Interactive Marketing Agency Blue Iceberg Launches Keep Winter Cool Website to Fight Global Warming

New York-based interactive marketing agency Blue Iceberg has launched the Keep Winter Cool website, sponsored by the NRDC and NSAA. Targeted to winter sports enthusiasts, Keep Winter Cool explains why global warming matters, and gives simple steps individuals can take to fight back.

(PRWEB) February 22, 2004 --New York-based interactive marketing agency Blue Iceberg LLC today launched the website for Keep Winter Cool," the groundbreaking campaign to fight global warming. Keep Winter Cool is jointly sponsored by NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) and the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) to raise visibility and public understanding of global warming. The campaign spotlights opportunities that exist right now to start fixing the problem before it gets out of hand- in the environment where its consequences are most immediate: on the ski slopes. The website launch coincides with the NSAAs Sustainable Slopes Outreach Day, February 21st 2004.

Research shows that most Americans believe global warming is a serious man-made threat, but in the face of scientific theories, they feel confused, removed from it, or powerless to do anything about it. The Keep Winter Cool website makes it clear why the $3 billion ski industry, 11.3 million skiers and snowboarders and elected officials in 39 states with winter sports should care about global warming and what they can do about it. Were delighted to be partnering with NRDC, the National Ski Areas Association and ad agency Underground Ads to help clarify the issues surrounding global warming," said Richard Cacciato, Partner, Blue Iceberg. NRDC and NSAA have mapped out a truly memorable campaign strategy that engages the public on this important issue and Blue Iceberg is honored to be providing the online media component of the campaign."

The Keep Winter Cool campaign reaches a newer, younger audience not normally drawn to this issue. Forward-thinking members of the ski industry already find it makes business sense to join the fight to protect the slopes for the future by curbing global warming emissions in their own operations and pressing for cleaner energy standards. Efforts by Keep Winter Cool include skier/snowboarder education at the mountains, on the Web and in the media, as well as direct outreach to elected officials by individuals, local ski areas and their parent companies.

Key events taking place Saturday, February 21, Sustainable Slopes Day," include special outreach at resorts across the country, along with an aggressive media push to spotlight the effects of global warming could have from a business, recreational and environmental angle. This weekend the public will hear about Keep Winter Cool on local radio stations and at ski areas, and find Keep Winter Cool beer coasters, stickers, posters and banners displayed at ski destinations. Resorts Aspen and Angelfire have installed a Burma Shave-style series of Keep Winter Cool signs on lift towers and chairlifts. These materials, which feature the website address, call skiers and snowboarders to take action to fight global warming via the KeepWinterCool.org website.

The interactive marketing agency Blue Iceberg was retained to develop a visually compelling and easy-to-follow website that will help bring the message of the national Keep Winter Cool campaign home. The site, targeted to winter sports enthusiasts, explains why global warming matters, offers a primer on climate facts (Global Warming 101), how ski areas and resorts are leading the way to solve the problem, and simple steps individuals can take to fight back. The site also encourages visitors to get involved and support bi-partisan legislation to limit global warming pollution.

We chose Blue Iceberg because of the experience of its leadership and because only they presented a project plan that addressed both our short-term and long-term needs," said Joanna Krinn, Campaign Coordinator for NRDCs Climate Center. Right from the start they understood the purpose of the site and how to integrate it with the campaign. Theyve been creative and pragmatic in dovetailing their work with Underground Ads, the advertising agency which created the Keep Winter Cool offline collateral. With two member organizations as the client, they have been sensitive to nuance and worked through a complex planning, development and approval process and completed the site in an accelerated timeframe. Blue Iceberg has been a real pleasure to work with."

Blue Iceberg (www.blue-iceberg.com) is a full-service interactive agency, focused on strategy, execution and results. From analysis and strategy to comprehensive website implementation, the company helps clients build credibility in the marketplace, reduce the burden of conveying information, shorten time to market, increase revenues or participation, and deepen customer relationships. Clients have included Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Euro RSCG MVBMS Partners (a division of Havas), masius Advertising (a division of BCom3), Emigrant Capital, JPMorgan Online and Rutgers University.

Blue Iceberg Media Contact:
Natalie Yates, Partner, 212.413.9226 ext. 9236, nmyates@blue-iceberg.com

The Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org) is a national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Santa Monica and San Francisco.

NRDC Media Contacts:
Jon Coifman, 202.289.2404, jcoifman@nrdc.org
Eben Burnham-Snyder, 202.513.6254, ebsnyder@nrdc.org

The National Ski Areas Association (www.nsaa.org), located in Lakewood, Colorado, is the trade group for ski area owners and operators nationwide. NSAA's member resorts accommodate over 90 percent of skier/snowboarder visits in the United States.

NSAA Media Contact:
Geraldine Link, National Ski Areas Association, 720.963.4205, glink@nsaa.org