Angry Green Girls and Online Marketing

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
Will sex sell to to apathetic guys? The new eco website www.angrygreengirl.com certainly hopes so.

Targeted at men who might be cajoled into taking eco action by self-described "hot" babes, this site isn't for everyone. But as a new launch in the green scene, the brand is clearly unique.

As the head of a green advertising agency and an expert in the categories of organic marketing, green online marketing, sustainable advertising, social change marketing and eco communication, I've worked with a lot of eco businesses to create advertising and marketing strategies that build movements and garner millions of media impressions.

But I have to admit, I've never recommended launching a new green site with the offer of free, eco, waterless car washes for hybrid drivers by bikini-clad models. But then, I've never worked on a brand like angrygreengirl.com.

Will this new venture make it? Who knows. But the market will soon decide whether this site is sexy. Or just silly.

Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director for firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.





Earth Days the Movie

Monday, August 31, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
Earth Day doesn't come around for more than six months, but the movie is in theaters now.  In keeping with brilliant green marketing strategy, word about the movie is being spread through low carbon affinity channels like Earth Day Network, through blogs, twitter and more.

As the head of a firm that specializes in green marketing, LOHAS marketing, eco promotions, green pr, social change communication, eco communication and green energy, I'm psyched to see this 2009 Sundance Film. But more importantly, I applaud Earth Days film makers for joining those of us on the marketing, non-profit and green product side for creating a visually stunning and entertaining way to share this critical message.

To learn more, go  to: http://www.earthdaysmovie.com

Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director for firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.

LOHAS Marketing

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 by Lisa Proctor

As marketers, it's critical that we don't just understand our audience—but that we know them in the deepest, most meaningful way possible. As the head of firefly180 marketing, a green advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, green promotion, eco communication, wellness marketing, social change communication and renewable energy marketing, I've found NMI's LOHAS segmentation work invaluable.

If you're new to the LOHAS psychographic, here's the quick drill.  LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) reflects a more than $200 billion market in the U.S. That translates into 19%, or 41 million adults. This market segmentation is divided into:

Naturalites:  Zealous about personal health; attracted to mind body spirit philosophies; meditate; self-actualize through purchasing decisions. 

Drifters:  Consumers with good intentions but are price sensitive; younger; not convinced they can make a difference; motivated by convenience. 

Conventionals:  Mainstream; like to recycle; motivated by saving money; practical; likely to donate to green causes. 

Unconcerned: 16% of U.S. population and decreasing yearly.

 
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director for firefly180 marketing—
a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing

Marketing Locally Grown

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
Consumers want to connect with the people behind the products they buy. They want the back story. The inside scoop. And they want to get a sense of personality and passion. This is especially true when it comes to food. 

As head of a green advertising agency that specializes in social change communication, eco communication, green promotion, alternative advertising and LOHAS marketing, I recently worked on a campaign to promote locally and sustainably grown foods. We interviewed farmers, wrote profiles that stores could use in their newsletters and created point-of-purchase signs. It was a simple yet powerful strategy.

I was recently shopping and stopped at a bin overflowing with incredibly fresh sweet corn. Placed prominently at the display was one of the signs I had created. Shoppers were milling about filling their bags while reading the story of the farmer who was profiled. The more they read, the more they filled their bags. Having met the farmer who grew the corn, I knew how incredibly proud he would be. A connection had been made. And that is the essence of great marketing.

 

Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director for firefly180 marketing—
a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing

Sweet Intuition

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
About a year ago, my teenage son decided to clean up his diet by choosing not to eat sugar or dairy. He has stayed true to that commitment. Recently I threw a party for clients that featured an organic chocolate fondue along with organic strawberries, pineapple and raspberries for dipping. 

I took it as a personal challenge to figure out a way to prepare the chocolate with no sugar or dairy. Since I've spent my career working in the category of wellness marketing, wellness promotion, eco communication and alternative advertising—and know plenty of leaders in various wellness companies, I figured that I had plenty or resources to draw from. As it turned out, I found the best resources lay within. I did what I normally do. I made it up as I went along.

Although I've had lots of requests for my sugar and dairy-free chocolate confection (which was a delicious and fudgey sensation) I'm sorry to say I don't have a recipe. The creation, like good advertising, was intentional yet intuitive. I started with organic cocoa, stevia, agave, fruit sweetened concentrate and a bit of Earth Balance butter substitute and the rest is history. I lined up a series of spoons at the counter and tasted as I prepared. Like good market research and a bit of refinement along the way—the taste of success couldn't have been sweeter.

Skin Deep Marketing

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
A few weeks ago I met an amazing couple from South Africa who are in the final stages of launching a new organic skin care line. Their commitment to the planet, sustaining indigenous cultures and their passion for a truly effective and plant-based product was inspiring. And best yet, their products were not only beautiful, they were good enough to eat. Literally.

As an expert in alternative advertising, eco communication, wellness promotion and wellness marketing, I've had the good fortune to meet with many progressive businesses and wellness companies. These are organizations run by visionaries who know that a solid business foundation is built upon a solid commitment to sustainability. They wisely model their businesses on a plant-based system—taking nourishment from the Earth, then returning nourishment to the Earth.

Being Well and Doing Good

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
Living well is about striking a balance. Personally and professionally. In our professional lives, it can be difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible to take a break, breathe-in a job well done and recharge. But it's necessary all the same. It's about giving—then allowing space for receiving.

The same is true when it comes to eco communication, wellness promotion, wellness marketing, and alternative advertising. At firefly180, we specialize in creating advertising and marketing campaigns for wellness companies. One of my first clients, The Thymes, taught me much about balance. While writing packaging, catalog copy and ads for this company—which creates luxurious, essential oil based products with a commitment to fair trade practices—I would first need to "sample" the products. For instance, if I was writing about a new line of bath salts, I would first take a Thymes bath before I began my work day. If the product was a candle, I would light one on my desk.

This brand is very much the embodiment of creating a richer experience. To write about the experience, I would first take a moment to create an experience of my own. And while it has been many years since I created the Thymes catalog featured here, I continue the ritual of crafting an experience before I begin work each day. It may take the shape of yoga practice, experiencing an aroma, or the crunch of gravel under my feet as I walk the path to my office. Because when you take care to be well—you exponentially increase your ability to do good.

Mission with Message Creates Change

Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Lisa Proctor
When I worked as a lead creative on a national advertising and marketing campaign for a company called Green Mountain Energy, I attended many green energy conferences. A decade ago the concept of clean energy was new. Education then, as it is now is key to change. Our agency created that change by crafting a campaign rich in eco communication and wellness marketing with a message that spoke to personal and environmental change.

We grew this tiny Vermont-based company from zero to 500,000 customers is just a few years. How? By harnessing the power of consumer choice and educating millions about the fact that making electricity causes more air pollution than any other industry—not to mention climate change. Knowledge is power. And in the case of renewable energy, the color of knowledge is green.