New Client: Magnolia Insights

Louise Edwards PR is honored to assist Tania Haigh, an amazing 15-year marketing veteran, in the launch of her company Magnolia Insights. 

You, too, can gleen Tania Haigh's wisdom at the Experiential Marketing Summit, May 11-13,
at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco. 

Haigh will present “Event Marketing for Women
and Moms: Who’s Doing it Right, What You Need to Know.”

Trust us, she definitely knows!

Photo: Steven E. Gross

Check out March 12, 2015 coverage in Chicago Sun-Times Splash magazine:  

                          

                             

 

CHEERS!

  By Splash Staff / Cheers                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                       
We’re lovin’ that former                                                         

McDonald’s brand marketer

Tania Haigh is helming 

her own Chicago startup,
Magnolia Insights, Inc., a                                                       

 national marketing strategy                                                        

firm that targets influential         

women and moms.

                                                     

       

Potash: Relevant FRESH from the Farm Neighborhood Market

For over 20 years, I worked in the Hancock building.  There was a unique grocery store at the top of the building--Potash Market.  When it was raining or snowing, we'd sneak up the freight elevator and get some soup, salad bar or deli sandwiches at the store that served the residents of the John Hancock tower. The market provided salvation plenty of times.

Fast forward years later...I have been part of an amazing Marketing/PR team at Emergent, joining  in an incredible experience with Potash Market.  You will never find family ownership that cares more about their brand and serving their customers. 

The fresh foods concept has been embraced by Chicago...Now imagine a small, family-owned business that is sourcing produce and other items from local farms and is catering to the needs of singles, business professionals, families right in their neighborhood.  A stroke of luck if you work or live in the Gold Coast/Lincoln Park area.

If it's too far to walk, you can just hop in your car and put on your flashers for 10-15 minutes (free!) and roll in and out with all of your necessities (at both the State Street and Clark Street locations).  We may not know about "the good 'ole days," but it's certainly like the best of both worlds with a place that is relevant to today's grocery needs and service, including knowing many of their customers by name.

We "catered" our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners from Potash after seeing the most amazing chef creations.  I can't wait to see what Valentine's Day menus are upcoming from Potash. My husband, when he was single, lived at Sandburg Village so I have been shopping at the location on Clark. I must have spent over an hour in the store the first time I went. I found items I had never seen anywhere.  Their coffee is great too and can be enjoyed while strolling through the aisles.

The wine collection was great, as well as the collective bakery and deli chef items.  All that you need to impress at a small dinner party or dinner for two.  I could be in the kitchen all day and not produce such tasty, great tasting appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts.  (The salmon is incredible, the turkey delicious, the meringue cookies out of this world--You get the point!)

So, now you know my secret recipe--Potash!

Carnival Fun with NBC5 Anchors to Help the Homeless

Everyone knows how many people work hard to pull off a huge Carnival fundraiser. Publicity, creating games and securing awesome stuffed toys/prizes and fab caterer George Jewell was both fun and rewarding. Bringing in celebs, player jerseys, Judith Ripka jewelry and the always popular dining certificate at Petterino's added to the festivities.

Overall, helping the homeless through Renaissance Social Services was the true prize. Thank you to my favorite carnival hawker, all my interns, friends who bought sponsorships/tickets and a HUGE round of applause for Rob Stafford and Allison Rosati.  Thank you Rob for shedding the light on ending homelessness and Allison for always cheering us on, lending advice and smiles. Thank you to all the board members, young professional members and all the RSSI staff who worked the games. Hearing "Arthur" thank RSSI for being recognized as "Client of the Year" was the tear-filled moment that reminded everyone why we were there.

Leading up to the event, our team raised an additional $2,000 at World Homeless Day mini promotions at local businesses. A big shout out to supporters Pork Chop and Chicago Bagel Authority, as well as FlyGirlDance Zumba studio, Playground Improv theatre and The Hair Loft Salon. And a huge thank you to AOII sorority at DePaul and many other students (including Loyola and Northwestern as well), plus the DePaul professors who helped our initiative. Our logo and t-shirt was designed by a DePaul graduate, proudly worn by all. Special kudos to our superstar team--Lilly, Rachael, Kelsey and Hannah. And appreciation to Splash, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Ann Gerber/Skyline and Chicago Defender for featuring and covering our events.

Let's joing together to end homelessness for good in Chicago! Please support Renaissance Social Services all year round. This past summer, we were a month-long featured charity by Chicago Sport & Social Club. Join RSSI's young professionals group or get involved with the charity board. We can't say enough good things about this charity that we have worked with for two years.

(PHOTOS: Rob Stafford with Party Chair, Chicago attorney Robin David and Allison Rosati with RSSI Carnival hawker David and Louise Edwards PR).

ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN CHICAGO

Over the past month, we've had 26 TV segments about Renaissance Social Services and their quest to end homelessness. Below are two NBC5/Rob Stafford pieces that tell an amazing story of Tommie Miller, who spent 18 years homeless in Chicago, 16 of those years he lived under a bridge. Meeting Tommie on a cold winter night and asking him to please consider taking an apartment was just a very small part of the 2 years of work it took Renaissance Social Services to convince Tommie to let them help him.  Tommie is a new man, and because of news coverage where we were able to tell his story, Tommie was later reunited with his family.  It just doesn't get any better than that.  The news media in Chicago is a powerful force, with many people who care about making a difference.  Take a look at these segments by Rob Stafford/NBC5.  Because of him and RSSI, Tommie found his family and has grandchildren to bounce on his knee.  Many thanks to all the TV and radio stations and newspaper columnists who take the time to cover homelessness in our city.  We can end homelessness in Chicago if everyone gets involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98E1rvbn1ro&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1FWlWn-_I&feature=youtu.be

Here is where you come in.  Come be a part of a huge fundraising initiative approved by the City Council.  We need volunteers. We need you!  Let's celebrate World Homeless Day with a solution and results in Chicago.  RSSI's weeklong initiative is all about DOING GOOD and RESULTS.

Volunteers, email us for more information about helping out Oct. 10 and 11, 2014 at endhomelessness@rssichicago.org

See more on my DO GOOD CHICAGO blog:  PRLouiseEdwards.blogspot.com

Chicago's Very Own: Book Author, Defense Attorney and Adult Literacy Advocate and Teacher

Rob Shindler's Book "Hot Dogs & Hamburgers" is changing the future for illiterate adults and kids.  The power of one person person's passion to help others is a lesson for us all.

Visit his site at www.robshindler.com to order the book.  And make sure to watch the amazing TV segment we did on WGN's "Chicago's Very Own!"(link below) A great way to start September.

http://wgntv.com/2014/08/22/chicagos-very-own-rob-shindler

Rob's journey started when his son was diagnosed with a disability.  He and his wife were told their son would never read past the 1st grade level. We all know the power of "Never say Never," and suffice it to say their son is heading off to a noted university when he graduates from high school next year.

 Rob, as a father, felt it was his responsibility to make a difference in his son's life and he volunteered at Literacy Chicago to learn how to teach his son to read. He never stopped volunteering and he has developed the most unique, entertaining methods of teaching that spark enthusiasm and results among his adult students.  His son and daughter (they are twins) accompany him to class sometimes because reading is a very special bond for them.

Doesn't that just want to make you volunteer somewhere?  (Read the next post!)

Ending Homelessness in Chicago

There is no reason for homelessness in Chicago.  Renaissance Social Services is Ending Homelessness with Prevention, Affordable Housing and Supportive Services.

 I am so honored to be a small part of their work.  Look for something big for World Homeless Day where we can all change the tide of homelessness.

It only takes a little to give a lot.  Don't point fingers at others for not doing enough.  Look in the mirror and see someone who can make it happen.

If you'd like to be part of a big initiative by donating a few hours of your time on Friday, October 10 or Saturday, October 11, we guarantee your heart will be in a good place.

Email homelessfreechicago@rssi.org and I'll be in touch.  Be inspired.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98E1rvbn1ro&feature=youtu.be

Back 2 School

Make sure to support Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation (ICECF) with its Back 2 School initiative, providing free school supplies to children in need.  Visit your local currency exchange or donate online at www.icecf.org.  NBC5's Stefan Holt did a fabulous job again emceeing this year's kickoff event and Executive Director Matthew Kurtzman pulled off another awesome luncheon honoring exceptional educators, great corporate partners, a phenomenal high school graduate/college scholarship winner and more. Congrats on this 10th year initiative.  Louise Edwards PR team enjoyed attending!

Also, congrats to Andrea Metcalf for launching a Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies Boot Camp to get 700 kids in shape through this new foundation program with ICECF.  And, best wishes to Daniella Guzman/NBC5 who helped with this program for the past two years and has just relocated to L.A. for her new NBC morning post.

 It takes a village to build outstanding programs. Thanks to everyone involved that continues to move ICECF forward.