedia:
Oversee an incredible team of media professionals to ensure that we are creating smart, strategic, creative approaches to media planning and placement for all of our clients.

My life before EnviroMedia in 50 words or less:
I worked in all phases of media for several national and local accounts at various national and local advertising agencies.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I want to work with great people and produce great work that is helping change the world.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Tina Fey. She is smart and funny and can make fun of herself, one of my very favorite qualities.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
Spotting James Carville at a little Italian restaurant in New York City in 2008.

The issue I am most passionate about is:
Smoking prevention and cessation.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
The day I joined the agency.

The accomplishment I am most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Helping the company decide to create their media department over eight years ago.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, it would be:
On a beach in Costa Rica.

If I could be someone or something for a day, it would be:
A linebacker for any football team.

If I could enact one new law, it would be:
To provide quality health care for every person.

My favorite websites are:
ESPN
Orangebloods — love my Longhorn football
Hulu
CNN
cakewrecks.blogspot.com

In my spare time, I enjoy nice, long runs in the hills, great times with great company, and going a little crazy … okay, a lot crazy.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
“I do a mean Scooby Doo impression.”

What I do at EnviroMedia:
I handle reputation management and business development for EnviroMedia. This includes everything from the website you’re reading right now to coordinating project teams that develop promotional platforms such as the Greenwashing Index.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
After college I was a production assistant at ABC News in Washington. I “crewed” for Good Morning America and This Week (back when Cokie Roberts and Sam Donaldson were the anchors). I lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, and got my master’s in international politics. Then spent six years working in public relations and digital communications at Fleishman-Hillard.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I believe that, as in tennis, working with people who are smart, creative, and talented makes you a better professional. Plus, I love working with people who play as hard as they work.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Lance Armstrong.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
I almost spilled wine on Gus Van Sant’s shoes at the opening of The Nines hotel in Portland. But I didn’t realize who he was until someone told me.

The issue I’m most passionate about is:
Educating people of all backgrounds about HIV prevention and acceptance of those living with the disease.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
The Vault. And what happens in The Vault, stays in The Vault.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Helping a great company open its doors in a new market.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, I would be:
Drinking scotch on George Clooney’s patio overlooking Lake Como in Italy.

If I could be someone (or something) else for a day, I would be:
A panda. I am pretty sure that in general life is good for them.

If I could enact one new law it would be:
Universal health care.

My favorite websites are:
Mashable
The New York Times
Hulu (because they have all the good stuff YouTube takes down)
OregonLive

In my spare time I enjoy:
Good food, good wine, and good conversation. My daily escape is to run the loop along the Willamette between the Steel and Hawthorne bridges — it’s where I get the best ideas. Opening a bottle of Archery Summit Renegade Ridge pinot noir with my dad and talking about life. Watching Charlie Chaplin films — he makes you realize that effective communication is rooted in what we see and hear, not in talking.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
I’d probably start with: “I once broke into George Stephanopoulos’s hotel room at 4:00 am.” True story.

What I do at EnviroMedia:
Oversee art directors, writers, and interactive teams to make sure we’re doing the best possible creative work.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
Creative director and/or writer at several top national and regional ad agencies. Also ran my own business for four years as a freelancer.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I want to put my talents and energy toward doing some good in the world.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Winston Churchill. Grace under pressure with enough flaws to keep him interesting.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
Shot a TV spot with Dave Matthews Band.

The issue I’m most passionate about is:
After 20 years in advertising, I’m particularly attuned to the problems of conspicuous consumption and our disposable society.

My most memorable moment at EnviroMedia is:
New business trip with Val. LAX to Sherman Oaks, California, in 24 minutes… in a Prius.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Our team winning a Best of Show at the Austin Addy Awards in my first year on the job.

If I could be anywhere else at the moment, I would be:
Splitting time between Italy and Maui.

If I could be someone (or something) else for a day, I would be:
A golden retriever.

If I could enact one new law it would be:
Zero corporate, PAC, or lobbyist money in the political process.

My favorite websites are:
ebay.com
lifehacker.com
funnyordie.com
emusic.com

In my spare time I enjoy:
Long walks on the beach, romantic dinners by candlelight, and puppies.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
I once had Legionnaire’s Disease. (Wait, where’s everybody going?)

What I do at EnviroMedia:
Staff therapy.

My life before EnviroMedia, in 50 words or less:
I spent my time at home, sleeping all day virtually anywhere, eating, licking things, and being naked.

I work at EnviroMedia because:
I could sleep all day virtually anywhere, but at EnviroMedia people feed me scraps. Plus, I get to meet a lot of interesting people and lick them. I can also go to work naked.

The celebrity I admire most is:
Lassie.

My most recent “brush with fame” was:
Getting a hug from Dan Rather.

The issues I’m most passionate about are:
Meat and cheese, the smell of another dog’s butt, world peace.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of at EnviroMedia is:
Nearly perfect potty-break behavior.

If I could be someone (or something) else for a day, I would be:
Nothing compares to my lifestyle now.

If I could enact one new law it would be:
A ban on plastic bubble wrap. Or a ban on Cats (the musical).

My favorite websites are:
puppywar.com
animaltrustees.org
alpo.com

In my spare time I enjoy:
Napping, scolding the new dog, and racing in the office halls.

My most impressive “cocktail party line” about myself would be:
“I don’t mingle at cocktail parties.”