Category: Uncategorized

Ackermann PR records 45 percent revenue gain for first six months of 2010

Posted by Rick Laney – August 18, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Ackermann PR, Knoxville’s only Top 100-ranked public relations and marketing agency, today announced that for the first six months ending June 30, 2010, the firm generated 20 new account relationships and a 45 percent increase in revenues, 2010 versus 2009.  The agency’s digital business strategies division contributed significantly to both increases.

“While we are extremely pleased and grateful for the increased business activity, these increases are most significant because they reflect what we see as the beginning of restored confidence and a return to economic health in the marketplace,” said Cathy Ackermann, Ackermann PR Founder and CEO.

“This resurgence doesn’t seem to be focused on any one sector, but rather across several industries.  We are even seeing some resumption of activity in extremely depressed sectors such as real estate development.  Two additional phenomena of the economic downturn is the number of new entrepreneurial start-ups we have seen and the requests we have received from non-profit organizations who are looking for strategic support to shore-up much needed fund raising efforts.”

Among the new clients are Pilot Corporation, Anderson Media Corporation, CityView at Riverwalk, HGTV, Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Wellness Centers of America and the Hearing and Speech Foundation.  The large number of new accounts contributed 24 percent of the agency’s year-to-date revenue growth.

Ackermann PR is a full-service, integrated firm providing strategic public relations, comprehensive marketing capabilities and digital consulting services.  The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves clients across the United States.  It is the only East Tennessee PR firm listed on PR Week magazine’s list of the nation’s Top 100 firms.

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

Lower Price Music Packages Praised by Top Distributor

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 18, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – The CEO of one of America’s largest music distribution companies said today that packaging music for consumers priced at $10 or less is a key  part of the industry’s future.

“Last week, Warner recording artist Blake Shelton, came out with a “six pack”, (six songs sold for $6 in Walmart), and now Universal Music Group is endorsing the same concept by offering a wide range of music for under $10.” said Charlie Anderson, CEO of Anderson Merchandisers.  “I applaud them.  We all know this is where the music industry must head.”

Anderson Merchandisers, headquartered in Amarillo, TX, distributes music to all Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as to AAFES, the on-base stores for military bases.  No other American firm distributes more albums than Anderson.

“The change from vinyl albums to tapes to CD’s basically left the same album format in place,” said Anderson.  “The one song digital download has changed all that.  We need to keep pace with our consumers who are seeking more flexibility and value, both digitally and on disc.”

“What we all need to realize is that building a system that is more responsive to what consumers want is in everybody’s best interest.  No matter what the delivery system, it is still real talent that makes music sell.”

Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is one of the nation’s largest distributors of pre-recorded music, movies, and books.

A privately held company, Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is an affiliate of Anderson Media, headquartered in Knoxville, TN which was established in 1917.  The company has more than 4,000 associates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

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

Knoxville Restaurant to Give Away Nearly 8,000 Cupcakes Celebrating Tennessee’s New Head Football Coach

Posted by Ryan Willis – February 1, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – In celebration of the arrival of Tennessee’s new head football coach, Pimento’s Café and Market will be giving away nearly 8,000 beautifully decorated and delicious orange and white, football-themed cupcakes for the next six days, February 1 – February 7, 2010. This exciting and fun social media-driven giveaway will take place on Twitter and Facebook.

Winners will take home one dozen and in some cases, 3-dozen of these tasty cupcakes at a time from the Pimento’s store on Bearden Hill in Knoxville, located at 6638 Kingston Pike.

Below are instructions on how fans can win and take home these bakery treats celebrating Tennessee’s great football tradition:

Monday: Retweet that morning’s @PimentosCafe Twitter message welcoming Tennessee’s new coach to Knoxville.  The first 100 RT’s before 6pm on each of these days will win one dozen FREE football cupcakes.

Tuesday, Friday: The first 100 people to become fans of Pimento’s brand new Facebook page before 6pm on each of these days will win one dozen FREE football cupcakes.

Wednesday, Saturday: The first 133 tweets posted before 6pm on each of these days in which a Twitterer mentions a favorite menu item on the @PimentosCafe menu will win one dozen cupcakes.  Making the chance to win even sweeter, 33 of the qualifying Twitterers on these days will be randomly chosen to upsize their prize to 48 (4-dozen) cupcakes. (Please be sure to include @PimentosCafe in your tweets to win)

Thursday: Retweet that morning’s @PimentosCafe Twitter message about your Super Bowl party.  The first 100 RT’s before 6pm on each of these days will win one dozen FREE football cupcakes.

Winners will be notified via Twitter Direct Message (DM) or Facebook mail and will be given a specific code to use when they redeem their free cupcakes.  Winners must come to the Pimento’s Bearden Hill location before the end of business on Tuesday, February 9 to claim their free cupcakes. There is no limit on the number of entries per person, but each entrant is only qualified to win one time during each day’s giveaway.

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Media Contact:
Jeff Hooper
(865) 584-0550
jhooper@ackermannpr.com

Santa Spotted Surfing, Sliding and Splashing at Secret Sevierville Getaway

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

WildernessSmall

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Everyone knows December is a busy month for Santa Claus.  With all of the festivities leading up to the holidays, the always-elusive Santa was spotted this week at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. enjoying summertime fun in the middle of winter.  When he isn’t dashing through the snow, the Jolly Old Elf can “hang ten” like a pro – and he proved it, much to the delight of throngs of young onlookers.  Click on the image of Santa below to watch a music video of Santa’s visit to Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Dave McGregor, general manager at Wilderness at the Smokies, said he could not confirm nor deny the special visitors, but eyewitnesses claim they recognized Mr. and Mrs. Claus the minute the couple arrived and quietly headed for Runaway Canyon, the resort’s newest waterslide attraction that opened Thanksgiving weekend.  Santa told one guest that riding the new Runaway Canyon slide – with its winding channels and gargantuan tunnels that send riders blasting through explosive turns and 360-degree loops – was like flying behind his reindeer on Christmas Eve.  After numerous rides on the five-story high Runaway Canyon, Mr. and Mrs. Claus slid into lounge chairs next to the indoor wave pool to kick back, relax and read for a while.

Before heading back to his room, Santa spent some time in the wave pool and hot tubs with Mrs. Claus, he then grabbed a bodyboard and hit the SurfRider – where 19,000 gallons of water per minute create a five-foot, ocean-like wave.  Guests were amazed that a resident of the North Pole could have such wild surfing skills.  When he finished riding the waves, Santa received a standing ovation from his adoring fans. 

SurfinSantaWireWith holiday and winter specials and promotions, guests at Wilderness at the Smokies resort can save big on their family getaways right now.  On New Year’s Eve, the waterpark will stay open until midnight and a free New Year’s Eve Party will be open exclusively for hotel guests. The Wild Perks! program offered by Wilderness at the Smokies resort is also available at no charge to all guests and allows visitors to accumulate points toward free resort stays or Cabana Rentals simply by staying at the resort. 

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