May 6, 2008, Alexandria, Va. - Newsstands across the U.S. in April are filled with popular magazines featuring articles on the emotional benefits of flowers.
- Health magazine includes a full-page article titled, "The other reasons to love flowers." It tells readers that flowers have the power to boost moods and inspire creative thinking. It cites several studies commissioned by the floral industry, including: the Emotional Impact of Flowers Study (Rutgers University) and the Impact of Flowers & Plants on Workplace Productivity Study (Texas A&M University) both conducted on behalf of the Society of American Florists (SAF) Fund for Nationwide Public Relations; and the Home Ecology of Flowers Study (Harvard Medical School) commissioned on behalf of a strategic alliance between SAF and the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO).
- Prevention magazine reports "women who worked for an hour in a room decorated with two potted plants and a bouquet of flowers generated 13% more ideas." The article cites the Impact of Flowers & Plants on Workplace Productivity Study.
- Woman's World magazine cites the Emotional Impact of Flowers Study: "Flowers can bring us closer to loved ones! The first thing they make us want to do is share them, elevating each other's spirits and strengthening our bonds, explains Rutgers University researchers. Now that's flower power!"
These articles are a direct result of strategic public relations programs paid for by the SAF PR Fund. Since its inception in 2001, PR Fund programs have generated nearly 789 million consumer impressions, the number of times consumers are exposed to the message. This coverage includes 64 placements in national magazines and newspaper, TV, radio and online coverage in 281 local and regional markets nationwide.
"This goes to show how evergreen our research is, and what great coverage we can achieve when our past and present pitching efforts and media exposure can feed off of each other to gain visibility for our message," says Jennifer Sparks, SAF's vice president of marketing. "Most importantly, it keeps flowers top of mind among consumers as the gift of choice."
April was also a big month for SAF/FPO Alliance programs with coverage in the following publications:
- Redbook magazine writes "Looking at a fresh bouquet may make you feel happier and more energetic." It quotes Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., lead researcher on the Home Ecology of Flowers Study, saying that those who caught a glimpse of the flowers felt more compassionate the rest of the day and their mood improved.
- Latina magazine also cites the Home Ecology of Flowers Study by calling flowers "an instant pick-me-up." The article suggests boosting the whole family's mood by placing "a vase full of colorful blooms in the kitchen where everyone can enjoy them."
Since its inception in 2006, SAF/FPO Alliance programs have generated more than 260 million consumer impressions, including 21 national magazine placements.
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