Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Peer Pressure to Battle Obesity

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Suggest your 13-year-old  shut down the X-box and exercise, or drink a glass of milk instead of Mountain Dew and you’re in for a battle.

But if the same suggestions come from one of his friends, it’s an entirely different story. For young teens, peer pressure is everything.  

That was the idea behind the Super-Power Summit — a youth wellness initiative that we managed for the Midwest Dairy Council, the Iowa Department of Education’s Team Nutrition Program and Iowa State University Extension for Families and 4H.

We brought together more than 240 middle school students from 40 schools throughout the state to motivate them to lead the battle against obesity by selling their peers on the idea that they need to eat more nutritious foods and engage in at least an hour of physical activity per day.

The day-long summit feature inspiring speakers such as Charlie Wittmack, who climbed to the top of Mount Everest, and Tim Dwight, an All-American from the University of Iowa who went on to become a leading kick returner in the NFL.

The event also featured a street marketing events that engaged the downtown lunch crowd with physical activities and important messages about eating healthy.

Not only did all of the students rate the event as worthwhile and enjoyable, all of the teachers who accompanied them stated the event will help them activate a youth-led wellness initiative at their schools. In the battle against child obesity, that’s an encouraging first step.

Posted By Bill Brewer at 11:00  Leave Us a Comment

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Grant, Horstmann Named Account Managers

ZLRIGNITION has promoted Nick Grant and Sara Horstmann to Account Manager.

 

Grant joined ZLRIGNITION in 2007 as an account- and street marketing Nick Grantcoordinator and has played a vital role in managing special events and activities for Just Eliminate Lies, (JEL), Iowa’s teen-led tobacco counter marketing group.

 

A native of Washington, D.C., Grant holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Drake University, where he also was co-captain of Drake’s 2006-2007 men’s basketball team.

 

“Nick will continue to play a critical role in helping our clients’ engage teens and young adults, and in utilizing social media to help clients achieve their communications and marketing objectives,” says Louie Laurent, president and CEO.

 

Horstmann joined ZLRIGNITION in 2008 as a media planner and buyer. Sara HorstmannBefore joining the agency, Horstmann worked at Heartland Financial USA, Inc. where she coordinated major marketing projects including special events and media buying.

 

“Sara brings a sharp focus on producing results that meet or exceed client expectations. She is a valuable addition to our account service team,” adds Laurent.

 

Horstmann, who resides in Urbandale, holds a bachelor’s degree in art & design from Iowa State University.

 

 

 

Posted By Bill Brewer at 14:55  Leave Us a Comment