Check out some of Bon’s Eye Marketing’s latest work. Our firm recently created a four-page promotional section for PPD – a pharmaceutical Clinical Research Organization with global reach. The section ran as an advertorial insert in July’s (first) issue of The Greater Wilmington Business Journal, with some 15,000 copies distributed.

Throughout the process, our team collaborated with PPD’s marketing department to create an insert that conveys the CRO’s professionalism and success. The company wanted to showcase its 25 years of industry leadership.

Aside from designing the layout and other graphic elements, Bon’s Eye wrote several articles for the piece. With PPD now planning to print additional copies for marketing purposes, we thank them and the Business Journal for the chance to tell their story.

“To me success means effectiveness in the world, that I am able to carry my ideas and values into the world – that I am able to change it in positive ways.”

This is how Maxine Hong Kingston, a Chinese American author, views the importance of personal contributions to society. Her quote was my central theme when I spoke at a Rotary dinner last week. The occasion was my installation as president of Wilmington West Rotary Club, both an honor and a challenge.

Kingston’s words define the vision that lies at the heart of Rotary. Still, many people envision these clubs as groups of middle-aged “good old boys” chewing the fat over weekly lunches and maybe closing a business deal or two. This is not so.

One of my goals for 2010-11 is to raise community awareness about the real Rotary – and I can’t think of a better way to launch the campaign than blogging about it. So, consider this a crash course on who we are and what we do. The scope of it may surprise you.

Rotary began in Chicago in 1905. A non-political, non-religious international organization of men and women, their mission is to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Clubs are open to all creeds, cultures and races. Today, Rotary operates in more than 160 countries worldwide, with approximately 1.2 million men and women belonging to 30,000-plus clubs.

Key projects focus on at-risk youth, disabled persons, health/education initiatives and environmental concerns, to name a few. On a global level, Rotarians also are wiping out polio, providing clean water and striving to build international peace and good will.

I believe all the good Rotary does collectively starts with individual clubs like Wilmington West, made up of busy people who simply want to make their community – and the world – just a bit better.

The internationally acclaimed Full Belly Project, which designs and distributes income-generating agricultural devices in developing countries, started with seed money from Wilmington West. We endow scholarships at the University North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. We also provide financial and hands-on support for the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Wilmington Family YMCA, Carousel Center, Communities in Schools and other life-changing programs.

Proud as I am of all Wilmington West gets done, we’re not the only game in town. A total of six clubs in the city and 48 across our district are devoted to Rotary’s mission.

As for me, my first board meeting as president comes up in a couple days. And I can’t wait to get started.

With Bon’s Eye Marketing’s editor-in-chief, Marita Bon, at the helm of their public relations efforts, the New Hanover County Aboretum had another successful event. Arboretum in the A.M. brought more than 400 people through the gate. To learn about the education and outreach showcase, read below. If you missed out on it this year, mark your calendars for 2011.

Arboretum holds tool sale, family activities at new garden event
Both grownup and junior gardeners will find plenty to do at the newest family-focused outdoor event to hit the Wilmington area.

Arboretum in the A.M., 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24 at the New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, will feature hands-on gardening projects, demonstrations and workshops. The agenda also includes a used garden-tool sale offering top quality equipment at bargain prices, as well as a full slate of children’s activities. Admission is free.

New Hanover County Extension Agent John Wooldridge, head of the planning committee, hopes to accomplish several goals. “We wanted to provide an education event on the grounds of the Arboretum that was available to everyone – a fun morning for people of all ages,” said Wooldridge, who oversees NHC Extension’s commercial horticulture programs.

“In addition, we wanted to hold a celebration of spring gardening that will show off all the resources provided by the New Hanover County Arboretum and Cooperative Extension.”

Besides providing practical tips and demonstrations for turf management, raised vegetable beds, container gardening and herb growing, extension experts will be on hand to answer participants’ questions. Meanwhile, youngsters will keep busy with an adventure scavenger hunt, sunflower-potting sessions and garden-themed crafts.

“Parents can enjoy the presentations knowing that their youngsters are having fun,” Wooldridge said. “Yard sale enthusiasts in particular will find the used garden tool sale a highlight of Arboretum in the A.M.”

Persons interested in donating equipment to the sale can contact Valerie DeSanti at vdesanti@ec.rr.com or 470-8180. Proceeds will benefit the New Hanover County Arboretum.

To learn more about Arboretum in the A.M. call 798-7664. Visit www.gardeningnhc.org for general information on Arboretum programs.

About the Cooperative Extension
The New Hanover County Cooperative Extension gives county residents easy access to the resources and expertise of N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University. Through educational programs, publications and events, the agency delivers unbiased, research-based information to New Hanover County citizens.

About the Arboretum
The Arboretum, home to a wide variety of plants grown in the coastal area, as well as to emerging trends in plant material, occupies seven acres in the heart of New Hanover County. In its role as the Cooperative Extension’s “horticulture laboratory,” the Arboretum boasts a knowledgeable staff and many volunteers, all working to make the gardens beautiful and educational.

Every week, business owners and managers alike come to Bon’s Eye Marketing seeking an effective Web site for an affordable price. Usually, they want five things:

•    A great-looking design that conveys their company’s professionalism and credibility.
•    A clean, persuasive message that sounds like it came from them, not some stuffy writer.
•    The capability to add pictures, news, messages, etc. at their own leisure.
•    The ability to show off their products / services.
•    Oh yeah, all this without breaking the bank.

Huh, considering so much goes into developing a quality Web site, this seemed like a pretty tall order. Still, after hours of brain wracking, we think we’ve come up with a solution to deliver these businesses the online presence they deserve.

Bon’s Eye Marketing presents the LIVE 3 deal. This new service gives companies all the benefits of a high-end Web site FOR ONLY $1,300. It also includes the first 12 months of hosting on the house, a three-week turnaround time, and our coveted $3 SUPER SIZE SPECIALS – which lets you pick amazing upgrades for only three bucks a pop! Yes, we’re fast-food junkies.

Bon’s Eye can offer these reasonably-priced Web sites because of a new layout system we’ve created that streamlines certain processes and makes labor time more efficient. With today’s average site usually costing upwards of $3,000 or more, we’re very proud to offer this alternative for those on a tighter budget.

For more details, just click here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.

Thanks!
Bon’s Eye Marketing