More positive news on PECB: Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. Announces Launch of $3 Million Media Campaign Monday February 6, 9:00 am ET
Media Campaign to Encompass TV, Radio and Print Designed to Support Expanding Retailer and Distributor Base, Which Includes an Increase of 1 Distributor and 85 New Retailers in January
DALLAS, TX--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 6, 2006 -- Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. (Other OTC:PECB.PK - News) -- www.petecology.com -- announced today it has officially launched several key segments of its $3 million media campaign in 2006 designed to support its growing distributor and retailer base, and to enhance customer awareness of its expanding product lines. In January, the Company ran print media on its product lines in Veterinary Product News (VPN) and Pet Product News (PPN). In February, the Company's Scientific Professional(TM) Cat Litter will appear in PPN, VPN, and Cat Fancy magazines; its K-9 Fat Free Dog Treats(TM), which launched nationally on January 31, will appear in Dog Fancy and Dog & Kennel magazines available in March. The Company has made print media commitments that will run throughout 2006 in Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Cats & Kittens, Dogs & Kennels, PPN, VPN, Cats USA, Kittens USA, Dogs USA, & Puppies USA.
Additionally, the Company is currently producing a 30-second commercial with plans to air nationally, beginning late in February/early March, over such diverse venues as CNN, Headline News and Animal Planet. The Company's commitment to this substantial amount of media is focused on consumer awareness, but is also designed to support its expanding distributor and retailer base.
Two direct mail campaigns were launched by the Company at the end of January. The first included a mailer to over 7,000 professional cat breeders in the U.S. and Canada, introducing Pet Ecology's Scientific Professional Cat Litter in its new 20-lb Professional Breeder bag. The new package debuted at the Houston Cat Club Show and the North American Veterinarian Conference, both attended by the Company in January. At least 24 units have been ordered and/or shipped, to date, by the Company as a result of the direct mailer and trade show debut of the Scientific Professional Cat Litter Professional Breeder bag.
The second direct mail campaign launched at the end of January with a mailer announcing the availability of Pet Ecology's K-9 Fat Free Dog Treats with limited-time introductory offer which was distributed to the Company's existing database of over 4,000 specialty pet retailers, veterinarians, and distributors. This campaign has resulted in orders received during the first three days of its availability for over 3,500 units.
The Company is also proud to announce that it has expanded its media in 2006 to include a substantial presence on television. The Company has just completed the filming of the Pets & Parenting segment of Parenting & Beyond (an Emmy Award-winning Television program produced by Five Star Productions and hosted by Cheryl Ladd), which will air beginning late March. This segment will air to a minimum of 75% of U.S. TV households via national syndication and 3 times on 'The Healthy Living Channel' via the Dish Network; and one 90-second Video News Release will be produced and distributed twice to over 1,100 TV news stations.
Deborah Wadworth-Evans, Director of Marketing at Pet Ecology, stated: "We are very excited about the opportunity to participate in this Emmy Award-winning show. We know that this segment will reach many of our targeted consumers. I have just returned from Florida, where we completed filming, and we believe that the consumer will react favorably to this segment since it is both informative and entertaining. The production of this show featuring our product accomplishes two of our media goals for 2006 -- product awareness to our targeted base of consumers and branding of our name in the marketplace."
In January, the Company added Western Drug Distribution Center Limited (WDDC) to its growing list of distributors, and expects to finalize agreements with another 4 distributors during the month of February. WDDC (www3.wddc.ca) was formed in 1983 and services more than 650 veterinarians throughout Western Canada.
Also in January, the Company shipped orders to 11 new retailers, bringing the total number of retailers ordering directly from the Company to over 180, and has received reports from 3 of its 9 distributors stating they have shipped product to another 225 pet retail outlets. Additionally, the Company reports it shipped product information and samples to another 85 specialty retailers during the month. The Company continues to hire field representatives and customer service representatives in its Dallas corporate offices to handle the increasing demand, which will compound in the weeks ahead as its continues its expansion to additional retailers and distributors, while handling the increasing rate of reorders by its existing base.
To join Pet Ecology's E-Mail Alert List by clicking the link below: b2i.us
About Pet Ecology Brands, Inc.
Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. has developed a revolutionary patented cat litter that destroys urine odor, clumps, and is Earth-friendly. The litter is ultra-lightweight and convenient to use (3lbs works like 21lbs of clay/sand-based products); it is 100% flushable and safe for sewer and septic tank systems. It is completely safe for cats and our environment, and does not contain any sodium bentonite, as used in competing brands. The design helps to protect the landfills, and yet does everything that clay litters do... and more. It has the ability to help indicate certain diseases commonly occurring in cats. The technique used is similar to that found in Merck's Veterinarian Manual. However, this litter not only warns of possible illness, but may also help indicate how far along the illness may be by the color the litter changes to, thereby providing the pet owner significant additional benefits and an early warning system concerning the cat's health.
A 20lb package configuration, which was released to the market during the week of January 9, 2006, and is designed specifically for professional breeders & kennels, will also be available for consumers in early Spring 2006.
Pet Ecology's K-9 Fat Free Dog Treats(TM) are the first fat free treats on the market that meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and offer dog owners an effective means to provide their pets with a non-fat tasty treat. They are also cholesterol-free and sodium-free. According to U.S. News & World Report, "the number one health problem for dogs is obesity." Today, dogs are fed fat rich food and treats, and often get significantly less exercise than required to maintain an ideal weight and healthy condition. Overweight dogs are more prone to serious injury, skeletal stress, and the same complications that people experience with significant weight gain via fat rich diets, ranging from heart and lung problems, to skin and kidney diseases, to circulatory and immune system issues.
Other products anticipated being launched by Pet Ecology Brands in 2006 include the first fat free cat treat, a vitamin enhanced dog treat, a low sodium and low fat microwavable gourmet cat dinner; and two product line extensions for the Scientific cat litter line to help indicate feline pregnancy and diabetes.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements, other than the statements of historical facts may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements with respect to events, the occurrence of which involves risk and uncertainties, including, without limitation, demand and competition for the company's products and services, the availability to the company of adequate financing to support its anticipated activities, the ability of the company to generate cash flow from operations and the ability of the company to manage its operations.
Contact: Jane Lorenzen Pet Ecology Brands Inc. 14822 Venture Dr. Dallas, TX 75234 972-759-8080 petecology.com scientificcatlitter.com k9fatfreedogtreats.com Investor Relations Contact: Gerald Kieft or Ryan Audin Wall Street Resources, Inc. 2646 SW Mapp Road, Suite 303 Palm City, Florida 34990 772-219-7525 wallstreetresources.net
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. |