Organic Companies

As a leader in LOHAS marketing, wellness promotion, yoga marketing, sustainable advertising and green public relations, I have had the good fortune to work with many wellness companies and progressive businesses. 

I've often been asked how can organizations best choose a firm that supports their branding and marketing efforts. The answer is simple. Do you click? Does the firm "get" you? Is there synergy? Do you feel a connection? Do you love their work? And of course it's always helpful to talk to the firm's clients to get a sense of what their experience has been.

Below is what Danielle Tergis, Marketing Director for Yoga Alliance has to say about her experience working with me and my firm, firefly180 marketing:

Lisa is super creative and has an outstanding ability to deliver results that are impactful and eye-catching. We've worked on a number of projects that required our messaging to stand out from the crowd and I couldn't be happier with the results. Her work ethic is also outstanding. She is committed to ensuring her clients are successful by giving 110% on every project.



Pictured here are Lisa, Colleen Saidman Yee, Rodney Yee and Danielle after a yoga class taught by Rodney and his wife Colleen.

One of my art director partners knew I was working late and just stopped by with a bag of freshly picked organic greens and veggies from her garden. Not only did that mean I had "instant dinner," her thoughtfulness was definitely the best part of my day.

As a leader in the areas of wellness promotion, wellness marketing, environmental advertising and green energy, I work with many progressive businesses and wellness companies. Not only do I really value locally grown organic food— even more, I appreciate the care that goes into growing it.

So while my friend brought me a gift from her garden, thousands of organic farmers throughout the country offer the same gift every day. While they may not deliver to your home, the evidence of their care, commitment and love for the planet is available in co-ops and grocery stores nationwide. 

I've been working with Yoga Alliance, the largest professional yoga organization in the US, on an exciting brand evolution. In addition to designing brand architecture, logos and ads— their new website design has been at the heart of the process.

At firefly180 marketing, we specialize in yoga marketing, wellness promotion, wellness marketing and organic internet marketing. We work with lots of wellness companies and progressive businesses. To us, a website is much more than a site map, wireframe, HTML and graphic design. It is the living, breathing manifestation of the brand itself. 

A good website is the digital extension of your brand. And it should not only inform, it should leave the visitor with an amazing brand experience. That experience doesn't have to be about being dazzled by Flash animation. Or impressed at the site's level of interactivity. An experience can be as simple as leaving your visitor with a "feeling." After all, brands are all about emotion. They are the gateway to our heads. As much as our hearts.

I just responded to a media request from a journalist who was wondering, "Who buys green and why?"

As an expert in the field of green marketing, LOHAS marketing, wellness promotion, wellness marketing, yoga marketing and organic internet marketing, I've spent the last 20 years working with clients that include wellness companies and progressive businesses to help them crack this code. But truly, the answer is quite simple. Green consumers want what's best for them and the future of our planet. And they are passionate about aligning their purchasing decisions with their values.

For instance, when a green consumer buys an organic apple, they are voting with their dollars to enjoy the superior taste and personal health benefit of the apple—but in addition they are supporting the health of the planet in addition to the farmers who choose organic farming methods.  

Green consumers want it all. And they know they can have it. They want to buy products that are as good for them as they are for the Earth. It's the ultimate win-win.

There's a lot of talk in the industry about wellness marketing. For us, at firefly180 marketing, wellness marketing transcends the medical industry. Pharmaceuticals. And the typical cadre of doctors, nurses and specialists. 

Yes, more traditional wellness care has its place, but to us, wellness marketing and wellness promotion is more holistic in its approach. It speaks to the needs, philosophy and desires of each individual. Because we specialize in working with wellness companies in the categories of green communications and natural advertising, we are perhaps more in tune to the fact that for many, wellness strategy may include meditation, acupuncture, Bach flower remedies, kinesiology, reiki, chigong or massage. 

But perhaps just as importantly, we feel that a good wellness marketing company should first and foremost practice wellness as part of its corporate philosophy.

Does your wellness marketing firm:

1. Have an office with access to lots of sunlight?
2. Promote exercise such as yoga?
3. Feature fresh flowers at the front desk?
4. Avoid synthetically manufactured fragrances and products?
5. Offer staff members healthy beverages such as organic herbal teas?

While these practices may seem outside the scope of wellness marketing, they are actually a measure of your firm's passion for an integrated wellness approach. So the next time you hire a wellness marketing firm, observe where they fit on the total wellness equation. Their score may not only be revealing, it may help you measure their ability to communicate your wellness message.

Recently, in a tiny West African village in Guinea, opportunity knocked.

This remote and steamy mountain village where residents live in one-room, windowless huts on communally-owned land saw an influx of workers looking for a place to live when a mining company boosted its labor force.

Since this community, with no housing market had no homes available, they began to move in with their neighbors and rent out the family-owned huts. Then using rent money, the villagers began to build new huts. As workers poured into the region, rents exploded and times were good.

Then the price for iron-ore plummeted and the new workforce was laid off. Now with hundreds of empty huts, the villagers are not wringing their hands in despair, rather they are preparing for the day the miners return. (And they know they will.) Bringing with them rolls of rent money.

As an expert in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, green communications, natural advertising and organic advertising, I've worked with my clients through several challenging market shifts. Each has ushered in a time of introspection. Followed by stunning reinvention.

The path to great sustainable marketing strategy or exceptional award-winning work is never a straight line. It curves, it swerves and it loops around until settling solidly on track. That's the creative process. One that brings with it rich and meaningful rewards.  And like the Guinea village, the knowledge that good planning brings with it future prosperity.

We've all seen the commercials, youtube videos and national media about the quirky blanket with sleeves that's raked in nearly $100 million during an economic period that's seen the near collapse of the mortgage industry, the demise of GM and 15 million jobs lost.

It just goes to show—you just never know. In fact, the next Snuggie success story could be yours. In times of economic challenge, marketing budgets are generally the first to be cut. Our economy operates very much as a flock of geese, with most businesses following the lead of the guy (or girl) in front.

As the head of an agency that specializes in creating advertising strategies and green marketing campaigns for eco business, wellness companies, the organic industry and progressive businesses, I encourage our clients to resist the temptation to follow. And to lead instead.

That's what Snuggie did. Despite the fact that the concept for their product wasn't new. And despite the fact that there were competitors in their field, they led. There are 100 million reasons for you to do the same.

I love a good glass of wine.

As the owner of a marketing agency that specializes in LOHAS marketing, wellness marketing, yoga marketing and sustainable communications, I tend to shop for organic brands. 

I'm happy to say that there are an excellent array of vintners from around the world to choose from. Organic wines are not only rich and full-bodied, but because they were grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, they are actually higher in antioxidants. That means your organic glass of wine will actually help you slow the aging process and promote faster healing.

I work with a lot of wellness companies in the areas of wellness promotion—and when it comes to organic wine, I have to say that this is a success story about a glass being not only half full, but full to the rim.

I learned a great lesson from Tom, the guy who washes my windows. A second generation window washer, with sons who have followed in his footsteps, Tom loves his work. It's all about creating clarity. 

It's the same with marketing. Good branding and communication strategies are designed to create the same kind of clean, clear results. Instead of using a few drops of dish soap in a pail of water and a squeegee, my agency, firefly180 uses words. And images. 

With a specialization in green advertising, LOHAS marketing, alternative advertising and eco advertising, my team and I use our tools with the same passion as Tom. The result is creative and brand strategy that sparkles. And our clients who are often eco businesses, progressive organizations and wellness companies are left with a clear vista that reveals limitless opportunities.

Today Costco announced a new green initiative that is not only a smart proactive move, it shows they know their customer. And they know what their customers want.

Their electronic recycling program which allows customers to trade in and recycle laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and gaming systems, is a smart environmental communication strategy. It's fast. It's easy. And of course, you can always replace what you recycle with the electronic selection offered at the store. But the beauty of the program is that Costco is taking responsibility for the waste caused by products they sell. 

When it comes to communication strategies, it's important to walk your talk. And Costco is by offering an ever increasing array of organic food and non-toxic cleaning products. Add to that their new energy-saving solar panel initiative and you've got the makings for a good solid green marketing campaign.

As an expert in green marketing, wellness marketing and wellness promotion, I work with lots of wellness companies and progressive businesses. Is Costco perfect? No. But neither is any other business out there. The fact is, just by getting out of bed each day, each of us causes environmental impact. The best we can hope to do is to lessen that impact and be conscious of taking steps to restore the Earth.

You've got to love AMC's award-winning series, Mad Men. It's great TV. And great fun to watch. And yes, I'm sure you could find agencies staffed with lying, egomaniacal, sell-their-soul-to-make-a-buck and cheat consumers advertising types. But truly, if this were the case, those careers would be short lived.

We live in a culture fueled by instant communication. And one that demands authenticity and transparency. This demand for businesses that are willing to pull back the curtain have opened the door for agencies like mine. At firefly180 marketing, we're not your traditional advertising agency. Sure we do great work. Sure we win awards. But we specialize in working with progressive businesses and wellness companies where we focus on green advertising, LOHAS, wellness marketing, wellness promotion, organic campaigns, renewable energy and yoga advertising. We believe that business is the most powerful force for change on the planet. And to that end, we are passionate about leveraging marketing as a force for good. 

I'm a co op shopper. In fact, I belong to two. That makes me part owner in two businesses that offer organic brands and products from wellness companies.
As an expert in green public relations, wellness promotion and wellness marketing, I very much believe in the power of consumer choice. I know my choices are a vital part of growing the market for organic and sustainable brands.

But best of all, I'm part of a larger community of like-minded consumers who care about their health as much as the health of the planet.

As is usually the case, great organic brands lend themselves perfectly to wellness marketing, wellness promotion and green public relations. That is definitely the case with a new product launch from Verterra. This green business, which produces single-use plates made from fallen bamboo leaves pressed together by heat, is on the leading edge. Unique, beautiful, durable and compostable, these plates make a lasting impression.

By signing on as a LOHAS sponsor, where their plates were used multiple times by more than 500 influential LOHASIANS, many of whom are leaders of wellness companies, Verterra made a priceless marketing placement. For the cost of the plates themselves, Verterra was able to achieve what advertising alone can not. A genuine experience. And entry into relationship with businesses that are in perfect alignment to launch this category.

I for one am a convert. Not only do I love their product, I applaud their marketing savvy. They know the power of relationship. And they know the power of affinity marketing.

As a president and creative director who creates advertising strategies for wellness companies in the categories of wellness promotion, wellness marketing and green marketing strategy, I do my best to walk my talk.

Often before starting work, I spritz my office with an Intelligent Nutrients aroma called FOCUS. This organic aroma not only smells great, its ingredients are especially blended to instantly bring clarity and focus to the mind. It's never failed me.

In the creative business, we all have our own bag of tricks to help us bring out our best work. Some shoot hoops. Some take a walk. For others, it's a three-martini-lunch.

For me, the beauty and efficacy of essential oils simply makes the most "scents." Although I have to admit organic chocolate, hot-fudge sundaes, sunflower seeds and Tibetan incense come awfully close.

While at my desk this morning, a turkey walked past my door. A real, live, wild turkey. 100% organic and free range.

As the president and creative director of a green marketing company that specializes in social change marketing, wellness marketing, wellness promotion, social change marketing and who works with a wide array of wellness companies, that turkey got me thinking. The fact is, there are a lot of turkeys out there.

Are you doing business like a "turkey?" Or are you delivering the real deal? Is your messaging pumped full of artificial fillers, antibiotics and growth hormones? Is it tightly sealed in vacuum-packed plastic?  Wild turkeys are quite rare and beautiful. Watch what happens when you let your your brand out of its cage.

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.

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.

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.  

Like many, I began my yoga practice in my basement with the help of Yodney Yee DVDs and videos. It was convenient, it was meaningful and it was incredibly beneficial.

Today, I practice in a studio where I continue to explore the rich depths of yoga. And as a marketer with a long history of working with wellness companies, wellness marketing and wellness promotion, it is not surprising that one of my favorite clients is Yoga Alliance—the largest professional yoga organization in the world. I'm working with Yoga Alliance not only on developing new messaging strategy, yoga marketing and yoga advertising—but an entire brand evolution.

Evolving a brand is much like the practice of yoga—which is to unite body, mind and spirit. Because all good brands at their core are the embodiment of the physical, the emotional and the intellectual. Just like all of us. That said, branding is less an intellectual excercise and more about exploring our own humanity.

Working in the wellness marketing category as a green advertising agency for the last two decades, I have many favorite organic brands. Truly, too many to count. But one of my absolute favorites and most enduring is French Meadow Bakery based in Minneapolis.

When I first began creating green ad campaigns, my office was just a couple blocks from their Lyndale Avenue storefront. It was a favorite destination for clients as well as my family— and a place we could gather to experience the most incredible organic baked goods, entrees, salads, coffees and tea. From their humble retail storefront and grocery distribution beginnings, French Meadow has grown to include organic airport restaurants and has been a pioneer in the art of organic internet marketing. Now a wide array of delicious organic products are available to a national audience of consumers who don't want to sacrifice taste to eat a healthy organic diet. I applaud the success of this amazing company and most of all the vision of Lynn Gordon who had the courage and vision to pioneer a business steeped in practices that are as healthy for people as they are for the planet.