JANUARY, 2012 - This holiday season we turned our favorite toy stories into shiny new toys for Maine kids. Once again we started with a donation to the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund. And to buy even more toys for needy kids, we got our friends involved.
We posted our toy stories on Facebook, and donated an extra $1 for each person who “liked” us. 110 people did — increasing our donation by $110.
Our PR Coordinator & Production Artist Jess Gilman and Traffic Manager & Office Coordinator Stephanie Love also donated their time to the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund. They helped distribute toys to some very grateful Maine families, and some very happy kids.
DECEMBER, 2011 - Years ago Founding Partner and Creative Director Stew Vreeland created the original Brooks & Dunn steer head logo for the top country duo. When Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn decided to branch out after a long career of award-winning, boot-scooting music together, Kix asked us to design a new logo for his solo act.
This time Stew and Vice President Creative Rebecca Morse created lots of options for Kix and sent them south to Nashville. Kix went with one of our favorites — a long, lean design that highlights his kickin’ first name. Check it out on his brand new Web site.
While you’re there you can also see the mark Stew created for Kix’s winery, Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, TN. The distinctive AV can be turned upside down and still work. So any way you look at it, it keeps saying AV and gives strong country attitude to the vineyard’s classic logo script. See our work — and all about Kix — at kixbrooks.com
DECEMBER, 2011 - In the fall we launched the Vreeland Cancer Victory Garden to support the Maine Cancer Foundation’s Pink Tulip Project. We planted a beautiful tulip garden at our office. And we set out to raise $600 in donations for the Pink Tulip Project. We easily exceeded that goal — with supporters contributing over $1,000 to help honor and remember the women they love.
Next spring we will have a flock of pink tulips at the entrance to our office. And we encourage everyone we know to keep up the fight against breast cancer by donating to the Pink Tulip Project.
“Our Vreeland Cancer Victory Garden honors the many victories, small and large, that have been made. Support now creates results in the future, just like the tulip bulbs that we’ll see in the spring,” says Midge Vreeland, a six-year survivor.
Thanks to Vreeland building owner Kap Wallingford for providing garden space for our beautiful pink tulips.
NOVEMBER, 2011 - Vreeland Web & Social Media Manager Jessica Wallace has been named Vice President of the Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC). Wallace has been an active member of MPRC since 2007 and just completed a term as the organization’s treasurer.
Excited to share her social media experience with Maine’s PR professionals, Wallace hopes to attract new members to MPRC and help seasoned professionals incorporate new media trends into their public relations strategies. “ Maine has a dynamic group of PR professionals working around the state and around the globe,” stated Wallace. “ Significant changes in the public relations landscape are happening quickly and MPRC is a valuable resource for understanding how these changes impact the industry. ”
OCTOBER, 2011 - Vreeland took top honors again this year at the Maine Public Relations Council’s annual Golden Arrow awards.
This year we were honored for excellence in the important new category of social media. The award recognized Vreeland’s innovative social marketing strategy on behalf of The Cliff House Resort & Spa.
We also took top honors in the technology category for our Bath Savings Institution Web re-design, and for a smart online savings calculator VP Web Rich Davies created for Efficiency Maine. We won three awards in all for EM!
At Vreeland we love everything Italian, and were delighted to win the top award in the events category for our multi-media promotion of the premier 2011 Italian Life Expo. We also felt good to be honored for citizenship on behalf of the Spannocchia Foundation, and for our own agency profile book.
AUGUST, 2011 - Condé Nast Traveler readers have named The Cliff House Resort & Spa one of the top spas for the second year in a row. We’re thrilled that this Vreeland client continues to delight the world’s most discerning travelers.
Set high atop Bald Head Cliff in Ogunquit, The Cliff House offers signature massage and body treatments, manicures, pedicures and more in its world-class Spa. Many treatments incorporate indigenous Maine ingredients like organic blueberries, fragrant wild roses and juniper berries.
The Cliff House Resort & Spa also offers overnight spa packages including ocean view spa lodging, lobster dinner or entrée of your choice, and a spa credit you can use for the ultimate in pampering.
AUGUST, 2011 - Inlution, an integrated technology solutions company headquartered in Easton, Maine, has acquired Keaton Lock & Alarm, a major name in Aroostook County.
Inlution offers businesses and individuals advanced intrusion systems/burglar alarms, audio/video surveillance, access control, and smart lighting and climate controls.
In welcoming Keaton customers to its growing family, inlution thanked all its customers for relying on its specialists for high-performance security and monitoring solutions.
“Whether it’s as basic as turning the heat up or down remotely, or advanced security for your home or business, we offer everything from simple video surveillance to the highest-level security systems available today. We work with you to conduct a security analysis and recommend solutions,” an inlution spokesman says. “We also provide complete installation, testing, maintenance and service.”
Vreeland designed a complete graphic package for inlution, including tech-inspired logo, web and advertising.
JUNE, 2011 - You know how much we love Italy, right? So it’s no surprise that we were happy to bring Italy here — for the first-ever Italian Life Expo. Held at Portland’s stunning Ocean Gateway, this fun and festive event featured the leading names in Italian food, wine, artisanship and travel.
Event-goers discovered exciting new wines, cheeses, olive oils and handcrafts — as well as opportunities to brush up on their Italian and plan their next trip to bella Italia. Many vendors sold out — complimenti, complimenti — while others connected local fans to retailers and distributors who import their products right here in Maine.
Highlights included a charming kick-off by Consul General of Italy in Boston Giuseppe Pastorelli, as well as a proclamation (and a few bars of O Sole Mio) by Portland Mayor Pro Tem Jill Duson.
We were thrilled to help with all planning and promotion for this benefit event. The Italian Life Expo was co-presented by Vreeland client, the Spannocchia Foundation, and the Institute for Italian Studies. Proceeds benefited their educational programs.
Area businesses of every kind supported the event from Auto Europe and Turina Italian Wines to WHOM and Portland Monthly Magazine. Local restaurants and food purveyors contributed too. From the delicious breads used for sampling olive oil and cheeses — to the festive hors d’oeuvres that made the event a true festa.
MAY, 2011 - It’s always a treat to spend a day away from the office doing a photo shoot at The Cliff House Resort & Spa — especially when the weather is just right. It’s good for the photographer, the models — all involved! We were lucky enough to enjoy a day of sunshine and warmer weather in Ogunquit a few weeks ago. We got some great shots showcasing that spectacular Cliff House view and their gourmet cuisine that tastes as good as it looks. We were also fortunate to be able to recruit our very own Jess Stevens and her fiance Adam to serve as models. Keep an eye out for some of the other shots on the Resort’s Website and in their Facebook photo tour.
APRIL, 2011 - The great wines of Italy are part of client Paul Turina’s heritage. His family produces beautiful wines like Gropello and Chiaretto in the region of Lago di Garda. Many of the wines Paul imports are from other great Italian families. So it makes sense to have his customers meet the families personally.
We created family vignettes, Italian-style, on the Turina Website we designed for Paul. Family photos link viewers to beautiful images shot at the families’ cantinas and vineyards. Anecdotes about each family complete the story. Complimenti, Paolo!
MARCH, 2011 - The first-ever Italian Life Expo will be held June 9-11 in Portland. A celebration of all things Italian, this unique event showcases exclusive and innovative vintners, food producers, chefs, travel specialists and artisans from Tuscany, Piemonte, Brescia, Friuli, Emilia-Romagna and more.
The event, at Portland’s stunning Ocean Gateway, offers visitors a rare opportunity to sample classic regional specialties, discover artisanal treasures and pick up insider tips for their next trip to Italy.
The Expo is presented by Vreeland client, the Spannocchia Foundation, among other great sponsors, including the Institute for Italian Studies in Portland and Auto Europe.
Vreeland is actively involved in planning and promoting the Expo. We designed a Web site to launch the Expo and encourage exhibitor participation. With an impressive roster of exhibitors in place, we transitioned ItalianLifeExpo.com to a retail destination where consumers can see the schedule, preview exhibitors and purchase tickets. We also designed the ILE logo and all advertising and publicity including a Facebook page.
We’re very excited about this event and hope to see you there. Ciao, ciao a tutti!
MARCH, 2011 - 
We’re delighted to promote Jessica Stevens to the post of Web & Social Media Manager. She was previously our Social Media Strategist and an award-winning Public Relations Coordinator.
In her new role Jess specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics, e-marketing and social media where she will continue to work with clients to optimize opportunities on Facebook, Twitter, and the Web.
Also join us in welcoming Stephanie Love as our new Traffic Manager/Office Coordinator. She previously served as marketing manager for Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, the largest financial institution in Alaska and among the 15 largest in the country.
Stephanie brings strong marketing experience to her new role and will work with Vreeland senior managers to assist with print, media, purchasing, and creative support.
South Street, South Street
FEBRUARY, 2011 - Six South St Hotel opens in Hanover, NH, just steps from Dartmouth College, with a soft opening timed to coincide with Winter Carnival, February 10-13. The hotel will hold an official grand opening in April.
The sophisticated boutique hotel is owned by Vreeland client Maine Course Hospitality Group. We developed full branding for the hotel, including the name and sleek logo that is being used for all collateral materials. We captured the hotel’s modernist design in a new Website, and optimized it for search so it’s easy to find.
Taking advantage of social media, Chief Operating Officer Sean Riley is using Twitter, Facebook and blogging to build a following of more than 500 people who have tracked the hotel’s progress from construction through completion. The hotel is also building relationships with the Dartmouth community, including alumni and staff.
Six South St offers 69 luxurious guestrooms, 100% wireless, lively bistro and valet parking. Pets are welcome! A green property, this progressive hotel is powered by geothermal energy.
JANUARY, 2011 - Save the date for an Italian cultural celebration, June 9 - 11, 2011 at Portland’s Ocean Gateway. The Italian Life Expo will feature all things Italian — wine from a family-owned vineyard in Salvano, cuisine from Siena, handcrafted goods from Tuscany, and much more. The three-day event is sponsored by the Spannocchia Foundation, a Vreeland client, and the Institute for International Studies, both based in Portland.
Vreeland designed a new Website for the event and manages the site to ensure optimum search and interactivity. We are also providing all marketing for the Expo, which celebrates the foods, wines, artisanship and spirit of Italy.
Read more about it in the Winterguide 2011 edition of Portland Magazine. You can also sign up for Italian Life Expo email updates and ticket information here.
JANUARY, 2011 - Vreeland’s Web & Social Marketing Manager Jessica Stevens has been elected treasurer of the Maine Public Relations Council, Maine’s largest professional organization for public relations.
Jessica has helped produce award-winning public relations campaigns for several Vreeland clients including Efficiency Maine, Bath Savings Institution, The Cliff House Resort & Spa, Skillins Greenhouses, and the Spannocchia Foundation.
NOVEMBER, 2010 - Last month the Spannocchia Foundation welcomed 18 Italian visitors from the Tuscany region of Italy in an exchange program studying the regional cuisine and farms of New England. Midge and Stew Vreeland hosted Marco Bechi, the head of the Slow Food Group in Siena, Italy. Midge is currently President of the Foundation, “Our Symposium addressed some important issues for local food producers in New England and Italy,” she said. The groups were enthusiastic about sharing ideas, food, and fun.
NOVEMBER, 2010 - We just finished the first phase of the new Turina Italian Wines website for Paul Turina. The site’s lush photos were shot by Paul Avis and Jane Almeida of Avis Studio. They showcase not only the Turina family wines, but also other family-owned vineyards that Paul Turina represents. These include Spannocchia, an organic farm and estate located outside Siena, Italy. (Midge is president of the non-profit foundation that supports it.) One Paul is at Spannocchia now and the other will be joining him to continue the photo shoot in Italy. Yes, we did offer to carry their camera equipment if they would take us.
The Turina website was up just in time for Portland's Harvest on the Harbor. We also designed business card-sized wine bottle hang tags that double as mini brochures for all the brands Paul Turina is currently importing. Stew poured hundreds of wine samples at the event, and he and Paul handed out the hang tags as reminders that people could take to their favorite store.
The Justin.tv iPhone video from the event was an experiment. It's choppy and somewhat low res, but gives a live sense of the scene. Wait ‘til we upgrade to the HD iPhone. Then we won’t be able to blame it on the technology. Or the wine...
