Author Archives: samanthamkimball

TeenCentral.Net Celebrates 15 Years of Helping Children

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Peer support, information, anonymous access to trained counselors are hallmarks of one of the first, oldest online safe havens for kids

OREFIELD, Pa. – TeenCentral.Net, one of the earliest online safe havens for teens providing information, resources and access to trained counselors, celebrated 15 years of operation at a gala event on the Orchard Hills campus of KidsPeace on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013.

Nearly 50 attendees helped recognize the work of TeenCentral.Net, including the site’s staff, volunteers, local business patrons and guest speaker Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen for 2013, Katie Schreckengast.

TeenCentral.Net’s director, Dr. Julius Licata, spoke of the hours of dedication from staff and volunteers, donations and support from businesses and individuals that help TeenCentral.Net operate, and the real-world impact of TeenCentral.Net’s work.

“As philanthropic endeavors go, we are having a tremendous impact,” Licata told the evening’s attendees. “We’re helping children with a range of issues like self esteem and bullying, while also playing an important role in stopping all-too-prevalent violence in and around schools today.”

Licata helped launch TeenCentral.Net with the help of the late Ginger Papp, a 32-year employee of KidsPeace to whom the evening was dedicated. He said he is looking forward to continuing to help teens from ages 11 to 18 all around the United States through TeenCentral.Net.

As Licata noted, TeenCentral.Net has helped more than 500,000 teens and parents throughout the United States since its launch in 1998.

“And just like the children we help, we continue to grow and adapt to the world around us. TeenCentral.Net added three new communities just this year: a section for foster care children, children of military families and children seeking to learn more about many of the world’s religions.,” noted Licata. “At fifteen, we’re just getting started.” The official anniversary of TeenCentral.Net’s launch is Sept. 8.

ABOUT TEENCENTRAL.NET
TeenCentral.Net is a unique prevention, intervention and aftercare Web site developed by KidsPeace, a national not-for-profit mental and behavioral healthcare charity headquartered in Lehigh Valley, Pa. TeenCentral.Net’s mission is to help teens safely and anonymously tell their stories and receive sound advice within 24 hours from specially trained volunteers and counselors. All postings by teens and volunteers are reviewed by Master’s level clinicians before appearing on the site. To learn more, visit TeenCentral.Net.

AAMGA Votes to Expand Membership

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Members vote to amend bylaws, broadening representation of the wholesale insurance market

AUG. 27, 2013 – King of Prussia, Pa. – The American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) announced today its members have voted to amend the association’s bylaws and expand membership to include all wholesale insurance professionals who have underwriting or binding authority and meet other minimum standards of the association.

Balloting occurred between July 26 and Aug. 26 with more than 63 percent of eligible members voting. The proposed bylaw amendments passed with an overwhelming majority.

“This is a significant moment in AAMGA’s continued evolution and development in line with our 87 year history,” explained Frank Mastowski, CPCU, CIW, president of AAMGA’s Board of Directors. “Our members recognize the wholesale insurance landscape continues to change. The revised strategic focus of the association will broaden members networking access to markets and other industry practitioners. It will support technical underwriting and other professional educational development through the AAMGA University, and further the strength of our advocacy with regulators and legislators domestically and internationally.”

According to the AAMGA Executive Director Bernie Heinze, the board of directors will now take additional steps to implement the new by-law changes. The board will also expand curriculums for AAMGA University, the group’s professional education and training arm.

“These new bylaws were designed to ensure those market professionals working in the wholesale insurance space with binding or underwriting authority have a place to go where peer networking, education and advocacy resources are available,” said Heinze. “By broadening our membership, we’re strengthening and advancing the importance of the entire wholesale insurance marketplace.”

The AAMGA board of directors proposed the by-law changes to members in May 2013 after a two-year strategic review. Without the Association changing its core values, membership will now be open not only to MGAs, but also to MGUs, program administrators, aggregators and other wholesale insurance professionals who meet stringent membership standards. Among the standards are minimums for years in business, annual written premium, and underwriting or binding authority.

ABOUT AAMGA
The American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) is the wholesale insurance community’s international trade association. Founded in 1926, the AAMGA today represents over 500 corporate members and is respected as a leader in and voice of the wholesale and excess and surplus lines insurance industry. Membership in the AAMGA is highly selective and therefore the wholesalers admitted to the ranks are those who annually subscribe to a Code of Ethics and demonstrate the highest standards of excellence, experience, integrity and insurance company representation. Headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, the nonprofit Association and its University Foundation provide substantive benefits and service to its members throughout the year. Learn more at www.aamga.org

Lehigh Valley Manufacturer Turns to Kimball Communications 
for Public Relations, Social Media Services

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Ecopax, a leading manufacturer of single-use takeout containers based in the Lehigh Valley, has hired Kimball Communications to handle its public relations efforts as well as to develop a strategy for Ecopax to enter the social media space.

“Technology, lean manufacturing practices and productivity innovation have converged to create what is now a really dynamic period in U.S. manufacturing,” said Gary Kimball, president of Kimball Communications. “Our goal is to partner with Ecopax to help educate consumers and tell the story of this inventive Pennsylvania manufacturer.”

Formed in 2007, Ecopax employs approximately 75 employees and offers a diverse product line of foam, paper and plastic containers customized to meet the needs of the food service and consumer industries. Using its propriety, closed-loop system, Ecopax ensures 100 percent of its materials are used to produce consumer-ready products. In just five years, Ecopax has captured substantial market share among national chains, distribution and retail market segments. The core strength of Ecopax is its ability to increase customers’ supply chain efficiency through product customization.

“Because we live in a world that is increasingly on-the-go, Americans demand safe, affordable and sanitary food packaging options – at coffee shops, salad bars, take-out restaurants and grocery stores. Our diverse product line offers ideal solutions to these needs, and we look forward to working with the team at Kimball Communications to share our story,” said Christina Wong, vice president of operations for Ecopax.

About Kimball Communications
Kimball Communications is a results-driven, public relations agency with offices in Easton, Pa. and Charleston, S.C., dedicated to serving the individual public relations needs of every client. Founded in 1995, the agency provides innovative public relations and social media solutions to a variety of clients. Visit us on Facebook or on Twitter.

American Modern Launches Claims Management and Training Firm

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Specialty Insurance Services (SIS) features hands-on claims training and a national network of claims adjustors for property and casualty products

Amelia, Ohio – August 5, 2013 – American Modern (www.amig.com)), a leading provider of specialty property and casualty insurance products, today announced the launch of a new claims management and training firm, Specialty Insurance Services Corporation (www.siservices.com). The new firm will offer property and casualty claims adjusting and training services to companies across all segments of the insurance industry, including retail and wholesale brokerage firms, MGAs and MGUs, insurance companies and insurance-related services.

View video footage of SIS here: http://bit.ly/14VjYuq

“SIS is built on the claims expertise of American Modern, which has insured and managed claims for specialty property and recreational products for the past 45 years,” said Manny Rios, president and CEO of American Modern. “SIS claims training offers a unique, hands-on training experience in our 32,000 square-foot facility, while featuring a national network of experienced claims adjusters in 170 locations nationwide – all with a focus on P&C products.”

SIS claims management will provide first- and third-party specialty claims services, including complete claims administration, desk and field adjusting, catastrophic claims management, and support to insurance providers and their policyholders.

SIS claims training features real-world repair shop settings for P&C products. “SIS promotes the true hands-on experience of tearing down then repairing damaged property and vehicles,” said Kevin Morreale, senior vice president of SIS. “Students learn, first-hand, the real cost and length of time it takes to complete the repair.”

About American Modern
American Modern (www.amig.com) is a national specialty insurance carrier with approximately 1.7 million policyholders. Licensed in all 50 states, the company delivers flexible, specialty coverage across the property and recreational markets. A subsidiary of Munich Re, one of the world’s leading risk carriers, American Modern is rated A+ Superior by A.M. Best Company and has been ranked one of Ward’s top 50 performing insurance companies since 1999.

Glatfelter Risk Control Receives Public Sector Safety Award

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Department head and team recognized for contribution to ASSE technical literature

July 29, 2013 — Daniel Mahoney, CIH, CSP, Vice President of Risk Control at Glatfelter Public Practice (GPP) was the recipient of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Public Practice Specialty Safety Professional of the Year Award. This award program recognizes safety professionals who have made a significant contribution to advancing the profession.

The award was announced on June 26th at ASSE’s Safety 2013 Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas.

Mahoney and his team at the GPP Risk Control Department are active ASSE members. This award recognized the entire department for their consistent publication of valuable technical articles in the ASSE Public Sector Practice Specialty Newsletter.

Mahoney has been a part of the Risk Control team at Glatfelter Public Practice for 9 years. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and holds a bachelors of science from The Pennsylvania State University. As Vice President of Risk Control, he consults with clients to reduce risks, helps policyholders respond to employee concerns and provides management guidance in industrial hygiene, health, safety, transportation and property risk management.

About Glatfelter Program Managers
Glatfelter Program Managers (GPM) is a strategic business unit dedicated to Glatfelter Insurance Group’s program business. Based in York, Pa., GPM is one of the premier managers and recognized specialists of niche markets in the country. GPM manages and markets several specialty programs, including VFIS for fire departments, ambulance and rescue squads, and 911 centers; Glatfelter Public Practice for educational institutions, municipalities, independent school bus contractors and water/sewer entities; Glatfelter Healthcare Practice for skilled care, assisted living, independent living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), personal care and group homes, hospice, home health care agencies and other private homecare agencies; and Glatfelter Religious Practice for churches, synagogues and other religious institutions.

Innovative Office Products Hires New Marketing Director

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Marian Watkins joins Lehigh Valley manufacturer

EASTON, Pa. – July 25, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com), today announces Marian Watkins has joined the Easton, Pa.-based company as its new marketing director. Previously, Watkins spent more than four years with Dorman Products in Colmar, Pa., where she most recently served as marketing manager.

“Innovative continues to roll out new products that help workplace environments adapt to the ergonomic and space-saving needs of today’s workforce,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “Marian is an excellent addition to our team, and her experience with product marketing will prove valuable to the new product launches we’re planning in the months ahead.”

In her new role, Watkins will be responsible for leading the company’s marketing strategies across all platforms, developing customer marketing programs, and launching integrated product marketing plans. She will report directly to Tosolt.

“With the recent launch of the Easton Lean Tools brand and a number of new products in the pipeline, it’s an exciting time to join Innovative Office Products,” said Watkins. “I’m eager to contribute to the forward momentum of the company and its success.”

Watkins, a resident of Emmaus, Pa., earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the LIM College in New York.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.lcdarms.com) blends function and style that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.

When to Hop Off the Facebook Bandwagon

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Jump Off

via Flickr user psmithy

In my internal life as a secret pundit, I hold strong, unpopular opinions on a wide range of topics. I’ll spare you my monologue on the proper storage of tomatoes, but let’s discuss my wildly unfashionable opinions on Facebook, which are probably more relevant to your interests.

Here’s a radical thought: Facebook doesn’t work that well for some brands, particularly small B2B service providers. Yes, that Facebook—the stuff of marketing mavens’ dreams. For many, it turns into a marketing nightmare; after devoting time and energy to creating and curating a brand page, a chorus of crickets greets you instead of legions of grateful fans.

Many self-proclaimed social media experts will suggest that you are doing it wrong. That is true in some cases, but not all. If Facebook isn’t working for you, I think there are a few reasons it is more than okay to stop using your brand page.

It’s cost prohibitive

Contrary to popular belief, using Facebook as a PR and marketing tool is far from free. It is time-intensive, no matter what strategies and tools you use. It’s cliche but true: at work, time is money.

To get the most out of a Facebook brand page, you should spend time and money not only perusing and posting, but also creating videos and custom visual content like infographics, memes and quality photos. Last time I checked, graphic designers don’t work for free. Plus, paid ads, contests and promoted posts are often the only way to get any semblance of a noticeable boost in fans and engagement. This could be time and money well-spent, but not if you don’t see results.

Your content never meets its mark    

When I say engagement, I’m not speaking in abstract jargon. What I mean is people seeing, liking, commenting beneath and clicking thru to your content. On Twitter, engagement defined this way is possible any time someone logs on and scrolls through their feed. On Facebook, what someone sees on their News Feed depends on a number of factors analyzed by the company’s EdgeRank algorithm, which you can read more about here.

From a personal user’s perspective, there are advantages to EdgeRank and otherwise being in control of your News Feed. For example, with a few clicks, you can hide future posts from your Facebook-addicted auntie and never again be subjected to her semi-literate rants on the tyranny of everyday objects.

However, the same tool may prevent a user from being exposed to your brand’s content, even if s/he would like to see it—which s/he presumably does, since s/he “likes” you. Users rarely return to a brand’s Facebook page after they have liked it, so they won’t see your pithy posts there. And if you don’t share a photo, it is unlikely that they will see a post in their News Feed. As many have lamented, EdgeRank prefers gimics over content that is relevant to your audience. If you provide B2B services, or something that is equally ill-matched to meme-ing or Harlem Shaking, you just may never stand out.

There are other options    

Should you want to stand out on Facebook? This question nags me. For companies that provide consumer products or entertainment, the Facebook News Feed is a natural fit. You want to be (and often are) an integral part of your customers’ personal lives, so you fit in snugly between a cousin’s baby pictures and political rants from college friends.

For most other kind of brand, the Facebook News Feed is an awkward fit, like trying to wear the clothes you thought were cool at age 15. No one thinks you look cool in those JNCOs, and no one wants to hear about some esoteric corporate service while they are perusing their iPad on the couch.

In the wide world of digital marketing and PR, there exist many more agreeable options. If you are struggling with Facebook and don’t even enjoy the medium, maybe it’s time to redirect your efforts elsewhere. Perhaps your time and energy could be better spent on Twitter, LinkedIn or a blog. Read case studies, ask around and give a new network a try.

I’m far from the first person to suggest Facebook isn’t the social media marketing magic bullet, but I don’t think many take action in response. Has anyone out there abandoned their Facebook strategy? Tell us about it in the comments.

Brownyard Group Introduces Revamped Website

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Site redesign provides a better user experience for customers and agency partners

Bay Shore, N.Y. — July 22, 2013 — Brownyard Group is pleased to announce the launch of their redesigned website www.brownyard.com. The specialty program administrator has refreshed the design and content of their site to make it more accessible for all users, from current and prospective insureds to agents and industry partners.

The intuitive interface and easy navigation, as well as the updated program information and visuals deliver an enhanced user experience. These features will assist agents in evaluating products for their clients and in accessing the library of customizable marketing materials.

Though its look has changed, the web address remains the same — visit www.brownyard.com to view the new site.

About Brownyard Group
Brownyard Group is a program administrator that has developed and provided specialized insurance programs for select industries for more than 60 years. These industries include security guards, pest control operators, cosmetics manufacturers, alarm systems, private investigators and security consultants and the beauty industry. In 1993, Brownyard established Brownyard Claims Management, a loss prevention and full-service insurance claims facility.
The company is based in Bay Shore, N.Y.

KidsPeace Launches Online Resource for Military Kids

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‘Growing Up Military’ provides anonymous counseling and support
to aid teens raised in military families

Schnecksville, Pa. – June 26, 2013 – As U.S. troops continue withdrawal from foreign theaters, military families across the country are adapting to family members who are returning, and those who, unfortunately, are not. To support the children of these families, KidsPeace today announces the launch of “Growing Up Military.”

This new community – part of TeenCentral.Net – provides children of military families with free access to trained counselors, relevant information, gaming interaction and peer support.

“There’s been a lot of talk about and media coverage on troops returning and reintegrating into their lives,” says Julius Licata, Ph.D., director of TeenCentral.Net. “What we don’t hear about are the children. Be it through a parent or sibling, these kids have experienced multiple deployments, faced uncertainty, loss, multiple relocations and much more. ‘Growing Up Military’ gives them an outlet; a forum; a safe place to ask for help or advice.” According to Licata, “Growing Up Military” allows children 11 to 18 years old to share their questions and concerns. Answers or guidance are provided within 24 hours from a master’s or doctorate level counselor.

Users log into “Growing Up Military” and are identified publicly only by pseudonyms. Other features include simple games, shared stories from other children of military families, searchable topics related to life as a child of a military family and more. All of this is designed to encourage these military kids to return as often as possible to the community.

“Because June is National PTSD Awareness Month, we wanted to begin the discussion of military kids and their families at a time of heightened awareness for our troops,” says Licata. “Our hope is to raise the same kind of awareness for the kids dealing with their own kinds of stress as members of military families.”

In 1998, KidsPeace helped pioneer online support services for teens by launching TeenCentral.Net to provide a safe and accessible place for kids. The site is free, anonymous and allows teens to log on, submit their stories and receive professional counseling within 24 hours, along with advice from their peers.

About KidsPeace
For 130 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities throughout the United States. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened in 1882, more than
200,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers. For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.

Switch is Highly Configurable Multi-Monitor Mounting System

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Innovative Office Products introduces Switch at InfoComm 2013; enables A/V communications professionals to easily add monitors and adjust viewing angles

Orlando – June 12-14, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc., introduces the Switch™, a highly configurable solution for multi-monitor applications at InfoComm, June 12-14, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., Booth 5458.

Switch is a multi-monitor mounting system that makes it easy for audiovisual communications professionals and other users to configure monitors and easily adapt later to meet future needs.

“This new product makes it easy to convert monitor configurations with little time or effort required, often without even having to purchase additional components,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “It is perfect for the multi-monitor needs of audiovisual professionals today and as they grow with additional monitors.”

Switch features a quick-install VESA that saves set-up time, and easy slide and pivot capabilities so users can:
•Position monitors in either portrait or landscape
•Accommodate most monitors up to 24-inch widescreen and up to 15 pounds per monitor.
•Configure up to four monitors per mount. Combine multiple mounts for monitor arrays of unlimited size.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com) blends function and style in products that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.