Good Economic News 3-13-2012

Good Economic News

Here are just a few of the recent jobs announcements that have crossed my desk in recent weeks.

In Northampton County, Pennsylvania, packaging maker Rehrig Pacific Logistics will open a new facility and create 39 new jobs.

Glass manufacturer Flat Gall North America will expand its facility in Logan County, Ohio, creating 100 new jobs.

In Austin, Texas, Apple plans to add a new facility, which will double its local workforce, adding 3,600 new jobs.

In Dothan, Alabama, Yuru Corporation, a supplier of core electric components and ignition products, will locate its new headquarters and manufacturing operation, creating 60 new jobs.

Jones-Hamilton Company, a maker and marketer of specialty chemicals, plans to build a new plant in Chester County, South Carolina, creating 15 new jobs.

In Davie County, North Carolina, Carolina Precision Plastics LLC will locate a new facility and create 140 new jobs.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, Rolls-Royce North America will open a new engine components facility, creating 100 new jobs.

K&B Machine Works LLC will expand its operation in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, creating 19 new jobs.

In Shelby County, Tennessee, Oxford Diagnostic Laboratories plans to open a new lab, creating 65 new jobs.

RATO Power Company Ltd, a maker of ATVs, motorcycles, water pumps and general purpose engines, will move its headquarters to Lincoln County, North Carolina, creating 40 new jobs.

In Opelika, Alabama, Daewon America, a maker of coli spring and stabilizer bars for the auto industry, will expand and create 32 new jobs.

Retailer Belk, Inc. plans to invest in its distribution center in Union County, South Carolina, creating 124 new jobs.

In Batesville, Arkansas, Bad Boy Mowers will expand its operation and add 150 new employees.

XPO Logistics, Inc. a logistics services provider, will open a new operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating 200 new jobs.

GSE Lining Technology, a maker of geosynthetic lining products, will expand its operation in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, creating 24 new jobs.

In Terre Haute, Indiana, packaging materials maker Bemis Company will expand and add 40 new jobs.

Toyota plans to expand its Buffalo, West Virginia plant, adding 80 new jobs.

In Stark County, Ohio, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations will open a new facility and hire 700 people.

Wise Alloys will expand its recycling operation in the Shoals area of Alabama, creating 43 new jobs.

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, Alliance Plastics, an injection molding plastics and tooling company, will locate a new facility and create 54 new jobs.

Supreme Industries, a maker of truck bodies, will expand its operation in Goshen, Indiana, creating 350 new jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 5,975

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.

The Tangled Web of Content Marketing

The Tangled Web of Content Marketing

Web 4.0 has arrived

Isn’t it amazing how quickly internet marketing is changing? I remember when the idea of a company or community web site was considered a bit odd, crazy or a foolish waste of money. “Are we going to get any business from this?” was a very common phrase. Kicking and screaming, some reluctantly jumped in. At this time, many companies and communities accepted the premise that as long as they had a web site, they would be validated. At the time, that philosophy was common. Sadly, many still reside at that level while opportunities pass them by.

In recent years, web site developers, including Brand Acceleration, have become much more sophisticated. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has nearly become a requirement if a web site has any chance at all of being found and positively ranked by the likes of Google, Bing!, Yahoo and others. A vast number of sites are still not optimized or are poorly optimized. They’re simply driftwood, floating in cyber space, hoping someone will stumble across them. Not a great approach.

These days, things are changing rapidly. The introduction of Google’s Panda search ranking algorithm in February 2011 dramatically pushed poorly produced sites lower and allowed well-optimized sites and sites with social media support to rise to the top. SEO professionals are very concerned. They’re afraid that a company or community with a very effective social media or content marketing effort can actually earn higher rankings than an optimized site with no SoMe support. Wow! With this new algorithm, web sites are considered to be only one part of a complex web universe. Today, content is king.

Welcome to Web 4.0

The new web universe includes powerful tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, Vimeo, e-articles and countless other tools offering web marketers a serious opportunity to successfully connect with audiences, funneling them to their web site. If you’re not doing this and your competitors are, you’re at a significant disadvantage.

Content confusion

Marketers are trying hard to figure out what content marketing is and how to put it to work. While many push out a never-ending stream of social media posts, often just ad messages, more savvy users are mastering the art of content where quality is key. In 2012, while traditional media are struggling to remain relevant, audiences are very willing to look to web sites, blogs or other web content sources for information. In order to be deemed “relevant”, you must provide content that is educational, informative, newsworthy or entertaining.

Where marketers fit in

By providing a steady stream of quality content, audiences will see the provider as a trusted source of information not available elsewhere. Our approach is to follow the 80/20 rule where at least 80% of our content is non-promotional. Anyone exceeding this rule risks being seen as an advertiser and risks being ignored or unfriended. Bye-bye.

The payoff

By positioning yourself or your company as a reliable source of quality content, audiences are much more likely to view you and your brand with the respect and value you desire. They are also much more likely to consider your company when business opportunities arise.

More and more, my company is asked by clients to counsel them in the art of social media or content marketing. In fact, some even have us manage their effort entirely. In a very short time, we’ve moved from simply building powerful web sites to managing the vast complexities of web sites plus search engine optimization plus content marketing. The benefits can be incredible. Done right, a well thought our program can build a far deeper relationship with target audiences and clients than ever considered possible.

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

FaceBook

Google+

BrandCoach Blog

  

Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.