Author Archives: Veronica Del Rio

PR assignment

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Veronica Del Rio                                                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/20/23

Spirit of Children

(609)- 645-5514

Veronica.delrio@spirithalloween.com

Spirit of Children reaches $200 Million in Donations for Child Life programs across North America

Egg Harbor, Township, N.J.: Spirit of Halloween doesn’t only bring fun, spooky, superhero driven costumes and decorations at the best time of year, we go beyond that. Since 2007 Spirit of Children, Spirit Halloween’s charitable foundation, supports Child Life programs at more than 150 hospitals across North America. We have been able to provide more staff for these programs along with things like pet therapy, educational toys, costumes, and even a Halloween party. Spirit of Children has reached new heights beating our record goal in 2022 of $18 million with $25 million in 2023.

When you donate at check out at any Spirit Halloween locations our store associates ring a purple cow bell and really make it a special moment. Guest also take photos or videos of ringing in the moment accompanied with hashtags #SpiritOfChildren or #MoreCowbell. “Our associates are the backbone of the impactful Spirit of Children efforts that have helped so many children and their families at our partner hospitals. Without their commitment to sharing our mission with guests, our vendors, and licensing partners, this milestone would not be possible,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween.

“We remain committed to supporting Child Life Departments and the critical work they do to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families.” All of our proceeds go directly and 100% to our partner hospitals. These donations make a huge difference for children and their families, a little goes a long way. Spirit of Children partner hospitals offer a variety of activities and support to make these things happen:

•Child Life Positions: Over 200 Child Life staff have been added through Spirit of Children funding while also providing extended hours for Child Life services

•Establishing Therapy Programs: Partner hospitals have been able to establish nearly seventy therapy programs, which include sensory and educational equipment, as well as adaptive toys and medical teaching dolls

•Letting Kids be Kids: Donations support a range of activities for children and their families including art, music, canine, and horticulture therapy programs

•Keeping it Local: 100% of donations go directly to partner hospitals’ Child Life Departments in the local community where the Spirit Halloween store is located

About Spirit of Children

At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its creation in 2007 Spirit of Children has raised more than $100 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100 percent of funds going to Child Life Services. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child’s life this Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween or spreading awareness via Facebook and Instagram using #SpiritofChildren and #MoreCowbell in their photos. For more information, please visit: www.SpiritofChildren.com.

About Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in the country, with over 1,450 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating more than 39 years of business, Spirit is the premier destination for all things Halloween, offering one-stop shopping for everything from costumes to décor and party goods to accessories. In addition to being a fun and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, ‘tweens, teens, and adults, along with exclusive décor you won’t find anywhere else. For more information, please visit: SpiritHalloween.com.

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Works cited:

https://www.spirithalloween.com/content.jsp?pageName=soc

https://www.spirithalloween.com/content.jsp?pageName=PressRelSOC

Product Concept

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This episode was a toughy for me as I like almost all the pitches. I was stuck between choosing The Fidget Game and Yum Crumbs. Both businesses are great but i went with Yum Crumbs. This pitch resonated with me more because of its uniqueness. I also think that appeals to wider target audience of people, that being young, middle aged, and/ or older. Their flavors as well are not boring and basic they have a variety of flavors. It holds consistency which is key as well. His selling price compared to what he spends to make the product is exceptional and I see greater potential growth for this gentleman. I dont believe there is anything like this on the market as well and if there is, its not many. 

The product is a twist on what you would usually do with sprinkles. Like he stated “It would be if a cookie and sprinkles had a baby, that’s Yum Crumbs”. Sprinkles usually only come in the same flavors and never really have different flavors just colors so this adds diversity to a sweet treat and complimentary extra flavor. It can be used on cakes., ice cream, candy apples, fruits and etc. His business was a B2B as he started by going directly to stores and selling his product. He currently has his product in WAWA’s as they use Yum Crumbs on their cakes. The product holds consistency which makes the overall concept of what being made with it 10x better. This product saves a business time and money for example a cake or ice cream shop. That is because for a product like this it would be time consuming for an employee to make from scratch and with that it would also cost for a business to make all the time. SO this saves them the time and the money and delivers what they need to there doorstep hassle free. He also sells in bulk to businesses which is smarter for a way higher price. MONEY MOVES!

Consumers should not only want this product but feel they need it because it would not only make something simple more pleasurable to the taste buds but lets say your making a dessert at home this could be something to elevate it or make even the process to create something easier, for example like recreating Good Humor’s Strawberry shortcake ice cream, this product would be perfect. If you know you know. Like stated to the sharks it can also be incorporated inside of a product not only outside of it or as a topper. I think the packaging is great for what the product is. The branding is simple and cute and doesn’t take away from the product it allows it to stand out with the peep window in the packaging. I think a store like Michaels would be a great move. Even expanding to other retail stores like Target, Party City, etc. I did see that Yum Crumbs is on Amazon which I think is great move to reach consumer directly especially keeping up with how things are sold now. He wanted to venture into B2C and needed a bigger kitchen to get his goals fulfilled and i think Daymond and Barbara were excellent partners to invest in his endeavors.

Ethics

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Nike is one of the leading companies in CSR (corporate social responsibility). Since the 90s when Nike got put on the spotlight for poor working conditions in Indonesia, they have worked hard towards a good name for themselves.  By 2005  they published a list of factories with pay wages and working conditions in a detailed report. In the past few years Nike has achieved so much in tackling many ethical workplace and CSR issues.

Nike has made emphasis on Black Lives Matter, woman rights, woman in sports, working with kids, climate change, and etc. They are using advertising to speak on social and ethical issues. Which is what people want. Right now they are really big on putting woman in the spotlight and showing them of importance especially in sport. Nike has become extremely diverse with their customers and are setting themselves up for customer loyalty success. They are also always working towards equal pay for woman to men and also ethnic groups to whites. Also in workplace positioning, making sure the under-represented are being represented and seen.

With Nike being a big athletic brand CEO John Donahoe correlates the fact that their athletes experience climate change first hand through heat exhaustion. This causes even more of a swift change in business to evolve into something better for the planet. They put programs in effect throughout communities to help kids stay active and training coaches through NIKE supported- programming. Also once agin putting emphasis on recruiting more female coaches. Creating a save space for girls and creating a girl- inclusive culture in places like the U.S. Olympics.

Nike had a goal to achieve 100% renewable energy in their owned or operated facilities by 2025 and were able to achieve that in 2019 across North America. They have Also worked towards footwear waste ending up in landfills and in exchange recycled or turned waste into energy. Using more sustainable materials like plastic bottles being turned into polyester for jerseys and other for both apparel and footwear. NIKE Grind programme is one that participates in repurposing waste and materials in to recycle good like footwear apparel, even playgrounds, basketball courts, buttons, etc. Pretty damn amazing. I even own a pair of NIKE sneakers named Space Hippie and in the box it says “trash transformed”. Also NIKE will take back your shoes when your done with them to be recycled.

Another thing Nike participates in is the OHSU Foundation.They been in partnership since 2004, Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital’s Doernbecher Freestyle program. How it works is a patient will help design footwear or apparel and then when a consumer buys proceeds go to the hospital. They have raised more than $33 million since they started and the hospital receives 100% profits. My boyfriend actually owns a pair and I love the purpose behind it. It not only helps the hospital but it allows those children to creative freedom and tell their story.

In my honest opinion i think NIKE is doing everything right and should continue to do what they are doing. Stay in the known and always look for what the customers want and deliver. Keep putting a spotlight on major issues some companies can shy away from and set themselves apart from the majority. Putting kids, woman, climate change, etc. on a pedestal to actually make and hopefully see a change. Keep using celebrities and athletes who actually stand in something they believe in, like when they used Colin Kapernick for #BlackLivesMatter. Also keep working towards equality in the workplace amongst women and men, and the minority. NIKE is on the right path and just like their motto “JUST DO IT” they sure are!

Veronica Del Rio

Hey everyone! My name is Veronica im from the Lower East side, born and raised. Im a mom to a 2 year old. That being said i took a yr off from school and rejoined back in March. I am a Media Communications major and starting to lean towards a career in PR (Public Relations). I’m a Libra (October baby), 28 years old, a stay at home mom and also my grandma’s caregiver.

 

My BMCC email is: Veronica.delrio@stu.bmcc.cuny.edu