This week, Red212 presented three different creative concepts to the National Branding Committee.  From the three, the committee selected two creative concepts to consumer test. This was an excellent exercise and validation that despite the industry being in existence and flourishing for 20 years or more, there is negligible awareness of the category and virtually no awareness of any brand. The demographic profile of the research participants reflected our target market and all are dealing with the care of a senior in one manner or another, and yet, none of the participants understood that there are agencies providing in-home care, versus an independent, and no one had heard of Comfort Keepers^®. This exercise not only helped the committee select the creative concept to further develop, but confirmed the strategic priorities of (1) introducing the category to consumers, and, (2) introducing the brand. All the while, the spots must connect on an emotional level as well as a functional level.

Comfort Keepers^® is working with CareLike, LLC to list all current franchises in their service database. The CareLike database is searched by thousands of consumers and case management professionals each day.

Progressive Medical is a potential referral source for Comfort Keeper^® franchisees. Fill out a provider application to become one of Progressive Medical's ancillary providers. There is no cost to join.

If you are looking to grow your Comfort Keepers^® business, expansion is a key component to consider. Effective March 1, 2013, the Franchise Fee was raised to $45,000. However, as a franchisee, should you decide to purchase a new territory by August 30, 2013, we will honor the old $42,000 Franchise Fee for you.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about how Xpert HR can help you comply with employment regulations by providing comprehensive federal, state, and local HR, Payroll and Benefits guidance. If you have yet to attend a webinar, please sign up and attend this informational webinar. CKFI and The Employer of Choice and Vendor Relations Committee of the National Advisory Council recommend you attend this webinar to learn how this partnership can benefit your business.

By forming a community partnership, Comfort Keepers^® owner Kristina Butler of Dayton, Ohio was able to not only meet, but exceed her one day goals during a Comfort Keepers Feed Seniors Now™ food drive. By partnering with their local AARP office (who mailed out 25,000 post cards to local members), three local markets and their neighboring Comfort Keepers offices, over 3,500 pounds of food filled up 3 Comfort Keepers SUVs. It was a win-win for all involved, not only for the good community engagement and outreach the office experienced but especially for seniors that received the food.

Don't forget that you can win $100 gift card and possibly an iPad mini! If you are holding a Nourish Senior Life^® event this summer (thru August) please let us know! Need an idea on an event for your office? There have been a number of successful events including food drives, community lunch and learns, and local health fairs. Register your event now for a chance to win. The registration and update forms are easy to complete and will only take  a minute. Registration and/or updates will earn you one entry each for a chance to win the gift card and iPad mini. Click here to Register or Update now!

By ordering this Comfort Keepers^® Calendar, you will be able to promote your business to clients, prospects, referral sources and business partners 365 days a year. The calendar will feature the new fonts, logos and imagery of the brand refresh. These 14-month calendars are full-color, printed on a high-quality matte stock, and open to 11"x19" with a drill hole for easy hanging. Only $1.99 each, and imprinting and shipping are free.

Over the past couple of weeks many of you may have noticed technical issues with some Comfort Keepers^® specific courses, primarily the Personal Care and Private Duty Nursing series. The two most common issues have been receiving an error message while the course is loading a page, or the course freezes and the user is forced to close the course and reopen it until it loads correctly.