Priority Marketing’s March 2024 Client Headlines Report recaps news stories that you should read, watch or hear before the month ends.
The firm’s award-winning Public Relations Team helps clients and partners earn media coverage in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio, and on blogs, social media and websites. At the end of each month, the PR Team combs through hundreds of local, national and international news headlines to create its informative Client Headlines Report.
Below are just some of the many important stories that were published or aired in March 2024.
BOOKMARK IT: Client News Feed
Real estate experts address evolving residential, commercial market in SWFL
A sold-out crowd of 1,200+ attendees at the 2024 Market Trends event heard the latest news and statistics from the region’s leading voices in real estate. The trio of Justin Thibaut, Denny Grimes and Matt Simmons provided updates on data, research and fact-based analysis to help homeowners, homebuyers, real estate professionals and Southwest Florida understand the latest trends in the real estate market. Priority Marketing provided event management, website development and public relations services for Market Trends.
Gulfshore Business: Market Trends real estate experts forget past to forge future
Florida Weekly: Soaring real estate market: Experts signal SWFL’s development isn’t slowing down
New ice cream shop brings magic to Sanibel
The owners of the iconic Island Cow and Mad Hatter restaurants opened The Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine on Sanibel Island. The Magic Bus features vintage VW-inspired décor with indoor and outdoor seating offering an old-fashioned ice cream shop with 24 flavors and a candy store feel, along with modern coffee beverages, refresher drinks and baked goods. Priority Marketing provided public relations services in advance of the opening.
WINK: New ice cream shop opens on Sanibel
The News-Press: Owners of Island Cow, Mad Hatter open ice cream, coffee shop on Sanibel
The News-Press: 30 restaurants now open on Sanibel and Captiva
Gulfshore Business: Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine opens on Sanibel
SWFL Business Today: The Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine opens on Sanibel
Santiva Chronicle: The Magic Bus, SanCap Chamber cut the ribbon
Sanibel Island Reporter: Chamber and The Magic Bus cut ribbon
SWFL veteran finally moves into a home of his own
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties hosted its first home dedication through Habitat’s new Veterans Build program. Greg, a combat medic in the U.S. Army, moved into a 3BR/2BA home in Habitat’s new Prospect Avenue neighborhood in Fort Myers. Priority Marketing invited journalists to the dedication, captured photos and content at the event, and then shared the information with media members unable to attend.
WINK: SWFL veteran is living the American Dream thanks to Habitat
ABC7: Habitat for Humanity celebrates its new Veterans Build program
Starting from scratch: Partners to rebuild home for family in need
A quartet of Priority Marketing clients – Lee BIA Builders Care, Sage Communities, Stevens Construction and Raymond Building Supply – are among three dozen community partners that are providing the life-changing gift of a new home for a Fort Myers family in need. Priority Marketing, which also is a project partner, invited media to a kickoff demolition event and helped formally announce the project.
WINK: Fort Myers woman blessed with new home
WGCU: Home demolished, will be rebuilt for Fort Myers family in need
Florida Weekly: Life-changing construction
Florida Weekly: Lee BIA Builders Care, Stevens Construction rebuild Fort Myers home
Teen’s organization distributes 100,000 books… and counting
BelieveNBooks, a teen-led nonprofit based in Southwest Florida, marked the distribution of its 100,000th book with a celebration at Grace Place in Naples. The organization helps coordinate book drives for schools, churches, scouting groups, neighborhood associations, sports teams and civic groups in addition to securing donations from generous individuals and corporate sponsors. Priority Marketing provided public relations services at the celebration event, including photography and videography services.
ABC7: Teen-led nonprofit distributes 100,000 books to kids
Second Margaritaville brand opens in Southwest Florida
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, an all-suite, boutique-style hotel by TPI Hospitality, is now open in Naples. The hotel blends Margaritaville’s signature elements with the convenience and comfort of a more intimate hotel setting and is just a short walk to the beach. Priority Marketing’s public relations team partnered with the hotel to announce the official opening, and will be supporting ongoing publicity opportunities and a grand-opening event happening soon.
Gulfshore Business: Compass Hotel by Margaritaville opens In Naples
Associated Press: Compass by Margaritaville, Brand’s Boutique Hotel Collection, Announces Expansion
Olympian visits Sanibel to talk swimming, Gasparilla
Southwest Floridians had their first taste of the 2024 Summer Olympics when three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Rowdy Gaines gave a sneak peek at some of the names people should watch in the pool this year. Gaines was in town to kick off The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s 2024 Speaker Series and talked about his swimming days, spending time on Little Gasparilla Island as a youth and his view from the press box for the past 30 years as NBC’s swimming analyst.
NBC2: Former Olympic swimmer Rowdy Gaines shares favorite memories on Sanibel
NBC2: Longtime Olympic broadcaster Rowdy Gaines previews the 2024 Paris Games
Santiva Chronicle: Social Scene: Sanibel Captiva Trust hosts Olympian Rowdy Gaines
Farmers offer insight into agriculture, sustainable farming
ECHO Global Farm showcased its work with tours, unique experiences and workshops for the whole family at the nonprofit agriculture development organization’s annual Food and Farm Festival. Agricultural experts offered workshops on sustainable farming tips and techniques, and guests also enjoyed live cooking shows throughout the weeklong event. Priority Marketing announced the event and provided on-site media relations services.
Cape Coral Breeze: ECHO draws crowd to annual Food & Farm Fest
NBC2: ECHO’s 32nd Annual Global Food and Farm Festival kicks off
Florida Weekly: A day on the farm
Localizing impacts of change in real estate commissions
The National Association of Realtors recently announced a settlement to an antitrust lawsuit that effectively eliminates the standard 6% commission in home purchases (usually 3% for the seller’s agent and 3% for the buyer’s agent). Although this is a national story, Priority Marketing partnered with Naples-based Realtor Aprile Osborne, co-owner of Call it Closed International Realty, to help explain what this means to local buyers and sellers.
WINK: New National Association of Realtors settlement could have impact on real estate commission
WGCU: Area Realtors awaiting more details on anti-trust settlement
Awards and honors: Client recognitions
Priority Marketing helps clients share the good news when they win awards and accolades. Below are recent awards that caught our PR team’s attention:
- Sunshine Ace Hardware: IT Administrator Jason Heimberger selected for Associate Leadership Collier Class of 2024
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County: Kaliyah Stevens named 2024 Youth of the Year.
- Advocate Radiation Oncology and Southwest Florida Proton: Dr. Arie Dosoretz won Phoenix Award at Lee Health Foundation’s Cancer Care Hero Awards
- Call It Closed International Realty: Nation’s Best list from RealTrends Verified
New faces in new place: Promotions and appointments
Congratulations to the following individuals who were recently hired, promoted or awarded additional responsibilities by client partners that Priority Marketing serves:
- Lee Health Foundation: Jaimee Marshall, administrative support; Rebecca Saineghi, program manager for stewardship and donor relations; Colleen Kofsky, associate director of development
- Family Integrative Medicine: Greg Idell, regenerative medicine advisor; Donna Duka, case manager
- Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach: Rachel Burden, marketing and events manager
Do you need a Public Relations Team to help tell your story? Please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or send an email to LetsTalk@PriorityMarketing.com.
