MINNEAPOLIS, June 27, 2011 –

The campaign, featuring the plastic flamingos, will also record the flamingos’ travels through the downtown parks in a blog found at www.comofriends.org. The flamingos’ adventures conclude July 11, when they land at Como Zoo’s Community Night, which offers extended hours and discounted rides at Como Town.  People are invited to flaunt their feathers with the flamingos from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a chance to win two tickets to Travelers Sunset Affair. More information can be found on Mobile tags posted with the flamingos at each park location.

Como Friends, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, and marketing partner The M Group, a Minneapolis-based creative and digital agency, are partners on the campaign.

The M Group developed the logo, event communications and marketing plan for Como. In its second year as marketing sponsor for Travelers Sunset Affair, The M Group expanded on the traditional print-only invitation to include digital and guerilla marketing for the event.

“The M Group has really kicked our marketing up a notch this year,” said Como Director of Events and Sponsorships Caroline Mehlhop. “The vibrant colors of their design catch your eye and it’s exciting to watch the theme blossom into an entire campaign.”

“We had a lot of fun designing last year’s Travelers Sunset Affair theme and logo, so we decided adding interactive elements would help extend the message to new audiences,” said The M Group Associate Client Partner Whitney Stewart. “We wanted the zoo to capitalize on its summer flamingo theme for the benefit of the general public as well as its major contributors.”

This flamingo campaign coincides with the 10^th annual Sunset Affair on July 21st. This year’s Travelers Sunset Affair theme is “South American Soiree”. Guests at the event will savor the flavors of South America while watching sea lions lounge and flamingos flaunt their feathers, experiences usually reserved for those living far below the equator. Funds raised during Travelers Sunset Affair: South American Soiree will go towards completing the $18.8 million Campaign for Como and upcoming Japanese Gardens Experience.

Tickets to Travelers Sunset Affair: South American Soirée start at $150. Tables of 10 are also available for purchase. Call 651-487-8229 or visit www.comofriends.org for tickets.

Travelers Sunset Affair, South American Soiree is sponsored by Travelers; McGough; Xcel Energy; Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation; Nelson, Tietz & Hoye; Parson’s Electric and Wells Fargo.

About The M Group
The M Group is a full service creative and digital agency based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm specializes in building iconic brands through services in strategy, design, web, social engagement and mobile. The agency works across industries including: consumer products, financial services, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and others. For more information about The M Group, visit theMgroupcreative.com, read the blog: blog.theMgroupcreative.com, follow on Twitter @The_M_Group or Facebook facebook.com/theMgroup.

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2010 –

“Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a special place for all of us who live in the Twin Cities,” said The M Group Client Partner Janessa Meyer. “We are happy to support their amazing work, as they continue to provide all of us with a beautiful local, even exotic, destination.”

The July 22nd, 2010 event, themed Travelers Sunset Affair: Glacier Nights, highlighted the zoo’s newest exhibit, Polar Bear Odyssey. As Como’s largest annual fundraiser, the event elicited more than $100,000 in 2010 and helped bring back Polar Bears Buzz and Neil to their new stunning habitat in St. Paul.

Como Friends, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and The M Group will announce the 2011 Travelers Sunset Affair theme next spring. The Minneapolis-based M Group will concept and produce all marketing for the event, including the design of the theme, invitations and accompanying PR campaign.

About The M Group
The M Group is a full service creative and digital agency based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm specializes in building iconic brands through services in strategy, design, web, social engagement and mobile. The agency works across industries including: consumer products, financial services, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and others. For more information about The M Group, visit theMgroupcreative.com, read the blog: blog.theMgroupcreative.com, follow on Twitter @The_M_Group or Facebook facebook.com/theMgroup.