Month: October 2009

New Web Site Hopes to Bring Peace to Neighborhood Barking Disputes

Posted by Ryan Willis – October 6, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – A bark from a dog can provide home security or servebarkingdog  as a friendly hello and invitation to play. It can also be the first step to sleep deprivation, frequent visits from animal control officers, and silent long-term grudges between formerly cordial neighbors. PetSafe, the industry leader in pet safety and behavior products, has launched a new web site to help restore the peace and make every neighborhood a better place for dogs and neighbors alike. 

The new site, www.stopmyneighborsdog.com, allows neighbors to subtly spotlight nuisance barking to pet parents through anonymous, but polite, e-mails and personal notes. The messages are sent directly to the canine’s keepers without bringing in outside authorities. 

“One of the most frequent sources of calls to local animal control departments is excessive barking from dogs,” says Randy Boyd, PetSafe President and CEO. “We hope the web site will help ease friction between neighbors and also keep otherwise good dogs from being taken to the pound.” 

The free web site allows neighbors to move beyond simply investing in ear plugs or sending angry glares at neighbors across the driveway. A neighbor concerned about excessive and disruptive barking can choose to send an anonymous e-mail or postcard pre-written in a friendly, humorous, or serious tone to the beloved barker’s people. Along with the note, senders can opt to include professionally-written tips on controlling nuisance barking and a coupon for a product from PetSafe’s line of bark solution training products. 

“The education tips are an important feature,” says Boyd. “Most of the time a pet owner simply feels like they can’t control their dog’s barking. People don’t usually bring a dog into their household with the intent of causing bad feelings in their neighborhood. We want everyone, owners and neighbors alike, to enjoy the company of a good dog in the neighborhood.” 

About PetSafe®
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, PetSafe® is the industry leader in the management of pet behavior, offering pet training, containment, safety and lifestyle product solutions. PetSafe® introduced the first do-it-yourself electronic fence to the pet market in 1991 and the first wireless fence in 1998. PetSafe’s product line up includes: kennels and electronic underground fences; bark control systems; a selection of remote training products; pet doors; pet identification collars; heated wellness products; pet feeders and a growing line of lifestyle products. For more information about PetSafe®, visit: www.petsafe.net.
 

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
865-584-0550
MCohen@AckermannPR.com

Clayton Homes adds social media to public relations strategies

Posted by Shane Rhyne – October 6, 2009

Clayton Homes Logo

Knoxville, Tenn. – Clayton Homes is adding social media to the public relations duties handled by Ackermann PR, the manufacturer’s national Agency of Record. The firm will now include social media strategic development as part of public relations efforts on behalf of the company.

Ackermann’s work for the Berkshire-Hathaway company in promoting the launch of the Clayton Homes i-house was highlighted in the October 2009 issue of PR Week. The traditional public relations media campaign also included outreach to bloggers and social media platforms. The resulting efforts helped generate thousands of customer inquiries through the company’s phone and mail centers and through online venues, including a featured story on Yahoo.com’s front page.

“The interest generate on our web site from the Yahoo feature was historic for our company,” said Clayton President and CEO Kevin Clayton. “As our online activity expands, adding Ackermann’s duties to include social media is a natural addition to our relationship.”

“It is not surprising to us that Clayton Homes recognizes the long-term importance of adding social media strategies as part of a successful PR plan,” said agency President and CEO Cathy Ackermann. “Our focus is on helping them stay out in front of these new trends.”

The Ackermann PR digital and social media division, led by Katie Allison Granju, represents a rapidly growing segment of the firm’s work. In recent months, Ackermann has added a significant number of new clients, representing a wide variety of industry sectors, including tourism, hospitality, entertainment, sports, healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit.

Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated marketing communications firm providing strategic public relations and marketing. It is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States.

Media Contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies is expanding again with new attraction called “Runaway Canyon”

Posted by Rick Laney – October 1, 2009

WildernessSmall

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, which has been open a little more than one year, is growing again.  This fall, a new attraction will open in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies, and insiders say the new attraction – called Runaway Canyon – will add a whole new dimension of fun to the South’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark.

Although the resort is closely guarding most of the details about Runaway Canyon, General Manager David McGregor said the new attraction represents an additional local investment by Wilderness at the Smokies of more than $1 million.

“This is something that our guests are going to love,” McGregor said.  “We’re so excited about it and can’t wait until it opens this fall.  Guests are going to recognize that Wilderness at the Smokies plans to give them something new every time they come to stay with us.”

Inside the Wild WaterDome at Wilderness at the Smokies

Inside the Wild WaterDome at Wilderness at the Smokies

The name “Runaway Canyon” was selected by fifth grade students at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville.  With the help of Principal Jerry L. Wear, Wilderness at the Smokies asked students to help them pick the name of the new attraction.  As a reward for selecting the name, fifth graders from Catlettsburg Elementary and their families are going to be the first people to experience Runaway Canyon when it opens.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark.  Six months later, River Lodge and the 60,000-square-foot Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and a set of poolside cabanas.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  With two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com