As an agency that works with a variety of organizations and businesses in many different industries, we are always proud to highlight the good work of our clients – deeds that may not always contribute to their bottom lines, but that contribute to the quality of life in the communities where they do business.
Such was the case February 19 when our client Gas South teamed up with the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) and Feld Entertainment to provide a special evening at the circus for 250 Atlanta-area children with special needs. The children not only attended the circus, but were treated to a special pre-show event with circus performers and circus animals on the floor of Philips Arena.
The event was the inspiration of Mike Bodker, mayor of Johns Creek and chair of MAMA, who had met representatives of Feld Entertainment at a national mayors’ conference last summer. Feld Entertainment owns and operates the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and had done similar events for children with special needs in other cities.
For a sponsor for the event, Bodker turned to Gas South; the company had worked with him and the City of Johns Creek on several community-oriented projects in the past and was enthusiastic about stepping up to support this event. As lead sponsor, Gas South purchased 500 tickets to the circus for 250 children with special needs and an accompanying adult, and also donated souvenirs and concessions for the children. The evening was something truly special – for the children, the performers, MAMA and Gas South.
Sponsorships and community involvement are good ways for businesses to build name recognition and good will, and help company employees feel good about where they work – and we are always happy to look for the right opportunities for our clients (though, it should be noted, Gas South has always been actively involved in the communities it serves). But as this great circus event demonstrates, often the biggest benefit of community sponsorships is making a difference in peoples’ lives.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Matt helps organizations protect and advance their reputations and bottom lines through strategic communications programs. Using creativity, planning and flawless execution, he works with a team to deliver compelling public relations campaigns that produce results and support clients’ business objectives.
As senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman specializes in building and maintaining relationships with the media and has an excellent track record of landing significant placements in print and broadcast media including USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Money Magazine.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.
