Irvine-based Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. wrapped up an online campaign to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Toshiba’s invention of NAND flash memory, emphasizing the effects the technology has had on everyday life since 1987.
NAND flash enables data storage in the form of memory cards, USB flash drives and other devices, making possible the portability of large volumes of music, photos, videos, email and other data on consumer electronics.
Toshiba’s microsite, flash25.toshiba.com, features five videos—dubbed the Toshiba NAND Flash Deprivation Experiment series—to show what the world might be like without the technology.
The videos, featuring nonscientific, humorous evidence, support the conclusion that society wouldn’t be able to function without the technology.
The site includes quotes from industry leaders on NAND flash’s impact on technology. The site also features images and a timeline of notable NAND flash achievements over the past 25 years.
Social media played a part in the company promotion. Five Facebook fans won Toshiba Excite tablets, and hundreds of Facebook fans received themed T-shirts. A dedicated Twitter feed promoted the videos, which are also available on YouTube.
The local company is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Toshiba Corp. and has 124 employees in Orange County.
Yokohama Does LA Auto Show
Fullerton-based Yokohama Tire Corp. sponsored the Los Angeles Auto Show for its seventh year in a row at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Yokohama’s sponsorship included bragging rights as the official tire of the auto show, which draws 1 million people annually during the two-week event.
“It’s a great place for us to promote our line of tires, especially groundbreaking products like our orange-oil-infused Avid Ascend tires,” said Alan Holtschneider, manager of advertising, promotions and events at Yokohama.
The orange oil strengthens the tire, according to the company.
Yokohama had signage and graphics located throughout the convention center and was the title sponsor of the media center, dubbed the Yokohama Media Center.
Yokohama Tire is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo-based Yokohama Rubber Co. It tests, markets and distributes tires to retailers nationwide and has 145 employees in OC.
Holiday Flavors for a Cause
Irvine-based self-serve frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland Franchising Inc. launched its third annual holiday promotion known as Yuletide Yumminess to showcase holiday flavors while giving back to those in need.
The promotion features 12 holiday-inspired frozen yogurt flavors, including cinnamon roll, eggnog and gingerbread.
It also includes a fundraising effort for Westport, Conn.-based nonprofit Save the Children’s emergency fund, which aims to help replenish school supplies and rebuild day care centers damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Customers will receive a passport card and a stamp for each cup of yogurt purchased. Customers, after receiving six stamps, can redeem the card for 12 ounces of free yogurt through December.
Yogurtland will make a $1 donation for each completed card to Save the Children’s Hurricane Sandy Children in Emergency Fund.
The company’s goal is to raise $15,000 for Save the Children’s Hurricane Sandy response efforts.
Yogurtland had estimated 2011 revenue of $100 million and has 100 employees in OC.
Social Strategies
Among recent strategies involving social media:
n Irvine-based Mazda North American Operations promotes “Sunday Fundays” by asking fans to post pictures of fun memories in a Mazda to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SundayFunday.
n Dana Point-based Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa offers discounted facials and massages at its spa to Facebook fans that mention a code word found on its Facebook page.
n Irvine-based roofing company Antis Roofing and Waterproofing Inc. asked fans to post a photo to its Facebook page of them wearing a real or fake mustache during November to celebrate Movember Mustache Month, a nationwide nonprofit campaign aimed at raising awareness of prostate cancer and other aspects of men’s health. Entrants got a chance to win free Los Angeles Lakers tickets.
Bits and Pieces
Irvine-based action-sports retailer Tilly’s Inc. gave the first 100 customers at each U.S. store a free gift card worth anywhere from $10 to $100 on Black Friday. … Santa Ana-based Orange County Register introduced a new Wheels (vehicle-related) section to run on Fridays. … Irvine-based ad agency Ink’s President Todd Henderson will serve as a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley.
