LKM - Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy

Nearly 550 tourism, business and government leaders from throughout North Carolina participated in the 2009 N.C. Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism at the Raleigh Convention Center March 1-3. On the third day of the conference, the LKM public relations team produced a media mission on behalf of the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Approximately 40 North Carolina travel industry partners from across the state met with the 31 media attendees at Raleigh’s Artspace. Press participants were treated to an overview of what’s happening locally with travel partners as well as statewide tourism initiatives. They also sampled North Carolina-style refreshments and the state’s wine and beer. Attendees included writers and producers from the Raleigh metro and surrounding areas, editors from Southern Living, Cooking Light and freelance writers for several state and national publications.

 

Gulf Stream Asset Management, LLC, an institutional asset manager of $3.8 billion of corporate credit portfolios for global institutional investors, has selected Charlotte-headquartered marketing agency LKM to revamp the company’s website and develop a new corporate identity.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, N.C., has hosted plenty of hit film productions in recent months including “The Secret Life of Bees” and “Nights in Rodanthe,” but it was the New York City-based studios of Fox News Network that hosted EUE/Screen Gems COO and Co-Principal Chris Cooney recently on Fox’s “Money for Breakfast thanks to stategic pitching by LKM's PR team.

”During the “Media Land” segment of the show, Cooney addressed challenges facing the film industry, shared his thoughts on the potential impact of the newly passed Economic Stimulus Bill and explained why EUE/Screen Gems is investing $15 million right now to construct the 37,500-square-foot “Dream Stage 10” in Wilmington when U.S. production facilities are battling overseas competitors for film work.

To see the live interview visit: http://interdubs.com/r/euescreengems/?al=r17IVp

Construction is progressing according to schedule, with “Dream Stage 10” scheduled to open this Spring. www.stage10nc.com.

Sometimes a good idea begins with recognizing the best ideas out there. And so it is with the creation of the Sage Award. LKM and BiOH® Polyols, a division of Cargill, wanted to identify and recognize not necesarily the greenist companies in the furniture industry but the most innovative who provide inspiration and pathways for others to create a more sustainable environment. The Sage Award recognized corporate leaders in the home furnishings and bedding industry who demonstrated leadership in reducing their environmental footprint while expanding social impact and running a profitable business. According to Susan Dosier, Public Relations Director of LKM, "Every finalist was an inspiration." To see the winners of this year's Sage Award go to http://www.bioh.com/bioh_sageaward.html

It could have been as simple as an ad in a program. But hey, this is the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most celebrated film venues in the world. And the North Carolina Film Commission deserved more while keeping costs down. So how do you get film directors from all over the globe to put North Carolina on their location list? LKM designed and placed in a strategic location in the Salt Lake City airport, where directors and producers arrive for the festival, a very large director's chair but with an added touch. It was created to rock. The rocking director's chair carried the North Carolina Film Commission's message that we have everything in the state that a director or producer could need. So sit back and relax. The airport wasn't the only venue that got North Carolina attention. Local reporters broke stories about the North Carolina director's chair. The chair has also gleaned national attention from the Associated Press and USAToday. You can see the 10 foot, 1,000 pound chair gently rocking at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlHcjsMjEUo

John Ketchum, chief executive officer of LKM, has been awarded the Charles Parker Award by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by individuals to the state’s travel industry. Former recipients have included North Carolina luminaries such as Hugh M. Morton, who built the Mile High Swinging Bridge and opened Grandfather Mountain after inheriting the Mountain from his grandfather. Other recipients include William A.V. Cecil of the Biltmore Estate and H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler of Lowe’s Motor Speedway.