Executive Summary:
Public relations, media relations, strategic corporate branding and creative events by Miles Marketing & Public Relations (MMPR) put Answers In Motion’s invention, Thumball™ on television, in newspapers and magazines - as well as in the minds and hearts of residents of the tri-state region.

The Challenge:
When Thumball™ inventors, Mary and Gregg Pembleton of Burlington County, New Jersey, approached Miles Marketing and Public Relations (MMPR) to help grow their business, the couple were determined to streamline their hundreds of ideas for their product into a proper marketing plan and were keen to get the word out to the community about the product that they were so passionate about.

"With Thumball™’s proven track record, we had great hopes that Thumball™ could be a great success," says Gregg Pembleton. “We needed media and community exposure to bring attention to Thumball™ and show people how it can help facilitate communication and bonding."

Mary Pembleton (née Miller), a speech therapist for students with special needs came up with the Thumball™ concept in class one day when she realized her students were bored with the daily lessons. Seeking to add on an element of fun, Pembleton created Thumball™ and the reception it received was tremendous. The Pembletons and their company, Answers in Motion, LLC, now have a diverse range of Thumball™ models for different age groups, with 13 currently being sold in various retail stores across the country.

Over the first six months of working with MMPR, the Pembletons found themselves and Thumball™ being prominently and extensively featured in the media on CBS news, CNBC & MSNBC on the national show “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsche", CN8 The Comcast Network, South Jersey's leading newspapers The Courier-Post and Burlington County Times, the front page of SNJ Business People and many more. Additionally, with integration into a limited amount of events to compliment, Thumball™ found itself becoming the toy to buy, and one that parents as well as children can both enjoy.

"Miles Marketing and Public Relations truly helped to put Thumball™ on the map and our business has grown as a result," say Mary and Gregg Pembleton. "Exceeding our expectations, we were suddenly on television, in newspapers and were even starting to get recognized on the street! Our consultant shared our excitement for growing our business and consistently came up with fantastic ideas to get us noticed. We are now adding on more staff and targeting new regions and are excited to continue working with Purna and MMPR."

Purna Virji, Public Relations Consultant at MMPR, shares her perspective on working with the Pembletons. "I was immediately struck by the myriad of possibilities for Thumball™ and knew I had to focus on separate avenues for each," reports Virji. "In launching a new product, especially a toy that is different from the norm, I knew an intensive media blitz was called for. I was sure the campaign was going well when the Pembleton’s were complaining that they were tired from all the interviews they had to do! Thumball™ is just such a fantastic product I knew that people just had to see it to want one and so I had to focus on unique ways to incorporate Thumball™ in community events to promote client growth."

Today, Thumball™ is well on its way to great success. With strong accolades by CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, CN8 Your Morning, SJ Magazine, and other prominent media sources, the Pembleton’s have big name clients such as Bayer Healthcare, TIAA-CREF and BabyCrazy and more. The Pembleton’s recently even had their special Peace Ball sent to Yoko Ono, wife of the late John Lennon.

Moving into 2008, the focus for MMPR and Thumball will be getting further national and international exposure, targeting Europe and parts of Asia, as well as expanding the line of products with books and Shnoogie™ toys.

The Pembletons are looking forward to it, saying “we are thrilled with our partnership with MMPR, and thankful for the role they have played in growing our business."

For more information, visit www.thumball.com or call 732-267-7792.