Praise For TO Media Co!

Lauren and I pour our hearts and souls into our clients and their products, spending time thinking about their messaging, branding and the impact of their products and ideas. It gives us such joy to see their companies featured on TV, in magazines, newspapers and online.

So -- it is SO nice when you get a thank you or a nice note about a job well done.  Here are some recent notes or praise for our public relations efforts at TO Media Co.

Cathy Meek of Pinxwear, a website dedicated to providing fashion and accesories to manage breast cancer in style,  recently wrote us a sweet note saying:  "I also wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me. You gals are just amazing!

Casey Cochran, CEO and Founder of the Green Guide Network, an ultra-local national green resource guide, recently wrote us a thank you note too: "I just wanted to tell you both thank you - again. I know, or at least hope I've said it enough but you guys really killed it the last couple months. The press on myself, GGN and the run has been incredible."

My Favorite Everything Features Casey Cochran's Barefoot Marathon Quest


If you live in Orange County, you might have seen Casey Cochran, founder of the Green Guide Network, running PCH barefoot anywhere between Huntington and Laguna Beach. His training for the upcoming Santa Barbara Marathon has him running like mad, having logged over 100 miles in three different states.

His goal to run a barefoot marathon is part of his quest to raise $5000 and/or put a 1000 pairs of shoes on kids in need worldwide through TOMS. If you want to donate money or buy a pair of TOMS shoes for yourself, they will give a pair to a child in need, go to www.greenguidenetwork.com to get the link so Casey gets credit towards his goal.
For a fun take on Casey's adventure you've got to see My Favorite Everything, a new blog to make busy lives brighter.




KCAL Features Casey Cochran of The Green Guide Network


KCAL ran an amazing story today about Casey Cochran and his quest to put 1000 pairs of shoes on kids by running the Santa Barbara Marathon barefoot this December 6. You've got to see it!


To donate money to Friends of TOMS or to buy a pair of TOMS for yourself and in turn give one to a child, go to the Green Guide Network to get the link so you can donate to Casey's cause.


TOMS Shoes on CNBC's The Entrepreneurs Tonight


M daughter loves TOMS Shoes.

We even went to an event to buy her a pair and a pair for our son, who at the time was only 9months old. It just so happened that Blake, the founder of TOMS, was at the event. My daughter was SOOOO excited to meet him, she had him sign her new TOMS and our baby's new TOMS - just like a celebrity.

You've got to love a business success story that gets 10 year old girls thinking you - the entrepreneur - are a true celebrity.

To see more on TOMS Shoes' success story - check out tonight's CNBC's "The Entrepreneurs" 10pm eastern. http://www.cnbc.com/id/26565293


PS - SHHH. Don't tell.

Our daughter will be getting a new pair of TOMS for Christmas as we try to help Casey Cochran of the Green Guide Network put 1000 pairs of TOMS shoes on kids in need. He will be running the Santa Barbara Marathon barefoot to raise awareness.

A NEW KIND OF FOOTPRINT




Green Guide Network CEO Casey Cochran to Run the Santa Barbara Marathon Barefoot In Support of TOMS Shoes Mission to Raise Money and Awareness of Children’s Need for Footwear for Worldwide



Laguna Beach, CA -- Casey’s feet have already logged over 75 miles in 3 different states in three months. He has been hit by a Hummer, gotten stares from people, and his feet hurt but nothing is deterring him from running a marathon barefoot for a good cause.

As a regular supporter of sustainability initiatives worldwide CEO and Founder of the Green Guide Network, Casey Cochran will be running the Santa Barbara Marathon (December 6) barefoot in support of TOMS Shoes’ mission. His barefoot efforts will help to raise awareness and provide shoes to children in need worldwide with the goal of improving their health, education and quality of life.

“It’s been an interesting process – the idea came to me running one evening on the beach. I wanted to do something that raise awareness for a genuine charity as well as challenge myself personally.”

Casey’s goal is to put over 1000 pairs of shoes on kids feet worldwide and is now collecting sponsors and donations. Those interested in supporting his quest, can donate to the cause two different ways:


1) Buy a pair of shoes on TOMSshoes.com (using Casey’s link: http://www.tomsshoes.com/default.asp?aid=4xxx&linkID=4xxx) for yourself or a friend. TOMS will then give a pair of new shoes to a child in need on your behalf. TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.


2) Donate any amount of money at http://www.friendsoftoms.org/ that will go directly to Friends of TOMS, a non-profit dedicated to eradicating Podoconiosis, a debilitating disease that plagues those who walk barefoot in silica-rich soil. Podo is 100% preventable just by wearing shoes! TOMS gives shoes to children in Ethiopia weekly to prevent the spread of Podo. Be sure to enter “Casey Cochran” in the “In Honor Of” field on the Friends of TOMS donation page, so Casey can keep track of donations.


The Santa Barbara Marathon will be Casey’s 4th marathon bid but first barefoot attempt. Anyone interested in sponsoring Casey in this effort should contact: Casey@greenguidenetwork.com


ABOUT CASEY COCHRAN
Casey Cochran doesn’t wear socks. (Saving himself gallons of water each year.)
He also doesn’t buy new furniture, new clothes or pay over $10 a month in electricity bills. Thanks to his commitment to living green, he has learned to be creative, innovative and economical when it comes to life’s necessities and luxuries.



An avid climber and music enthusiast, he travels frequently and his signature style is so right on, that he was just recognized by Orange Coast magazine as an 2009 OC LOOK honoree, a list of Orange County’s most stylish people.


After a beginning his career in advertising, then transitioning to real estate, Casey found his calling when he launched the OC Green Guide in 2006. What began as a list of his own personal favorite local “green” resources, markets, products and events soon expanded with the help of friends and colleagues. In 2009, the OC Green Guide became the Green Guide Network and Casey’s full time job.


Says Casey, “Whether due to necessity or by design, the people I've met in other parts of the world seem to consume less and care about their environment more and are just generally better informed. My goal in establishing and expanding the Green Guide Network is to create a tool that can spark that kind of awareness at a very local, grassroots level and help change the mindset of people in the cities we come to.”


As one who practices what he preaches, Casey is often turned to as a green expert by the media with features in Orange Coast magazine, Greer’s OC, the Orange County Register, Treehugger.com and the Sierra Club.


ABOUT THE GREEN GUIDE NETWORK
The Green Guide Network’s grassroots, ultra-local perspective provides specific, up-to-the-minute info on the latest green initiatives, people, products and organizations in each city, including: Environmental Organizations & Events; Local Farmers Markets & Natural Foods Restaurants; Outdoor Sports & Activities; Recycling Centers; Natural Health; Fitness & Body Care; Transportation; Kids, Pets & Family; and Green Homes & Gardens.


The Green Guide Network is for people looking for honest information about eco-friendly products and services in their local area, as well as information on how to live a greener life including: Daily news briefs on eco-focused businesses; Living green tips; Direct links to many green and health-oriented businesses;A live forum to chat freely with the GGN community; FREE weekly paperless newsletter and a nationwide Green Job Board, which is updated daily. http://www.greenguidenetwork.com/


ABOUT TOMS SHOES
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. To date, TOMS has given over 150,000 pairs* of shoes to children around the world. TOMS’ goal is to give 300,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need in 2009 – but with recent successes, TOMS is hopeful of giving even more.
*As of August 1, 2009

Casey Cochran of the Green Guide Network Voted One of The Most Stylish in Orange County

Casey Cochran, CEO and Founder of the Green Guide Network, is not only living green, running a national green resouce guide, helping others find green jobs, and training to run the Santa Barbara Marathon barefoot to raise money to help TOMS Shoes give shoes to kids in need, he is also now known for his "Sustainably Stylish" look.

Orange Coast magazine recently named him of the 15 most stylish in Orange County. Congrats!



The Barefoot Marathon Runner- Casey Cochran of the Green Guide Marathon


These are Casey Cochran's feet.
Casey, the founder of the Green Guide Network, just told us that he is planning to run the Santa Barbara Marathon barefoot to raise money for kids who need shoes. Yes - Barefoot for all 26 miles! Crazy, amazing and noble. Gotta love the guy!
Over the next two months we will fill you in on all the details including the "how to donate" information.

Green Guide Network Interviews Mike Einziger of Incubus

Casey Cochran founder of the Green Guide Network just posted an interview with Mike Einziger of Incubus.

Below is a small portion from the interview. To read the full article, click here: http://www.greenguidenetwork.com/interview-detail/Interview-with-Mike-Einziger-of--Incubus-23/

Sep 17 09

Interview with Mike Einziger of Incubus

The California-based, five-piece Incubus, well-known for hit singles that include "Pardon Me," "Drive," "Nice to Know You," and "Wish You Were Here" has been touring this summer to promote their latest compilation "Monuments and Melodies" released June 16. The two-CD set features previously released singles as well as a collection of rarities, B-sides and never released tracks.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with the group's guitarist Mike Einziger at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. He spoke candidly about his thoughts on the environment, the group's non-profit The Make Yourself Foundation (MYF), as well as his experiences as a student at Harvard University where he's currently enrolled.

GGN: Since Incubus launched the Make Yourself Foundation (MYF) in 2003 as a non-profit organization, you've raised more than $1.2 million to date and funded a variety of worthwhile causes including Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, Save the Music and Operation Smile, how often do you guys actually link up and talk about which causes to fund?

Mike: We usually talk about which causes to fund when we're on the road touring. It's pretty open, everyone makes suggestions and if someone hears about an organization that could possibly benefit from MYF then we check it out. We don't really have a set schedule for talking about these things.

www.greenguidenetwork.com


GREEN GUIDE NETWORK EXPANDS ULTRA-LOCAL GREEN RESOURCE GUIDE NATIONWIDE

Additional Markets Slated for 2010 + Green Job Board Launching Sept. 15

Laguna Beach, CA – Sept 14, 2009 -- What began in 2006 as the OC Green Guide, an insiders guide to everything “green” in Orange County, CA, has now taken root as a full-scale, ultra-local Green Guide Network nationwide. Providing expanded information on green living and local eco-friendly resources, the site has just launched directories for Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York and Miami. www.greenguidenetwork.com

The Green Guide Network will also launch the Green Job Board September 15 with plans to expand into no fewer than 10 additional markets in 2010. Already a daily destination for those committed to green living, the Green Guide Network aims to be a thriving online community that can sponsor and support green initiatives worldwide.

“I created the Green Guide Network because I wanted to keep all of my own “green” resources—where to eat, shop, stay in touch with eco-events and news—in one place,” says creator and CEO Casey Cochran. “Then friends and family started contributing their listings. We now have thousands of listings in various cities, all personally recommended.”

Says advisory board member, Mark Christy, "With the increasing scope of services and planned expansion into new geographic regions, Green Guide continues to lead the charge in their commitment to showing each of us how to make this world a better place. I’m grateful to be affiliated with this incredible group of forward thinking entrepreneurs and am confident that this expansion will ultimately yield the “Go To” online resource for like-minded individuals across the Country."

ABOUT THE GREEN GUIDE NETWORK
The Green Guide Network’s grassroots, ultra-local perspective provides specific, up-to-the-minute info on the latest green initiatives, people, products and organizations in each city, including: Environmental Organizations & Events; Local Farmers Markets & Natural Foods Restaurants; Outdoor Sports & Activities; Recycling Centers; Natural Health; Fitness & Body Care; Transportation; Kids, Pets & Family; and Green Homes & Gardens.

The Green Guide Network is an all-inclusive resource and online experience for people looking for honest information about eco-friendly products and services in their local area, as well as information on how to live a greener life including: Daily news briefs on eco-focused businesses; Living green tips; Direct links to many green and health-oriented businesses;A live forum to chat freely with the GGN community; FREE weekly paperless newsletter and the upcoming addition of a nationwide Green Job Board.

ABOUT CASEY COCHRAN/CEO, GREEN GUIDE NETWORK
The Green Guide Network, which originally began as the OC Green Guide in 2006, was created by CEO Casey Cochran. The goal of the Network is to create an ultra-local tool that can spark green living awareness at a very local, grassroots level and help change the mindset of people by making eco-friendly living easy to do.

As one who practices what he preaches, Casey is often turned to as a green expert by the media with features in Orange Coast magazine, Greer’s OC and the Orange County Register.

The Green Guide Network is also guided by an Advisory Board that include such leaders in the green community as Historical preservationist and owner of Hobie Sports Mark Christy, Mary Scott co-author of Companies with a Conscience, entrepreneur and eco-developer Shaheen Sadeghi, CEO of FirmGreen Energy, Steve Wilburn, and CSUF Professor Pamela Steinle among others.