Thursday, March 31, 2011

Ant Hill & Dr. Nabet Skincare

Here at Ant Hill, we have wonderful news to announce! We are now partners with the absolutely fabulous Dr. Jules Nabet and will assist with the product launch of his skincare line in the United States! Available for the first time ever in the United States this spring, the product categories offered are revitalization, anti-wrinkle and skin smoothing. Perfect gift for my mother’s upcoming birthday! Dr. Nabet’s line was created for women who feel that their skin looks tired, needs firming, moisturizing, hydrating and smoothing. So almost everyone, because honestly what woman doesn’t feel this way? My coffee may help with my lack of sleep, but it sure is not giving me flawless skin! The line is also perfect for the woman who wants to fight the visible signs of aging, revitalize her skin or promote a smoother, firmer-looking complexion. Dr. Nabet has received praise from such publications in Europe like Bazaar UK, OK! UK, Look UK, Tatler UK, French Vogue, French Elle and more International high-end fashion and beauty publications. (Needless to say, I am WAY excited for SAMPLES!) On a quest to find the best skincare line that improves the appearance of the skin, American women have historically looked to their European neighbors for the most innovative products. Those Europeans are just so trendy! And French-made Dr. Jules Nabet Skincare is no exception. A leading doctor in his specialized field of aesthetic medicines practicing in his clinics in Paris and London, Dr. Jules Nabet produces a variety of world-class, high-end skin care products. Oh, la la! So fancy! “I am thrilled to be bringing my skincare line to the States,” said Dr. Jules Nabet. “My line has had great success in Europe helping women achieve and maintain the type of complexion they desire. I am excited to finally have the ability to help American women in their quest for great, youthful-looking skin.” We are beyond exciting to be working with such a great skincare line and Dr. Nabet is wonderful! Look to Ant Hill to be on top of all things skin – and especially be on the lookout for our skincare tips for summer!


Friday, March 11, 2011

G&R Paint Company: Paint Going "Green"

Phillip Reno, owner of G&R Paint Co. in San Francisco, is one of Mythic Paint’s retailers. In an interview with PDR, Reno discusses the importance of “Going Green” in the paint industry. The article boasts of G & R Paint Co. offering Mythic’s “line of low-odor, low-VOC coatings that are free of carcinogens, ethylene and crystalline silica.” Reno’s customers are becoming more environmentally friendly and demand high-quality paint that contains zero toxins. Mythic Paint fills this void and Reno is proud to offer the line and other green products.

Reno stated, “When I first started out, I couldn’t give ‘green’ paint away, and now it’s part of every conversation. Contractors, homeowners and everybody else are pretty much interested in the VOC conversation.” Continuously educating himself and employees on environmental paint trends allows Reno to maintain expertise and offer advice to customers. The overall environmental advice Reno offers customers is to frequent independent retailers offering high-quality products, good customer service and expertise. Purchasing from discount stores often leads to the need to repaint and increases your negative impact of the environment.

For more on Mythic Paint visit the website at http://www.mythicpaint.com/ and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/SafePaint. To read the entire “Branded by Color” article visit http://www.pdra.org/media/pdf/PDR%203-2011%20dealer%20article.pdf.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Right PR Firm For You

Selecting the right PR firm can often be a difficult and lengthy process, but well worth the time and effort. Cheryl Gale with CommPRO.biz compares the search to shopping. When looking for the perfect dress or new pair of shoes do you head to your local Gap or Banana Republic or head out to the trendy, always fashionable boutique? Of course you choose the boutique. Who wants to be seen in last season’s dress along with countless others sporting the same ensemble? You want to be unique, distinguished, and ahead of the crowd.

When choosing a PR agency for your company, you have several options in size – large, mid-size, or boutique. Cheryl mentions that one size does not fit all and it is important to do your research by making a list of criteria the agency you choose must possess. In Cheryl’s article, she mentions the evolution of PR and gives sample questions to ask agencies.

• Are they experienced with Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin)?
• Does the agency have a company blog?
• Do they provide marketing services in conjunction with traditional PR?
• Do they offer media training?
• Do they understand how to create thought leaders?

With the growing importance of Social Media to PR, it is fundamental for an agency claiming to specialize in social-media strategies to have an online presence. After you have narrowed down your selection, Cheryl offers a few questions to ask senior management:

• How do you bill your clients?
• Will I work with a mixture of senior and junior staff?
• How do you typically report results to your clients?
• How many clients do you provide PR support for?
• Where do you see your company in 5 years?

It is important to do your research to find the firm that best fits your particular needs. Bigger agencies are not always the best option to achieve your company’s future goals. Cheryl states that, “If you prefer one-on-one attention talented, senior level PR executives, then selecting a boutique agency may be the perfect option. You can ensure that your day-to-day contact will be at the mid to senior level, with support from more junior staff. It’s also guaranteed that you’ll have visibility with the agency’s managing partner, as he/she will constantly check in with the team to discuss tactics, goals and results. Typically, boutique agencies provide a healthier balance of staff on each of their accounts too.”

To read Cheryl’s entire article, What the “Bigs” Won’t Admit: “Boutique and Unique” PR Firms are a Sign of the Times, visit CommPRO.biz at http://tinyurl.com/4httveg.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cagale.