Today we publicly announced our selection as agency of record by NatureBridge, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco and the largest residential environmental education partner of the National Park Service. NatureBridge currently operates four campuses in Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park in Washington State, Golden Gate National Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and each year serves more than 40,000 participants through field science, youth leadership and teacher training programs.

Environmental education is a pre-requisite for a sustainable planet, yet it continues to be misunderstood, underfunded and even ignored. This is especially true in our public schools where, much like the music programs our client Little Kids Rock aims to protect, hands-on nature and science courses taught out in the field are among the first to be cut. In response, NatureBridge has set ambitious goals to expand the program nationwide and inspire even more students in more places to become advocates for the planet.

This win is a key addition to our Green/Sustainability practice formed on Oct. 25, 2010 made up of companies, both for profit and nonprofit, offering products and services designed to protect natural resources and embrace the concepts of environmental integrity and social responsibility. The bi-coastal account team, consisting of myself, Tyler Perry, Shannon Hutto and Kathleen Stuart, will work closely with our fantastic internal contacts Susan Larson and Brea Jones along with a soon to be hired new PR director.

We feel very fortunate to be able to compete for and win accounts where the organization’s mission so closely aligns with causes and issues we as an agency (and individuals) feel so strongly about, namely managing climate change, living a more sustainable lifestyle and protecting the planet for future generations. Welcome aboard NatureBridge!

While not without its challenges, 2010 turned out to be a great year for the Bateman Group. Despite the lingering effects of the Great Recession, we saw revenues grow almost 20 percent over calendar year 2009. We also made terrific progress in diversifying our client roster. In July, we began work with Recyclebank, adding a flagship account for our newly formed sustainability practice. Earlier in the year, our work with long-time client Panda Security nabbed us our first Bulldog Media Award — a Gold in the Consumer Technology category! Not bad for an agency more known more for our work with B2B technology companies.

If January is any indication, 2011 is quickly shaping up to be our best year ever. In order to take advantage of the opportunities that await us, we need to expand our team. Here’s the skinny:

We’re seeking candidates for Associate and Senior Associate (aka Account Executive or Sr. Account Executive) positions to service our growing base of clients in the technology, consumer, green/sustainability and non-profit market sectors. Base salary is competitive and dependent on experience, plus a generous benefits package that includes 100% paid health, vision and dental insurance; 401K plan with company match; state-of-the-art technology including the latest laptops and iPhones; three weeks paid vacation the first year; nine paid sick days; new business referral bonuses; new employee referral bonuses; domestic partnership benefits; free monthly parking or Muni pass; beautifully designed office space; and a convenient location near freeway entrances and public transportation. Last, but not least, we also offer a nurturing working environment that supports life/work balance like no other.

The candidate should reside in the San Francisco Bay Area with an ability to work full-time from our offices near Potrero Hill. He/she must able to set priorities and deliver results using excellent written and verbal communications skills. The candidate also should be accustomed to working autonomously under pressure, be extremely self-motivated, proactive and deadline-oriented. Furthermore, Bateman Group looks for people who are: 1) passionate about technology; 2) passionate about living a more sustainable lifestyle; and, of course, 3) passionate about AND deeply engaged in social media. They must have an excellent client service ethic; proven experience with business and general consumer media, technology and sustainability trades and bloggers of all stripes; and a strong team orientation. Finally, the candidate must leave their ego at the door, but never forget their sense of humor.

Associates (aka Account Coordinators, Asst. AEs) should possess 1-2 years of agency-side PR and social media communications experience. Senior Associates (AEs, SAEs) should possess 3-5 years of agency-side PR and social media communications experience. Pre-existing knowledge of at least one of our industry specialties: Cloud Computing; Digital Marketing; Security; Wireless/Telecom; e-Commerce; Consumer Tech; Green/Sustainability; and Enterprise & IT preferred.

Please send resumes with a cover letter or email to hr@bateman-group.com.  We’re not seeking freelancers or contractors for this position – full-time candidates only, please. Individuals lacking related industry experience, either agency or in-house, need not apply. No phone calls from candidates or inquiries from recruiters, please. And of course, the Bateman Group is an equal opportunity employer.

The Bateman Group signed on our very first pro bono client last summer with Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit bringing free musical instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools in 23 cities (think Red Hot Chili Peppers not Bach).

I am thrilled to report that earlier this week Little Kids Rock received a $500,000 donation from the Dr. Phil Foundation which will bring rock’n music programs to 25,000 school children in  New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Tampa, and two additional cities to be named by the end of 2009.

This is what my friend and Little Kids Rock founder David Wish had to say about the partnership:

Dr. Phil’s passion and vision dovetails perfectly with our history of bringing music to children. This is an extraordinary opportunity to partner and make a real difference in the lives of thousands of kids. With the creation of Little Kids Rock Across America, we will be training more teacher volunteers and reaching more kids in more classrooms who would never have had opportunity to play music in an economy where arts programs are evaporating.

According to Dr. Phil McGraw:

Little Kids Rock approached the Dr. Phil Foundation in search of a meaningful way to put music into the lives of children who need it. With the help of this great organization, the Foundation has created a program designed to expand what they have been doing so effectively, one guitar, one school district and one volunteer teacher at a time. David Wish had a dream, and he made it real. I am proud that with his help, Little Kids Rock Across America will be teaching kids and their mentors what the power of music can really do to change who they are.

]]> http://www.batemanbanter.com/2009/12/pro-bono-client-shines/feed/ 0 http://www.batemanbanter.com/2009/06/a-warm-welcome-to-little-kids-rock/ http://www.batemanbanter.com/2009/06/a-warm-welcome-to-little-kids-rock/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:07:57 +0000 Fred Bateman http://www.bateman-group.com/blog/?p=136 Beginning this month, we will provide Little Kids Rock with pro bono PR and social media marketing services aimed at raising awareness of the organization's vision and mission, as well as its innovative approach to music education. ]]>

We’re excited to announce the addition of music education nonprofit Little Kids Rock to the Bateman Group client roster. LKR is a national music program that provides free instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools.

Beginning this month, we will provide Little Kids Rock with pro bono PR and social media marketing services aimed at raising awareness of the organization’s vision and mission, as well as its innovative approach to music education. Bateman Group Vice President Bill Bourdon is leading the charge on this and was responsible for connecting us with this very high-profile pro bono work.

In 1996, elementary school teacher David Wish grew frustrated with the lack of funding for music education at his school and offered an after-school guitar class to some students. What began as an informal project led by a single school teacher and a handful of volunteers has grown into one of the nation’s leading music education nonprofits with chapters in 20 cities nationwide. Today, with the support of Honorary Board Members Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, BB King, Slash, Ziggy Marley, Les Paul, Jason Newsted and a host of celebrated friends in the music industry, Little Kids Rock is poised to significantly extend the reach of its life-changing programs throughout the United States.

Needless to say, the team members are more than exuberant about beginning the work and determined to make a positive impact right away.