AXIA, a boutique public relations and marketing firm, will use its NewsBureau media relations services and social media program to promote Sanidoor, Sani-Giene’s patented and touch-free public restroom door system. AXIA is the first PR firm to represent Sani-Giene.

“Over the years, I’ve become a believer that PR can be more powerful than traditional advertising,” said Gale Lemerand, Sani-Giene CEO and creator of Sanidoor. “This is our opportunity to spread the word about our unique touch-free public restroom door solution, Sanidoor.”

“According to the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, only 43 percent of men and 54 percent of women wash their hands after using the restroom,” said Jason Mudd, AXIA’s principal. With the H1N1 scare and an overall interest in healthy living, we are thrilled to help Sani-Giene introduce its Sanidoor product nationally – and eventually internationally. The product is a health-conscious way to eliminate the spread of germs in public restrooms, and we look forward to its success.”

In May, Sanidoor will release its second-generation system, which will feature models developed specifically for swinging doors, latching units on cruise ships and single-use locking public restrooms. After years of detailed laboratory and field testing, the Sanidoor system entered national markets in 2009; Sanidoor will enter Canada in March and international markets in the second quarter of 2010. The Sanidoor system is already installed and eliminating germs in more than 300 public restroom locations in the United States. The second-generation system will feature a lighter motor, battery backup, international power supply and additional safety features.

Sanidoor is ADA compliant and holds international patents and trademarks. The company has domestic and international licensing and distributing opportunities available.

About Sanidoor
The Sanidoor system is a simple, cost-effective solution for touch-free, germ-free public restroom exiting. Approved to meet all U.S. and Canadian standards for automatic door openers, Sanidoor easily installs on existing public restroom doors, including retrofit and new construction.

Serial entrepreneur and restaurateur Gale Lemerand is the CEO of Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Sani-Giene. Lemerand, who also owns a major interest in 29 restaurants, invented Sanidoor after he witnessed an elite country club chef fail to wash his hands after using the restroom.

Sanidoor received the People’s Choice Award for “Best New Equipment Product” from the Florida Restaurant Association. In addition to the Sanidoor system, Sani-Giene sells and distributes many products, including AutoFaucet, AutoFlush, T Cell and touch-free sanitizer, soap and paper towel dispensers. Sani-Giene’s products help prevent the spread of germs in restaurants, schools, hospitals and other public restrooms across the United States. For more information, contact Megen Boswell at (800) 930-7264 or visit www.sanidoor.com.

About AXIA

AXIA is a boutique public relations firm specializing in national media relations serving public and private corporations. Headquartered in downtown Jacksonville, Fla., AXIA earns regional and national news coverage for its clients’ companies, products, services, ideas, opinions and experts through its NewsBureau media relations service. The company also offers Social NetWork, social media programs; MediaMaster, spokesperson training; CrisisPoint, crisis communications management; Insight, thought leadership; KeyNote, public speaking engagements; AwardAbility, award recognition; Onoma, branding; Webvention, web site design, Web 2.0 and search engine optimization; 360 Degrees/365 Days, marketing campaigns; SpecialAffects, special projects. For more information, contact AXIA at (866) 999-AXIA (2942) or www.axia.net.

This isn’t the first time that these North Pole residents have engaged AXIA. AXIA worked closely with Kringle after a Santa’s Workshop elf leaked material information about special gifts that were to be given to children. AXIA uses its CrisisPoint crisis management service to keep clients out of the spotlight or get them in front of an issue.

This year, AXIA worked diligently to save Christmas by helping find Rudolph. Rudolph, the most beloved reindeer, went missing around 8:45 p.m. after Thanksgiving dinner. Santa, his elves and all of the other reindeer, including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, believed that Rudolph had gone outside to shake his antlers after a stuffing meal. But one of the elves discovered that was not the case after going outside to look for Rudolph. Santa and his crew immediately enlisted the help of AXIA, their most trusted PR and marketing partners.

AXIA efficiently responded to the situation and worked double time to get the job done. AXIA first used its Social NetWork service to send information via social media channels. AXIA created the Facebook group, “Help find our Favorite Reindeer, Rudolph!” The group drew 80 million members in the first 24 hours. AXIA also created a Twitter page dedicated to Rudolph’s disappearance and posted updates every 30 minutes. Some of the comments left by Rudolph fans read, “Please return home safely, Rudolph!” “We love you, Rudolph, and we hope that you are OK!” “Rudolph, you are our favorite reindeer and we can’t have Christmas without you!” People all over the world began logging on to their favorite social media sites to read and post updates about the search for Rudolph.

Secondly, AXIA employed its NewsBureau media relations service for information sharing. AXIA sent news releases and video news releases to every news outlet in the world. The story quickly became breaking news on CNN, BBC, FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC and every local station in between. These networks saw the highest ratings since the death of Michael Jackson.

Instead of listening to holiday songs on the radio, people tuned in to hear Rudolph announcements. Instead of going online to browse the Web or do holiday shopping, people were exclusively reading Rudolph updates.

AXIA contacted officials at the North Pole Police Department and suggested they hold an emergency news conference. The news conference updated people about how the Rudolph search was going and called for volunteers to participate in a worldwide search. Millions of people joined the search, including anxious children who took off from school to help find Rudolph.

Just as the news conference was beginning, one-hundred miles away, on the opposite end of the North Pole, Rudolph and his newfound sweetheart, Rudy, sat down to check Twitter and watch TV. To their surprise, they turned on the TV to find Santa speaking at the NPPD news conference, exclaiming that Rudolph still had not been found. Rudolph checked his Facebook account and discovered his image was on every page and his inbox was flooded with concerned messages. Rudolph immediately called Santa. Santa’s phone rang out in the middle of the world-televised news conference. Santa answered his phone in front of the entire world. “Rudolph!” Santa yelled in delight. “Is it really you?” People around the entire world cheered and hugged. Their favorite and only red-nosed reindeer had been found.

It turns out that Rudolph had met Rudy and fallen madly in love. So in love that they ran off together and didn’t have contact with anyone for weeks. Rudolph went back to Santa’s workshop where he was greeted by thousands of children, elves, reindeer and of course, Santa. All of Santa’s helpers, including the reindeer, were able to perform their duties as scheduled, ensuring a happy Christmas for all the children of the world. Looks like AXIA, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based PR and marketing firm, did it again – only this time, they saved Christmas!

AXIA Public Relations associate Amanda Burns voluntarily spent her afternoon in “prison” to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2009 downtown Jacksonville Lock Up on May 28. Burns, also known as “Prisoner 40762,” received support from colleagues and friends as she raised $3,200 in “bail.” MDA, a volunteer health agency, represents a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.

Leading public relations industry publication PRWeek consulted accredited public relations practitioner Jason Mudd, APR, for crisis planning commentary in its April 27, 2009 issue. Mudd is principal of AXIA, a downtown public relations firm specializing in working with national news media.

Founded in 1998 and published for public relations professionals, PRWeek covers the public relations business, including the latest news, in-depth analysis, reviews of campaigns and job opportunities for PR professionals across the U.S. The weekly magazine also provides coverage of the European and international public relations industry. Full Story

International public relations industry trade magazine PRWeek featured AXIA’s public relations campaign to find a new sponsor for the Bausch & Lomb Championships.

Octagon had to look for a new sponsor for the WTA event it held in Northeast Florida, after Bausch & Lomb bowed out after 22 years in April 2008. As of 2009, the tournament would require a new title sponsor, and Octagon, the tournament organizer, wanted to find one that would keep the tournament in Florida. Full Story

When PRWeek wanted to give its readers a finger on the pulse of the state of PR in Florida, they called on AXIA for its expert commentary. AXIA shared news of the increased requirement for additional corporate transparency and an evolving media business model. Full Story

AXIA successfully brokered a deal between its clients Octagon and MPS Group to form The MPS Group Championships. MPS Group Becomes Title Sponsor for Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Women’s Tennis Event. Full Story

Admissions Marketing Report has recognized Jacksonville University with an award for its "One Degree of Separation" campaign. AXIA created and produced the campaign. Full Story

Bausch & Lomb will end its 22-year title sponsorship streak of the Amelia Island women’s professional tennis tournament, Bausch & Lomb Championships, in April and organizers are seeking a new title sponsor for the 2009 tournament with AXIA. Full Story

The Jacksonville Business Journal named AXIA, along with 24 other companies, as one of its Best Places To Work in Northeast Florida. The weekly business magazine will publish its annual survey of the best places to work on April 18.