“The turn-out alone to the Color of Hope charity event was outstanding. We had a dramatic increase in attendance from previous years,” said Kevin Kraning, Vice President, Walmart Team. “By that measure alone, the event was a huge success and the growing support for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital is a true inspiration.”

With more than 1,200 guests including ASM’s Bentonville-based team and several ASM client partners, the Color of Hope charity event raised nearly $344,300. The Will Golf 4 Kids charity golf tournament had more than 1,000 participants and raised $460,000.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s mission is to enhance, sustain and restore health and development of children by providing cutting-edge clinical services, teaching and research. ACH is committed to working with others to achieve high quality, cost-effective, fully accessible services for Arkansas’s children, without regard to race, religion or inability to pay.

“Thank you to ASM for its participation, support and leadership in this year’s event,” , said Steve Collins, Mars Vice President, Walmart Global Sales. ”Over the many years I’ve been associated with ASM, I have always admired the company’s leadership, people and partnership. I am proud to have ASM join this worthy cause as it reflects the culture of the company and what it represents.”

“NEW has more than 2,500 members who represent more than 400 companies nationwide,” said Stephanie McFee, NEW Client Services Director. “Our organization strives to attract and advance women in the CPG and retail industries by providing them with education, mentoring, leadership and business development. We educate industry leaders about the benefits of gender diversity and directly support the career development of our members.”

NEW promotes gender diversity, career development and networking online and face-to face at national leadership conferences, educational workshops, and regional networking events in more than 15 American cities.

“In today’s workforce, women and minorities are the majority. NEW’s perpetual focus on the full spectrum of diversity management issues and the resources they provide are invaluable,” said Pamela James, Vice President, Human Resources. “We look forward to gaining deeper insights and best practices for supporting and advancing our diverse workforce as we enter our second year as a NEW sponsor and beyond.”

Workin’ the Network

NEW allows members to increase their professional networks by encouraging participation in regional committees, providing opportunities to attend national events and offering online communities and resources.

Timme Taylor, Business Development Manager on ASM’s Safeway team, has been involved with NEW for four years.

“It’s been an incredible organization to be associated with,” said Taylor. “The networking possibilities with other CPG colleagues and retailers are priceless.”

Timme has served on several NEW committees but is currently working on the Monthly Mixer Committee which plans events sponsored by the Regional Committees. These monthly get-togethers promote networking and strengthen relationships with the committee member’s professional circle.

“The event is open to NEW members and their friends who would like to connect with other professionals in the region,” Taylor explained. “There is no agenda— just networking, networking, networking. It’s great to have the ability to get to know other industry professionals who I otherwise probably would not have had the opportunity to meet.”

ASM’s Sponsorship

“ASM’s NEW sponsorship sends a resounding message to clients, customers and the CPG and retail industry,” said McFee. “Through our partnership, ASM is better able to expand and strengthen its business relationships and at the same time advance the leadership development of your members.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — ASM’s Charlotte office recently participated in the MS Walk that raised money for Multiple Sclerosis research. The team raised $1,805 by hosting a bake sale, an ice cream sundae sale and sponsoring a “Wear your jeans to work” day.

“This is the fourth year the Charlotte Office has participated in the MS Walk and the participation in this year’s events was outstanding,” said Annemarie Glover, office manager for the Charlotte office. “I am proud to work in an office that pulls together and supports each other for charitable causes.”

“National Philanthropy Day acknowledges the entire spectrum of services provided by the nonprofit community and recognizes the profound impact that philanthropy has on the fabric of society,” said Hope Bradberry, President, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northwest Arkansas Chapter. “Each year AFP honors individuals and groups like the Will Golf 4 Kids and Color of Hope Gala who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy, their communities and the world.”

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) strives to advance philanthropy through education, training, mentoring, research, credentialing, and advocacy. The association fosters the development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.

“ASM’s contribution to the Will Golf 4 Kids and Color of Hope Gala through hard work and support has truly made an impact on our surrounding community,” said Kevin Kraning, Vice President, Walmart Team. “Winning this award brings all of our dedication full circle. Thank you to all who contributed to this outstanding organization.”

National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community— to the enrichment of our world. The Northwest Arkansas chapter of AFP held their National Philanthropy Day Luncheon at the end of last year in Rogers, Ark. where all of the organization’s awards were presented.

About Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC
Founded in 1987, Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC (ASM) is a premier sales and marketing agency, committed to building brand value for our clients and customers. ASM’s cradle-to-cart—post-manufacture to consumption—customized sales and marketing solutions include headquarter sales, retail merchandising and marketing services, specializing in client and customer events, publications and assisted-selling services for the grocery, drugstore, club, convenience, natural/specialty, consumer electronic and home center industries. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., ASM has more than 20,000 associates and 66 offices in the United States and Canada. Visit www.asmnet.com today.

Irvine Towers Holiday Food Drive
Irvine Towers was able to donate 609 pounds of food to those in need. Overall, Irvine Company properties throughout Orange County raised 6,116 pounds of food or the equivalent of roughly 6,000 meals.

*Be the Miracle* Gift Program
Irvine Towers customers were able to grant more than 58 gift & gift certificate wishes a foster child or teen. Gifts were collected and distributed by the Olive Crest Foundation.

Irvine Towers Holiday Blood Drive
Boasting a record turnout, over 100 lives were saved by the donations collected at the American Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive. Because of the success of this event, blood drives will now be conducted bi-annually.

“The turn-out alone to the Color of Hope Gala was phenomenal,” said Kevin Kraning, ASM National Customer Team Leader. “By that measure alone, the event was a huge success and the show of support for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital was a true inspiration.”

With more than 920 guests — including Chris Olivier, ASM’s President of Sales; Paul Veliquette, Division Vice President; ASM’s Bentonville-based team and several ASM client partners — raising more than $235,000, the Color of Hope Gala was a tremendous success. The Will Golf 4 Kids charity golf tournament had more than 1,000 participants.

“The event was an enormous success because of the ongoing commitment and dedication of our sponsors,” said Jonathan Bates, M.D., ACH President and CEO. “ASM plays a vital role in our mission to provide Care, Love and Hope to the Children of Arkansas.”

Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s mission is to enhance, sustain and restore health and development of children by providing cutting-edge clinical services, teaching and research. ACH is committed to working with others to achieve high quality, cost-effective, fully accessible services for Arkansas’s children, without regard to race, religion or inability to pay.

“It truly was a team effort that made this event possible,” said Veliquette. “The Color of Hope and Will Golf 4 Kids charity events were outstanding and we are proud to work for and sponsor such a worthwhile cause.”

“ASM’s involvement with the success of our charity events is truly amazing,” added Bates. “From their sponsoring commitment, to their outstanding work at our silent auction, to the countless volunteer hours their team put in– it was a strong demonstration for Northwest Arkansas of how corporate philanthropy is done right.”

Steve Collins, Mars Vice President, Walmart Global Sales, added, “Thank you to ASM for its participation, support and leadership in this year’s event. ASM played a critical role in this year’s success everything from the co-presenting sponsorship, vendor silent auction leadership, Color of Hope set-up volunteers, Color of Hope committee participation and host couple. I’ve been associated with ASM for more than 15 years, and I have always admired its leadership, people and partnership. I am proud to have ASM join this worthy cause as it reflects the culture of the company and what it represents.”

About Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC
Advantage Sales and Marketing (ASM) is a premier consumer packaged goods sales and marketing agency, committed to building brand value for our clients and customers. ASM’s cradle-to-cart—post-manufacture to consumption—customized sales and marketing solutions include headquarter sales, retail merchandising and marketing services, specializing in client and customer events, publications and assisted-selling services for the grocery, drugstore, club, convenience, natural/specialty, consumer electronic and home center industries. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., ASM has 66 offices in the United States and Canada. Visit www.asmnet.com today.

Also making the trip are 2,000 college students from campuses across the U.S. who have spent the last year creating and executing projects promoting free enterprise in their communities around the globe.

These student teams are presenting their works to panels of judges with the hope of being named the US National Champion, giving them the chance to compete in the SIFE World Cup in Germany this fall. Sample projects exhibited include financial literacy board games, classroom programs teaching the power of world markets and exchanges, and sustainable water purification systems implemented in communities around the world.

ASM’s involvement with SIFE

SIFE relies on the funding of corporate sponsors and ASM has been a proud SIFE donor company since 2001. A number of ASM leaders serve as judges at regional and national SIFE competitions. In addition, CEO Sonny King sits on the Board of Directors for the SIFE organization, a title he shares with leaders of many of ASM’s clients and customers.

Attracting talent from SIFE

ASM has recruited and hired over 30 SIFE graduates over the past five years who are now associates in various divisions throughout the company. ASM will again host a 20-foot booth at the SIFE Career Fair to exhibit its services and career opportunities to event attendees.

“SIFE has proven to be a key tool for recruiting the best and brightest new talent at the University level,” said Chris Jeffreys, Director of ASM’s Talent Acquisition team. “We value our SIFE alums and are looking forward to welcoming additional SIFE graduates to our company as a result of this event.”

“It truly was a team effort that made this event possible,” said Steve Collins, Mars Snack Team Leader. “The Color of Hope Charity Gala was a magical evening and we are honored to have the opportunity to work with our business partners towards such a worthwhile cause.”

Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s mission is to enhance, sustain and restore health and development of children by providing cutting-edge clinical services, teaching and research. ACH is committed to working with others to achieve high quality, cost-effective, fully accessible services for Arkansas’s children, without regard to race, religion or inability to pay.

“ASM’s participation in this extraordinary event will help support the many vital programs ACH provides the children of Arkansas in need of medical care,” said Lori Jones Bramlett, ACH Foundation development officer.

“It was a tremendous experience to be able to partner with two of ASM’s most valued customers and clients to benefit the community in which we all live and work,” said Kevin Kraning, ASM’s National Customer Team Leader. “The Channel team in Bentonville was honored to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s events.”

This year’s Will Golf 4 Kids charity event has raised more than $780,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

About Advantage Sales and Marketing, LLC
Advantage Sales and Marketing ASM is a premier consumer packaged goods sales and marketing agency, committed to building brand value for our clients and customers. ASM’s cradle-to-cart–post-manufacture to consumption–customized sales and marketing solutions includes headquarter sales, retail merchandising and marketing services, specializing in client and customer events, publications and assisted-selling services for the grocery, drugstore, club, convenience, natural/specialty, consumer electronic and home center industries. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., ASM has more than 22,000 associates and 66 offices in the United States and Canada. Visit www.asmnet.com today.