WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ICE PACK® Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC (ICE PACK), a new division of Ashbury International Group, Inc. (Ashbury) -- a small, successful, high technology defense/government contractor located in Central Virginia -- has retained Five Heads Strategic Communications Group to provide brand management and media relations services in support of ICE PACK emergency sustainment, escape and evacuation, search and rescue, and training systems.
ICE PACK was created to help consumers, businesses, corporations and local governments become more resilient against emergencies and catastrophic disasters by applying the company's proven integrated systems approach. That approach was developed by combining global logistics expertise, technologies and engineering refined through years of experience working around the world on life-critical programs and in direct support of U.S. Armed Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. "Locating a communications group with the needed capabilities and background to help us promote our vision for our emergency preparedness and disaster response products was a unique challenge for our small business," said Morris Peterson, President and CEO of Ashbury. "Our goal was to engage a professional communications group that had real-world emergency preparedness and disaster response background to assist us in building the ICE PACK brand in the commercial market."
"Five Heads Strategic Communications Group has a demonstrated passion for our mission and experience in emergency preparedness and response," continued Peterson. "They are just the team we need to get our systems into the hands of domestic critical infrastructure and consumer markets."
Principals of Five Heads will apply decades of experience managing media relations on site at American Red Cross major disaster responses, and communications for other global brands, to advocate personal responsibility and resilience in the consumer, corporate, industrial and government market sectors in synch with ICE PACK's corporate mission. When working as employees of the American Red Cross before forming Five Heads, Carol Miller and Nancy Retherford led communications on-site following crises such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York; the Oklahoma City bombing; Hurricane Mitch in Central America; the Gujarat, India earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Miller mobilized the international communication aspects of the response to Hurricane Katrina.
Five Heads is a global communications group specializing in emergency response and recovery, global health and development, and humanitarian communications issues. When asked about their consultancy's new relationship with ICE PACK, the co-founders of Five Heads responded, "There are strong synergies between the principals of both companies -- each having rendered important contributions in high risk crisis locations throughout the world over the past two decades. We're especially excited about the advocacy role ICE PACK brings to those in the market for emergency and disaster preparedness systems."
ICE PACK emergency preparedness systems have been developed through extensive research conducted with first responders, system integrators, engineers and survivors of some of our nation's most challenging disasters in the past decade. Miller and Retherford say they have a first-hand understanding of the importance of thorough research, testing and packaging of emergency preparedness equipment. Furthermore, the broad range of critical information and education ICE PACK offers online and through social media benefits those who choose sustainment and survival over inaction.
The collaboration between ICE PACK and Five Heads will focus on brand development and awareness of emergency preparedness systems as our country nears the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States , faces extreme weather emergencies and endures the escalation of security risks for professionals and others traveling abroad. More information may be found at www.ice-pack.com and www.fiveheadscommunications.com.
About ICE PACK:
The ICE PACK' brand (In Case of Emergency) was developed as a means to provide critical information, resources and training to those who may encounter a disaster or who may be called upon to serve in a role as a First Responder. ICE PACK was created by the Emergency Preparedness Division of Ashbury International Group and brings the emergency preparedness and disaster response community more than 17 years of international know-how in conducting life-critical product development, systems integration and training
About Five Heads Strategic Communications Group:
Five Heads Strategic Communications Group is a full service communications collaborative that provides counsel to corporations, governments and non-profits. Services include strategic and crisis communications planning and implementation, brand development and management, media relations, planning and promoting of events, and launches of ventures and products. The group is composed of communicators with decades of success managing media relations, public information, relationships and reputations of organizations and individuals working in domestic and international disasters, emergencies, health crises, international development and more. Other clients of the group or its individual founders include the American National Red Cross, Aspen Institute's Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health, The Encouragement Foundation, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Global Integrity, Management Sciences for Health, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits , SeniorLink and Transparency International.
ICE PACK
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Five Heads
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SOURCE Five Heads Strategic Communications Group
