Monday, April 2, 2012 | Edited by Daniel Moores
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Sprite Spark Parks Project to Get Courts Back in the Game in 25 Cities Sprite Teams with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to Benefit More Than 475,000 Teens Through Refreshed Courts This spring, young basketball players across the country will see their well-used neighborhood basketball courts bounce back to life. Through the Sprite Spark Parks Project, Sprite is giving people an opportunity to direct grants for the courts that are important to them by lending their vote at www.SpriteSparkParks.com. With the help of the NRPA, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people, Sprite has identified 25 basketball courts to refresh in key markets across the country. The courts, which are located in public parks and recreation centers throughout the nation, will receive various levels of support based on the number of votes they earn through May 31. People can vote for a court by submitting the My Coke Rewards codes found on Sprite and Sprite Zero Fridge Pack, 20-pack, 24-pack, 20 oz. and 2-liter products. Sprite will donate $275,000 to 25 parks in grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The donations will be used to refurbish rims, backboards, lights, benches and playing surfaces -- sparking new life in these active public spaces. "The mission of the Sprite Spark Parks Project is to refresh neighborhood basketball courts so teens can express their uncontainable moves, and this year, we're getting 25 courts back in the game," said Michael Mathews, vice president, non-colas sparkling, Coca-Cola North America. "We have partnered with the NRPA to encourage people to vote for their favorite court by May 31st -- it could lead to $15,000 for a Sprite Spark Parks refresh!" "Parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities across the country are the best places for kids and teens to go to be physically active, improve their health and wellness and have fun," said Barbara Tulipane, president and CEO of NRPA. "We are proud to work with Sprite on this restorative effort because we must preserve and maintain these public spaces to ensure that all can take advantage of the healthy benefits they have to offer for years to come." While voting for their favorite Spark Park court, people also can help support and preserve public parks and recreational facilities for future generations by donating to the NRPA’s efforts at americasbackyard.org. 2012 Sprite Spark Parks Nominated Courts Whether for a little individual practice or a spontaneous pick-up game, neighborhood basketball courts play a big part in the lives of young people. The following courts have been selected as grant recipients in 2012. • Grayson Park in Birmingham, Ala. • Washington Park in Chicago • DeHart Park in Cincinnati • Elmira Park in Durham, N.C. • Hollywood Recreation Center in Los Angeles • Jesse Turner Park in Memphis • Dorsey Park in Miami • Starlight Park in Phoenix • Fox Park in St. Louis • Cotillion Park in Dallas • Burdett Park in College Park, Ga. • Winzer Basketball Court in Houston • Indianola Park in Indianapolis • Frazier Park in Charlotte, N.C. • Juneau Playground in Milwaukee, Wis. • Gatto Playground in New Orleans • Pratt Park Basketball Courts in Seattle • Westown Commons Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. • DeFremery Park in Oakland, Calif. • Evelyn Davis Park in Des Moines, Iowa • Ethel Bailey Furman Memorial Park in Richmond, Va. • Emery Heights Recreation Center in Washington, D.C. • Dermond Recreation Area in Drexel Hill, Pa. • Portland Park in Louisville, Ky. • Sorrentino Recreation Center in Far Rockaway, N.Y. About Sprite Spark Parks Project: The Sprite Spark Parks Project launched in February 2011 with the mission to construct, refurbish and refresh play spaces across the country. About The Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The Company's portfolio includes 15 billion dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, as well as Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitamin water, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com. About National Recreation and Park Association The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org (Source: BevNet.com, 03/28/12) |
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Most Socially-Conscious Consumers Consult Social Media When Making Purchasing Decisions A new survey from Nielsen is hoping to shed light on the world's socially-conscious consumers, which are those that are willing to pay extra for products and services from companies that implement programs designed to give back to society. The company's Global Corporate Citizenship survey -- which pooled responses from more than 28,000 Internet users in 56 countries from Aug. 31, 2011 to Sept. 16, 2011 -- showed that 46% of those surveyed are considered global, socially-conscious consumers. Among them, nearly two-thirds (63%) are under 40 years old. "It's clear that corporate social responsibility efforts resonate with a specific group of consumers," said Nic Covey, VP of Nielsen Cares, Nielsen's global corporate social responsibility program. "Marketers need to know who those consumers are in order to maximize the social and business return of their cause marketing efforts. This understanding allows brands to engage in social impact efforts that appeal to the right consumers with the right causes and through the right channels. One crucial thing these consumers had in common, Nielsen said, was their increased likeliness to consult social media to help make purchase decisions (59% versus 46% of all respondents). Additionally, when it comes to brands and advertising, global, socially-conscious consumers said they trusted recommendations from people they know (95%) and looked for opinions and information posted by other consumers online (76%). "In order for cause marketing efforts to affect sales, customers must first be aware of a company's efforts," Covey added. "Nielsen's information indicates that social media is a critical tool for effective cause marketing." It is important to note, however, that the geography for this demographic reaches far and wide. Nielsen found that more than half of those in the Asia Pacific region (55%), followed by the Middle East and Africa (53%) and Latin America (49%) are more willing to pay extra for products and services from socially-responsible companies than consumers in North America (35%) and Europe (32%). And among 18 causes reviewed, Nielsen found that respondents were most concerned about environmental (66%), educational (56%) and hunger causes (53%) for companies implementing programs. (Source: DrugStoreNews.com, 03/27/12) |
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Food Lion Raises Record $4.5M for Easter Seals Food Lion associates and customers raised a record $4.5 million during its annual "Shop&Care" for Easter Seals -- a 22 percent increase over last year. The Salisbury, N.C.-based division of Delhaize America had set a goal this year of $4 million for Easter Seals. Since Food Lion first initiated the fundraising program two decades ago, the company has raised more than $33 million for Easter Seals. "We believe (the donations) will make a tremendous impact in the lives of children and adults who live with disabilities," said Food Lion SVP James Egan. "Because of these efforts, more than 100,000 children, families and adults throughout 11 Easter Seals affiliates in the Southeast will benefit from our collective donations." During the four-week program, which ran from Feb. 15 through March 13, customers bought Shop&Care products in stores and made $1 donations at checkout. Additionally, associates hosted various community events in support of Easter Seals. During the 2012 Shop&Care program, more than 32 million Food Lion and Reid's customers along the East Coast had the opportunity to donate to their local Easter Seals affiliates. The Chicago-based organization also teamed up with national-brand manufacturers to sponsor special in-store promotions on more than 200 products, contributing almost $1.4 million to this year's campaign total. More than 1,100 stores took part in the 2012 Shop&Care program. Beyond the in-store campaign, Food Lion sponsored a $10,000 Shop&Care online challenge in which supporters voted to help their local affiliate earn a further gift from the grocery chain. Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania received the most votes, which earned it an extra $6,000 from Food Lion. Easter Seals South Carolina and Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia had the second- and third-highest votes and will get an additional $3,000 and $1,000, respectively. "More and more consumers identify with a retailer who is also a good corporate citizen," observed C. L. Cochran, president and CEO of Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia. "Food Lion is a deeply valued partner of Easter Seals, and they are making a tremendous impact in the lives of those we have the privilege of serving here in North Carolina and throughout our network of Easter Seals affiliates in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states where Food Lion operates." Food Lion operates more than 1,100 supermarkets and employs about 57,000 associates in 10 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. (Source: ProgressiveGrocer.com, 03/22/12) |
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