Out Box Communications

The holiday season brings more travel and celebrations in two months than the rest of the year combined, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. U.S. Cellular can help smartphone owners tackle to-do lists for trips, party planning, and shopping with several phone features to make it manageable. “With the latest devices like an iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7 on our nationwide network, smartphone owners can use a device’s features at home or on-the-go to simplify and enhance their holiday travel and celebration plans,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South. “We invite everyone to visit our local U.S. Cellular stores to learn more from one of our helpful associates.” Smartphone owners are more likely to use their device while traveling than ever before. According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey, 76 percent of people used their phone while traveling in 2015, up from 68 percent in the previous year. ¹ U.S. Cellular suggests following a few simple tips t

Each coach will receive $5,000 for their school and will be recognized at the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game on Jan. 1 U.S. Cellular announced the two winning coaches of the company’s Most Valuable Coach program, selected by fans out of hundreds of nominated coaches around the country. Allan Trimble of Jenks High School in Jenks, Okla., and Doug Smith of Appomattox County High School in Appomattox, Va., will each receive $5,000 for their school and a trip to Orlando, Fla., where each will be recognized live on the field during the nationally-televised Under Armour All-America High School Football Game Jan. 1 on ESPN at 1:00 p.m. EST. “We congratulate Coach Trimble and Coach Smith on their deserving title of Most Valuable Coach. There is no doubt that these two coaches have had an incredible impact on their schools and youth and will continue to be a leader in their local communities,” said Grant Leech, vice president of brand management at U.S. Cellular. “Th

A movement started by the Small Business Association is catching on and retailers are taking note. Last year 95 Million People* went out to shop on Small Business Saturday , Nov. 30! The event is designed to promote local business, communities and neighborhoods. So how can you capitalize on this growing trend? Here are a couple tips: Sell Through Social Media Entice customers with your hottest gift items by posting pictures on Facebook and tagging them with Small Business Saturday, #SmallBizSat, and other appropriate labels. Collaborate Meet with neighboring businesses to co-promote and celebrate something only your business location can offer. What is specific to the region or this time of year? Promote Register as a participant through the Small Business Administration website. https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday and like other sites to align your company with others as part of the “map” of participating locations. You can also like

FROM FITNESS TO FUN, MOBILE ACCESSORIES HAVE HOLIDAY SHOPPING LISTS COVERED While wireless accessories, such as cases, chargers and skins are still important to have, these days accessories can fly, entertain and even ensure safety. This new wave of accessories has created entertainment and organizational hubs that continue to grow in popularity. ABI Research forecasts that global revenues for mobile accessories will grow to $101 billion in 2020. Wireless devices continue to be utilized for more than just a call or text. A recent U.S. Cellular survey indicated that 94 percent of smartphone owners used their device to keep themselves entertained, while 49 percent utilized smart home technology or connected home devices.* “Mobile accessories are popular because they continue to simplify and enhance your life,” said Nathan Waddell, U.S. Cellular’s director of sales in the Mid-South. “When paired with a smartphone, such as the iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7, it is easier to stay fit

Liberty alumnus among finalists for Most Valuable Coach award | Liberty University : Former Liberty University wide receiver Doug Smith (’86), now in his fifth season as head football coach at nearby Appomattox County High School, is one of 15 finalists for U.S. Cellular’s 2016 Most Valuable Coach. ...

Beale makes final 15 for Most Valuable Coach; 15 coaches now in running for top 2 : U.S. Cellular has announced the Final 15 coaches who have moved on to the final round of voting in the company’s Most Valuable Coach program, and Coach Winfred Beale from Floyd County High School in Floyd is among them. With the help of the public, who can now vote at TheMostValuableCoach.com through Nov. 18, Beale will have the opportunity to be among the two coaches named U.S. Cellular’s Most Valuable Coach on Nov. 21. Each winning coach will receive $5,000 for their school and will be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High All-America High School Football Game on Jan. 1.

Voting begins now to determine the two winning coaches CUMBERLAND, MD (Oct. 20, 2016) – Today U.S. Cellular announced the Final 15 coaches who have moved on to the final round of voting in the company’s Most Valuable Coach program. With the help of the public, who can now vote at TheMostValuableCoach.com through Nov. 18, Appel will have the opportunity to be among the two coaches named U.S. Cellular’s Most Valuable Coach on Nov. 21. Each winning coach will receive $5,000 for their school and will be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High All-America High School Football Game on Jan. 1. U.S. Cellular will host a local celebratory event to honor Appel and create a short video detailing his story, which will be released o n Nov. 11. The company will also award $1,000 to Fort Hill High School. Appel joins coaches in California, Iowa, Illinois, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin in being voted in to the Final15. “At U.S. Cellular we are inspired by the community support in

U.S. Cellular Highlights Smartphone Tricks for Keeping Kids Safe While Out Trekking for Treats Halloween is synonymous with costumes and the over-consumption of candy, but it can also be a real fright fest for parents concerned about the safety of their miniature monsters, ghosts and goblins. Fortunately, today’s smartphones have a variety of built-in features that, with a little advanced planning, can be combined to create a Halloween hub to help trick-or-treaters stay safe and give parents peace-of-mind. “Today’s cutting-edge devices keep people connected and offer a variety of features that promote safety, so it isn’t surprising that a recent survey from U.S. Cellular found 62 percent of parents citing safety as a reason for getting their child their first phone.” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South. “It comes down to knowing how to utilize even the most basic, built-in functions to your advantage.” With Halloween night fast approachin

Earning a sale is never easy. Research shows that it takes at least three interactions with your product or service to make one – sometimes, many, many more! So earning credibility, brand recognition and meaningful touch points with customers can be tough for businesses that are still growing. The prospect of hiring a PR firm can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. A PR Consultant can be a very affordable solution for firms that need incredible creativity, contacts and the ability to deliver ROI without big Agency overhead. There are some things companies can do to quick start their own PR efforts: PRESS RELEASE: Have you uncovered true innovation, invented a new product or modernized a service that changes the way business is done? Tell your story in a newsworthy press release. Maybe you don’t think that you have but a creative PR person can sometimes pull out the interesting, compelling and newsworthy topics that seem like everyday details in your line of work . Send thi

For U.S. Cellular's Most Valuable Coach Program! Here are the Mid-Atlantic Nominees: Kevin Board from Petersburg High School in Petersburg, WV Doug Smith from Appomattox County High School in Appomattox, VA Sean Biser from Keyser High School in Keyser, WV Todd Appel from Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, MD Winfred Beale from Floyd County High School in Floyd, VA The public can vote on the final 15 at www.TheMostValuableCoach.com now through Oct. 17, see bios and look view reasons behind the nominations. At the end of the program, two coaches will be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High School All-America Game on Jan. 1 and will receive $5,000 each for their school. Fifteen coaches who earn the most votes will advance to the final round of voting and receive $1,000 from U.S. Cellular for their school to use however they choose. The company will also host a celebratory event to honor each coach and create a short video detailing the coach’s story

Beale in top 50 nominations for Most Valuable Coach : U.S. Cellular announced that the top 50 nominees for the company’s Most Valuable Coach program are now posted on TheMostValuableCoach.com. Winfred Beale from Floyd County High School in Floyd is among the top 50 after hundreds of nominations were submitted, and the public can now vote on who will make the final 15. At the end of the program, two coaches will be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High School All-America Game on Jan. 1 and will receive $5,000 each for their school.

U.S. CELLULAR KICKS OFF SEARCH FOR MOST VALUABLE COACH AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS IN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND Wireless Carrier Teams Up with College Football Hall of Fame Coach Barry Alvarez to Find Inspirational High School Football Head Coaches U.S. Cellular has just launched the Most Valuable Coach program, a campaign to highlight and recognize current high school football head coaches who have made a profound impact on an individual, school or community. Starting now through noon CT on Oct. 3, the wireless carrier is encouraging the community to nominate a current high school football head coach by visiting TheMostValuableCoach.com and sharing their story about why the coach is “most valuable.” At the end of the program, two coaches will be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High School All-America Game on Jan. 1 and receive $5,000 each for their school. “At U.S. Cellular, we are inspired by coaches in the community, and we look forward to hearing their m

HILLSVILLE, Va. – As area hotels, businesses and the local community prepares for the increase in area visitors for the annual Hillsville flea market, U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) plans to support the spike in demand for wireless access. Since the majority of attendees will be relying on their smartphones to stay connected with family and friends, share photos and post updates to their social media pages, U.S. Cellular will bring in a Cell on Light Truck, or COLT to increase wireless capacity during the flea market. “We want to help ensure that everyone who comes to enjoy their Labor Day weekend in Hillsville can use their phone or tablet like they normally do,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South, “The COLT will provide a better network experience for all attendees at the annual flea market.” The COLT, is a mobile wireless command unit that provides added network capacity for the increased data usage enabling thousands of calls, messages and

It’s a horrible, cringe-worthy moment when a smartphone falls into a sink, puddle, pool – or worse: a toilet – and gets wet. It happens to most people at some point, so it’s smart to be prepared with a plan to recover and restore the phone if it ever becomes waterlogged. Many people panic when their phones get wet, worried that their contacts, photos and other data are gone forever. Their first reactions are often to frantically press all the buttons, attempt to fix it with a hair dryer, or even stick it in the oven to dry. None of these “solutions” work, however. U.S. Cellular recommends keeping a cool head and following the tips below to help save your phone. • Act fast. Retrieve the smartphone as quickly as possible, taking it out of the pool, bathtub or toilet right away. The longer it’s submerged in liquid, the more likely it is to be irrevocably damaged. • Take out the battery. Before doing anything else, take out the battery. If the phone doesn’t have a removable b

Pokémon Go has exploded in the U.S. recently. You can see people playing the game everywhere, unfortunately even in places and situations that are inappropriate. July is National Cellphone Courtesy Month, and with the release of Pokémon Go, there is a unique opportunity to ensure smartphone users are aware of common etiquette tips while still enjoying their devices. U.S. Cellular has spotlighted the most common mobile device etiquette breaches and offered smartphone users a few easy tips to avoid them. A few to keep in mind, especially when playing Pokémon Go: -       Be aware of your surroundings. o   Some places are inappropriate for playing games, such as cemeteries, places of worship, hospitals and other solemn occasions. o   Stay away from areas that you wouldn’t normally feel safe. o   Be mindful of how you appear playing the game and where you play. Remember, not everyone is acquainted with the game. -       If you are going into a store or restaurant while playing, it may

U.S. Cellular has added additional mobile charging stations and Wi-Fi hot spots based on community needs at the command centers in Rainelle, White Sulphur Springs and at Midland Trail High School in Hico.   Earlier this week the company provided disaster relief kits containing car and wall chargers, remote backup battery back ups for communities in Greenbrier and Rupert.   In an effort to aid residents affected by flooding, U.S. Cellular is donating $5,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts.   U.S. Cellular is offering phone charging, “loaner” cell phones and Wi-Fi access at retail locations in Beckley, Fayetteville, Lewisburg and Summersville in West Virginia and Covington, Virginia.   Residents can contact loved ones and make phone calls at the following locations: Ansted Baptist Church Shelter 146 Holley St Ansted, WV 25812 Rainelle Command Center NEW* (in Kroger Parking lot) 406 John Raine Drive Rainelle, WV 25962 White Sulphur Springs C

In an effort to aid residents affected by flooding, U.S. Cellular is donating $5,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts.   U.S. Cellular is also offering phone charging, “loaner” cell phones and Wi-Fi access at locations in Beckley, Fayetteville, Lewisburg and Summersville in West Virginia and Covington, Virginia.   Associates are also traveling to other areas to serve people including Ansted Baptist Church Shelter and Richwood Volunteer Fire Department (WV). Residents can contact loved ones and make phone calls at the following locations: Ansted Baptist Church Shelter NEW* 146 Holley St Ansted, WV 25812 (304) 658-4321 Richwood Volunteer Fire Department (Charging truck in route) NEW* 10 White Ave.   Richwood, WV 26261 We R Wireless (An authorized U.S. Cellular agent location)  NEW* U.S. Cellular Authorized Agent - We R Wireless 919 S. Craig Avenue Covington, VA 24426 Phone: (540) 965-1152 M-F 10 am – 8 pm, Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 1 – 5p