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Consider...
Let's call 2010 a year for fresh starts -- after the past year, many businesses are more than ready for one. Putting those words into action, here at Castle we have exciting news about expanded services offerings in collaboration with our new strategic partner, Emmy Award-winning video and event production company MK3 Creative. MK3 is fully integrated into Castle -- under one roof and delivering the resources and expertise to give our clients critical marketing services that are natural complements to Castle's communications and event management services.
MK3 Creative masters both the medium and the message, combining the storytelling ability of an ad agency with the in-house capabilities of a production company. This includes video and event production, concept and copywriting, graphic design and interactive/digital services. We now have an on-site video editing suite, as well as a portable suite to service clients at their offices, conferences or other remote locations.
There is a growing need for organizations to have cohesive brand and content control across all marketing platforms: traditional and social media, websites, events and more. This efficiency of resources allows our clients to experience high-level creative services -- from PR campaigns, digital content (video and web), event and incentive services (theming, logistics, travel, presentation design, A/V, original video content).
This is a not just a new model for delivering communications services, it's the right model -- the breadth of today's marketing needs met under one roof, by one team, dedicated to client satisfaction.
We look forward to sharing more about this new collaboration in the coming months. Feel free to get in touch to learn more and be sure to check out MK3 Creative's new website, which goes live on Monday.
Cheers to 2010 and fresh starts!
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Best,
Principal/Co-founder Principal/Co-founder
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Close to Home
We have all been moved by the devastation in Haiti, and know that many of our clients and business partners have gone to great lengths to support the crisis recovery efforts. Castle strategic partner William Dorcena, president & CEO of CenaMaven, has very personal ties to the tragedy in Haiti. We asked him to share his thoughts.
The events in Haiti have stunned us all. My parents came to the U.S. from the old country in pursuit of that eternal dream of a better life. Although I've been back to the homeland only a half dozen times, it remains real familiar to me. The hugs from family you meet for the first time, the beef patties with Cola Lacaye, and the endless sea of people are Haiti.
With the loss of so many -- 200,000 as of January 27 -- humanity called for a special response, and what a reply. I witnessed countless businesses, organizations, countries and individuals give love to my kin. There is hope that Haiti will never be forgotten again. Now, it's time to rebuild a stronger Haiti. Real transformation in Haiti will be evident by good government, less corruption, end of restaveks (child slaves), investments in education, and job creation.
Rebuilding Haiti will take entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals from all over the world. Our hope for the future rests in the sustainability of the world's attention, especially the Haitian Diaspora. The outpouring of emotion, talent and money warms all of our Haitian hearts. Like most entrepreneurs, I leap forward everyday by way of self-motivation and passion. After seeing Haiti and the response of love, I leap a little harder and farther.
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Culture
Castle's Annual "Thing" Contest
Creative ideas and innovative thinking are critical to our success. Every year, Castle rings in the New Year with a contest we like to call "The Thing." Everyone gets an art project to work with and can take it any direction they wish. This year, the material of choice was Fuse Beads: small beads that can be ironed together to create designs and shapes. While some creations fell short of greatness -- such as Scott's Bag-O-Beads (he literally just put the beads in a bag) or Wendy's "Guess How Many Beads" -- others, such as Jonathan's very literal presentation of famous "things," including Dr. Seuss' Thing One and Thing Two and the great movie, "The Thing from Another World," took the contest to another level. Check out a few of our other masterpieces here.
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Create
Oh, the Places We Are Going... 
We've found that while many companies are still struggling in this economy and believe that using their in-house resources to plan an event is the most cost-effective choice, others are recognizing that hiring an outside agency adds great value. An experienced event firm will be able leverage its relationships with hotels and other vendors to a client's advantage while completely taking the pressure and guesswork out of planning and execution.
So, where in the world is our events team? Currently, Castle is producing events in Boston, New York, Florida, Mexico, New Orleans and Philadelphia. With assignments ranging from sales incentive programs to product launches, user groups to celebration events, our team is busy helping our clients educate, train, motivate and inspire their audiences.
Remember, a company's event is an extension of its brand and message. Unfortunately, too often, the intended message can get lost in the shuffle. If you need assistance with your next event, feel free to contact our global events team. We promise to help others hear you, loud and clear.
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Connect
Nestle's Sweet Idea
Nestle is the latest company to use virtual goods on social networks to build up an already established brand. Personally, we don't need additional reasons to buy Nestle Toll House products, but Nestle is giving us some. The campaign was a huge success, inserting branded cookies into the catalogs of Facebook applications that resulted in more than 4,300 photos. Click here for examples of how other companies are creating these online campaigns.
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Clients
Boston Public Schools' Agenda
BPS Superintendent Carol Johnson recently unveiled her aggressive Acceleration Agenda Five Year Plan. With bold new innovations and improvements already underway, now bolstered by additional flexibilities that will be available through education reform, Boston Public Schools is demonstrating its singular commitment to ensuring every Boston child has the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.
Castle and United Educators
We have recently been selected by United Educators (UE), the leading provider of risk management and liability insurance to educational institutions, to provide crisis communications coverage to eligible UE members. We are a pre-approved crisis communications service provider for UE's member schools, colleges and universities that may require specialized planning and communications services for a covered crisis event. So while we certainly don't wish crises, we are proud to support UE's needs.
Salem Five Listens through Social Media
Staying true to its mission of listening to its customers needs, Salem Five Bank has launched into social media to share information and, more importantly, to create an additional platform for customers to share their thoughts, opinions and questions. Become a fan on Facebook for updates on banking issues and news, and to interact and ask questions. Follow Salem Five on Twitter(@SalemFiveBank) to share your thoughts and receive bank news, including community involvement, product and service information, fun facts and -- with spring training approaching -- Dustin Pedroia happenings in support of the Bank's Gold Star Saver children's account.
Eat Better, Even on the Fly
Unfortunately, your excuses for eating poorly while traveling won't work anymore! Known for its nutrition program, Au Bon Pain was included in a recent Shape magazine article on "Healthy Flood on the Fly," recognizing better food choices available in airports. School vacations are quickly approaching, and if you're planning on flying, be sure to check out this complete list of Au Bon Pain airport locations. Have a safe, or should we say delicious, flight!
Boston Rising's CEO Search
Boston Rising, a start-up fund and grantmaking organization focused on fighting poverty in Boston, is seeking an entrepreneurial and passionate leader to serve as its first Chief Executive Officer. This exceptional CEO will lead all aspects of Boston Rising from its current start-up state to achieving its vision of an organization that will transform the fight on poverty in Boston and serve as a national model. Please visit their "Opportunities" page to learn more.
TUI Partners with FBI
TUI University has been named an academic partner by the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FBINAA), a non-profit organization that provides law enforcement expertise, training, education and information to over 17,000 senior law enforcement members. As a partner university, TUI will accept the transfer of FBINAA credits towards its MBA degree programs. Gary Foster, COO, FBI National Academy Associates said, "TUI understands the unique training undergone by law enforcement and the military, and their programs in Strategic Leadership, Public Management, and Criminal Justice Administration offer our members logical career advancement."
Campus Entertainment's Blog
John Feloni, an authority on consumer marketing strategies, particularly the youth market, and owner of the Boston Music Awards and Castle client Campus Entertainment, has started a new blog, The College Brand Index. John will share strategies for marketing to the important college demographic, and opine on the innovative brands reaching students today -- and those that are not. You can also follow John on Twitter (@CollegeBrandGuy). Campus Entertainment connects brands to college student leaders and influencers on more than 1,000 campuses through on-site educational and entertainment events.
City Fresh Foods Expanding
Photo by Don White. From Left: CFF Founder & CEO Glynn Lloyd and brother/VP of business development Sheldon Lloyd
City Fresh Foods, the leading meal delivery service provider in the Metropolitan Boston area, recently held an open house to celebrate the company's relocation to an expanded facility in Roxbury. Increasing demand from City Fresh's contract food service clients in the education, government, business and senior services sectors prompted the move. City Fresh offers nutritionally-sound meals a choice of ethnic menus and just started a catering service.
Hostelworld.com, the global market leader in secure hostel and budget accomodations, has announced the winners of its coveted HOSCARS (Hostelworld Customers Annual Ratings). The 8th annual awards ceremony took place in Dublin, Ireland and recognized the best hostels in the world, voted for by 1 million Hostelworld.com customers in 2009. Be sure to enjoy a stay with the top winners: USA Hostels San Fransisco and San Diego (pictured above) and Travellers House, Lisbon.
MassArt Is Growing 
Image by ADD, Inc.
Incoming 2012 freshman will have a beautiful new residence hall to look forward to! Massachusetts College of Art and Design recently announced plans for construction of a 21-story residence hall on Huntington Avenue in Boston. The $61 million building will add 145,000 square feet of dormitory and facility space to MassArt and marks a significant step in the multi-stage development of the campus over the next ten years. The new residence hall will guarantee housing to all first- and second-year students at MassArt, and in addition, will include a new health center servicing students of MassArt, MCPHS and Wentworth Institute of Technology. "The development of this residence hall demonstrates what can be accomplished when colleges work together," said Kay Sloan, president of MassArt. "By partnering with MCPHS and Wentworth, we will provide students of all three institutions with a range of services none of us could provide alone." | |
