Month: January 2010

Sevier County Bank’s Latest Staff Addition Features Local Flavor

Posted by Ryan Willis – January 29, 2010

sevierbanklogoSevierville, Tenn. – Sevierville native, Claude N. Huff Jr. recently joined the Sevier County Bank staff, a bank where members of his family have been stockholders and customers since 1909.  A graduate of Sevier County High School, Huff brings more than 33 years of experience in the banking and financial industry to his new position as senior vice president with the bank. 

Shortly after receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tennessee Technology University in Cookeville, Huff spent two years in the mid 1970s with Sevier County Bank in a management training program.  He then went on to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions where he would spend the majority of his career as a Regional Supervising Examiner for the East Tennessee area. 

Claude HuffWhile with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, Huff earned the designation of Certified Financial Examiner from the Society of Financial Examiners and served on its Board of Governors for a number of years. 

“We believe Claude will be a great addition to our staff.  He brings an outstanding financial background and familiarity with the community that will prove to be invaluable,” said R. B. Summitt, Sevier County Bank President.  “He will only help to enhance the banking services we provide to the people of Sevier County.” 

Huff is an active member of Sevierville’s American Legion Post 104 Honor Guard and a trustee of the Shiloh Cemetery Association.  He and his wife Linda have two children, C. N. “Bo” Huff, III and Emily Danielle “Dani” Huff.  

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For more information about Sevier County Bank, please visit our website at www.SevierCountyBank.com

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales Expanding in Jefferson City, Missouri

Posted by Ryan Willis – January 26, 2010

Cellular SalesKnoxville, Tenn. – Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless, is expanding in Jefferson City, Mo.  The new Cellular Sales store will open on February 1 at 2015 Missouri Blvd. 

Cellular Sales is a 15-year old privately held company headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.  The company currently operates throughout the United States.  In 2009, Cellular Sales – which attributes its rapid growth to unparalleled customer service – opened more than 50 new stores bringing the company’s total number of locations to more than 300 throughout the country.  For the past two years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing privately held companies. This year, the company was in the Inc. Top 100 for retailers. 

For more information about the new Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless store, visit the company’s web site at www.cellularsales.com or call (816) 519-9156. 

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

HGTV signs popular mom blogger for on-air and online content development

Posted by Shane Rhyne – January 22, 2010

hgtv

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — HGTV has signed Heather Armstrong of dooce.com, recognized as America’s most popular “mommyblogger,” to an exclusive programming development deal in which she will work with HGTV’s online and on-air production teams to create innovative convergence programming for the network.

“We are thrilled to have Heather join the HGTV family,” said HGTV president, Jim Samples. “Not only is she one of the world’s best known bloggers and parenting writers, with a unique and hilarious voice, she’s also a talented designer and photographer. She’s clearly a great fit for us and our audience.”

Armstrong will play a starring role in HGTV’s social media-driven audience engagement initiatives, while continuing to blog at dooce.com.

“I am thrilled to be partnering with HGTV in the upcoming year and have been a huge fan of the network for many years,” said Armstrong.  “In fact, I spent the first three months of my second child’s life watching every episode of Curb Appeal and Designed to Sell, and now if called upon I could stage a house within an inch of its life. I’ve been looking to grow my business beyond its online presence, and having been approached by other media brands before I can confidently say that there is no better partner than HGTV to help me take this step.”
The network plans to unveil the details of Heather Armstrong’s HGTV platform in spring of 2010. Viewers and online users can get more information on HGTV.com/Heather, Facebook/HGTV.com, and via Twitter at @HGTVOfficial.

“There are numerous opportunities by which Heather’s many talents will come to life, and we’ve been collaborating with her on a menu of them,” said Samples. “We think that both her audience and ours will be excited by what we have in store.”

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About HGTV

HGTV, America’s leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 98 million U.S. households and is one of cable’s top-rated networks.  HGTV’s website, HGTV.com, is the nation’s leading online home-and-garden destination, which attracts an average of more than 4 million unique visitors per month. For more information, visit www.HGTV.com.

About Heather Armstrong

Heather B. Armstrong of dooce.com is widely acknowledged to be the most popular “mommyblogger” in the world. She has more than 1.6 million followers on Twitter, and was recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 30 most influential women in media, along with Diane Sawyer, Kelly Ripa and Oprah Winfrey. She has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and she’s appeared as a guest on Oprah, The Bonnie Hunt Show and CNN. Armstrong is the author of the 2009 New York Times bestselling book, It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita. Armstrong lives in Salt Lake City with her husband, Jon Armstrong, their two young daughters, and two dogs, Chuck and Coco.

Contact:
Audrey Adlam, HGTV
212-549-8599 / adlam@hgtv.com

Ruby Tuesday to partner with Penske Racing as sponsor of the No. 22 Nationwide Series Dodge in 2010

Posted by Shane Rhyne – January 20, 2010

RT_Unstacked_Red&Black.187C

MARYVILLE, TN (January 19, 2010) – Ruby Tuesday has established a new partnership with Penske Racing for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Ruby Tuesday will serve as primary sponsor for six races on the No. 22 Dodge driven by series standout Brad Keselowski.

“Ruby Tuesday provides the finest in casual dining and we are excited to welcome them as a Penske Racing partner in 2010,” said Roger Penske. “Our organization shares Ruby Tuesday’s core values of quality, passion and pride, and with Brad behind the wheel, we believe this will be a winning combination in 2010.”

2010 Nascar Media Tour Day 1The specific races where Ruby Tuesday will serve as primary sponsor of the car have yet to be determined, but the No. 22 Ruby Tuesday Dodge is expected to make its debut as primary sponsor at the Richmond International Raceway race on April 30. Ruby Tuesday will be an associate sponsor of the team for the remaining 2010 Nationwide Series races.

“Both Penske Racing and Brad Keselowski have a proven track record of winning and we look forward to being a big part of their continued success this season,” said Mark Young, Ruby Tuesday Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. The partnership with Penske Racing marks Ruby Tuesday’s first entry into NASCAR competition.

After finishing third in the Nationwide Series championship standings in each of the last two seasons, Keselowski is expected to be a top contender for the 2010 title in his first season with Penske Racing. A winner of six series races from 2008-09, Keselowski will compete for the full Nationwide Series season in the No. 22 Dodge for Penske Racing.

“I’m really excited to race in the Ruby Tuesday Dodge and I’m proud to represent their brand, their associates and their restaurants,” said Keselowski. “They are a terrific company with great food and a fun atmosphere. I know our team and I will be visiting their restaurants a lot this season as we travel the NASCAR circuit.”

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About Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has company-owned and/or franchise Ruby Tuesday brand restaurants in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 13 foreign countries. As of December 1, 2009, the

Company owned and operated 670 Ruby Tuesday restaurants, while domestic and international franchisees (including Hawaii) operated 171 and 55 restaurants, respectively. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: RT).

For information about Ruby Tuesday, please visit the company website at www.rubytuesday.com or on Facebook at www.facebook/rubytuesday.

About Penske Racing

In 2010, Penske Racing will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series with former Cup Series champion Kurt Busch and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, former three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. in the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge and Brad Keselowski in the No. 12 Penske Dodge. The team will also race in the Nationwide Series with Justin Allgaier, the 2009 series Rookie of the Year, in the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge and multiple race-winner Keselowski driving the No. 22 Discount Tire and Ruby Tuesday Dodge. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced more than 310 major race wins, over 370 pole positions and 22 national championships.

For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

Media Contacts

Sandi Stablein
Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
(865) 379-5700
Jonathan Gibson
Penske Racing
(704) 799-8301

Tennessee Diamonds Softball Team Announces 2010 Schedule — Will Play First Season at Alcoa High School Field

Posted by Rick Laney – January 20, 2010

SmallDiamondsLogoAlcoa, Tenn. – The Tennessee Diamonds Pro Fastpitch Softball Team announced its 2010 schedule today.  The team also announced it will play its first season at the Alcoa High School baseball and softball complex.  The Alcoa Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the team’s use of their field.

The Tennessee Diamonds, part of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League, was just announced this month after signing its league franchise agreement on Dec. 29, 2009.  Sarah Fekete, former Maryville High School and University of Tennessee softball standout, is the team’s general manager.  Fekete also played professionally in the NPF league for the Philadelphia Force.

“We will play our first season here in Blount County at the Alcoa High School baseball and softball complex,” Fekete said.  “Our expectation is that we will have a permanent home in the new Ripken-designed baseball and softball complex that Baseball, LLC is working on right now.

Cat Osterman

Cat Osterman

“It’s so exciting for me personally to be managing this team and bringing professional softball to my home town.  Fans in this area are going to have front-row access to the most talented athletes in the nation.  These players are as good as it get gets.”

The Tennessee Diamonds’ 2010 Schedule opens on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 when the Akron Racers come to town to face the Tennessee Diamonds.  The following week, the Florida Pride will be in East Tennessee for what promises to be an exciting matchup against former Lady Vols pitcher Monica Abbott who now pitches for the Florida Pride.

“When we acquired the Tennessee Diamonds, we obtained access to the Rockford Thunder players,” Fekete said.  “The Rockford Thunder won the NPF 2009 Championship last August by beating the Florida Pride.  Cat Osterman, the pitcher for the Rockford Thunder, was named MVP – and we fully expect that Cat will be pitching this year for the Tennessee Diamonds.”

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville.  More information about the athletes who will play for the Tennessee Diamonds will be announced in coming weeks.  For more information and a complete 2010 schedule, visit www.TennesseeDiamondsSoftball.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Ruby Tuesday Recognized on Cover of Cheers Magazine

Posted by Amelia Daniels – January 14, 2010

Cheers CoverMaryville, TN – Ruby Tuesday has been recognized by Cheers magazine for something its customers have known for a while: it has the best overall beverage program.

Cheers, the leading beverage publication devoted to full-service restaurants, bars, and hotels, is awarding Ruby Tuesday its top honor for “Best Chain Overall Beverage Program.” “We are honored that Ruby Tuesday has been recognized by Cheers as the best overall among chain operators across the nation, and are proud of our team’s never-ending commitment to quality, freshness, variety, and value,” says Andy Scoggins, Vice President of Culinary and Beverage for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 

The Cheers industry award program is open to all full-service chain restaurants nationwide, and beverage programs are evaluated based on creativity, originality, staff training, and overall impact on profitability. Scoggins adds, “Ruby Tuesday is dedicated to serving premium, high-quality beverages made with the freshest ingredients and providing them to our guests at a compelling value.”

At a time when most companies are cutting corners, Ruby Tuesday has made it a priority to enhance the quality of its drinks by using fresh ingredients, all-natural fruit juices, and premium brands such as Bacardi and Beefeater for well liquors. “And that’s not even the best part,” says Scoggins. “Recent upgrades to quality were made without reducing portions or raising prices. For example, we are proud to offer a variety of specialty, hard-to-find craft beers that are not common in other casual dining restaurants and feature a true 16-ounce pint glass, not a smaller look-alike version.”

Ruby Tuesday recently revolutionized bar business by actually reducing the price of many premium cocktails with the introduction of the ‘all day, every day, $5 premium cocktail’ program. There are hundreds of cocktails from which to choose, from premium well and specialty cocktails to signature sangrias, all for only $5.00.

Ruby Tuesday’s award-winning beverage program compliments the company’s marketing approach and in-restaurant promotions which include happy hour specials at the bar, seasonal and limited-time menu offerings, in addition to a new weekend brunch program. Moreover, all beverage upgrades have been supported with an aggressive retraining program for every bartender in the company. Program enhancements have resulted in an overall increase in sales of beer, wine, spirits and alcohol-free drinks. Ruby Tuesday will accept the award at the 2010 Cheers Beverage Excellence Awards Conference to be held January 25-26 in Miami, Florida.

For more information about Ruby Tuesday and our premium beverage program, please visit us at www.rubytuesday.com or on Facebook at www.facebook/rubytuesday.

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Media Contact
Amelia Daniels
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550

About Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has company-owned and/or franchise Ruby Tuesday brand restaurants in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 13 foreign countries. As of September 1, 2009, the company owned and operated 670 Ruby Tuesday restaurants, while domestic and international franchisees (including Hawaii) operated 171 and 55 restaurants, respectively.

 

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RT).  

 

Source: Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

Clayton Homes promotes Bourdeau to Zone Vice President

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 13, 2010

Clayton-Homes-Logo2-300x125Magnolia, Texas – Clayton Homes announced today that Victor Bourdeau has been promoted to Zone Vice President. Bourdeau previously served as one of the company’s Regional Managers.

“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Victor to Zone Vice President. His dedication and expertise in the housing industry will certainly be valuable in this capacity and we know he can achieve impressive results with the retail outlets he will supervise,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO of Clayton Homes.

As Zone Vice President, Bourdeau’s responsibilities include working with the retail company’s management to establish and implement a strategic sales game plan for the company within his geographical zone. This new endeavor will require him to research target customers and industry competitors, drive new sales, service existing clients, direct budget development and implementation, and manage personnel development and recognition across a vast area, along with many other responsibilities.

Bourdeau’s territory as Zone Vice President includes 64 retail home sales centers throughout Texas and New Mexico.

“One of the most exciting elements of this new role is the prospect of establishing many new business relationships throughout the southwest zone. Our primary goal is to provide exceptional services for our customers and I plan to focus on this philosophy to continue to provide the greatest housing value in the market place,” said Bourdeau.

Bourdeau has been in the manufactured housing industry since 1982, managing and owning retail sales centers in several Texas metro areas. He began his career with Clayton Homes in 2001.

Bourdeau resides in Magnolia, Texas with his wife, Beth and five grown children.

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contact
Clayton Homes                                 
Mike Cohen                                        
Ackermann PR                        
(865) 584-0550                                  
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes names Townsend Zone Vice President

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 13, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Clayton Homes announced today that Fred Townsend has been promoted to Zone Vice President. Townsend previously served as the company’s Vice President of Expansion.

“Fred has played a critical role at Clayton Homes and this promotion acknowledges his dedication and knowledge of the housing industry. The company’s retail outlets in which Fred will serve will benefit greatly,” said Kevin Clayton, President and CEO of Clayton Homes.

As Zone Vice President, Townsend’s responsibilities include working with the retail company’s management to establish and implement a strategic sales game plan for the company within his geographical zone. This new endeavor will require him to research target customers and industry competitors, drive new sales, service existing clients, direct budget development and implementation, and manage personnel development and recognition across a vast area, along with many other responsibilities.

Townsend’s territory as Zone Vice President includes 66 retails outlets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri.

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About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes.

Media Contact
Clayton Homes                                 
Mike Cohen                                        
Ackermann PR                        
(865) 584-0550                                  
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Malak named Account Executive at Ackermann PR

Posted by Sarah Malak – January 12, 2010

Malak HeadshotKnoxville, Tenn. – Ackermann PR announced that Sarah Malak has been hired as an Account Executive. Malak brings several years of public relations experience, primarily in the hospitality industry, to the agency.

“We are excited to announce Sarah’s employment. Her experience in the public relations and special events industry is a perfect fit for our company,” said President and CEO Cathy Ackermann.

As Account Executive, Malak’s responsibilities include providing media relations, community relations, writing, coordinating graphic design services, special events coordination, advertising and other services on behalf of clients.

“Ackermann PR’s reputation in the public relations industry is a large part of why I came to work for the agency. Their level of professionalism and track record of clients is excellent,” said Malak.

Most recently, Malak served as the Senior Manager of Public Relations at the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.

Ackermann PR is a full-service marketing and communications firm and is ranked as one of the top PR firms in the country by industry associations and publications.  Clients include Ruby Tuesday, Clayton Homes, ALCOA, USEC, Honeywell, Radio Systems, East Tennessee Medical Group, TechLaw Group, B&W Y-12 and others.

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Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless opens five new stores in three states

Posted by Rick Laney – January 8, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. –  Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless, is expanding again in Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.  Five new Cellular Sales stores have opened during the past month.

Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless is a 15-year old privately held company headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.  The company currently operates throughout the United States.  For the past two years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing privately held companies. This year, the company was in the Top 100 for retailers.

NewStoreSeptember“Cellular Sales’ ranking on this year’s Inc. 5,000 list is a testimony to customer service,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales.  “Our business model is based on treating every customer as if they were our only customer.  People notice it when you take care of them.

“How many people are there that know exactly who to call – by name – when they have a question about their cell phone or their service plan?  Our customers have a name and contact number for their own personal wireless consultant, a real person they can talk to right there in their own community.  We’re proud of the way we take care of customers, and we know it is the reason we are growing.”

For the past 15 years, Cellular Sales has consistently outperformed the rest of its industry, and is now the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless.  By year end, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Cellular Sales will open 50 new stores, bringing the company’s total number of locations to over 300.

“When the economy is booming, growth is expected,” Scism said.  “But companies that are growing in spite of the economy – like Cellular Sales – have to be doing something different.”

For more information about the new Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless stores, visit the company’s web site at www.cellularsales.com or call (865) 588-3855.

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