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Volkswagen’s Fun Theory

emily — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:48:47 +0000

Recently, I stumbled across a video (thanks to Facebook) that tested “the fun theory.” The video shows the everyday use of an escalator compared to the use of a stagnate staircase located right next to the escalator. It’s very apparent that more people chose to use the escalator in their daily paths. However, the idea was to test the theory that if an ordinary staircase was turned into something more fun people just might choose to take the stairs over the escalator.

Overnight, workers gathered materials and morphed the normal staircase into a piano staircase that, not only looked like a piano, but actually played music. The result was 66% more people than normal chose the fun piano stairs over the escalator.

The video is from a contest that Volkswagen is currently running to test the theory “that fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better.” In this case by using the staircase, 66% more people than normal are getting added exercise.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JJu4l8h_nU

This contest is the perfect example of a PR stunt. Volkswagen is getting their name out to the public solely through viral buzz. The contest deadline is November 15 and contestants must come up with their own ideas that will change people’s behavior for the better whether that’s through themselves, the environment or some other entity…all in the name of promoting Volkswagen. Now that is great PR!

Wow…What a Summer

kristen — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:28:04 +0000

The summer of 2009 will go down in memory as the fastest summer on record, having passed in what seems like the blink of any eye. In just two months, July and August, I attended more events than I normally would in a year, all thanks to our wonderful clients and their phenomenal programming. I was working at a few events, but for the most part I was enjoying live music, theater, dance and even meteor showers at dawn.

My must-do events this summer included Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, “Broadway Night” at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet at Artown and Tommy Castro at the Reno-Tahoe Blues Fest. But amongst the planned activities a few more crept in, like Salsa Celtica during Artown’s World Music Series. The performance was great, but the experience was unforgettable, picnicking in the park with a new friend, watching couples salsa dance on the sidewalk, seeing cultures merge together through music and audience interaction. I also witnessed a bit of the Perseids meteor shower before the sun bathed the sky in shades of pink and gold during an early morning news interview at Rancho San Rafael Park, something I would never have risen for if not for work.

It’s one thing to check items off of an activities “to-do list” and quite another to just get out and experience life. This summer art was my catalyst for the latter, and I couldn’t be more grateful to my career and clients for having provided that opportunity. I’ve always believed that life becomes more saturated when you surround yourself with art—the sun shines brighter, nature’s colors are more vibrant and crickets chirp louder. Now I’m convinced.

Reno’s A Buzz with AceBall

ronele — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:10:34 +0000

As a native Nevadan I’ve seen a lot of changes in northern Nevada and I’ve heard lots of talk about things that were coming or going to happen that never did. But hey, that happens everywhere. But today is a new day and today I’m feeling jazzed for something that I was excited about but never thought I would be THIS excited about – Reno Ace’s baseball.

Downtown Reno is buzzing, really buzzing with excitement. I captured these photos while coming back from a meeting this afternoon (one day before the first game) and saw the businesses around the stadium preparing to greet the baseball fans. Signs are being hung, windows polished, specials posted and even a side of a building is painted. It’s an infectious excitement!

And that’s what the Reno Ace’s was supposed to do. We’ve worked with clients in travel and tourism for many years and during that time we’ve been privileged to work on the opening of the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno as well as several other national events. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen this kind of support and it’s about time.

Today, the fence is down around the $50 million stadium and it’s bringing with it a true “build it and they will come” mentality.

The home opener is tomorrow and I know that those lucky folks attending the game are in for a real treat.

Go Ace’s…looking forward to seeing you on the field!

Helping Christmas Wishes Come True

ronele — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:24:38 +0000

Over the last six years that RKPR has been in business, we’ve had the opportunity to do some pretty incredible things. We’re thankful and feel blessed for every single one of them. But one is going to stand out above all others.

On Friday, December 19, RKPR delivered 11 brand new bikes to kids at Sun Valley Elementary School through the Reno Sparks Kiwanis Bike Program. Earlier in the week, the Kiwanis held their annual holiday party and donation providing bikes to several of the students. Unfortunately, they were 11 bikes short during the presentation. Can you imagine how those 11 kids felt when all their other classmates received bikes and they were told they’d have to wait until January for theirs? Call it perfect timing if you will, but all the pieces fell together perfectly and without a hitch.

We invite you to check out our RKPR Holiday 2008 blog for more details, photos and a video.

There’s lots to be thankful for this year and one of them is being provided the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.

Merry Christmas!