Posted February 6, 2012 by Chris
Cookerly PR planning fashion show to aid Children’s Centers
After a broken dishwasher left the children at Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers eating off of paper plates, the staff at Cookerly Public Relations pitched in to buy a new dishwasher. During the holidays, employees further adopted the children at the residential treatment facility for severely abused and neglected children by purchasing gifts from their wish lists. Over the past three years, pro-bono support for this Atlanta-based charity has evolved far past the occasional press release – it’s become personal.
Carol Cookerly, president of Cookerly Public Relations and an avid horsewoman, was familiar with Murphy-Harpst and its equine therapy program for years; about three years ago, she began looking for ways to connect clients to the organization. As she learned more, she decided to connect not just herself, but her company. The relationship started with asking the center to create memorable holiday cards for clients. Cookerly said, “I was impressed with Murphy-Harpst’s equine therapy program and thought clients would enjoy receiving cards that the children designed; pictures that showed the joy these children received from their horses. The cards were a hit with clients and it felt good to know that the proceeds were going to a cause I believed in.” Little did she know, Murphy-Harpst would not only become a special cause for herself, but meaningful for the whole agency.
Cookerly PR employees with Brian Hampton from Murphy-Harpst with gifts the staff collected for the children.
Recognizing the needs of Murphy-Harpst, Cookerly brought the center on as a pro bono client. The agency has fully embraced Murphy-Harpst as a client and provides support with media relations, collateral support, digital marketing, event planning and promotional items, among others.
Cookerly Public Relations has also taken on agency-wide initiatives to support larger needs of Murphy-Harpst, such as the dishwasher and holiday gift donations. Employees have also visited the treatment center to further personalize the connection.
The agency’s current initiative is working on a spring fashion show at Tootsies in Buckhead to benefit Murphy-Harpst. The event will be held on March 15 and will include a professional fashion show, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, as well as personal appearances by clothing designer David Peck and jewelry designer Jill Reno. VIP tickets are $200, which includes a seat for the fashion show and a gift bag, and general admission tickets are $100. To reserve tickets, please RSVP to MHCCfashionshow@gmail.com. To learn more about Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers, visit murphyharpst.org or facebook.com/MurphyHarpst.
Posted January 23, 2012 by Chris
Communications 21 supports 2012 NCAA South Regional tourney as dress rehearsal for 2013 Men’s Final Four
The city of Atlanta and the NCAA are joining forces to bring two major events in Division I men’s basketball to the city. Not only is the Georgia Dome hosting the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament and its 75th anniversary – but before that happens Atlanta will host the NCAA Men’s South Regional basketball tournament on March 23 and 25.
Local basketball fans are encouraged to support and help the city prepare for the 2013 Men’s Final Four by filling up the Georgia Dome to cheer on their favorite college teams at the regional tournament. While the c21 team was selected to execute the 2013 Men’s Final Four, the team is lending pro bono support to the marketing team at the NCAA and the Georgia Dome for the regional tournament.
“It’s an intimate dress rehearsal, where fans will see the action up close. The set-up for our regional game limits the seats to around 21,000, while the Final Four will be almost four times that number. This is a great time to see the teams you love up close, or just experience the fast-paced action of college basketball,” said Sharon Goldmacher, president of communications 21 and executive director of the 2013 Men’s Final Four.
At the conclusion of regionals, the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee will begin to hit the ground running for the 2013 Men’s Final Four, taking place April 6-8, 2013. Sharon Goldmacher and c21 team are not newbies to the Final Four scene. Sharon served as ALOC’s marketing PR chair, a pro bono position, for the last Final Four in Atlanta in 2007 and was instrumental in bringing the 75th anniversary of the tournament to Atlanta by creating and participating on the pitch team.
“Atlanta’s selection to host the 75th Final Four was an honor largely based on the city’s past success as the event’s host, and being chosen as executive director to lead the charge is a personal honor I will forever cherish,” said Goldmacher. “Our goal is to organize and execute the most memorable tournament in history and leave a lasting legacy for the city of Atlanta.”
Visit www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets to purchase tickets for the 2012 regional tournament in Atlanta, and be part of the excitement as Atlanta sets the stage for the 75th anniversary of the Final Four.
Posted January 23, 2012 by Chris
Join a Benefit this Sunday night and HAVE fun with PR legend Bob Hope
This Sunday night, many in the Atlanta PR and business community will attend “Mariposa Miracle,” a fun evening of wine, desserts, videos and speeches at the newly renovated Buckhead Theatre that will benefit a charity begun by Atlanta PR Guru Bob Hope.
The evening will honor many of the groups who have traveled to the Agalta Valley in Honduras each year through Honduras Outreach International as well as special honorees, Kathy and Ken Bernhardt, who have joined Bob and his “Wilderness Team” for a week each March for more than 20 years. Bob has led the Bernhardts and a group of up to 50 members of the Atlanta and New York media, PR and business communities on the annual week-long service trip to work in the remote villages, medical clinics and schools in the valley in northern Honduras.
To see a video of the 2011 trip, produced on location by Schroder PR, click here for the YouTube link, featuring Bob, the Bernhardts and Atlanta Business Chronicle editor David Allison, or watch the video at the bottom of the page.
Here is the full invitation to this Sunday’s event:
In 2010, the Atlanta PR community honored Bob at for his year’s of efforts in the Honduras Valley at its fourth annual Atlanta PR Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. Bob also established the HAVE Foundation to help fund education efforts to the young students in the valley. Please consider joining Bob and his team on his trip this March or in future years or in making a donation to the foundation.
Better yet, show up Sunday, January 29, from 7 to 10pm to show your support and have fun while you mingle with a theater full of PRofessionals!
– Chris Schroder
