[Convention Extra] PPMA Update

What’s that classic saying — when it rains, it pours? Well, if anything can be said of the frenzy of activity that is surrounding the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), then let it pour.

While in the midst of searching for a new executive director, PPMA has barreled through summer and is charging full steam into fall unveiling several major projects and touting some impressive media exposure in its wake.

FROM GREEN SCREEN TO DVD. In early summer 2008, PPMA began production on the latest video in its Pride & Professionalism series. This new training video can be used both with customers and in new employee orientation — educating viewers on the important practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

PPMA used cutting-edge production technology to recreate the interactive virtual home on WhatisIPM.org, bringing the animation to life with the help of a green screen. Lead actor Tim Bugbee, who was also featured as the PCO in the original Pride & Professionalism installment, is back taking the viewer through a guided home tour discussing IPM strategies and tactics. The video can be found on WhatisIPM.org, YouTube and is available to PPMA Guardians and Contributors for use in their companies.

BACK TO SCHOOL COOL. PPMA’s beloved children’s Web site also underwent a makeover and has a hip new look, proving that learning at home or in school can be really cool. Beyond the bright new colors and design, there also are many new learning tools for children to use. These tools include a research report writing center that shows users how to effectively research and write a report, a science fair kit section with projects that teachers can assign for class grades or for science fairs. Finally, new lesson plans are also included for teachers to use everyday in the classroom.

“Educating our youth is very important to PPMA because they are a powerful audience of future customers, as well as a new generation of PCOs that we can’t ignore,” said Tommy Fortson, PPMA chairman. “Not only are we teaching them about pests, but we are also teaching them about the importance and necessity for professional pest control inside the home.”

All material, which is designed around pest-related topics, can be downloaded to computer desktops for easy printing. A pop-up glossary also is available to help children learn important pest terms as they move through the lessons. Fan favorites, however, are still interactive Web games, pest index and e-cards.

BED BUGS BACK IN THE NEWS. Somehow, some way, bed bugs found a way to nestle themselves smack dab in the middle of news coverage of the summer Olympics in Beijing, political conventions and vice presidential candidate selections. Bed bugs continue to be a hot topic, bringing the “gross out” factor to morning news shows and popular newspapers across the country. To bring the stories to light, PPMA aligned itself with two prominent national news organizations, providing accurate information and positioning the National Pest Management Association as the go-to-source for pest news.

As a result, USA Today ran a front-page story on the occurrence of bed bug infestations in dorms, right as students were moving back to school. America’s No. 1 rated morning show, The Today Show, quickly followed suit by airing a segment on Aug. 29, working with PPMA for fact-checking and bed bug video footage. Additionally, "The Today Show" also worked with the organization for another taped segment on bed bug-sniffing dogs, which featured NPMA’s senior scientist Greg Baumann. The segment aired in September.

“These big ticket news stories are valuable for the industry because they simulate a ripple effect,” said Jessica Phelan, interim executive director for PPMA. “We target national media outlets because their stories often get picked up by local television stations, radio news affiliates and daily newspapers, spreading like wildfire on the Web. Ultimately, high profile media placements like these help to reach consumers on a very localized level.”
 
YEAR OF THE RAT. The year 2008 is the “Year of the Rat,” which occurs every 12 years according to the Chinese Zodiac and is indicative of a year of productivity and opportunities. PPMA says it was indeed the “Year of the Rat,” but for much more literal reasons.

Greg Baumann lent his expertise to the History Channel’s Modern Marvels in an episode called “Rats” on April 30. Baumann’s segments, discussing the species’ history, their roles as vectors of disease, their religious significance in Indian temples and the bizarre world of rat competitions, were shot on location in New York City.

Not to be outdone, the Discovery Channel also reached out to PPMA for help on a special program examining the history of the rat as part of a mini-series called “Animals of Unusual Sizes.” Baumann again served as an on-camera expert source to the production team while filming in New York.

As the year continues to wrap up, it’s obvious that PPMA plans to keep this breakneck speed, relying on momentum, strategy, and of course its growing family of investors that pledge their support year after year, making these milestones possible.

“Eleven years ago, successes like these were mere dreams in the minds of PPMA founders,” noted Fortson. “PPMA’s current successes are directly attributable to the hundreds of visionary companies that invest annually in the cause.”

Either way, you’ll be sure to hear of more good things coming from this camp as they continue to defend, protect and grow the industry. 

For more information about PPMA, contact Jessica Phelan, interim executive director, at jphelan@vaultcommunications.com or 610/455-2741. Or, visit www.npmapestworld.org/ppma.