Free, round-the-clock help for children, teens and parents

Since its founding in 1978, Kids in Crisis has helped more than 80,000 Connecticut children and families; in 2007 more than 8,100 children and families received assistance from the organization.

Based in Cos Cob, Kids in Crisis provides services to children of all socio- economic conditions in Fairfield County, including those in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.

For community programs call 203-622-6556

For Help call 203-327-KIDS

For more information, visit the Kids in Crisis Website at www.kidsincrisis.org

It’s not too late to get into the swim (and bike and run) of things...

Individual and relay team registration is still open for the June 29 Stamford KIC It Triathlon. Visit www.kidsincrisis.org to learn more and to see how you, your colleagues and your employees can be part of the biggest trend in physical fitness – while raising funds for children in need throughout Fairfield County.

Special News from Kids in Crisis

Volunteering…The New Corporate Perk?

“As more employees see volunteer work as a way to learn new skills or move their careers forward, volunteering has become a sort of corporate benefit,” reports the Associated Press. “Companies are increasingly offering time off for volunteer projects, volunteer work on company time or company organized efforts,” says the news service.

Today’s younger, ‘Gen Y’ workers tell researchers that they search for a job that mirrors their personal values and beliefs. According to a recent study by Deloitte and Touche USA, 62% of men and women between 18 and 26 want to work for companies that give them a chance to use their skills to help a nonprofit. “Volunteers often sign up to network or spend time with work friends and find they’ve improved their interpersonal skills, their ability to work as part of a team and their ability to improve obstacles,” says David Eisner, chief executive of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

To meet this objective among employees, companies are developing innovative volunteer programs. Employees of The Gap can spend up to five hours of paid time each month on a volunteer activity. If they spend 15 hours of their own time volunteering, Gap will give $150 to that organization, as well as match any employee giving. Ernst & Young’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program provides free help to local entrepreneurs; E&Y pays its employees’ salaries while they help develop area businesses.

For agencies, volunteers bring many benefits – new ways of thinking, different perspectives, and strong word of mouth among untapped audiences. Of course, volunteers also offer stretched-thin staffs of nonprofits much needed day- to-day support.

It may be a non-paying job, but volunteering is reaping big rewards for employees and employers who support their non-profit interests.

If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities at Kids in Crisis – everything from one hour a year to one hour a week – please contact Jamie Dorman at 622-6556.

Confidence Men

While CEO confidence is at a record low, according to the Conference Board, top execs say their outlook for the months to come is far more positive. Looking ahead to October, the start of the fourth quarter, 19 percent of business leaders think the economy will improve; that’s up from 16 percent just three months ago. Economic predictions for their respective industries are also on the upswing. Slightly less than one quarter (23%) anticipate improvement, up from 17 percent just three months ago.

Making Sponsorships Sell

As “traditional” advertising wanes, new marketing techniques, including branded entertainment, simulated word of mouth and event sponsorship are on the rise. According to Sponsorclick, a global sponsorship marketing consulting company, 54% of Fortune 500 companies report sponsorship is now “an integrated part of the marketing mix.” The fastest growing piece of the marketing pie, spending on sponsorships and events topped $48 billion in 2006.

With so much money chasing events, how does a business evaluate the effectiveness of its sponsorships? And how can a firm can use sponsorships to help move the sales needle?

Experts at Copernicus Marketing Consulting report that their analysis of recent, major programs, including sports events and staged events, shows that sponsorships are most effective when four key criteria are met:

1. There are engaged fans who are also extensively involved in the product category. For example, NASCAR fans are often heavily involved in the analysis and selection of products in the engine oil category.
2. Substantial money is also dedicated to promoting the sponsorship. Copernicus research shows that “if a company isn’t investing at least equally as much in promoting the sponsorship to the target as in the rights to the opportunity, then it will see little or no effect.”
3. The company uses a straightforward message about the brand to an audience that is excited by the sponsorship. “Finding a compelling message is as critical to the success of sponsorship and event marketing.” Writing in Marketing Management, Copernicus cites the 2005 Fidelity Investments’ sponsorship of Paul McCartney’s US tour. “The tour’s theme was ‘Never stop doing what you love.’ Fidelity’s message was, ‘Let us plan the next stage of your life.’ For McCartney’s predominantly baby boomer audience (who are thinking about retirement, if not in the process of it), Fidelity’s communication that it could help them continue doing what they love likely resonated deeply.”
4. There should be a clear link between the product and sponsorship. An easily explained partnership – less than five seconds – will help make the connection between brand and buyer.

With fewer “eyeballs” focusing on TV and print advertising, the importance of new marketing techniques can’t be discounted. As its importance increases, companies need to spend more time on research and understanding how effective sponsorships can resonate with consumers.

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