How Does ScottsMiracle-Gro's Garden Grow?

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- What happens when the world's leading garden and lawn company answers consumers' questions from behind the camera? Employees demonstrating how easy it is to get great results at home – all on the new ScottsMiracle-Gro Almanac YouTube channel.

To view the multimedia content associated with this release, please click:  http://www.multivu.com/players/English/47693-scotts-summer-almanac/

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110810/MM50479 )

Jeff Garascia, senior vice president, global research and development for ScottsMiracle-Gro, charged his team of scientists and engineers to shoot mini films, showing how easy it is for consumers to be successful in their own gardens and lawns. "Daily we are asked 'how-to' questions by friends, relatives and colleagues," says Garascia. "Who better to answer those questions about lawn care and gardening than the researchers who evolved science into consumer products? The YouTube channel is a fun way to show the people behind the products."

Jim Lyski, chief marketing officer, ScottsMiracle-Gro, elaborated, "Everywhere people garden and enjoy their yards. The Scotts and Miracle-Gro brands are synonymous with this – we evaluated the most asked questions our consumer contact center received – and started the video project with those." Lyski added, "We intend to be the first point of information on 'how-to' – instead of telling, we are showing how easy it is to garden and enjoy backyards everywhere.  We are consumers too, using the same products at home that we work on every day. These videos demonstrate that we know our consumers better than any competitor – demographically, attitudinally and emotionally. Look for more videos and follow consumer input on our YouTube channel."

50 videos on 50 topics will kickoff this conversation channel. The top most-asked questions from consumers were culled, providing the nexus for these 90-second video snippets. Employees from all departments and backgrounds channeled their inner Martin Scorsese and took to the small screen — YouTube – by selecting a topic and filming themselves at home. The videos range from expert advice to beginners wanting to discover gardening together with consumers. Videos showcase personal successes and recommendations from ScottsMiracle-Gro associates about a particular topic. Viewers are encouraged to provide feedback and leave comments below the video to get the conversation started. Scotts associates will monitor their videos, engaging with consumers who seek help or advice, and encouraging them to get outside to team up with Mother Nature.

For more information on the ScottsMiracle-Gro Summer Almanac, visit http://YouTube.com/SMGAlmanac.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

SOURCE The Scotts Company