Think Big Partners Helps Our Lady of the Presentation Reach 3rd Place in Kohl's Cares Program

Think Big Partners, under the direction of Herb Sih, and in collaboration with Paul Evans, president and CMO of Evans Media Group, have proved that social media marketing is not just today’s biggest fad, but is also a fundamental shift in the way the world communicates.  When Sih and Evans teamed up to promote the Kohl’s Cares Program, a program that rewards $500,000 to the top 20 most-voted schools via Facebook, the goal was to get Our Lady of the Presentation, a local Lee’s Summit high school, in that top 20.  The efforts put forth by Sih and Evans did not just land OLP in the top 20, but, quite remarkably, in 3^rd place.

Think Big Partners became involved in helping OLP win the $500,000 when there were only two short weeks left in the program.  Upon involvement, Our Lady of the Presentation was in 75th place.  Not settling for anything but the top 20, Sih and Evans used the expertise they have in social media to help the school make its way to number three.  Sih actively promoted votes via Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and emails.  The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Free Press, and the Social Media Club were also immediately notified.  In the first 48 hours of Think Big Partner’s involvement, the school received 7,000 votes.  Evans worked just as hard with his team of Sarah Paxton, Evan Miller, and other Evans Media Group partners to use both social media and effective marketing strategies to bring OLP to the top.  Evans and his group also successfully utilized Twitter, Facebook, mobile media, e-mail, and local media outlets to promote the Kohl’s Cares program.  TBP then watched Our Lady of the Presentation go from 75^th place, to 35^th, to 17^th, and then to 6^th throughout the weeks. Because of the effective use of social media, OLP finished in 3^rd.  

Think Big Partners and Evans Media Group have used social media to help their own community, but in return, their effective use of social media has also benefitted themselves.  Because the two have focused so much on social marketing programs, they are not only receiving brand recognition, but bonding and engagement with the consumer.  This, in the long run, helps to develop long-term relationships with all sorts of people.  Paul Evans notes that social media is “all about building relationships.”  Social media allows for word-of-mouth recognitions in exponential amounts.  When 78% of all customers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements, it’s hard to disagree.

TBP has done its part in transforming today’s marketing strategy from “word of mouth” to “world of mouth.”  When 96% of people utilize a social network, both positive and negative marketing can be spread simply by friends telling more friends.  Social media marketing is only predicted to grow faster and stronger.  It only took Facebook nine months to reach 100 million users, when it took radio 38 years, television 13 years, and Internet four years to reach only 50 million.  Social media is becoming one of the most important marketing tools in today’s business world, and when used correctly, can become extremely effective.  The effective strategies utilized by TBP and Evan's Media group prove that when a Kansas City small business and social media come together, everybody wins.

To see an example of how Think Big Partners utilized social media and helped OLP win the $500,000, check out this past TBKC blog.  

Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc.  To read more of Allison's articles, please visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.  

Change the World Today Through Social Media – One Tweet At A Time

August 24, 2010

WARNING: for those social media advocates who want to avoid the social media soapbox and just simply make a difference, go to the bottom of this article NOW or simply VOTE.

Nowadays, the social media machine has completely taken over. There’s Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Digg, FourSquare, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Flickr; you name it. But when you actually add it all up, does social media really matter, or is it an overhyped fad? And if it isn’t a fad, can it really make a difference?

My answer (and I know I am biased) is a resounding YES. I have seen the awesome power that can come through the effective use of social media tools, but with one absolute caveat. Tools like Twitter, Facebook, Digg and more must be used as a tool and in the hands of someone who is willing to work with them. Not to mention, this person actually needs to know how to use them.

There is a fine line between an effective and an ineffective social media enthusiast. Think of the difference between a handyman and a true craftsman. No disrespect to handymen around the country, but if you are a skilled jack of all trades, my guess is that you will not be able to be as good as a skilled craftsmen who focuses on one thing.

Another point of view is making sure you have the right tool for the right job – and knowing the difference. A ball-peen, roofing and claw hammer all look alike, but if you need to put a nail into the wall to hang a picture, one is better than another. Even more dramatic, you can also use a very big hammer – like a sledgehammer – but you may just take out the wall too.

So, the point is, for you social media skeptics, that you have to know what tool to use, how to use it and then actually use it. Although social media sitting on a shelf will not collect dust, instead, it will do absolutely nothing.

Here is how I would like to make a difference TODAY in the world.

Kohl’s Department Store has a promotional contest known as Kohl’s Cares in which the top 20 schools in the country will receive $500,000 through a series of votes on Facebook. This money is real and can help make a different to any of the lucky top 20 schools. In the Kansas City metro area, there is only one school that has a chance to win this outstanding prize: Our Lady of the Presentation is currently in 21st place. This school is located in Lees Summit, a location that is “in our backyard” and we want to help spread the word through social media and get them more votes. Every person is allowed to vote 20 times, but only 5 times for one school. If more Kansas Citians vote for the school in their own backyard, we could help Our Lady of the Presentation win $500,000! Please help spread the word and encourage your family and friends to vote for this school. It might just do some great things here in good ole’ Kansas City—and further show the power of mass collaboration using social media. Now that’s Thinking Big!

To learn more about Kohl’s Cares and to vote for Our Lady of the Presentation, please click the following link. Voting will stop September 3rd. Please help us to spread the word and change the world today!

VOTE OLP WEBSITE