Ladybug Wine School

The Ladybug Wine School is an educational venture where professionals can learn how and why certain wines go with certain foods. Proceeds benefit the Greater Richmond ARC.

Illustration: Douglas Payne

Best In Virginia - Award of Excellence 2008

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) recently awarded their top prize, the "Award of Excellence," in their annual "Best in Virginia" marketing competition to Douglas Payne, Michael Foley, Rodney Shelton and Tracy Tierney for their work in promoting the Greater Richmond ARC's workforce, ARC Industrial Services. By designing, developing and implementing a highly-effective marketing and earned media placement strategy throughout 2008, the team was able to effectively promote a program that employs over 200 people in central Virginia with a variety of developmental disabilities. Judges from IABC chapters across the U.S. awarded 68 out of a possible 70 points to the team for "marketing communications excellence."

Tuckahoe Plantation - Jefferson's Boyhood Home

When the owners and managers of Tuckahoe Plantation, the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson, decided to host their first Christmas Tour in more than 20 years, they called Douglas Payne to help with a public relations blitz to local media outlets. Working with senior staff, Doug crafted a media pitch to the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other media outlets in central Virginia, emphasizing the historical significance of a true "colonial Christmas" tour on the grounds of Tuckahoe in nearby Goochland County. The result: nearly 800 visitors bought tour tickets and attended two days after a feature article appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.