I recently returned from a three-day silent retreat. I have to admit, I've always wanted to step into silence, but have generally found lots of noisy reasons not to.
What I discovered, uncovered and embraced during this time of introspection, meditation and simply being, was the power of my voice. Which is kind of ironic, since no speaking was involved.
Each of us has a story to share. A song to sing. A mission to fulfill. We often find lots of reasons why we need to put it off just a bit longer. To ignore the whispering of our souls. To lose ourselves in the cacophony of our minds.
Marketing is a lot like that. It can be a lot of noise. It can be distracting. But as a leader in green marketing, social change marketing, renewable energy marketing and organic marketing, I know from experience that good marketing holds a clear, steady, singular voice. It shines a light. It doesn't diminish.
In a world filled with lots of noise. I encourage you to go inward toward the silence. Find your story. Discover your truth. And tell it. Share it. Be it. Live it.
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director of firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.
If you haven't tried the most delicious and nutritious flax seed cracker on the planet, go buy a box
now!
flackers are the brainchild of Dr. Alison Levitt, a MD with a mission.
I met Dr. Levitt several years ago, when she worked with our family by prescribing a regime of herbs and supplements during a time when my son was in the midst of a health crisis. This wise and wonderful physician was then in the midst of creating what would soon become the flackers brand by whipping up recipes and using a food dehydrator to "bake" them. They were amazing. Now you can try them too.
As a leader in organic marketing, branding, social change communication and green advertising, I can tell you without a doubt that Alison Levitt is the real deal. Don't forget to check out the flackers website along with
Dr. Levitt's blog.
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director of firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.
We live on a small planet. And when it comes to green marketing, our planet is even smaller. So if you live in the U.S., I encourage you to
think outside our continent when shopping for green companies and services. Check out the UK's
Green Provider's Directory.
This non-for-profit organization is a leading service for green, organic and fair trade products. So the next time you shop online, vote with your wallet and choose businesses that align with your values.
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director of firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.
According to
Environmental Leader, Marriott says it plans to learn from its “green” hotel prototypes and expand the program by a measure of tenfold over the next five years."
That's great news for travelers and great news for the planet. When a business as large as Marriott increases their green hotel initiative by 1000%, the impact is dramatic. Why is Marriott suddenly onboard? Because green programs result in energy efficiencies that save money. Plus, the marketing and public relations that will result are an added bonus.
As the head of a green advertising agency that specializes in the LOHAS consumer, social change communication, green energy marketing and the organic industry, I do my best to stay in green hotels while on the road. Typically, hotels like these are smaller, more personal and have stories to tell beyond a 7 a.m breakfast buffet. In fact, one hotel I've stayed in near Napa, California, actually featured an energy meter in the lobby that showed guests how much energy was currently being used and measured the resulting carbon emissions.
While Marriott may not choose to go this far, that's OK. What may seem like a small step by many, is actually a giant step for this chain. I look forward to following their success.
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director of firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.
There is a new proposal to build a transmission link that would connect our nation's major energy grids. New wind energy sources are coming on line, but our lack of
connectivity is making it difficult, if not impossible, to get that clean energy to the homes and businesses who need it.
It's the same with green marketing. Lack of connectivity means your message is not going to get to the eyes and ears of those who need to hear it. As the head of an advertising and marketing firm that specializes in green energy marketing, yoga advertising, green ad campaigns, organic branding and the LOHAS consumer, I know with absolute certainty
the power of connection.
Those of us in the the progressive marketing space are like transmission towers beaming our message of change to millions around the world. Fortunately, we are not intrinsically linked to pole and wire. We send our message through a myriad of ways. Some of us have abandoned the outmoded mass media wire and are marketing in sustainable ways entirely off the grid. Who needs traditional lines when you have resourcefulness, imagination and the courage to go where others have not thought to tread.
Lisa Proctor is the president and creative director of firefly180 marketing—a branding and advertising agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green marketing and renewable energy marketing.
Ben & Jerry's announced today that they're working on developing an ice cream formulation that can be shipped and sold warm so that the end consumer takes responsibility for the energy required for freezing.
While they haven't cracked the recipe riddle, this is
a great example of a company that's pushing the boundaries. Thinking differently. And pioneering a process that could save millions of pounds of C02. That they're messaging about it now while in the development phase is a praiseworthy approach to green public relations.
As the head of a marketing and advertising agency that specializes in green pr, natural advertising, organic promotion, LOHAS consumers and organic internet marketing, we are often called on to create advertising strategies and pr campaigns that break through media clutter.
One of the best strategies to deepen existing relationships and attract new customers is to
share the back story of your marketing message. Go beyond simply telling your audience what you're doing. Let them know why it matters. Why it's unique. How it will benefit them. And the world.
Ben & Jerry's has built a great brand that speaks to quality, deliciousness and social activism. The warm ice cream concept extends their brand story. How will the next chapter of your brand story read?
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.
In today's edition of
Environmental Leader about McDonald's creating prototypes for green restaurants, the issue states:
"...The restaurant is treating the 10 locations as “learning laboratories,” said McDonald’s V
ice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Bob Langert, in a Q&A with DailyFinance. One of the green prototype stores, in the Chicago area, uses 25 percent less energy than similar locations. Energy savings and waste reduction are central to McDonald’s corporate social responsibility strategy, Langert said. Globally, the restaurant consumes $1.7 billion annually in energy and it spends another $1.3 billion handling its waste. McDonald’s has more than 31,000 locations worldwide..."
Does this new effort amount to greenwashing? Or a super-sized step forward? While it may be too early to tell, as an expert in natural advertising, organic advertising, organic promotion and LOHAS marketing, I've worked on many leading-edge advertising strategies and attended more than a few green energy conferences.
When a company the size of McDonald's initiates a move in a more sustainable direction, the outcome can only be good. While the franchise is far from perfect and their desire to reduce waste and energy consumption is all about increasing their bottom line—what's wrong with that?
The beauty of green and sustainable marketing is that doing what's right is generally rewarded with doing well. Who knows? Maybe a McOrganic menu is right around the corner. I would be lovin' that!
I just ordered a flat of organic strawberries. It's a choice I feel really good about. Not only are those berries going to taste amazing, they are healthier for me and my family, they're supporting the work of organic farmers and keeping the soil and water free from toxic chemical pesticides.
As consumers, we have tremendous ability to effect change at the very deepest level. But unfortunately, all too often we forget we have any power at all. We feel we are at the mercy of "big corporations." But, as an expert in sustainable advertising, wellness marketing, wellness promotion and as an advertising agency owner who works with eco business and wellness companies, it's my job to remind consumers of their true power. Every day we get a chance to vote with our dollars.
So the next time you open your wallet, remember if you want to leave the world a little greener, spend your own green on products or services that serve you as well as the planet.
Good creative is all about flow. It's not about forcing. Faking. Or over-thinking. It's about letting go. Using your head as much as your heart. Listening. And being heard. It's about climbing under the skin of your audience. Speaking their language. Being of service. And guiding them toward making choices that bring them joy.
At firefly180, when we launch into the creative process it is very much like jumping into a river and letting it take us where it will. When like us, you specialize in eco friendly marketing, environmental public relations, green marketing and work with wellness companies as well as the organic industry, there is new territory to be explored around every bend. New species to discover under every rock and reed. Sometimes the river takes us into a quiet pool where we take time to absorb the surroundings and reflect—but the pull of the river inevitably takes us ever further. And deeper.
Great messaging does not come from those who cling to the shores of the tried-and-true. But rather from being willing to explore beyond established boundaries to create a whole new set of maps that others will follow.
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