b2 ideas

Skeeter’s i-Class Scores Another Award - Trailer Boats Magazine’s 2009 Excellence in Design

Skeeter’s i-Class Series has won another award, as Skeeter’s 22i bass boat was recently announced as a winner of Trailer Boats magazine’s 2009 Excellence in Design competition.  The 22i will be featured in the January issue of Trailer Boats magazine.

Skeeter’s i-Class received Field & Stream magazine’s 2006 “Best of the Best” award in the boating category.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award from Trailer Boats magazine, a group of individuals who certainly know something about boating,” says Jeff Stone, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Skeeter Products, Inc.  “Our goal is to always produce award-winning boats, and this award is testament to our dedication and hard work,” says Stone.

Introduced in 2006, Skeeter’s i-Class Series revolutionized the bass boat industry with an innovative design and high-tech features, and for 2009 the i-Class has been upgraded even further.

Skeeter’s 22i features a new console and dash, capable of handling the largest in-dash graphs on the market, up to 38”.  The console now features aluminum gauges and switch panels, and a driver-side storage net.

Skeeter engineers looked to the automotive industry to design a new generation of seats – utilizing full-flex technology.  The company tested the comfort level of the seat 4 million times during its product durability testing.

The new seating configuration also includes a 30-quart insulated, injection-molded cooler located conveniently beneath the center seat.  A new in-floor 28-quart cooler doubles as an integrated prop storage compartment.  New side panels and a driver’s glove box are standard.

Rear deck storage compartments have been reconfigured, longer, but not as deep, for easy access to tackle and gear.  Split battery compartment lids make for easier maintenance.  The model’s bow rod storage was redesigned with tubes to handle three spinning rods, and the area also includes LED lighting.

The 22i features Skeeter’s DMS Command Center, Yamaha multifunction gauges, and alarm; 13” fishing chair or bike seat with Power Pro Pole; gas assisted lifts on storage doors; dual tank fuel system; “day box” storage; 15 amp Minn Kota battery charger; 6 gauge trolling motor, and dual-axle i-Class touring trailer.

Skeeter Products, Inc. makes fishing and boating fun and rewarding with owner’s tournaments, a top-notch dealer network, and its ‘Real Money’ tournament incentive program.  Skeeter’s heritage dates back to 1948, and today it designs and manufactures innovative and high-performing bass, walleye, fish & ski and saltwater boats.  Skeeter is the recipient of seven consecutive CSI customer satisfaction awards, and its boats are NMMA certified to meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council standards.

Lyman Ward Military Academy Kicks-Off Major Enrollment Period

While accepting students year-round, Camp Hill, Alabama-based Lyman Ward Military Academy (LWMA) kicks-off its major enrollment period in January and, as one of the nation’s leading military boarding schools, the Academy anticipates topping the century mark in enrollment by late spring.

“We are proud of where we are, and the direction we are headed, and we will continue to work hard to build a strong and diverse student population,” says Col. (Retired) Bill Jenrette, President of LWMA.

The Academy’s enrollment dipped to below 50 Cadets in early 2008 when rumors of the organization’s closing surfaced.  However, under new leadership, LWMA has successfully boosted its recruitment efforts throughout the Southeastern United States.

“We have much to offer young men, but the cornerstone of our efforts remains, as it has since our opening in 1898, academics,” says Jenrette.  “Each of our Cadets is given every opportunity to succeed both academically and personally.”

LWMA has enjoyed a 100 percent college acceptance rate for its Cadets during the past five years.  The Academy offers a full array of courses, but also instructs Cadets on traditional values such as leadership, time management, respect, civics, and accountability.

“My experiences at LWMA prepared me for the real world, from an accountability and responsibility standpoint,” says Carey Treadwell, Memphis resident, Lyman Ward graduate, and President of the LWMA Alumni Association. 

“The faculty is resilient in instilling confidence in its Cadets, something that many young men lack.  The confidence I gained at the Academy provided me with an eagerness to accept challenges, and strive for success,” says Treadwell, who was selected by the Memphis Business Journal to its prestigious Top 40 Under 40.

“As President of the Academy’s Alumni Association, I continue to be impressed with the caliber of young men that the Academy produces.  Success does not come easy and each Cadet that graduates from the Academy will have the tools necessary to succeed in life,” says Treadwell.

Based in Camp Hill, Alabama, LWMA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  LWMA is one of less than 50 military boarding schools nationally, educating young men from grades 6-12.  For more information, to schedule an on-campus visit, or for a list of recruiting events, visit LWMA online at www.lwma.org.

Are there Brighter Days Ahead for the Marine Industry?

Marine Industry Battle Cry - ‘Batten Down the Hatches’ - Boat Manufacturers Cling to PR for a Strong Return on Investment

As the marine industry experiences one of its weakest periods in recent history, many boat manufacturers are trimming marketing budgets to reduce expenses, and clinging to proven tactics that can easily justify a strong return-on-investment, specifically, public relations.

“Public relations is a low-cost budgetary item that can generate a significant return-on-investment in both editorial coverage and its ability to help sell product,” says Bob Bartels of Alabama-based b2 ideas, a leading public relations consultant for marine industry companies.

“During a slow economy, like we are experiencing now, relying on a strong public relations program is essential in maintaining brand awareness, allowing you to keep your company and products top-of-mind with potential consumers,” says Bartels.  “PR is a useful tool in reaching core target audiences and creating a strong image for your brand.”

Bartels added that even during a slow economy, PR creates the perception that a company and/or its brand is active and on the move.

As boat manufacturers across the country deal with credit issues, temporary shutdowns, workforce reductions and high inventories, Bartels recommends that manufactures maintain some form of PR.

In fact, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently announced that it would redirect the efforts of its Grow Boating campaign to support immediate sales driving efforts at the manufacturer and dealer level, including increasing PR efforts.

“When the economy strengthens, the companies that have maintained a strong presence will be better poised to capture additional market share from weaker competitors.”

Skeeter Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of bass, walleye, fish & ski and bay boats, continues to work diligently to put potential customers into boats, utilizing PR efforts to support dealer activities, promote new products, publicize owner stories, and announce professional angler successes.

“PR plays a vital role within our integrated marketing, promotions and sponsorship efforts, and as these elements work together, all are designed to increase sales and establish Skeeter as the leading boat brand in the industry,” says Trey White, Director of Marketing for Skeeter Products, Inc.

Slow Economy Sparks ‘Grow it Yourself’ Trend - Companies Look to Meet Consumer Demands for Home Gardening

'Grow it Yourself' Trend Sprouts from Slow Economy

As American families tighten their purse strings in unstable economic conditions, many folks are turning to cost-saving measures, including following a new trend called “Grow It Yourself.”

Statistics show that more than one in four of all U.S. households grow vegetable plants, one of the fastest growing pastimes, and one that is becoming more of a necessity rather than a hobby.

“This ‘Grow It Yourself’ trend is something similar to what you found fifty years ago, when families grew vegetables in their own backyards as a way to reduce household expenses,” says Bob Bartels, of Alabama-based b2 ideas, a public relations consultant who has worked with companies such as Bonnie Plant Farm, The Quikrete Companies and The Home Depot.

“Consumers are being thrifty with their dollars, but there are several other benefits to growing your own herbs and vegetables.  Gardening is a great family activity, it helps to reduce stress, it helps to maintain healthy eating habits, and it can be accomplished in small spaces,” says Bartels.

Container vegetable gardening is a $1.3 billion industry, and Bartels expects more brands to enter the category, with an emphasis on green products, gardening start-up kits and high-yield vegetable plants.  Additionally, companies understand that gardening has few socio-economic boundaries, and more urbanites and suburbanites are also entering the category, thus opening up new sales channels for opportunistic brands.

Mini-gardens are growing in popularity, as consumers develop balconies and patios into gardens utilizing containers.  “Gardening is easy, plants are readily available at home improvement retailers, new biodegradable containers make plant care simple, and vegetables can be grown year-round.”

Bartels cited some additional statistics that back a new ‘Grow it Yourself’ trend:

• More young persons 18-34 are gardening, spending more than any other group on vegetable plants.
• Seniors are still the largest group of vegetable gardeners, making up more than 25 percent of the category.
• Herb gardening continues to grow at a strong pace, with more than 15 million households planting herbs. 
• Gardening is becoming less seasonal with an increase in the popularity of cool season vegetables.

Does Wine Have an Identity Crisis?
Wine Label Takes a Page from the Beer and Spirits Industry for Launch

Does Wine Have an Identity Crisis?

Guinness has St. Patrick’s Day, Abita has Mardi Gras and Dom Pérignon gets to share the most special occasions such as New Year’s Eve, weddings and launching ships.

Budweiser gets top-billing for July 4th, Corona is a no-brainer when there’s sand and sun involved, Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam score when college football rolls around, while SKYY and Absolut get the celebrities.

“Does wine have an identity crisis?” asks Bob Bartels, a public relations consultant with Alabama-based b2 ideas, a company that specializes in new product introductions.  “If you ask the average consumer to provide you a list of beer brands, you’d get dozens.  Yet, if you ask the same person to provide a list of wine labels, you’d be lucky to get one or two.”

Bartels notes that beer drinkers tend to be much more brand-loyal, while wine drinkers will experiment with different labels – a trait that is common among enthusiasts.  “Word of mouth tends to drive the sales of wine labels, while beer and spirits invest heavily in promotions.  Trying new wines is often based upon the recommendations of friends, restaurant staff or a wine professional at your local retailer.”

b2 ideas took a page from the beer and spirits industry when it recently launched the Pink Ribbon Wines collection.  The collection, benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, built the label’s launch around its ‘Toast to the Cure,’ a nationwide, grassroots event where people can gather to share a toast, celebrate the lives of people who we have lost to breast cancer, and show conviction to finding a cure.

“We received tremendous response from our ‘Toast to the Cure’ event, and hope to build off of this promotion.  Our ultimate goal is to establish Pink Ribbon Wines as an everyday wine. A great wine, at a great value, supporting a great cause,” says Bartels.

Breaking through the clutter is a tactic that all beer brands attempt, Bartels says, noting that companies will continue to explore non-calendar-specific days for promotions.

The Pink Ribbon Wines collection is currently developing its distributor network, and the label can also be found online at www.pinkribbonwines.com.

In Today's Economy, Consumers are Converting Outdoor Space into Vegetable Gardens.

Urban Gardening Taking Root

Urbanites are proving that space limitations will not confine a gardener from pursuing her or her interests.  From windowsills, to patios, to balconies, to roof tops, productive small space or mini-gardens are taking root in metropolitan areas across the country.

Nothing tastes better than vegetables picked fresh from your own garden, and Bonnie Plant Farm, the nation’s largest grower of container vegetable plants, offers some advice for a successful small space garden.

Fundamentals – Plant care, including a sufficient space or a container with adequate drainage, plenty of sunlight and water, and fertilizer should result in a productive and easy to maintain small space garden.

A Little Help – Some vegetable plants are available with a biodegradable peat container.  These containers simplify the gardening process, as the container can be planted and with the plant.  Peat containers also reduce transplant shock and encourage root growth.

What to Plant – Peppers and eggplant are ideally suited for small space gardens.  With hundreds of varieties to choose from, tomatoes are also a favorite.  Some varieties, such as the Bonnie Original, can produce up to 50 pounds of tomatoes per plant.  Herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano grow well in containers and are perfect for home cooking.

Potager – This form of gardening mixes different varieties of flowers, herb, and vegetable plants in an ornamental fashion to ensure both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Timing – Once the threat of frost is over, warm season vegetable plants may be planted.  You may wish to continually plant small amounts of short-season vegetables throughout the spring and summer.  This helps you to avoid having all vegetables come to maturity at the same time.

Ornamental Vegetables – Some varieties of vegetable plants are both edible and attractive.  Plants, including red cabbage, sweet peas, and green beans will add some color to your mini-garden.

Bonnie Plant Farm’s General Manager, Dennis Thomas, says that the benefits from gardening are the same, whether you live in the city or in the country.  “Gardening is great for stress reduction, eating fresh vegetables daily is an excellent way to maintain healthy eating habits, gardening can be less expensive than purchasing produce at the grocery store level, and nothing tastes better than vegetables picked fresh from your own garden.”

Biodegradable Peat Containers - Companies & Consumers Going Green

Bonnie Plant Farm's Biodegradable Peat Moss Containers

Bonnie Plant Farm — the nation’s largest grower of container vegetable plants — is offering environmentally friendly and biodegradable peat containers for spring and summer gardening for several of its premium products, including tomatoes, peppers and herbs, such as rosemary and lavender.

“We are listening to the environmentally conscious customer,” says Dennis Thomas, General Manager of Bonnie Plant Farm, which plants more than 500 million seeds annually.

If you would like to grow a more earth-friendly garden, the folks at Bonnie Plant Farm recommend the following:

• Start a compost pile with Carbon-rich “brown” materials, like fall leaves, straw, dead flowers, and shredded newspaper; Nitrogen-rich “green” materials, like grass clippings, plant-based kitchen waste (vegetable peelings and fruit rinds), or barnyard animal manure; and add in a bag of garden soil.  Keep the compost pile moist and use a shovel to turn the pile every couple of weeks.
• To control problem insects, encourage the natural predators of pest insects to hunt in your garden - beneficial insects such as the common ladybug, birds, frogs, and lizards control pests by eating them.  You can make your garden hospitable for your natural allies by keeping a water source nearby.
• For weed control, use a thick layer of mulch such as straw, grass clippings, leaves, and shredded bark.

EarthReady(TM) peat moss containers are becoming more popular on the shelves of home improvement retailers and gardening centers nationwide, increasing the popularity of gardening among novices, as the product simplifies both the planting and plant care process.

Peat containers, consisting of Canadian sphagnum peat moss and wood pulp, not only increase a plant’s shelf life, but they also help to reduce transplant shock, a leading cause of non-productive vegetable plants. Moving a vegetable plant from its container to a garden causes stress on the plant and its roots. Planting the peat container and plant into the soil leads to a healthier plant.

Cypress Village is One of Many GO Zone Properties Along Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Development Continues Along Alabama’s “New Gulf Coast” - Alabama Towns Stay True to Southern Roots

Construction continues along Alabama’s Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), an area that is now commonly referred to as “Alabama’s New Gulf Coast.”  The ICW, once used for only industrial barge traffic, is now a true “Southern” cornerstone of growth in towns such as Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

“Even with the tremendous growth along the ICW, the residents of Alabama towns like Orange Beach, and others that dot the landscape, still hold tight to their Southern roots, and developers are keen to this trend,” says Mike Foster, Vice President of Marketing for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “This new growth comes in many forms - from entertainment districts and marinas, to retail centers and even quaint neighborhoods,” says Foster.

The cornerstone of development along the ICW in Orange Beach may well be The Wharf, a shopping and entertainment hub, including an outdoor amphitheater featuring concerts by Southern favorites such as Hank Williams, Jr., The Marshall Tucker Band and the Georgia Satellites. 

Also along the ICW, you’ll find unique neighborhoods, for those who want to experience coastal living in an environment more like home.  At Cypress Village, a community located on 80 plus acres adjacent to The Wharf, but not directly on the ICW, you’ll be just as likely to see school bus pull out of this neighborhood as you would a Cadillac with an Ohio license plate.

Completed in 1949, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is a 1,050-mile navigable inland waterway running from Carrabelle, Florida to Brownsville, Texas.  The waterway has become a popular cruising destination for people interested in visiting coastal towns all along the Gulf Coast.

The ICW has captured the eye of many major real estate developers, including Birmingham-based REIT Colonial Properties Trust.  Not only has it partnered with Orange Beach-based UCO Development on the Cypress Village project, the company is developing a proposed 1,350 unit luxury condominium and marina project along the ICW.  These projects represent only two of the 30 plus developments currently underway in Orange Beach.

“Many investors and second-home/vacation home owners are realizing that you can still live a coastal lifestyle without living directly on the beach,” says Ross Easter of UCO Development.

Local realtor Chris Stovall, of Keller Williams RealtyÒ Alabama Gulf Coast, agrees with Easter, and also attributes much of the growth along the ICW to other factors, including reduced “hurricane anxiety,” as developments along the ICW are up to one mile inland, Alabama’s low property taxes and the area’s GO Zone designation.  “Smart investors are now taking a second look at these alternative properties, and are shopping for property based on lifestyle needs and price – it makes the ICW very competitive,” says Stovall.

In 2005, Congress enacted the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act (“GO” Zone), which encourages redevelopment through tax incentives.  The Act offers compelling tax benefits, particularly for real estate developments and property investments, and investors and second-home owners are taking advantage of these benefits.

While much has changed throughout Alabama’s Gulf Coast, some things remain the same.  LuLu’s Restaurant has always been a staple for locals and visitors, and nothing can be more entertaining than a quick drive to the Flora-BamaÒ Lounge and Package in Perdido Key, Florida.  This year-round establishment is a place where Southern folklore begins.  Each year folks from around the Southeast visit the bar and take part in its annual Interstate Mullet Toss – an event where people meet along the Florida and Alabama state line to toss mullet at one another. 

“Orange Beach and Gulf Shores were once sleepy fishing villages, but each has matured into sophisticated coastal towns,” says Foster of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Foster added that people come to the area because they are familiar and comfortable with what it has to offer.

Statistics from the National Association of Realtors prove this to be true, as the typical second home is located a close 220 miles from the owner’s primary residence, and half are in the same state.  Eight out of 10 drive to their property.   

Look for continued growth throughout the area, as a study is currently underway for a long-sought bridge over Wolf Bay, linking Orange Beach with swaths of undeveloped land to its East, and providing another route to and from the beaches and Interstate 10.  

Alabama’s Gulf Coast Becomes Home Away from Home

Alabama's Gulf Coast is fast becoming a home away from home for many non-residents.

Alabama’s real estate market continues to heat up with the construction of Cypress Village, a residential coastal community covering more than 80-acres located in the heart of Orange Beach.

The project is being developed through a partnership between UCO Development and Colonial Properties Trust (NYSE: CLP). Colonial Properties Trust is one of the nation’s largest diversified REIT’S, with a portfolio of multi-family, office and retail properties.  

The state’s coastal towns such as Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan have long been a top destination choice for Southerners, and now the secret’s out.  Vacationers, second-home owners and retirees from Texas, the Mid West and New England are flocking to the area and finding something unique – coastal living with southern hospitality.

This, coupled with the area’s “GO” Zone designation, has lead to tremendous growth along Alabama’s coastline.  In 2005, Congress enacted the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act (“GO” Zone), which encourages redevelopment through tax incentives.  The Act offers compelling tax benefits, particularly for real estate developments and property investments.

Upon completion, Cypress Village will feature approximately 350 town homes, cottage-style homes, courtyard villas and single-family homes.  Phase one of the project, two-story town homes ranging in size from 1,638-2,500 square-feet, is currently being offered for sale.

UCO executives Christopher Mayhall and Ross Easter point out that unlike many traditional condominium projects underway, Cypress Village gives its residents plenty of room to roam – a place where friends, family and neighbors can enjoy coastal living in an atmosphere that feels much more like a home.

Cypress Village is located a short ½-mile from the beach along Canal Road which parallels the Inter Coastal Waterway.  The community has been designed with a neighborhood “feel,” and will feature numerous on-site resident amenities, including swimming pools, a lazy river, poolside cabanas, clubhouse and fitness center, hiking trails and a nature preserve.  Residents can also take a short walk to enjoy fine dining, entertainment, world-class shopping, movie theater, amphitheater and charter fishing trips.

UCO Development and its sister companies, UCO Construction and UCO Realty, is earning a reputation in the real estate industry as a company with big plans in the Gulf Coast region.  This is apparent in its recent partnership with Colonial Properties Trust. 

UCO Development and Colonial Properties Trust has other projects under development, including The Grander, located on Terry Cove in Orange Beach, just across from Perdido Pass.  The Grander is a gated community featuring 30 luxury residences.  Each four-story complex features private elevators, two-car garage and 60-foot covered boat slip.

The company also plans to develop a 50-acre site along the Inter Coastal Waterway across from Bama Bayou and The Wharf.  The project will include approximately 1,350 luxury condominium and marina.

listen-here-for-a-toast-to-the-cure1

As October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, breast cancer survivors, advocates, friends, family members and loved ones have another opportunity to show support for finding a cure – by joining Pink Ribbon Wines in a nationwide ‘Toast to the Cure’ on October 30.

The Pink Ribbon Wines label, featuring a special edition Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon, makes a donation from each bottle sold to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and does so on a year-round basis.

“With the Pink Ribbon Wines label, we are making a long-term commitment to supporting the goal of finding a cure for breast cancer,” says Bill Wade of Wade/Kerr Wine Company.  “Breast Cancer Awareness Month will end, but the effort to find a cure for this disease continues on,” says Wade.

The ‘Toast to the Cure’ event, scheduled for October 30, provides everyone affected by this disease with the opportunity to raise their glasses and share a toast to the family members who we have lost by celebrating their lives, sharing the stories of survivors, commending cause advocates, thanking supporters, and showing conviction for the future – and ultimately a cure.

Linda Stiles, broker/owner of Cook & Stiles Real Estate Group in Hollis, New Hampshire, is utilizing the ‘Toast to the Cure’ event not only as a fundraising opportunity, but also as an open house event for her business.  “My business partners, Pat Cook and her son Tom Cook, and I have lost loved ones to breast cancer, including my mother and Pat’s sister.  We are also fortunate to have two sisters who are breast cancer survivors,” says Stiles.

Stiles added that she anticipates more than 100 people for the event, and plans to serve Pink Ribbon Wines, as well as sell raffle tickets for gifts and prizes, with proceeds being donated to support localbreast cancer research.  “It doesn’t matter if you live in a small town or a big city, breast cancer has no boundaries, and we are fortunate to be in a position to raise awareness and funding locally to support a great cause,” says Stiles.

According to statistics, between now and next year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an estimated 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States, and more than 40,000 women will die from this disease. 

“The Pink Ribbon Wines collection is considered an everyday table wine, but is an excellent choice as a holiday gift, a house-warming gift, or served during a gathering with friends.  It’s a great wine, at a great value, supporting a great cause,” says Wade.

To order Pink Ribbon Wines, send a wine gift package, or post your very own ‘Toast to the Cure’ via our blog, visit www.pinkribbonwines.com.