Posted by on May 11, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Northeast Award Winners

Northeast Award Winners We spent an amazing weekend with a great group of smart, fun, and amazing My Gymers last week!  There were 115 people in attendance.  Your passion and dedication helped create an amazing event! We would like to recognize the award winners from the Northeast for 2015.  Keep up the fantastic work! Franchisee of the Year Amy and Robert Brenner My Gyms Fairfield, Stamford, and Orange, CT The owners who best exemplify the ideals for which My Gym stands by achieving excellence in the areas of business operations, leadership, customer service, program quality, and enrollment Franchisee of the Year Christin Shifflett My Gyms Crofton, Columbia, and Annapolis, MD   The owner who best exemplifies the ideals for which My Gym stands by achieving excellence in the areas of business operations, leadership, customer service, program quality, and enrollment *             *             *             * Achievement Award The owners who have achieved remarkable progress in striving for excellence in the areas of business operations, leadership, customer service, program quality, and enrollment David...

Read More

Posted by on May 8, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Exact Target: New Emails, New Functionality, and More!

As a reminder, the Exact Target content purge is scheduled for tonight. If you are logging in this evening, you may notice global emails gradually being removed from your account. Click here for a tutorial on how to save your content. A set of all new global emails will be published to your account right after the purge, organized into subfolders for easy navigation. The MGM automated emails have also been refreshed and can now be customized! Below is a preview of what’s to come. What’s New? Click each image to enlarge Global Email Subfolders We’ve made it easier to find what you’re looking for, and added many more photo options from which to choose.   Brand New E-Newsletter Options Pre-made newsletter content areas covering a wide variety of topics and promotions are available for you to insert into emails. Use these content areas as models when creating your own. Make sure to follow the font face, color, and size standards, and don’t forget – keep it short and...

Read More

Posted by on May 8, 2015 in General | 0 comments

Grand Opening

We are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of our 6th location in Connecticut. Sara and Carlos Bastos have recently opened their doors in Enfield. This is the Bastos’ second My Gym. They have owned and operated the West Hartford location for the past 3 years. Warm wishes and congratulations can be sent to...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 30, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Sports and Fitness Month & Summer Fun: Campaign Marketing Materials and Merchandise Available!

Just a reminder that our upcoming campaign’s marketing materials and merchandise are available for you to promote May’s Sports and Fitness Month and also Summer Fun! The May Sports and Fitness Month campaign marketing materials can be found in the May folder of the Marketing Manual.  If you decide not to use the Sports and Fitness Month materials, generic materials are available for your use. Shopmygym.com has the perfect shirt to go along with this campaign! The athletic tee has a vintage My Gym swoosh design on the front of the chest and the My Gym logo on the back with the word, “PLAY,” reminding My Gymers to get out there and have fun.  Members and staff will love this soft and comfortable shirt, available in youth and adult sizes.  This shirt is available on ShopMyGym.com in the Kids Apparel and Adult Apparel categories. Social Media:  #SportsAndFitnessMonth Become a part of the conversation!  We highly suggest you utilize social media as another tool in your marketing toolbox.  For the month...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 28, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Google AdWords-Web Marketing and Search Commander

Since Search Commander, Inc. began working with MGE last year, they have conducted more than 300 appointments with over 100 franchisees.  The reports, feedback, and results have been overwhelmingly positive. Specifically regarding Google AdWords (GAW), 100% of the franchisees who were already set up with GAW have cut their “cost per conversion” by at least 50% and, in many cases, by much more.  Additionally, every My Gym franchisee account is running more profitable after working with Search Commander, Inc. Based on the results and the feedback we have received, the program has now been expanded, allowing for Scott at Search Commander to consult with gyms on a monthly basis instead of just quarterly. This will enable gyms to obtain help in areas other than Google AdWords as well.  Franchisees can gain assistance and guidance with additional topics, including but not limited to:  (1) getting your business claimed on Google, (2) improving local listings and organic search results, (3) marketing and advertising with Facebook. Book your follow-up or first appointment...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 28, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Northeast Training Seminar update

We are still planning to hold the Northeast Training Seminar as planned.  We are monitoring the situation in Baltimore closely, along with Megan Gorsuch, owner from Timonium, MD. Megan states:  “Everything is fine in the Timonium area.  The news is really making it seem as though it is much more widespread than it really is at this time.  This is a very sad time for the city, but the trouble is in East and West Baltimore and does not affect the county or the airport.  Everyone is safe in the Timonium area.” We look forward to seeing you all soon!  ...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 21, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Calling All Karate Kids!

  The time has come, grasshopper, to “wax on, wax off!” As of today, we are releasing the entire My Gym Martial Arts program – including curriculum, training, marketing directives, and everything else you’ll need to run this “turnkey” core program.  Have you hired your Black Belt?  Decided where to put your class(es) on the schedule?  If so, then you’re ready to go.  Simply read the Martial Arts Program Directives, begin marketing, and continue from there. Our program is based on Taekwondo; but, as in many Martial Arts classes, other styles and self-defense techniques are also interjected into the curriculum.  Be assured that the My Gym Martial Arts program is a legitimate program with skill, progression, belt testing, and a sound philosophy.  Children have the ability to test for patches, stripes, and higher belts, eventually even earning their black belts.  This is an authentic martial arts program taught within My Gym’s core beliefs. If you have yet to hire your Black Belt instructor, your first step is to read...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 20, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Exact Target Webinar on the Extranet

  The Exact Target: Functions, Features & Best Practices webinar is now available on the extranet (Webinars & Tutorials under Exact Target).  If you were unable to attend one of the live presentations, we encourage you to watch this recorded version. The webinar is appropriate for Exact Target users of all levels and...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 15, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Azul-My Gym, 2015 Contest, Marketing, and more!

We are pleased to announce that, over the last several months, MGE has been working closely with our partners at Azul Hotels by Karisma to revamp our business relationship on every level. At its core, this means a renewed My Gym program, experience, and marketing presence at all Azul hotels, where we directly brand and engage with more than 200,000 families (and potential My Gym customers) per year from around the world. Additionally, we are going to increase our joint marketing presence through email, website, and social media.  Finally, we are renewing the marketing materials and the ever-popular customer/franchisee contest program at the gyms. PLEASE NOTE that there are some changes to the in-gym marketing materials and customer contest.  Please read on to see that, in addition to gyms’ having a chance to win a FREE trip, our My Gym customers and you, our owners and staffs, can vacation at Azul at the lowest prices ever offered to the My Gym family by Azul! My Gym Customer Contest The...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 15, 2015 in My Gym Foundation | 0 comments

MGCA April Update – Meet Aleah!

Meet Aleah Whaley! MGCA’s New Director of Development My Gym Challenged America welcomes Aleah Whaley to the team! While Aleah has been involved with MGCA for several years in a volunteer capacity, she took on the role of Director of Development at the beginning of 2015 to assist with MGCA’s fundraising efforts. Please help us to welcome her as she reaches out to you in the coming months. WHO YOU HELP: Meet Naomi Naomi was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and it is difficult for her to exercise and play with other children her age. With the help of her trike, Naomi can ride around and play! Naomi’s mother wrote us expressing her gratitude: “Today we received Naomi’s tricycle! Thank you all so much for your kindness and efforts. Tomorrow her dad and I are getting her the coolest helmet we can find and taking her out with all of the kids at our playground. You have made a wonderful difference in my daughter’s life. Thank you!” Thank you to all...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 14, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

New Sponsor Program- Hyland’s Homeopathic.

New Sponsor Program- Hyland’s Homeopathic – Free Teething Tablet Sampling Program We are pleased to inform you that we have a new program beginning with Hyland’s. This will be our final program for a while, as we have no other deals pending with them until at least the end of summer, if they occur at all. Beginning late this week, all U.S. gyms will receive the 1st of two shipments associated with this program, which runs from April – May, 2015. The shipments will contain all the materials you will need to execute the program. The samples and coupons contained in the shipments should be made available to all customers from 4/20/15 to 5/20/15 or until supplies are gone, whichever occurs first. You will receive two shipments with approximately 1,000 samples each. The 1st shipment should arrive by 4/20/15, and the 2nd shipment will arrive by 4/27/15. Please place the counter card near samples and encourage parents who are interested in doing so to take the survey AND to...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 13, 2015 in Products, Support & Programming | 0 comments

Exciting New Products Being Added to Curriculum!

First new product:  My Gym Superhero Capes MGE is constantly searching out the top equipment and products to put into our curriculum to keep programming exciting and fresh.  From time to time, we will be adding products to our My Gym programming.  Note that, in order to keep full consistency from gym to gym around the world, our curriculum does not contain optional ingredients unless specifically stated when we roll out a new item for curriculum or seasonal programming. We’re excited to let you know that four new products will be added to curriculum during 2015!  These products are for use in your classes/parties and for sale to your members.  Specific retail selling directives will be provided for these items. The first new item, the My Gym Superhero Cape, will be added to curriculum the week of 5/18 for the Parent Share and the Whiz Kids game.  This is not optional, and you need to purchase it. You will also see the cape in future programming for Manipulative Skills,...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 10, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Upcoming Northeast Training Seminar, May 1-2

Upcoming Northeast Training Seminar, May 1-2 We are just a few weeks away from the Northeast Training Seminar, and we’re anxious to see everyone at this very fun and motivational event! General Information Please Click here for the Northeast Training Seminar Agenda.  Please print out 1 copy for each person attending. Training Seminar will begin at 1:00pm sharp on Friday afternoon. Meetings will end around 6pm, and we will all meet at a restaurant at 7pm. If you are bringing your entire staff, we suggest you cancel classes and parties on Friday and Saturday. Last meeting will end at approximately 5:00pm on Saturday.  Please plan to attend the entire seminar. All attendees will be on their own for lunch and dinner each day.  Suggestions will be given by the hosting gym. MGE will not be handling any accommodations, flights, rental cars, etc.  All arrangements must be made in advance by individuals attending the event. Recommended hotels are listed below Dress:  Comfortable/athletic attire – My Gym shirts are preferred. Food will...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 8, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

The Purge II: Exact Target

It’s that time again…  Exact Target global templates and emails will be purged and refreshed on Friday, May 8th.  We were able to declutter your global emails section quite a bit with our first purge last year; but, with recent Exact Target functionality and interface upgrades, we feel it is best to clean house again. MGE now has the ability to publish global emails down to your accounts into organized folders—hooray!  In the past, we have avoided over-publishing emails; the amount of content grew, but also grew harder to find.  Because we can now separate global emails into folders, we are able to expand the number of pre-made emails for your use. More information about this purge and the added benefits of the reorganization will be discussed during the Exact Target webinar next week (April 14th at 10am PDT & April 15th 1pm PDT).  Have you registered yet?  If not, click here to do so now! SAVE YOUR CONTENT:  You have a little over two weeks to save all...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 6, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Partnership: Paddington DVD Release

My Gym has once again partnered with The Weinstein Company to promote the Paddington DVD, which will be released on 4/28/15. The program will allow My Gym to continue building a positive relationship with The Weinstein Company, aligning our brand with one that is well respected by our members. This shipment contains materials you will need to execute this program. Please display and distribute the promotional materials from 4/9/15- 6/9/15 1 x Paddington Movie Poster  (24×36) 1 x Paddington DVD (Can be used as you like…You can raffle it off, keep for gym use during PNO, etc.) Coupons (200 per location) Poster Hangers ADDTIONALLY, if you like, you can utilize the Paddington Bear plush toy from December/January and incorporate into your curriculum (Camps, PNOs, Class Elements) AND you can access and print Paddington coloring sheets here to hand out to children and/or use during camp, pre-school prep, etc. Upon commencement of the program, please snap a quick picture of the poster displayed and send it to marketing@mygym.com. If you have any...

Read More

Posted by on Apr 2, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

CMO Quarterly Report- Online & New Entertainment Advertising

As part of our 2015 Marketing Department plan, MGE is now directing Marketing Fund dollars toward online advertising, driving geographically and demographically targeted customers directly to “your” respective websites. Put more simply, MGE is advertising for you in your markets, adding yet another layer to your existing efforts without your having to even think about it! We have integrated the newest cutting edge ad tech from Google into our website. Instead of merely placing ads on a specific site or publication, we can target individual users matching a customer profile we control – YOUR customer profile! With this new technology, our impressions, budget, and ads are not wasted. Instead, they are served only to customers with children living within a couple of miles of each of your gyms. Example: High quality image ads on websites, mobile sites, and even apps and games SUMMARY OF RESULTS To date (as of March 30th), we have achieved over 4 million impressions and over 7,700 clicks at a cost of approximately $7,000. HOW...

Read More

Posted by on Mar 30, 2015 in Marketing, Support & Programming | 0 comments

Kidpower Safety Minute Update

We’re excited to see our gyms contributing to child safety and protection by educating our members with the Kidpower Safety Minute each week.  We believe that the mission and message of Kidpower is very important and that we, as the leading experts in child development, have a crucial role to play in teaching our members, both children and parents, how to be safe.  With bullying and child abuse on the rise, My Gym can and should address these issues with our members, as we make our contribution to Kidpower’s efforts to fulfill the “One Million Safer Kids” mission.  With that said, we want to ensure that the message is presented by our staff in an authentic and meaningful way.  We would not want our teachers or parents to feel uncomfortable with the lessons being delivered. We understand that it can be difficult at times to speak to children and parents about child safety, so we have decided to remove the minutes from Little Bundles through Terrific Tots until further...

Read More

Posted by on Mar 27, 2015 in Products | 0 comments

Fitness is fun in the new My Gym Athletic T-Shirt!

  Peak your performance inside the gym when you wear this lightweight My Gym Athletic T-shirt.  This Gildan “performance” T-shirt contains moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties.  Although this shirt is 100% polyester, it has a little more weight and density than typical moisture wicking shirts, and it feels soft and comfortable like a cotton shirt.  This athletic tee has a vintage My Gym “swoosh” design on the front of the chest and the My Gym logo on the back with the word, PLAY, reminding My Gymers to get out there and have fun. Seamed single needle 3/4” collar Tagless, heat transfer label AquaFX™ – Wicking properties Freshcare™ – Antimicrobial properties Double-needle hemmed 5/8” sleeves and bottom hem Quarter-turned to eliminate center crease Available in youth and adult sizes, this shirt fits the same as the Gildan registration/logo shirt and the staff T-shirt. Important Note:  As per the “New Marketing Materials” update on March 5th, May’s Sports and Fitness Month Campaign is rapidly approaching, and this is the shirt to...

Read More

Posted by on Mar 26, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

My Gym Photo Gallery Updated

The gallery of still photos has been expanded!  Visit the extranet and click “Logos, Pictures & Marketing Materials.”  Then, open the “MGE Approved Photos” folder to check out the updated galleries.  The new shots are included as well as the most successful of the previously existing gallery. In an effort to provide for a variety of needs, we have increased the number of shots available.  As a result, you may see some photos that do not match your particular needs or taste but, hopefully, many more that will enhance your marketing and increase your business. Please note that the image files in the MGE Approved Photos folder are optimized for the most common uses and are not suitable for high quality printing.  Please contact designer@mygym.com if you require a high resolution version of any photo in the gallery.  ...

Read More

Posted by on Mar 25, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Director of the Year Nominations

Last call!  It is officially the 11th  hour, but if you hurry, you can still honor your fabulous My Gym Director by nominating them as the 2015 Director of the Year! Is your Director an amazing leader?  A take-charge go-getter? A knowledgeable, well-rounded master of the gym?  If so, you may want to consider nominating him or her for My Gym’s prestigious Director of the Year award!  This award is for the director who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in operating, caring, and living as though he or she were the owner of your My Gym.  If you would like to nominate your director for Director of the Year, the following criteria must be met: He/she has held the position of Director for at least 9 months of gym operation. Your director is a My Gym expert in all areas (teaching, running day-to-day operations, connecting with staff and families). He/she has been able to train and retain staff by teaching them to be My Gym experts....

Read More

Posted by on Mar 19, 2015 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

My Gym Dance: Live!

“A 5-6-7-8 and….” Cue the lights! Cue the music! The My Gym Dance Program is officially HERE! If you haven’t already done so, we invite any and all considering adding dance to their schedule to review the Directives and supplemental hiring ad samples, which are available on the Operations Manual. If you’ve already read them, hired your instructor, and are ready to roll, great! You’ll find all the necessary information and resources to run the whole program in the Programs – Core > Dance folder, including several months’ of pre-written curriculum. More will be added in time. Dance training videos may also be viewed in the “Training and Info Videos” section on the extranet. As a refresher, here are the classes we’re releasing as part of the program. We recommend you choose just one or two to start, based on your demographics, clientele’s wants/needs, and schedule availability. Pre-Ballet: Ages 3 years – 4.5 years Pre-Ballet introduces the fundamentals of a structured dance class in a fun, noncompetitive way! Children...

Read More

Posted by on Mar 16, 2015 in Marketing | 0 comments

Ella’s Kitchen- Program now over- Please send survey!

The Ella’s Kitchen program is now complete. Posters may be removed and discarded, and any remaining samples and coupons may be handed out or thrown away. The final component of the program is a survey. If your gym participated in the Ella’s Kitchen program, we request that you send the survey out to all enrolled Little Bundles-Gymsters families ONLY as soon as you can, and please make sure that marketing@mygym.com is cc’d. The “Ella’s Kitchen Survey” can be found in your global emails. Thank...

Read More