Associated gives away 600 trees on Arbor Day
 WICHITA, Kan. – April 27, 2007 – A single tree can absorb up to one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) in its lifetime, or 2,000 pounds of the prominent greenhouse gas. Multiply that number by 600, and the result is approximately 1.2 million pounds.
That is the amount of CO2 that could be absorbed by the 600 trees that were given away by Wichita-based Associated Advertising in Old Town Square on Arbor Day, April 27. Mike Snyder, CEO of Associated, said the idea for the “Care-A-Ton” tree giveaway took shape as the agency looked for a way to give back to the community, have some fun and make a positive impact on the environment at the same time.
“Trees mean the world to us all,” he says. “We thought we would stir the pot a bit and help get people thinking. Caring even a little bit more can have a big impact. Like the trees we gave away, big ideas have small beginnings.”
The trees, one-gallon oak and maple varieties, were available free to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis and were accompanied by planting tips as well as more simple tips to decrease CO2 emissions and increase environmental stewardship. Those who came to pick up a tree also had the opportunity to register to win a two-inch diameter ornamental tree including delivery and installation; Audra Milam of Goddard, Kan. was the winner of the drawing.
Associated sent information about the giveaway to their clients, friends, family and local media, while radio partner KFDI-FM helped spread the word to their listeners on-air and via email. The results were amazing.
“The day before, we were wondering how big of a crowd we would have,” said event organizer Chad Armstrong. “But we had people lined up at 6:00 a.m.—an hour before the event officially began. At that point, we were wondering if we would have any trees left by noon.”
By 11:00 a.m., five hours after the first visitors arrived, the trees were gone.
“It was pretty much bumper-to-bumper the whole time,” said Armstrong. “We still had people showing up even after the trees were gone, but unfortunately we had to turn them away. That just shows how much enthusiasm this created in the community.”
Due to the success of the giveaway, Snyder says that Associated plans to make the event and annual occurrence.
“The response from the community was overwhelming, so it makes sense to keep it going,” says Snyder. “And we’ll definitely need more trees next year.”
Associated is unexpected. We are 45 professionals from leading agencies
and clients around the world assembled in Wichita, Kan. We provide world-class
marketing ideas for clients who value the role that marketing can play in their
aggressive growth. We fully combine marketing, strategic planning and research,
creative advertising, public relations, sales promotion and other communications
elements for the most effective results.
Our ideas and value are UNEXPECTED.
Our client service approach is UNCOMPLICATED.
Our ownership is UNTETHERED to the manipulation of agency holding companies.
Visit us on the Web at www.meetassociated.com.
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