Author:

Shane Rhyne

Planned Harmony Family Center earns media spotlight

Posted by Shane Rhyne – January 16, 2012

Welcome to Montvale sign at camp entranceThanks to generous help from volunteers and donors, Harmony Adoptions is making exciting progress towards revitalizing historic Camp Montvale in Blount County. When work is completed the camp will become the Harmony Family Center at Montvale, a counseling resource for families with newly adopted children.

Work on the camp has generated media interest, including a front page article by the Knoxville News Sentinel about significant new donations and volunteer achievements.

Pam Wolf, CEO of Harmony Adoptions, says that volunteers have donated 3,500 hours at the camp since May 2011 doing construction, cutting grass, taking trees down, cleaning and reclaiming land. In addition, two notable local foundations have contributed a combined $150,000 towards the development of programming and counseling services for the camp.

Please visit the Knoxville News Sentinel site for the full story: “Donors, volunteers transforming old Camp Montvale into Harmony Family Center.”

Ackermann PR generates media for client new product launch

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 15, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – When the investment firm BPV Family of Funds needed to generate media interest in a pair of new mutual funds to be managed in Knoxville, they turned to the expertise of Ackermann PR.

Some samples of the coverage related to the announcement include:

As Ackermann PR enters its 30th year of providing full-service public relations, marketing and communications services, we continue to enjoy the opportunity to put our clients in the spotlight.

Cellular Sales now has 450 stores in 23 states, opens 15 new stores in September

Posted by Shane Rhyne – October 7, 2011

Cellular Sales logoKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Cellular Sales continued expanding its role as the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer with the addition of 15 new stores in nine states in September 2011. September also marked the opening of the company’s 450th store nationwide.

The new stores were spread across nine states from New England to the Midwest and Gulf Coast. With the September opening of the company’s first stores in Massachusetts, Cellular Sales now has retail locations open in 23 states.

The new Cellular Sales stores included three each in Florida and Texas, two each in Alabama and Massachusetts, and one each in Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Ohio.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing retail companies in the country. The 2011 edition of the Inc. 5000 ranked Cellular Sales as the 69th fastest growing retailer in the country.

Cellular Sales projects a growth rate of 30 to 35% for 2011 and has opened 90 new stores through September. The company is on pace to surpass the total of 102 new stores opened in 2010 and expects to open its 500th store in early 2012.

For more information about the new Cellular Sales stores, visit www.CellularSales.com. For more information on joining the company, visit www.JoinCellularSales.com.

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Media Contact
Shane Rhyne
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales continues nationwide growth, expands into Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets

Posted by Shane Rhyne – October 6, 2011

Knoxville, TN – Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer, is expanding its retailInterior of a Cellular Sales store footprint in New England with a new management agreement to operate a cellular phone store in Fall River, Massachusetts. Cellular Sales assumed management of Cell in a Box, a wireless retailer located at 465 William S. Canning Boulevard in Fall River, as of September 24.

“Cellular Sales is expecting a 30 to 35 percent company growth in 2011,” said Brett Haven, Cellular Sales Regional Director. “We aggressively pursue the best locations available, and the new Fall River store is a prime example of that effort.”

The Fall River location marks the debut of Cellular Sales in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island market area and is the third New England retail location opened by the company this year. The company now has stores located in 23 states across the country.

Cellular Sales logoCellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately-owned retailers. In 2011, the company was ranked among the nation’s 75 fastest growing retailers among the Inc. 5000 and had almost $500 million dollars in revenue in 2010.

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve the best wireless customer experience in the industry. This excellent experience is the product of intense sales representative training and a special emphasis on making and keeping our customers happy,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales. “We look forward to introducing both Massachusetts and Rhode Island wireless customers to our customer service philosophy in Fall River.”

For more information about Cellular Sales in Fall River, call the store at (603) 964-4426, or Cellular Sales Regional Directors Brett Haven at (502) 644-9144 or Anthony Mills at (865) 414-2443. Job seekers may contact John Stevens, Cellular Sales Recruiting Coordinator at (603) 759-9891 or submit their resume by visiting www.JoinCellularSales.com. For more information on the company, visit www.cellularsales.com.

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Media Contact
Shane Rhyne
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Verizon Wireless DROID BIONIC available at Cellular Sales

Posted by Shane Rhyne – September 16, 2011

Cellular Sales logo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – When Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility Inc. introduced the DROID BIONIC™ this month exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers, they were not debuting just any new smartphone. The groundbreaking new phone is setting the standard for speed, design and multi-feature functions among power smartphone users.

DROID BIONIC is the first Verizon Wireless smartphone to combine 4G LTE with the power of dual-core 1 GHz processors, 1 GB of RAM and a stunning 4.3-inch qHD display—all in a sleek form factor that makes it the thinnest 4G LTE smartphone from Verizon Wireless. Customers can expect to fly across the Web on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mpbs in 4G LTE mobile broadband coverage areas.

DROID BIONIC introduces a host of groundbreaking applications and accessories that turn the device into a multimedia hub, a ruler of remote access and a purveyor of virtuality. DROID BIONIC introduces ZumoCast™ by Motorola, an application that lets customers bring their digital world of videos, music, pictures and documents stored on their computers to their handset via remote access. With its revolutionary Webtop application, DROID BIONIC can beam a full-featured Firefox® Web browser 4.0, email or documents to a TV or monitor, like the separately purchased Lapdock™ with an 11.6” screen, keyboard and integrated trackpad.

Accessories such as the HD Station let DROID BIONIC users turn the phone into an entertainment center or home office. Customers can view pictures, video and content from the DROID BIONIC or any HDTV or monitor by connecting a separately sold HDMI cable. They can also take a conference call while editing documents and surfing the Web. And, of course, the DROID BIONIC lets customers share their 4G LTE signal with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices when they activate the Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot.

Cellular Sales is the nation’s largest Verizon premium wireless retailer with almost 450 retail locations nationwide. Cellular Sales provides customers with access to the newest Verizon wireless technology including Android-powered phones, Apple iPhones, tablets, feature phones, wireless access devices and more.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately-owned retailers. In 2011, the company was ranked among the nation’s 75 fastest growing retailers among the Inc. 5000. For more information about Cellular Sales, visit www.CellularSales.com.

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Media Contact:

Shane Rhyne
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Scoop’d Celebrates Grand Opening with Fundraiser and Free Ice Cream Giveaway

Posted by Shane Rhyne – September 14, 2011

Knoxville, Tennessee – September 14, 2011 – Scoop’d, a locally-owned independent ice cream parlor, is celebrating its grand opening this weekend with a scoops of ice cream-inspired fun, including a chance to win free ice cream for a year. Scoop’d will also be raising money for the “We Back Pat” general fund in support of Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. The festivities begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, at the ice cream parlor at 11519 Parkside Drive.

Scoop’d is the brainchild of Greg and Crystal Stinson and is an independently owned modern-twist on the old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Ice cream in the shop is made in micro-batches in the store and includes an ever-changing rotation of traditional and exotic flavors. In addition to super-premium ice cream, the shop has also been introducing East Tennessee to the taste of traditional Hawaiian shave ices.

During the grand opening weekend, visitors to the ice cream parlor may register for a grand prize drawing of free ice cream for a year. The lucky winner will receive coupons good for a free ice cream purchase each week for 52 weeks. The winning name will be drawn at the conclusion of the grand opening weekend.

The grand opening weekend will also include an opportunity to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc.’s “We Back Pat” research fund. Beginning on Thursday, September 15 and continuing through September 30, Scoop’d is donating all profits from the sales of its Orange Dream ice cream to the fund.

Other activities at the shop during the weekend will include a mystery flavor guessing contest and special discounts on purchases.

Scoop’d is open from noon to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The ice cream parlor includes plush seats, a modern soda fountain bar, and a private party room available for hosting special events. In addition to ice cream and Hawaiian ice treats, the parlor also serves coffees, lattes and espressos.

For more information about Scoop’d, visit the ice cream parlor in Turkey Creek at 11519 Parkside Drive or online at www.scoopdicecream.com. Scoop’d fans can also keep up to date on news, polls about new flavors, discounts and more through the ice cream parlor’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.

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Media: Photos are available upon request.  For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Shane Rhyne  at (865) 584-0550 or srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales continues fast-paced growth with fourteen new store openings in August

Posted by Shane Rhyne – September 1, 2011

Cellular Sales logoKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Cellular Sales, a premium Verizon retailer, opened fourteen new stores nationwide in August, showing why the company was recently ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the 75 fastest-growing privately-owned retailers in the country. The new stores were spread across eight states from New York to Texas, and bring the mobile wireless retailer closer to a projected 450 stores nationwide by the end of the year.

Currently, Cellular Sales has more than 400 stores across the United States. Sales consultants for the company earn an average of more than $51,000 per year.

The new stores include three new stores in Kentucky and two each in Florida, Louisiana, New York and Texas. New stores were also opened in August in Georgia, Indiana and Mississippi.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For the past four years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing retail companies in the country. The 2011 edition of the Inc. 5000 ranked Cellular Sales as the 69th fastest growing retailer in the country.

For more information about the new Cellular Sales stores, visit www.CellularSales.com. For more information on joining the company, visit www.JoinCellularSales.com.

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Media: High resolution photos are available.  For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Sarah Malak at (865) 584-0550 or srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Media Contact
Shane Rhyne
(865) 584-0550
srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales ranked as one of nation’s 75 fastest-growing retailers

Posted by Shane Rhyne – August 26, 2011

Cellular Sales logoKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – At Cellular Sales the only thing faster than the company’s growth rate is the download speeds of the Verizon Wireless retailer’s popular smartphones. For the fourth consecutive year Cellular Sales has been ranked one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies on Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 listing. Cellular Sales, founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, joins Spirit Airlines, television maker Vizio, Dunkin Donuts and GoDaddy.com among other prominent brands featured on this year’s list.

Cellular Sales was ranked as the nation’s 69th fastest growing retailer on the magazine’s exclusive rankings, up from 96th in 2010.

“People shopping for smartphones and other wireless services have plenty of retail options,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales. “Our growth rate stands as evidence we are able to provide excellent customer service that brings people back to us regularly as dedicated fans of our culture of service.”

Cellular Sales was ranked No. 1,449 on Inc. magazine’s fifth annual overall list of the nation’s fastest growing 5,000 companies (up from No. 1,856 last year). Three-year growth for Cellular Sales was reported at 193 percent according to Inc. magazine, while the median growth rate for businesses on the list was 94 percent. The magazine also ranked Cellular Sales in the top 100 of all businesses based on growth in actual gross dollars.  The magazine reported that Cellular Sales’ 2007 revenue of $166.8 million grew to $488.5 million last year.

“We are honored to be included on the list for the fourth straight year,” said Scism. “We will use this honor as a Inc 5000 logochallenge to continue learning from our customers how to better serve their needs and to exceed their expectations so that we can make the list again in 2012.”

Cellular Sales, Verizon Wireless’ largest premium retailer, conducts ongoing customer satisfaction research that ties into sales training and education.  The company also expanded its customer service abilities by opening a national call center in Knoxville in 2010.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. The company currently operates throughout the United States. Cellular Sales celebrated the opening of its 400th store in the nation in 2011 and is on pace to end the year with greater than 450 Verizon wireless retail stores across the country.

For more information about Cellular Sales, or to find a Cellular Sales location near you, visit the company’s web site at www.cellularsales.com.  Read about the entire 2011 Inc. magazine “Inc. 5000” list at inc.com/5000.

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Media: For more information, or to speak to a Cellular Sales representative, contact Rick Laney at (865) 584-0550.

Inaugural Loudon County Leadership Hall of Fame Class Announced

Posted by Shane Rhyne – August 5, 2011

Loudon County Leadership Hall of Fame logoLOUDON, Tenn. – August 3, 2011 – The night of August 25, 2011 will be a truly memorable night for eight members of the Loudon community as they are inducted in to the Loudon County Leadership Hall of Fame.  This initial class will be honored with a dinner and induction ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Lenoir City.

The Hall of Fame was established by the Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County, in partnership with the Leadership Loudon County (LEAD) Alumni Association.  Nominations were requested earlier this year and required that nominees were either a resident of Loudon County, worked in Loudon County, or were born in Loudon County.

“The leaders recognized by the Loudon County Leadership Hall of Fame exemplify the traits that Boys & Girls Clubs instill in young people, ensuring great futures for our youth and our community,” said John D. Lee, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. “We look forward to a successful event this year, with many more to come in the future.”

Below are this year’s eight inductees along with the categories they will be honored in:

¨       Dick Krajewski – Business Leader

¨       LCPL William C. Koprince, Jr. – Military

¨       Albert Dukes – Educator

¨       Lisa Harvey – Community Service

¨       Jimmy Matlock – Public Service

¨       Sylvia and Harvey Sproul – Lifetime Achievement

¨       Jason Gilleran – Youth Mentor

Bill Williams, former WBIR Channel 10 news anchor will be the featured speaker at this year’s event.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the programs of the Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County, which has been serving children since 1954.

For more information on the inaugural Loudon County Leadership Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony, please call (865) 232-1228 or visit www.LoudonCountyHallofFame.com.

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About Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County

The Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (BGCTNV), began providing services to children in our community in 1954.  We now serve over 350 youth annually at our Lenoir City Club.  BGCTNV offers programs that increase academic success, encourage healthy lifestyles and develop productive citizens among youth and teens. Along with providing educational support and leadership opportunities, Clubs empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities. There are 15 Club locations in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Northern Anderson Counties.

**MEDIA NOTE –   If you would like to receive extended bios and headshots or to set up an interview, please contact Ryan Willis of Ackermann PR at (865) 584-0550 or rwillis@ackermannpr.com.

East Tennessee Girl Scouts’ Museum Gets Makeover for Centennial Anniversary

Posted by Shane Rhyne – August 5, 2011

Girl Scouts of the Southen Appalachians logoKnoxville, Tenn. – (August 5, 2011) – With the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts coming up in 2012, the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians is in the midst of renovating the Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place.  The renovations have been ongoing for several weeks thanks to the help of a number of volunteers, including several University of Tennessee interior design students completing a “Service Learning” project.

All former Girl Scouts themselves, Cassidy Barnett, Deanna Olson, and Melissa Vincent, have spent many hours in the museum over the past several weeks, painting walls, arranging exhibits and gaining valuable experience they can utilize after graduation.  When given the opportunity to complete their required summer practicum course through a “service-learning” option with the Girl Scouts, each of the girls jumped at the idea.

“They were each thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the Girl Scouts and the museum renovation,” said Mary Beth Robinson, associate professor with The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design.  “Service-learning experiences – an option available as part of a required summer internship – give our students the chance to work with non-profits in the community and really apply what they have learned in a setting they may soon experience after graduation.”

The Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place features hands-on exhibits and displays of unique Girl Scout memorabilia.  The museum features a library with a number of historical Girl Scout-related publications on camping, singing, crafts and other activities.  Guided tours and vintage uniform try-on sessions are also available.

“Our museum is such a special place and we are grateful to have so many wonderful artifacts and pieces of history to share with the public,” said Gail Yook, chairman of Daisy’s Place Executive Committee.  “With the help of our volunteers and these three young ladies, we will have a beautiful new museum for troops and the general public to explore.”

Renovations are expected to be completed in mid-August and will then be open to the public once again.  Admission is free, with hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.  The museum is located in the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians Service Center in Knoxville.

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About Us
The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians serves nearly 20,000 girl and adult members stretching from North Georgia to Southwest Virginia. Service centers are located in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City. Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The council offers financial assistance to ensure that every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout has the opportunity to join this vibrant organization.