AANR Story on Nakations Makes Top Page of CNN

The Public Relations department has been hard at work developing stories for the media.  This week we were delighted when the prominent news source CNN.com ran a “cover” story in their travel section about how well the Association is faring during the challenging economic climate.  The story included stats from us, along with references to several clubs and their Web sites.  A link back to AANR’s main list of clubs should help give all a boost in traffic.  Read the complete story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/03/24/naked.travel.recession/index.html

Be sure to read the report by Carolyn Hawkins below for details on other stories that ran this week, including responses to our pitch for the 2009 Convention at Oaklake Trails and a GREAT television story featuring Sun Meadow of Idaho that was prompted by the CNN piece.

AANR Welcomes Helpful Visitors this Week

AANR enjoyed visits from a number of people this week who are helping the
Association to improve marketing efforts.  On Monday through Wednesday,
“Randy and Mr. B.” crunched membership trends and demographics with Nan from our staff and me using the information gleaned from our year-end 2008 membership reports.  We also used the very latest data from the Claritas corporation.  We will be releasing results of this work in future weekly reports as well as at the next board of trustees meeting.

Today we appreciated a visit from Bob Johnson who is also part of AANR’s
marketing volunteer team.  Bob outlined for our staff the key marketing
messages and strategy the team is implementing.  He also worked with the
publications staff and membership department on new materials that we begin rolling out this spring.

The Association and I deeply appreciate the investment of time that these
highly qualified volunteers have made, and I hope you will join me in
thanking them for their hard work!

AANR Educating Lawmakers – Did You Know?

When it’s not fighting adverse legislation or making visits to Capitol Hill,
your AANR team of staff and volunteers is still working to make a brighter
future for nude recreation with policymakers.  Last weekend provides a prime example.

During the weekend we entertained a state lawmaker from out west who was open to visiting a nudist club for a few days and meeting with people who could answer questions.  Along with making arrangements for a visit to
Cypress Cove, we also arranged for a talk with owners Dean and Barbara
Hadley, as well as government affairs volunteers from the region and me.
Following a successful meeting, we have one more legislator educated and
prepared to remember nudist concerns.

AANR Helping Members

Today AANR rushed a package of materials about nudist rights in child custody matters to a grandmother on the East Coast. She raised her family taking them to her local nudist club, but is now facing legal challenges
with bringing her granddaughter on visits.

And Now for Something Different

Speaking of families, you may have already had a bit of fun watching an
advertisement for Volkswagen’s Routan minivan in which a small boy deals with having a drink spilled on him by stowing his clothes in an under-seat bin and taking to the road au naturel.  It is one more example of public culture grasping, if only in a small way, that going clothes-free can help
make a person more care-free.  If the advertisement has not aired on your local station, you can see a video here on YouTube, although this version
happens to be in Spanish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnHfQJ5dd6U

My thanks to Nan from our staff for letting us know about this one!

Nudist Novel Is Exposed

We have recently learned that one of our members is currently a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Competition. The novel,
Exposed, is based primarily in Iowa but features several chapters occurring
at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort & Spa, here in Kissimmee. (Cypress Cove
approved their inclusion in the novel.)

In evaluating this novel, judges at Amazon and co-sponsor Penguin Books will attempt to gauge the potential market for it. To do this, they are asking
for readers to write reviews of the first several chapters of the book. You
can download a free sample at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UG3BW2 and then write a review.

If the judges select the novel, it will be published and will serve as
another tool in advancing the values of the nudist lifestyle.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The May issue is in production.

E-Bulletin Advertising

The advertising space is selling quickly, so contact Martha Young at
bulletinads@aanr.com or 800/879-6833, ext. 228, if you’re interested.

CAROLYN HAWKINS, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Positive Media

I had a nice interview with Wireless Flash News regarding the Woodstock
release that was sent out from Ypartnership.  As a result, we have received
calls from various radio stations to set up interviews.

Erich had an interview with CNN.  Check out link below.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/03/24/naked.travel.recession/index.html

The link below is a spin off from CNN regarding Sun Meadow.

http://www.krem.com/video/

Check out the link below regarding destinations in Florida and Cypress Cove.
http://www.canada.com/travel/story.html?id=805001

Check out the link below regarding the Nude Olympics with Tallahassee
Naturally nudist club.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2243385/