Cork Tree Creative Expands to Offer Social Media Services

Cork Tree Creative, an Edwardsville-based public relations and marketing firm, has added Kerrie Smothers as director of social media outreach.

Smothers has ten years experience in radio as a host/producer at 101.1The River, 104.1 The Mall, and most recently, powerhouse Hot AC Y98. Her experience in radio included heavy doses of social media and the web, both as a user and creator of content. At Cork Tree Creative, Smothers will design and implement customized social media plans for clients looking to break into this crowded marketplace.

Social media refers to the use of social networking and online marketing sites such as Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed and more to augment existing marketing and public relations programs. Cork Tree Creative is adding the services due to an increase in demand for social media marketing services over the course of the last year.

According to Laura Reed, principal and public relations director for Cork Tree Creative, "As tweets, feeds, and status updates become the new language of mass communication, businesses are rushing to figure out how social media can help them increase awareness and sales. According to market researcher Forrester, companies are expected to increase social media spending 34% over the next 5 years. And when social media is correctly utilized, those dollars seem to be well-spent." Reed adds that Cone's 2008 Business in Social Media Study found that more than 55% of social media users feel more connected to and better served by companies with a strong online presence.

Smothers says "Social media is a great way to reach consumers and the press, as well as support a business's traditional marketing and SEO efforts. But it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's not enough just to be on these channels. You have to understand how to use them in a meaningful way."

Cork Tree Creative, owned and operated by marketing veterans Jan Carpenter and Laura Reed, is a full-service public relations, marketing and website development company located in downtown Edwardsville. The company provides public relations, marketing, graphic design, website development and optimization, branding and advertising services to companies throughout the United States and Canada. For more information about Cork Tree Creative, please call (618) 656-7333 or visit www.corktreecreative.com