By Jodi Dorsch
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance board of directors last week approved the budget for the group’s 2016 media/public relations plan.
The board meeting, which was the first for Cindy Mannes in her second go-round as executive director, was held prior to the opening ceremony for NPMA PestWorld in Nashville.
Bobby Jenkins, sitting in for PPMA Chairman Tommy Fortson whose travel was delayed on his way to Tennessee, said, “It’s great to have Cindy Mannes back as PPMA executive director.” Mannes replaced Missy Henriksen, who left to fill a similar role at the “green” association NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals). Jenkins touted Mannes’ unique industry experience, which includes previous stints at an industry manufacturer, a pest management firm and as an association executive at NPMA. “I don’t know anyone else who has that kind of experience,” Jenkins said.
“It is good to be back. Thank you all for your support and for the kind notes and words and encouragement,” Mannes said. “I am very proud to be serving this industry. It gets in your blood and I love this industry.”
PPMA UPDATE. Mannes reported that in 2015, PPMA had 370 investors and operated on a $2 million budget. From that $2 million budget, PPMA secured $100 million worth of advertising value (up from a value of $70 million last year).
That $2 million budget includes investments in various advertising and public relations efforts. Components of the 2016 program will include:
• A continued partnership with Bob Vila.
• Continued efforts promoting Bed Bug Awareness Week, Termite Awareness Week, Rodent Awareness Week and Pest Management Month (April).
• Continued airport display advertising.
• Content syndication.
• Continued Facebook advertising.
• Display advertising.
• The filming of a new public service announcement.
• A continued focus on the commercial pest management audience.
“It’s important for PPMA to have an integrated approach,” Mannes said. “Because people are in different places, we need to be in different places. We need to be where everyone is. We need do to everything to reach as many people as possible.”
PPMA also announced the rollout of a refreshed fundraising effort with the rebranding and marketing of PPMA Perks programs into a subscription service called Mainframe.
Mainframe is an online digital agency powered by PPMA. This exclusive subscription service enables pest management companies to access comprehensive marketing materials to jumpstart or supplement exiting marketing, public relations, social media and advertising efforts. Mainframe is updated every month for timely and seasonal marketing campaigns and outreach.
PMPs participating in this program, which requires a minimum investment of $79.99 a month via credit cards charged monthly, includes unlimited access to:
• Advertising kit templates
• Press release templates
• Social media content
• Marketing toolkits for all national “Awareness Week” activities
• Consumer research
• Infographics
• Pest photos
• Crisis communication guidelines
• Media talking points
• B-roll
• Presentations
• New How-to series
“With a commitment of less than $80 a month, not only will you have access to these crucial marketing assets but you will also automatically become an investor of PPMA and receive the benefits and recognition that comes with being an industry leader helping to move us all forward,” PPMA materials read.
PPMA serves as the consumer education arm of the National Pest Management Association. Learn more at http://npmapestworld.org/ppma/.
(Pictured: PPMA Excutive Director Cindy Mannes speaks prior to the Thursday morning general session.)