Kyw Newsradio Announces Inaugural Small Business Challenge Winner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Nicole Stephenson, Director of Marketing and Promotions, KYW Newsradio 215-238-4967
KYW NEWSRADIO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGE WINNER
Red Thread has been presented with a $25,000 advertising campaign
PHILADELPHIA – July 26, 2012 – KYW Newsradio featured President, Debra Kimless-Garber, M.D., of Red Thread on-air this week as the winner of the inaugural 2012 Small Business Challenge. Red Thread is being awarded a $25,000 advertising campaign on KYW Newsradio, and a one year lease of professional private furnished office space located at one of the seven American Executive Centers in the Delaware Valley.
Red Thread strives to design and create the best clothing and solutions to improve the quality of life for all breast cancer survivors. The first date they were open for business was on Mother’s Day on May 5th 2011. There are many different clothing options for customers to choose from. According to Dr. Deb, “Red Thread was born from both urgency and necessity.” After surviving a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, still in pain and not happy with the aesthetic solution, she came up with a line of comfortable clothing that is also beautiful. “I’m a physician, I’m a survivor. I know what survivors are going through. I created these products to make myself feel whole again. I want to share that with all the other 2.6 million survivors that live in the United States,” says Dr. Deb.
“KYW Newsradio is proud to use the power of its voice and expertise in the Philadelphia market to showcase a small business that is beginning to find its way in the market place, “says CBS Radio Philadelphia Senior Vice President and Market Manager Marc Rayfield. “We hope our campaign will help Red Thread become the business that it rightfully deserves and aspires to be.”
From May 28th to June 17th, KYW Newsradio accepted nominations for the Small Business Challenge. Criteria for nomination included being in business for less than two years, 80% of the revenue must stay in the Delaware Valley, total revenue could not exceed $5 million annually and the business must be up and running and post revenue. The finalist and winner were chosen by an esteemed business panel, including:
Pam Cyr, Chief Retail Officer, Beneficial Bank Pam Hisler, NJ Market Director, Beneficial Bank Mike Howard, President, American Executive Centers Mark Lochiavo, Executive Director, Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, Drexel University and Sr. Exec. in Residence, LeBow College of Business Tina M. Malek, MBA, VP, Director of Marketing Communications, Beneficial Bank Carl Needles, PA Market Director, Beneficial Bank Tony Sweeney, SVP Media Director, LevLane Advertising, PR, Interactive Terri Zobel, Director of Programs and Services, Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, Drexel University
“We like being part of this terrific campaign supporting the growth and success of small businesses in our community,” says Mike Howard, President of American Executive Centers. “We sincerely welcome Red Thread to the American Executive Centers community and look forward to helping to take Dr. Deb’s business to the next level!”
July 9th through July 22nd, KYW reported stories of the finalists, highlighting their business strategies and future growth plans.
The five finalists included:
20/20 Visual Media Atlas Mountain Construction Lollipop Shoppe Red Thread The Business Growth System
The Small Business Challenge is presented by Beneficial Bank, and sponsored by American Executive Centers, Devon Hill BMW and Drexel University’s Baiada Institute.
About KYW Newsradio KYW Newsradio has been providing the Greater Philadelphia region with “All News. All the Time.” since 1965. The station is owned and operated by CBS RADIO, one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States. A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 127 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation’s top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also owns and operates WPHT- AM, WIP-AM/FM and WOGL-FM in Philadelphia. ###