By using innovative social media and marketing tactics, Sunfood’s online community increases by 100% in only four months.

SAN DIEGO,CA – September 13, 2010 – Through the use of online contests, unique content and exclusive deals, San Diego-based digital media firm, Mindgruve, has been able to push Sunfood’s Facebook Page past 75,000 engaged members.

Mindgruve has worked closely with Sunfood to create specific content targeted at the superfood community. Initiatives such as the weekly deals Facebook tab, exclusive educational content and weekly product giveaways have allowed members to remain engaged while also generating new users. “The Sunfood Facebook Page has greatly helped Sunfood increase its exposure to the health food community. With the innovations and content that Mindgruve has been able to generate, our Facebook page has become the core for a growing online superfood community,” explained Brian Bowers, Sunfood’s Director of Product Development.

In addition to the current features, Mindgruve is working to create new strategies and features to further engage the audience, which has an average of 300 people “liking” the page daily. These features will include increased promotional giveaways as well as new content and recipes from guest chefs and leaders within the raw food community.

“Sunfood has long been a leader within the raw food and healthy lifestyle communities. Their Facebook page has allowed them to continue their leadership role and provide a place for superfoodies to band together and share their healthy living experiences. Future initiatives, such as the ability to purchase foods in-tab, should only increase the engagement and interactivity for this group,” said Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

About Sunfood
Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 700 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons lifestyles. www.Sunfood.com

Through a strategic social media campaign, Mindgruve increases superfood community to over 50,000 members in seven months.

SAN DIEGO, CA – July 7, 2010 – Seven months after launching the Sunfood Facebook page, San Diego-based digital media firm, Mindgruve, has produced a series of key social media engagements to propel the online community, Facebook.com/Sunfood, to over 50,000 members.

Closely collaborating with Sunfood, Mindgruve continues to improve their efforts by utilizing a custom-built weekly deals Facebook tab, weekly product sample giveaways, targeted Facebook ads, website display ads and email marketing. “This is a huge milestone for Sunfood and our online community. Mindgruve’s guidance and knowledge of this space has allowed our Facebook Page to become the hub for all conversations relating to raw foods and superfoods, and given us countless opportunities to directly connect with our consumers,” stated Brian Bowers, Sunfood’s Director of Product Development.

With an average of 300 people joining the page daily, Mindgruve is actively working to create and implement additional features for Sunfood’s Facebook Page, including custom tabs that will give health-conscious individuals the ability to shop within Facebook, contribute to important topics of conversation and find recipes for their lifestyle.

“Every day Sunfood is doing their part to share the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. With an average of over 600 monthly interactions, it’s clear that Sunfood’s page members are actively seeking this information. We’re eager to help Sunfood provide valuable insights through more integrated features, such as custom applications, as well as other exciting initiatives, including SunfoodTV and a Superfoods Community,” explained Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

About Sunfood
Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 700 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons lifestyles. www.Sunfood.com

Using robust Facebook Page capabilities, Mindgruve drives the community to 25,000+ members in under six months.

SAN DIEGO,CA – May 5, 2010 – Since launching the Sunfood Facebook Page in January, San Diego-based digital media firm, Mindgruve, has provided a series of social media initiatives to build the online community, Facebook.com/Sunfood, to over 25,000 members.

Leveraging a custom-built weekly deals Facebook application, an Earth Day Giveaway contest and other weekly promotions, Mindgruve continues to support Sunfood’s efforts with targeted Facebook ads, website display ads and email marketing. “The success behind our Facebook page is directly related the amount of work Mindgruve has done behind the scenes to help us develop the community. We couldn’t have met 25,000 members without their quick work and strategic planning in launching efforts like our Earth Day promotion and weekly giveaways,” explained Brian Bowers, Sunfood’s Director of Product Development.

As more people continue to join the page, Mindgruve moves to develop more immersive features for Sunfood’s Facebook page. The page will soon feature custom tabs, which will allow for shopping within Facebook while also giving health food enthusiasts increased opportunities to contribute and interact with other members.

“With nearly 100 interactions and almost 200 new community members every day, the success we’ve seen has been amazing. As Sunfood continues to find the best new superfoods, we look forward to developing innovative ways to share them. These include SunfoodTV, an online video channel for recipes and product reviews, and Superfoods Community, a superfood-specific online community focused on health, lifestyle and personal growth,” stated Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

About Sunfood

Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 700 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons lifestyles. www.Sunfood.com

Cause marketing is nothing new. Yoplait has been supporting breast cancer research for years. What is new, are the “New Affluents,” who spend over $303 billion a year in the U.S. on their favorite brands. With their spending power, this group is single-handedly redefining what makes a “good” brand, including if that brand represents integrity and authenticity through charitable efforts.

But that’s not all. According to a report done by Cone based on nonprofit partnerships, “59% of Americans are more likely to buy a product associated with the partnership.” Similarly, Bob Gilbreath reports that 71% of consumers continue to give despite the economic downturn, 87% would switch to a brand partnered with a good cause and 50% would pay more for cause-related products.

So what is a brand to do? Mindgruve believes there are some basic criteria you should consider before rushing into the cause-marketing space. Standing behind a cause with an innovative marketing campaign is a great way to connect with your consumers and build brand awareness. However, the wrong cause and campaign may force people to view your efforts as a weak attempt to stay relevant. Take a moment to review and carefully think about what will work for you.

1. Is your cause relevant to your brand? Tyson’s hunger relief program and Haagen-Dazs’ Help the Honeybee initiative both support relevant causes by giving food to those in need and saving honeybees, respectively. Coupled with engaging online efforts, such as Haagen-Dazs’ field tour, Beeboy dance video and personalized honeybees, they demonstrate an understanding of consumer interests and areas where their brand can have impact.
2. Is it meaningful to you AND your consumers? Just because a cause makes sense, doesn’t mean it holds meaning with your staff and your consumers. After surveying women around the world, Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty was created to combat low self-esteem and beauty stereotypes among young girls and women. Dove has been criticized for this campaign and called hypocritical, but they identified an issue many ignored and are providing meaningful conversation and support for it.
3. Will it engage your consumers? Pepsi has set a new standard with Pepsi Refresh Project. Not only did they take a strong step into social media, they got their consumers to actively participate in good deeds by providing the chance to submit a cause, vote and help determine how Pepsi’s donation will affect communities. The same individual impact can be found in the relaunched American Express Members Project, which also allows participants to vote for charities, volunteer and donate.
4. How do you want to commit? Long-term or short-term? Donor or defining the needs? While a lasting partnership like Yoplait has with the Susan G. Komen Foundation can span a decade and raise millions of dollars, it’s important to consider the growth, evolution and scale you expect for your company as well as its relation to the cause. Serving short-term needs, like Mindgruve did with client Sunfood to raise donations for the Haiti Earthquake through the International Rescue Committee, can also provide great engagement with a simpler company commitment.
5. **BONUS** New companies, can you build a cause into your business structure? TOMS Shoes, founded in 2006, saw a need and the opportunity to meet it. Its mission is simple, “with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.” This is an extreme example, but should the opportunity present itself, creating a company around a cause can successfully serve the world while also building your business, brand and customer base.

Just like the examples we’ve listed, or with any successful campaign, a well done cause marketing plan is genuine, engaging and builds awareness. Think carefully about the details of a cause – How your brand relates to it? If your consumers will care about it? And what you can commit to it? – before making a decision. If you do, the cause and your business will both see great returns from your efforts.

Through an integrated social media campaign, Mindgruve increases raw lifestyle community to 10,000+ fans in 45 days.

SAN DIEGO,CA – February 25, 2010 – Starting 2010 with the goal of increased customer engagement for client, Sunfood, San Diego-based digital media firm, Mindgruve, launched a robust social media effort that included exclusive promotions, topical interactions and a special donation program for the Haiti relief efforts to propel Sunfood as the leading Facebook community for raw foodists.

In only 45 days, Sunfood’s fan page, Facebook.com/Sunfood, surpassed the 10,000 fan mark and continues to see over 300 new fans join daily. Supported by targeted Facebook ads, website display ads and email marketing, Mindgruve has involved Sunfood’s community on a new level. “Everyone could see the potential for success and Mindgruve made it a reality. Through their efforts, support for the page is growing with every interaction. The recipe submissions, photo sharing and personal recommendations show just how collaborative this group is,” explained Brian Bowers, Sunfood’s Director of Product Development.

Coupled with new product offerings, enhanced email marketing strategies and exclusive offerings, Mindgruve developed a comprehensive forum where raw foodists and health advocates alike can share common experiences, best practices and helpful tips. In addition, Mindgruve created new branded tabs to launch important initiatives, such as the “Sunfood for Haiti” donation program, which helped to raise over $6,000 for victims of the devastating earthquake.

“With the abundance of information, products and studies about the raw food lifestyle, we knew it was time to provide consumers with an in-depth location to discuss the latest trends, news and products, and it’s paid off. Interactions are over 400 each week and we have yet to reach ceiling in fan additions. This also translates into increased traffic and sales on Sunfood.com as well as more phone orders being placed,” stated Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

As Sunfood’s fan page continues to grow, Mindgruve and Sunfood work to develop premiere programs that allow shopping within Facebook, encourage more raw foodists to interact and evolve their lifestyle, and offer special online deals.

About Sunfood

Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 700 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons lifestyles. www.Sunfood.com

Through a comprehensive holiday marketing campaign, Mindgruve drives record sales at Sunfood.com

SAN DIEGO,CA – January 29, 2010 – Over the 2009 holiday season, San Diego-based digital media agency, Mindgruve, helped release new products, launch social media efforts, and unleash email and internet marketing campaigns that resulted in record sales for client, Sunfood.com.

Starting in early November, Mindgruve helped introduce a series of new products and sales, all supported by email and paid search efforts, that engaged and activated Sunfood’s community. “The results were better than we could have expected. Our community responded to everything we were doing,” stated Brian Bowers, Sunfood’s Director of Product Development. He continued, “by providing organic and recycled material clothing, gift cards and unique holiday gift packages, customers saw the opportunity to promote and share their raw lifestyle with pride.”

As Sunfood’s product offering grew, so did their marketing efforts. Targeted and timely emails were sent to promote deals that ranged from store-wide sales to special discounts on new products. Additionally, the Sunfood.com homepage was regularly updated with banner ads highlighting unique and new offerings. Finally, Sunfood launched a social media effort through Facebook and Twitter, to help guide gift purchases and share specials with their audience.

“We knew the Sunfood audience was hungry for more – more information, more products, more interaction – so when we provided it through our efforts this holiday season, the results were obvious. Sales for November and December jumped 32% from last year, with an over 50% surge between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We also saw a 55% increase in site visits and a 22% increase in page views,” explained Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

Sunfood continues to see these numbers rise as they add more exclusive products, such as Maqui Berry Powder, and interact with the Sunfood community through social media channels.

About Sunfood

Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 700 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons lifestyles. www.Sunfood.com

As we’re sure you already know, the horrifying tragedy in Haiti is growing worse by the day. And while we typically use this forum for business communication, today we wanted to share with you how we’ve partnered with one of our clients to help the relief efforts as well as invite you to get involved.

Through our partnership and pro bono marketing efforts, we have created an opportunity where Sunfood.com will donate 10% of all sales to the International Rescue Committee this week (01/18/10-01/22/10). If you’re a raw and superfood lover or if you’re curious to try, now is the time. At no cost to you, a generous donation will be given to the IRC in an effort to prevent any further loss and suffering in Haiti.

Please spread the word and encourage your loved ones to get involved in any capacity. It is through the strength and compassion of the world’s citizens that Haiti will thrive in the days to come.

Thank you,
Chad Robley and the Mindgruve Team

SAN DIEGO,CA – After a successful first year of sales growth with Mindgruve, Sunfood has decided to renew the San Diego, California-based digital media firm as their agency of record. “Mindgruve has been a perfect fit. Working with Chad and his team had an immediate impact on our business – sales are up 30% and our email database has doubled in size as a result of increased reach and traffic. They understand the booming superfood marketplace and have been extremely helpful in defining and targeting our audience,” stated Brian Bowers, Sunfood COO.

With one year under their belt, Mindgruve now looks to play an increasingly vital role in Sunfood’s operations and image. “Initially, we were brought in to help with their internet marketing strategy, but as the relationship evolved, we now drive all of their advertising and marketing campaigns,” said Chad Robley, Mindgruve President. He continued, “Moving forward, we will be doing product consulting and new packaging to fuse seamlessly with a complete brand overhaul. And, of course, we’ll continue to refine and increase the potency of our online marketing efforts to maximize ROI.”

The leader in the superfood marketplace, Sunfood is prepared to solidify their role as an expert and innovator of high quality superfood products. They plan to take the steps necessary to increase conversion and retention of site visitors through various community-building tactics, including a superfood-specific social network, events and an increased two-way dialog between Sunfood and their consumers. Brian Bowers explained, “superfoods are a lifestyle. With the help of Mindgruve, now we can more easily commit to engaging, educating and helping people integrate superfoods into their own lifestyle. In doing so, we will build and maintain a dedicated community that helps people love their health and love their life.”

About Sunfood

Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 1000 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons’ lifestyles. www.sunfood.com

San Diego, CA - Mindgruve, a leading advertising + interactive agency in San Diego, recently announced their partnership with Sunfood.com. Founder of Sunfood, David Wolfe, is a world renowned expert on the raw food lifestyle and has chosen to collaborate with Mindgruve as they expand their raw food empire.

David Wolfe is a visionary in the raw food industry and with his expertise and support, Sunfood has flourished to become one of the most recognizable all-natural food brands in the world. In keeping with the times, Sunfood is promoting environmental and social responsibility through their strictly implemented “green” business standards and innovative products. Mindgruve will be responsible for rebranding Sunfood.com, creating a new ecommerce strategy, designing their product packaging and handling all event marketing for Sunfood, amongst other things.

Sunfood has been providing people worldwide with quality products to enhance their health, create longevity and enable them to have the best day ever for over a decade. Since its inception in 1995, Sunfood has acquired a loyal clientele consisting of A-list celebrities and business professionals. Nutrient filled best-sellers like their truly raw cashews and cacao nibs have given consumers an alternate way to eat and live, without sacrificing good taste. The company is now looking to expand and plans on producing even more products and foods in their ongoing campaign to promote health and well-being to all people, everywhere.

The creative team at Mindgruve will be creating the SunFood site so that food-lovers will have free access to shop for SunFood items online while acquiring first hand knowledge about healthy eating from David Wolfe.