Darby Communications Partners with Status Forward for Robust 2020 Stand Up Initiative Package

October 30, 2019

Asheville-based companies join forces to provide pro bono PR and digital services to select non-profits

Asheville, NC – October 30, 2019 – Darby Communications is proudly expanding its Stand Up Initiative in 2020 by partnering with local digital branding agency Status Forward. By joining forces, the two agencies will be able to offer a more robust pro bono package of services consisting of a six-month, 100-hour PR and marketing campaign for two lucky non-profits.

The initiative, originally launched in November 2016, was developed in response to the changing tides for environmental non-profits as a result of the 2016 election. Through the initiative, Darby Communications has provided 300 hours of pro bono PR-related services to environmental non-profits. Past recipients have included the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan Partnership, Friends of the Smokies, American Alpine Club, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, Bee City USA, Friends of the Woodfin Greenway & Blueway, and more.

“We are extremely proud of the important work we’ve achieved in the fight to protect our wild and natural spaces with the Stand Up Initiative,” states Angie Robinson, Vice President of Darby Communications. “By partnering with Status Forward in 2020 and expanding the program from a 25-hour, three-month project to a 100-hour, six-month project, we will be able to maximize the partnerships by offering additional services and a more generous timeline for each non-profit’s project.”

With the current climate around environmental policies, 2020’s Stand Up Initiative aims to offer a deeper dive into PR and digital marketing for select environmental non-profits with projects focusing on environmental and sustainability advocacy or the preservation and protection of public lands.

“Inspired by the tireless work of environmental non-profits to conserve and preserve healthy outdoor spaces, Status Forward is thrilled to join forces with Darby Communications for the fourth year of the Stand Up Initiative,” said Founder and Managing Director of Status Forward, Laurel Scherer. “We look forward to contributing our expertise in digital strategy, design, and technology as we work together to foster a world where people are connected with a healthy outdoors and are empowered to help preserve our natural world.”

Starting November 1, 2019, the Stand Up Initiative will accept applications for its 2020 program from non-profits, both regionally and nationally, whose projects exhibit an environmental focus such as climate change, deforestation mitigation, upholding the boundaries of public lands, clean air, and clean water. Two selected recipients will receive the support of a team of seasoned PR professionals to assist with media outreach, promotional writing, event planning, and/or social media assessment and ad campaign development. In addition to PR, the non-profits will receive the expertise of the Status Forward digital branding team for help with design, marketing strategy, and web development such as keyword research, SEO consulting and editing, website design and development, and more.

To learn more about the Stand Up Initiative program or to apply, please visit www.darbycommunications.com/standup. The application deadline is December 15, 2019 and selections will be announced in January 2020.

About Darby Communications

Darby Communications is a boutique PR & digital marketing agency serving the outdoor, fitness and wellness industries through impactful content creation, media placement, email marketing and social media management. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, with a coast-to-coast portfolio, Darby Communications takes a team approach to everything they do for clients and have worked with many of the outdoor and fitness industries’ most respected companies. Their current client roster includes: 360 Adventure Collective, Appalachian Gear Company, Astral, Diamond Brand Gear, Feetures, Hyland’s, Ignik, Industrial Revolution, Johnson Outdoors, Lifesaver, Nantahala Pisgah Forest Plan Partnership, Outdoor Economy Conference, Sierra Designs, tenalach, Tailwind Nutrition and Wildwater. Learn more at darbycommunications.com or follow on social @darbycomm.

About Status Forward

Status Forward is a digital marketing agency that serves organizations that promote, play in, and protect the natural world. They believe that connecting people with the outdoors helps to foster a love for nature — a critical step in protecting the places we share. With offices in Asheville and Durham, North Carolina, Status Forward helps regional and national clients grow their brands through discovery, design, and development. Find out more at statusforward.com and follow them @statusforward.