General

Reinforcing America’s first online grocery delivery company as a brand of choice

Posted by on Aug 27, 2019 in General | 0 comments

While the value of the online grocery market doubled from 2016 to 2018 with Amazon/Whole Foods, Walmart and Target entering the delivery space, Peapod needed a brand strategy to differentiate itself. Peapod turned to Ballast Group to help the company stand out in its home market of Chicago, creatively reminding the market that Peapod is a local company and the original player to transform the way people think about grocery shopping, opening 30 years ago. A strategic, integrated campaign by our team placed Peapod in front of millions of existing and new customers and drove hundreds to sign up...

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In honor of the 110th Race to Mackinac, see how the Ballast Group connects many similarities between PR & sailing

Posted by on Jul 15, 2018 in General, Lessons, PR Methodology, Sailing | 0 comments

  As an integrated communications firm founded by an avid sailor, the Ballast Group team often finds inspiration in the strategy and tactics of planning, executing and measuring initiatives that have unpredictable forces like Mother Nature does. Like sailing, public relations requires the skilled management of many variables at once to take ideas to the next level. Using a balanced approach, we act as a boat’s ballast for clients, keeping their goals and objectives moving in the right direction. On July 20-21 sailors from across the world will set sail in the 110th Chicago Yacht Club...

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Planning for the fourth quarter of life

Posted by on May 28, 2018 in General | 0 comments

One in five Americans aged 70 and older say they can’t live independently or accomplish daily tasks without assistance. To accommodate this ballooning U.S. population, more than 1.3 million new paid caregivers are needed to meet demand by 2027. With more than 765 home services agencies in Illinois (500 non-medical) how does one company distinguish itself? Open Arms Solutions (OAS), a home care agency based in Chicagoland, turned to Ballast Group to help build its brand. Since 1959, the Publicity Club of Chicago has been recognizing outstanding communications campaigns in the Midwest with...

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Do valedictorians need a mentor?

Posted by on May 13, 2018 in General | 0 comments

Growing up in a single-parent household in the 70s, my twin and I had many mentors whether we called them that or not – teachers, coaches, pastors, mom’s boss, her friends and neighbors. Reaching my early 30s, I finally thought I’d learned a bit about life. It was time to join a board and give back. A nonprofit in Denver focused on higher education for inner city youth approached me about a role. I requested first getting to know one of the students it served.  It took awhile to pair me which was confusing. It wasn’t until three months into our formal year-long relationship that the...

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Healthcare reputation management in 2017

Posted by on Jan 19, 2018 in General, Lessons, PR Methodology | 0 comments

In 2017, we saw numerous large companies fall prey to poor reputation management and crisis communication preparation. The airline industry snagged a front seat for most damaging headlines. In an era dependent on transparency and trust, it is more important than ever to have the right systems and communication channels in place to maintain a company’s reputation with all stakeholders. As a company that works with many healthcare organizations, Ballast Group decided to take a closer look at reputation management in the healthcare space and why it is so important. In the beginning of 2017,...

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The Importance of Internships: How to Get a Jump-Start on Your Confidence and Your Career

Posted by on Jun 8, 2017 in General, Lessons | 0 comments

At the start of senior year, most college students begin contemplating what the ‘real world’ will look like. They prepare for that ever-so daunting job search and stress over securing their first post-graduation position.   As college seniors everywhere are graduating, there are a few helpful tips for freshmen, sophomores and juniors on how to get a jump start on your career and bypass most of the senior stress. The first, and arguably most important tip, is securing not only one but two or three internships during college. When I was in my junior year at DePaul University, I had the chance...

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