Because this biological father had abandoned the birth mother, by South Carolina law he wouldn’t have had any parental rights. Then walked in the Indian Child Welfare Act thanks to the Cherokee Nation. We realize this law has a purpose and the intention of the law was to perserve families. In Veronica’s case, this law destroyed a family and after sharing Veronica’s story with others, we have now learned that it has devastated many, many others as well. It’s difficult to ignore when Senator Jim Abourezk, a former U.S. senator from South Dakota that authored the law states this is “something totally different than what we intended at the time.” Additionally, he said, “That’s a tragedy. They obviously were attached to the child and, I would assume, the child was attached to them.” We hear you Senator. We agree and all of us at TRIO are determined to help bring her home!

After nearly a two year battle, Matt and Melanie were ordered by a family court judge to hand Veronica over. Veronica was officially transferred to her biological father on Dec. 31. At 7 p.m. she was placed into a pick-up truck with three complete strangers and traveled more than 1,100 miles away from the only parents she has ever known. God speed sweet Little Veronica. We will continue to fight for your return. Will you join us and be Veronica’s Voice?

This may be late news to some of you, but we are still blushing over the fact that our own Jessica Munday, founder and president of TRIO, was named The Post and Courier’s Marketer of the Year last month. Jessica was honored during the Charleston American Marketing Association’s annual awards luncheon on November 3, where local marketing professionals were recognized for marketing excellence in the Lowcountry. It was an impressive scene! Jessica was anonymously nominated, selected as a finalist by an open community poll, and then selected by an out-of-state board based on this submission about her signature project.

2011 has certainly been a record year for TRIO. In addition to the company’s growing client base and addition of four new employees, TRIO also took time this year to launch a new brand identity after operating under the original brand since the company’s inception in 2001.

“After nearly a decade, we finally took some time to give ourselves a little attention,” says Munday. “Our new brand is a much stronger representation of our creativity and personality.” Launching the new brand entailed a complete redesign of TRIO’s website and development of a new, more-colorful logo.

“Having Jessica receive this year’s award so graciously reminded everyone at TRIO that it’s not about getting credit or recognition,” describes Jennifer Cherock, TRIO’s vice president. “It’s about staying true, giving back, and working hard for what you believe in. Jessica lives her life that way, promotes that culture within the TRIO community and I can’t think of anyone that deserves this award more than her.”

The entire TRIO team is excited to wrap up 2011 on such a positive note and look forward to continued successes and fun in 2012. We hope you’ll join in on the excitement and keep in touch with us. Follow us here – on Facebook, or on Twitter. Or just stop on in any time! We love visitors.

Why do we do this, you ask?

It’s organizations like Florence Crittenton of South Carolina that tuck young mothers under their wing and teach them how to become responsible, self-sufficient parents. Or, the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina who deserve a huge shout out as they prepare for their 100-year anniversary. That’s a century of inspiring young girls to aim high and reach for the stars.

It’s organizations like Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (LEAP) who bring together humans and horses in the most powerful and touching way. Or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society who needed help promoting their upcoming event – an event that will allow them to create a better future for children and adults living with blood cancer. Then we have our sweet friends at Rural Mission on John’s Island. They are the purest definition of compassion as they make a difference in our local community, plank by plank and nail by nail.

These organizations make us strive to become better people – to use our talent and knowledge to make our little corner of the world a better place.

To lose sleep over petty things is nothing. To lose sleep over things that matter is everything!

Here’s to another successful CreateAthon. Until next year… GOD BLESS – Team TRIO (including Brennan Wesley, Michael Allen, Brian Dadin, Brad Caricofe and Mary Sue Lawrence).

Thank you all! It’s been real!

And now, to introduce the organizations that we have the honor and privilege to work with this year (drum roll, please):

Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina
Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (LEAP)
Rural Mission
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

We couldn’t be happier to partner with each of these nonprofits and to help make a difference in the lives of those they serve. Let’s get some sleep tonight girls because tomorrow…IT’S ON.

Do you feel like you’re doing well to just keep up with the lingo of Facebook – much less how to best utilize the space for your nonprofit?

You’re not alone. And for that very reason, Facebook has recently announced the opening of their nonprofit resource center – chock full of tips, case studies and tools.

We often stress to our clients that there is not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to utilize Facebook, as every situation calls for a different action. A page may work for one organization – while a group may be more appropriate for another. And when it comes to content, apps, ads and the day-to-day details of social media, it’s best to be flexible and prepared to make changes based on changing technologies and on what seems to work for your organization.

If you make your way to www.facebook.com/nonprofits, you will find two valuable sections on the left-hand side of the page: ‘Resources’ and ‘Success Stories’. Take time to dig around in these areas as they can save you time and frustration, and may spur new ideas of ways to use your Facebook page to spread awareness of your cause and develop a sense of community for those already aware and on-board. Under ‘resources’ you can download three PDF documents that share the basics of setting up a page, tips on getting started, and a comprehensive guide specifically for nonprofits. The ‘success stories’ tab is regularly updated with examples submitted by users like yourself who have found what works best for them.

One of our nonprofit clients that has enjoyed success using Facebook is Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program, an organization that provides a cuddly educational tool in the form of a stuffed animal duck to children’s hospitals across the country. These ducks are for children with cancer who are going through chemotherapy, and are used by doctors to show them what is happening to their body. The duck is equipped with scrubs and chest portals – and includes educational books and resources that comfort both the child and guardian. They have found that their Facebook page is a great way to allow the families around the country with Chemo Ducks a place to share their stories and hear encouragement from others going through long hospital stays and the stress of chemotherapy. They celebrate surviving cancer and they give tribute to those who have lost the battle. The organizations ‘mascot’, Connor, has his own personal page and connects with families with Chemo Ducks as they share photos and stories.

The organization takes care to be respectful of its fans and does not see fund raising as a sole purpose of the page. It is there to support and encourage a community of remarkable parents, siblings and care-givers who are fighting for these children each day.

We hope that one lesson Chemo Duck’s page can share is that heart matters. Be genuine and ‘human’ in all that you post.

We were honored to have worked with two time, Olympic-medalist and softball legend, Jennie Finch. Being six months pregnant, her love for the game and desire to inspire young ladies were quiet apparent. After a red-eye flight from the West Coast, Jennie dedicated 110 percent of herself to our event as we spent more than 12 hours visiting sponsors, speaking to the girls, practicing with them, signing autographs and braving the cold once the sun went down. Her visit to Asheville and the new ballpark was certainly the highlight of the event.

Originally, hoping to sell 200-300 tickets we ended up having to bring in more and more bleachers to final accommodate more than 700 guests. It was truly an amazing event. All proceeds will benefit the YMCA of Western North Carolina and the Enka High School Sugar Jets Booster Club.

In just over four days, the red carpet will once again be rolled out as the 83rd annual Academy Awards air on ABC television network. The show’s website shares exciting news… “You’re invited!”

This year, oscar.com is taking the popular film-industry awards ceremony to a whole new level and giving viewers access that “even the winners don’t have”. If you pony up $4.99 you gain ‘full access’ and can essentially direct your own show. Choose from different camera shots throughout the night – not just of the main awards ceremony – but also from different back-stage and dressing-room cameras and even follow celebrities to the after-party events.

The extensive site has also embedded a Twitter feed that will scroll real-time tweets from nominees during the show. We can only hope that Kanye has managed to make it into this list somehow to ensure viewer-entertainment.

In the meantime, as the countdown ticks on, you can visit Oscar.com and watch different red-carpet style contests or vote for who you think will win in each category of awards. As the actual winners are announced on Sunday evening, you will be updated on your accuracy – or if you’re as inept in the movie-scene as I am, your lack-thereof.

Regardless of who walks away with the ‘Best Picture’ award, it’s likely the online advertisers for this site will gleefully report record-breaking ROI numbers to their boss on Monday morning and feel like they themselves have won an Oscar.

Three is a magic number,

You get three as a magic number.

For everyone at TRIO, those lyrics mean more than just a nostalgic song from a bygone era but a reason to celebrate!

Three is a magic number. It’s a powerful number represented in several aspects of history. From the mystical power of the pyramids to the establishment of mathematical principles, the triangle, although so simple, represents something powerful and full of knowledge.

Ten years ago, Trio Solutions was born and the revolving triangle was incorporated into the logo to demonstrate our ability to discover creative solutions for our clients and to remind us to keep life simple. Although still relevant a decade later, we’ve evolved.

So on this day at 3:33 p.m. with 333 days left in the year, we are ecstatic to unveil our new brand identity.

Our new logo remains connected to our roots but symbolizes something new and innovative. Something that shines and screams CREATIVE! Just like our new tagline says “Be seen. Be heard. Be creative.” That’s what we do for ourselves and our clients.

Although our look may have changed our philosophy to enjoy life, work hard and make a difference will always remain an integral part of our day-to-day life. That’s just who we are.

So, as you keep humming that classic song from Schoolhouse Rock in your head (heck, sing it out loud) remember one makes an individual, two makes a couple but three makes a family and that’s what we are at TRIO!

and the song continues on…
The past and the present and the future.
Faith and hope and charity,
The heart and the brain and the body
Give you three as a magic number.

We are so proud and excited to announce that our friends at MUSC Children’s Hospital have earned national recognition for their Web site redesign. At a recent national health care internet conference, Greystone.net and StayWell Custom Communications partnered together to award the top hospitals and health care systems across the nation. The annual awards are presented in twelve categories and are based upon Web site content and functionality.

MUSCHealth took home three awards total – more than any other institution – including the gold prize for ‘best overall Web site’. MUSC Children’s Hospital walked away with the gold award for ‘best redesigned micro site’ – a project that our talented Web designers began last August.

MUSC kids - old site

MUSC Kids - new site