The Post and Courier – Melissa K. Flynn, vice president and director of brand and relationship management for Charleston-based Rawle Murdy, has been named the 2010 president of the South Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The chapter has more than 215 public relations practitioner-members.
Omaha, Neb. — ConAgra Foods’ Parkay® brand has launched a new, free iPhone application that uses an innovative new voice-to-animation technology to bring the brand’s iconic “Talking Tub” to life. In the just-released application, voice recognition commands the Talking Tub to say “Parkaaaay” and “moo” when the user says words like “butter” or “milk.” The first-generation application is available for free at: http://tinyurl.com/ParkayApp.
Fans of the brand and nostalgia buffs alike will certainly recognize the famous connection between “butter” and “Parkaaaay” from television ads launched in the early 70s. The “moo” and “milk” banter refers to a recent television ad titled “Barn” which touts a new formulation of Parkay table spread made with real nonfat milk. In the ad, a farmer is startled to hear an unusual moo coming from inside his barn, and he discovers the Parkay Talking Tub in one of the stalls. The voiceover calls out that the new Parkay is made with milk “for a fresh and creamy taste.”
“This new iPhone application is a fun and quirky way for fans and consumers to interact and connect directly with the Parkay brand and the iconic Talking Tub,” said Jeff Muench, senior brand manager, ConAgra Foods. “There has always been a great deal of nostalgia and fanfare surrounding the Parkay Talking Tub, and we hope this new iPhone application helps reinvigorate the brand and gets people talking and laughing.”
Marketing firm Rawle Murdy spearheaded the project using voice-activation technology licensed from design firm Creaceed.
“The explosive popularity and adoption of new media provides a great opportunity for classic icons like Parkay to re-connect with consumers – and create a new generation of fans,” said Bruce Murdy, president, Rawle Murdy.
The Parkay Talking Tub was first used in television advertising in 1973. Over the years, the tub has appeared in advertising with celebrities such as Laurel and Hardy (1982), Deacon Jones (1983), William Daniels (1990-91), Crystal Bernard (1997) and Al Franken (1999).
About ConAgra Foods
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America’s leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America’s households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip and many ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying potato, other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.
“3000% return on marketing investment, room nights up 34%….can’t beat results like these! Working with Wild Dunes Resort, Rawle Murdy completed the wildly successful “Stay More, Save More” direct mail campaign – and the United States Postal Service (USPS), Advertising Age and others took notice!
Rawle Murdy and Wild Dunes were featured in an exclusive DVD package created by the USPS, alongside international brands including Dell and AT&T. Visit our Rawle Murdy YouTube Channel to view and learn more! http://www.youtube.com/rawlemurdy”
World’s Finest Cutlery chooses Charleston, S.C.-based firm for Consultative Marketing Partnership
CHARLESTON, S.C., August 12, 2009 – CUTCO Corporation, the largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery and accessories in the United States and Canada, has chosen Rawle Murdy to be its strategic marketing partner.
Rawle Murdy will provide a range of marketing and communications services to help CUTCO strengthen further sales growth opportunities going forward.
“Rare is it that we find a partner that understands our unique business model, listens and thinks strategically, and connects with us culturally,” said James E. Stitt, CUTCO Corporation CEO and chairman. “We found all of this in Rawle Murdy and are excited they’ve joined our team to help CUTCO continue to lead in today’s marketplace.”
Rawle Murdy will work closely with CUTCO, as well as KA-BAR, the legendary producer of sporting, military, and utility knives.
“We have a true passion for the CUTCO brand,” said David L. Rawle, Rawle Murdy chairman and founder. “This is a highly successful company, the leader in its field, with a superior product, made in America and guaranteed forever. Now that’s a winner!”
About CUTCO: Celebrating its 60th anniversary, CUTCO is the largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery and accessories in the United States and Canada. Sharpness, durability, efficiency and comfort are keys to CUTCO’s reputation. All CUTCO products are marketed directly to consumers and are backed by the company’s “Forever Guarantee,” which ensures that CUTCO’s cutlery stays within families for generations. CUTCO is a proud supporter of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. For more information about CUTCO, call toll free (800) 828-0448 or visit http://www.cutco.com/.
Rawle Murdy was recently awarded a national Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Award during the organization’s annual awards banquet. The Silver Anvil Awards recognize the highest level of public relations performance in the industry. The Charleston, S.C. firm’s work was selected from a pool of 900 entries including submissions by top international firms Ketchum, Fleishman-Hillard Inc. and Edelman. Rawle Murdy was the only firm honored in South Carolina, and one of a handful honored in the Southeast.
Rawle Murdy was selected for a Silver Anvil in the category of Community Relations Campaigns and Issues Management for a Business, for its marketing campaign on behalf of the Charleston Animal Society. Creating a mock presidential race between Spike the Dog and Biscuit the Cat to help rebrand the nonprofit and launch its new state-of-the-art center earned Rawle Murdy’s first Silver Anvil for a community relations campaign.
“We’re thrilled to be a recipient in the 2009 Silver Anvil Awards, which are widely thought of as the Oscars of the PR industry,” said Melissa K. Flynn, APR, vice president, director of brand and reputation management at Rawle Murdy. “Being honored alongside international firms and major brands reinforces that we continue to provide strategic, results-driven public relations work for our clients.”
The PRSA Silver Anvil Awards recognize the country’s most innovative and effective public relations campaigns. Rawle Murdy was also a Silver Anvil recipient in 2004.
