Top PBN.com stories of 2016

CHANGES AT Ava Anderson, the state’s failed “Cooler & Warmer” tourism campaign, top young chefs and a former Hasbro executive’s take on politics and philanthropy were among the most-read stories on PBN.com in 2016, according to Google Analytics.
CHANGES AT Ava Anderson, the state’s failed “Cooler & Warmer” tourism campaign, top young chefs and a former Hasbro executive’s take on politics and philanthropy were among the most-read stories on PBN.com in 2016, according to Google Analytics.

PROVIDENCE – Changes at Ava Anderson, the state’s failed “Cooler & Warmer” tourism campaign, top young chefs and a former Hasbro executive’s take on politics and philanthropy were among the most-read stories on PBN.com in 2016, according to Google Analytics.

“Ava Anderson to back out of the company she founded”, published Jan. 25, took the top spot.

It detailed how Ava Anderson LLC in Warren would close and reopen without the Anderson family that launched the business. Attacks against the company founder Ava Anderson and her products, which were advertised as natural personal care products, were cited as reasons for the changes.

The second most-read story also had to do with Ava Anderson: “Pure Haven Essentials replacing Ava Anderson,” published Feb. 12. It said Pure Haven would be a new company and brand issuing from the firm known as Ava Anderson Non Toxic.

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“Two new complaints against Ava Anderson Non Toxic, Pure Haven Essentials,” posted March 17, was the fifth most-read story and it detailed how the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it was investigating two new complaints against the company, as well as how a previous complaint over whether ingredients used in its Essential Oils product were organic had been resolved.

The third most-read story was “Rhode Island’s top young chefs”, posted Jan. 23, featuring profiles of the state’s top 10 young chefs: Christopher Bender, Jennifer Backman, Tyler Demora, Marina Gregson, James Mark, Ben Sukle, Matthew Reilly, Brandon Teachout, Matt Varga and Antonio Wormley.

The fourth most-read story was “Construction begins on $53M Attleboro youth and community sports complex” on Jan. 6. It was about the $53 million New England Sports Village, and its goal to become a one-stop-shop for parents of children in organized athletics.

Grabbing the sixth spot was the Jan. 12 interview with former chairman and CEO of Hasbro Inc., Alan Hassenfeld: “Alan Hassenfeld on the state of politics and philanthropy in R.I.”, featuring his take on the aforementioned topics.

Seventh place went to “Commerce RI board member: Throw Cooler & Warmer slogan out,”, in which R.I. Commerce Corp. board member Karl Wadensten took a stand against the widely mocked slogan. It didn’t take long after the story was posted on March 30 – exactly two days – for the state to abandon Cooler & Warmer.

A February 2015 story about how Rhode Island tax refunds could be delayed creeped into the eighth most-popular spot, and “Aetna senior VP named new BCBSRI CEO,” posted May 19 about Rhode Island native Kim Keck’s appointment as CEO and president of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, was ninth.

The tenth most-read story was April 19’s “U.S. News: R.I. ninth in U.S. for best high schools”.

“It’s here: R.I. unveils new tourism slogan logo and website,” posted March 28, just missed the top 10, coming in 11th.

Other stories that generated significant web traffic had to do with PBN-sponsored events and the awards about them:

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