Wednesday, July 30, 2014

5 Steps to a Great Community Logo

Remember that You are not the audience

By: Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
                    
If you've ever been involved in the process of developing a community logo, then you know it can be a challenging experience. I've been through it many times and I can tell you it's never easy. It's a very important exercise and it really shouldn't be easy. It's too important.

First, I think it's important to clarify the difference between a logo and a brand. Your logo is not your brand.

A brand is an emotional thing. For a community, it is the feeling someone has when he or she hears, sees, or thinks about the community. For example, when you hear the name "Orlando" you probably think about Disneyworld, SeaWorld, or other touristy things the area offers. That immediate feeling or expectation is Orlando's brand.


A logo is meant to be a visual representation of the brand. It's a brand stimulus, but it is not the brand. In other words, when someone sees the logo, that person should experience the same feeling when he or she hears the name. Like Pavlov's famous dogs, our dog, Gracie, salivates at the sight of McDonald's arches. She knows she's going to get a four-pack of Chicken McNuggets

When embarking on a mission to develop a new logo for your area, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Have realistic expectations
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is expecting too much of your logo. Don't try to make it a visual representation of everything you offer. Can a logo really tell your story of workforce, education, quality of life, a business friendly environment, and great transportation assets? No. Can you imagine what Nike's logo would look like if they expected it to show a shoe, shirt, hat, and every other product the company sells?

Keep your logo simple, clean, and professional. How you represent your community in ads, websites, and your face-to face activities will build an image, anchored by a great logo.

2. Hire a professional designer
Simply owning design software does not a designer make. Stay away from those lo-price online logo design services and from the likes of your printer. True design professionals are highly skilled and educated in the art and science of logo development. This is too important to trust to whoever offers the lowest price. Do it right or don't bother.

3. Remember that you are not the audience 
Since the real audience for economic developers is made up of site consultants, c-suite executives, and real estate brokers, to name just a few, doesn't it make sense to design for them? Don't get caught up in selecting a logo concept that appeals to you, your board, or your marketing committee. They will likely have a say in the final selection, but the audience should be your first consideration.

4. Don't copy other logos
How many logos have you seen that look remarkably like another one? It's not uncommon at all when someone just loves another company or community logo to copy, or borrow, visual elements. Why would you ever spend good money to present a logo that will make the viewer think of someplace else? Plus, it's illegal and just plain wrong.

5. Keep it simple
Whatever you do, keep your logo simple, clean, and easy to reproduce. Very fine lines, quirky fonts, challenging colors, and highly-detailed graphics will create serious reproduction challenges.

When reviewing concepts, look at them as very large (banners and signs) and very small (business cards) sizes to see how they look.

Another important thing to remember is that like a great website, a beautifully-designed logo is a waste of money if you fail to support it with a well-funded and well-thought-out marketing communications program.

Getting a new logo is a very important decision, one that should not be taken lightly. Find a company or person that understands your brand and your audience. It's about much more than design. It's a marketing decision that will be part of your organization for years.

Do you have suggestions to add to my list? Feel free to chime in.

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
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 website development firm with a focus on community and economic development.

Good Economic News


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

In Gallatin, Tennessee, pigment maker American Colors, Inc. will build a facility and hire 31 people.

In Elmendorf, Texas. Alamo Tube Company will open a new operation and create 200 jobs.

In Kansas City, Missouri, e-commerce company FoodServiceWarehouse.com will open a distribution center, creating 40 jobs.

UGN, Inc., a supplier of auto components, will expand in Porter County, Indiana, adding 14 employees.

Brand Acceleration - brandaccel.com

Canada Metal, Ltd., a maker of marine and industrial products, will open a new operation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, hiring 70 people.

In Boone County, Indiana, baked goods maker Maplehurst Bakeries, LLC will open a facility and hire 219 people. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client Boone County Economic Development Corporation.

Building products supplier Superior Truss & Panel, Inc. will open a facility in Lake County, Indiana, creating 52 jobs.

In Clearwater, Florida, GE Energy Management will open a facility and employ 250 people.

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers will triple its plant capacity in Moses Lake, Washington, adding 120 employees.

In Baird, Mississippi, Moon River Foods will locate a fish processing operation, creating 100 jobs.

Concrete distributor SpecChem will open a facility in Dorchester County, South Carolina, creating 50 jobs.

Hotel operator Hilton Worldwide will add 5,500 employees companywide.

Fiberglass products maker Valmiera Glass will locate in Dublin, Georgia, creating 150 jobs.

In DesMoines, Iowa, American Republic Insurance will expand and create 146 jobs.

In Union County, South Carolina, department store retailer Belk, Inc. will expand and create 20 jobs.

In Port Huron, Michigan, auto components maker Eissmann Group Automotive will open a new operation and hire 233 people.

In Atlanta, Georgia, DRAX Biomass will open a new headquarters and hire 50 people.

Auto components maker SL Tennessee will open a new operation in Clinton, Tennessee, creating 1,000 jobs.

Information technology firm GadellNet Consulting Services, LLC will expand in St. Louis, Missouri and hire 30 people.

In Sioux City, Iowa, refrigerated warehouse owner Cloverleaf Cold Storage Company will open a new facility and add 13 jobs.

In Darlington County, South Carolina, Rogers Brothers Farm will open a peanut facility, creating 30 jobs.

Retailer Hand & Stone Message and Facial will expand and hire 280 people.

In the Town of Pulaski, Virginia, siding maker Hardie Building Products, Inc. will expand and hire 69 people.

In West Louisville, Kentucky, Against the Grain will open a brewery and hire 20 people.

In Georgia, Domtar Personal Care will expand and create 25 jobs.

Spectra Group, Inc., a financial services provider, will open an office in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating 250 jobs.

Rental provider Illini Hi-Reach, Inc. will open a new headquarters in Crown Point, Indiana, adding 13 employees.

In Tonawanda, New York, Praxair, Inc. will expand and create 22 jobs.

In Bryan County, Georgia, West Penn Testing Group, a material testing service provider, will locate and hire 70 people.

In Troy, Michigan, automotive lighting provider H.A. Automotive Systems, Inc. will establish its headquarters, creating 368 jobs.

In El Paso and Austin, Texas, financial services provider Charles Schwab will open a facility and create 1,200 jobs.

In Tippecanoe County, Indiana, food and beverage supplier Tate & Lyle will expand and create 10 jobs.

Sportsman Boats Manufacturing will expand in Dorchester County, South Carolina, adding 150 workers.

Trucking firm Barefoot Carriers will expand in Ripley, Mississippi, creating 25 jobs.

In Cartersville, Georgia, textile maker Beaulieu International Group will open a headquarters, creating 350 jobs.

Core Health & Fitness, LLC, a maker of exercise equipment, will open an operation in Grayson County, Virginia, hiring 250 people.

Buffalo Wings and Rings will expand and hire 300 people companywide.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Volkswagen Group will expand and add 2,000 workers.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, packaging maker Sealed Air Corporation will open its headquarters, creating 1,262 jobs.

YanFeng USA Automotive Trim Systems, Inc. a maker of interior trim products, will expand in Harrison Township, Michigan, creating 519 jobs.

In Kansas City, Missouri, ECCO Select, a consulting firm, will expand and hire 96 people.

Flooring products maker Mohawk Industries will upgrade its Spartanburg County, South Carolina facility and hire 20 people.

In Boyd County, Kentucky, EN Engineering will expand and create 80 jobs.

CPM Acquisitions Corp, a maker of particle preparation equipment, will expand in Waterloo, Iowa and hire 1 person.

Advisory services provider CEB will open a new headquarters in Arlington County, Virginia, hiring 800 people.

Wood products company Quality Sales, LLC will expand in Nappannee, Indiana, adding 25 employees.

Business services provider Liberty-Source PBC will open a facility in Ft. Monroe, Virginia, creating 596 jobs.

In Worth County, Iowa, New Heavan Chemicals, Inc. will open a new operation and hire 16 people.

Food packaging products provider Dart Container Corporation will expand in Hart County, Kentucky, adding 30 workers.

Yuhuang Chemical will open a methanol facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana, hiring 400 workers.

In Charlston County, South Carolina, Senior Aerospace AMT will open a new facility and hire 60 people.

In Fishers, Indiana, consumer products company Jarden Corporation will open an office and distribution center, creating 300 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Tim Gropp.

Document management firm Data Dimensions will open a data center in Mr. Sterling, Kentucky, creating 100 jobs.

Automotive interior trim maker Magna Interior Trim will expand in St. Clair and Benzie Counties, Michigan, creating 169 jobs.

In Gallatin, Tennessee, auto components provider ABC Group, Inc. will expand and create 230 jobs.

Brinly-Hardy Company, a maker of lawn and garden equipment, will expand in Clark County, Indiana, creating 30 jobs.

In Calhoun County, Michigan, brake products maker Brembo North America, Inc. will open a new facility and hire 254 people.

In Carroll County, Virginia, Vanguard Furniture will open a facility and hire 200 people.

Steel plate maker JMS Russel Metals will expand in Jackson, Tennessee, creating 26 jobs.

In Rice Lake, Wisconsin, weighing products maker Rice Lake Weighing Systems will build a new facility and hire 57 people.

Firewood producer B&K Wood Products, LLC will expand in Madisonville, Kentucky, adding 39 workers.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, home improvement retailer Lowe’s will open a call center and hire 1,000 workers.


Total Jobs Announcements: 19,776

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana:
Office: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Cell: 317.523.7380

  
Brand Acceleration is a full-service website development, marketing communications, branding, and public relations firm with a focus on economic and community development.







Thursday, July 3, 2014

Good Economic News


Here are just a few of the recent jobs announcements that have crossed my desk in recent weeks.
Cascade Die Casting Group, a maker of auto components, will expand in Sparta, Michigan, hiring 50 people.

Hatch Stamping Company, an auto components maker, will locate a facility in Robertson County, Tennessee, creating 101 jobs. Congrats to economic developer and Brand Acceleration client Margot Fosnes on a great job.

MonoSol, LLC, a maker of polymer films, will locate in Porter County, Indiana, creating 150 jobs.

In Griffin, Georgia, Toppan Printing Company will open a facility and hire 80 people.

In Davie County, North Carolina, House of Raeford Farms, a poultry processor, will open a facility and create 200 jobs.

In LaGrange, Georgia, auto supplier Hanil E Hwa will expand and create 80 jobs.

In North Augusta, South Carolina, biopharmaceutical maker AmbioPharm, Inc. will expand and create 20 jobs. Congrats to economic developer and Brand Acceleration client Will Williams on a job well done.

Roberts Distributors, LP, a provider of photo and video equipment, will expand in Indianapolis, Indiana and hire 35 people.

Intercontinental Hotel Group will create 787 jobs companywide.

Safety Products provider Capital Safety will expand and add 100 employees in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Clothing products maker Fruit of the Look will expand its distribution center in Summerville, Alabama, creating 49 jobs.

In Newbern, Tennessee, auto components maker Rough Country Suspension Systems will open a distribution center, creating 200 jobs.

Moving company Two Men & a Truck is adding 1,500 employees companywide.

In Glenwood, Minnesota, aircraft ground support equipment maker Clyde Machines will expand and create 15 jobs.

In Osage, Iowa, custom drying firm A to Z Drying will expand and hire 17 people.

In Waukesha County, Wisconsin, medical products maker Medline Industries, Inc. will open a facility and hire 200 people.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, auto parts supplier Advance Auto Parts, Inc. will locate a facility and hire 600 employees.

In Hendricks County, Indiana, medical device provider Covidien LP will expand and add 112 employees. Congrats to economic developer and Brand Acceleration client Cinda Kelley-Hutchings on a job well done.

Alcoa Power and Propulsion will open a facility in Hampton, Virginia, creating 75 jobs.

In Bardstown, Kentucky, Bardstown Bourbon Company, LLC will open a distillery, creating 35 jobs.

MVP Group, a maker of home fragrance products, will expand in Obian County, Tennessee, creating 100 jobs.

In Mississippi County, Arkansas, steel maker Big River Steel will open a mill and hire 500 people.

In Madison County, Tennessee, auto parts maker Pacific Industries will open a facility and hire 190 people.

Sandwich retailer Firehouse Subs will hire 1,200 people companywide.

In Franklin County, Kentucky, auto parts maker Toyo Automotive will expand and add 10 workers.

Quest Diagnostics, a provider of information services, will open an operation in Tampa, Florida, creating 350 jobs.

In Sherwood, Arkansas, TeleTech Holdings will open a new customer service center and hire 250 people.

In Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, technology provider Cisco will expand and add 550 jobs.

JBE, Inc., a provider of auto, aerospace, and industrial electrical industries, will expand in Berkley County, South Carolina, creating 20 jobs.

Consumer products company Amway will add 400 employees companywide.

Tyton BioEnergy Systems, a producer of ethanol made from tobacco, will open a facility in Hoke County, North Carolina, creating 79 jobs.

In Chesterfield County, Virginia, pulp and paper provider Shandong Tranlin Paper Company will open a facility and create 2,000 jobs.

Food ingredient maker Vision Processing Technologies will expand in Owatonna, Minnesota, creating 20 jobs.

In Jefferson County, Tennessee, Wetekam Monofilaments USA, a maker of yarns, will open a facility and hire 32 people.

Pet treat maker Big Creek Foods will open a facility in Gainesville, Georgia, hiring 25 people.

In South Bend, Indiana, Corporate Wings, an executive travel company, will open an operation and hire 18 people.

In Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, shipping supply distributor Uline will expand and create 500 jobs.

Solar equipment maker SolarBOS will open a facility in Walker, Michigan, creating 56 jobs.

Southtec, LLC, an auto parts maker, will expand in Wilson County, Tennessee, adding 210 employees.

Krause Holdings, Inc., a convenience store holding company, will open a new headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, creating 62 jobs.

In Glynn County, Georgia, vehicle processor International Processing Company will expand and create 30 jobs.

In York County, South Carolina, healthcare consulting firm Lash Group will open a new operation and hire 2,400 people.

In Jonesboro, Arkansas, TrinityRail Maintenance Services, Inc. will open a railcar maintenance facility and create 350 jobs.

Town Sports International will hire 50 people companywide

Auto parts maker Toyoda Gosei North America Corporation will expand in Troy, Michigan, creating 51 jobs.

Surya, a maker of carpet, will expand and create 200 jobs in Bartow, Georgia.

Wurth Adams Nut & Bolt will open a facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, creating 20 jobs.

USAA Insurance will expand and hire 5,400 people companywide.

Business services provider iQor US, Inc. will expand and create 320 jobs in Dorchester County, South Carolina.

In Richland County, South Carolina, medical device maker Rythmlink International will relocate jobs from China, creating 50 jobs.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, food maker Dietz & Watson will expand and create 158 jobs.

Legwear products provider Richelieu Legware will expand in Burke County, North Carolina, creating 205 jobs.

In Fenton, Missouri, Mercury Communications and Construction will expand and hire 16 people.

In Wells County, Indiana, machining company Haven Manufacturing will expand and add 100 employees.

In Oelwein, Iowa, railcar repair company Transco Railway Products will expand and add 16 employees.

CSC Sugar will open a facility in Tipton County, Tennessee, creating 50 jobs.

Reclamation and recycling company Shaw Industries Group will expand in Ringgold, Georgia, creating 70 jobs.

In Williamson County, Tennessee, Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. will expand its headquarters and hire 162 people.

The University of Notre Dame will establish a turbomachinery research facility in South Bend, Indiana, creating 60 jobs.

Coffee products maker Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. will open a facility in Douglas County, Georgia, creating 550 jobs.

Powersports products provider Polaris will expand in Milford, Iowa, creating 150 jobs.

In Chambers County, Alabama, auto parts maker KMIN will open a new plant and hire 200 people.

In Clayton County, Georgia, staffing firm Chime Solutions will open a facility and create 1,120 jobs.

Giti Tire will open a production facility in Chester County, South Carolina, creating 1,170 jobs.

Rogers Brothers Farms, a crop producer, will open a peanut facility in Darlington County, South Carolina, creating 30 jobs.

In Riverside, Missouri, NorthPoint Development, a contract development firm, will expand and add 20 workers.

Centric Pipe, a maker of welded-steel pipe, will expand in Bossier City, Louisiana, creating 82 jobs.

In Pittsburg, Kansas, part of the Joplin Region, Go Configure will open an operation and hire 35 people.

Mr. Handyman will add 150 workers companywide.

In Montgomery County, Indiana, book publisher Penguin Random House, LLC will expand and create 313 jobs.

In Shelby County, Tennessee, medical device maker MicroPort Orthopedics, Inc. will expand and hire 171 people.

Visual display maker sign-Zone, Inc. will open a facility in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, adding 25 employees.

In Columbia, Tennessee, filtration products maker CLARCOR, Inc. will open an R&D center, creating 35 jobs.

Global Refining Group will open a recycling center in Lunenburg County, Virginia, creating 30 jobs.

In Nashville, Tennessee, software provider ForceX will open a new location and hire 175 people.

In Hamilton County, Indiana, tech firm Healthiest Employer LLC will expand and add 90 employees.

Domtar Corporation, a provider of personal care products, will expand in Wayne County, Georgia, creating 25 jobs.

In Jasper County, Indiana, popcorn producer ConAgra will expand and create 80 jobs.

Walmart will locate an eCommerce fulfillment center in Hendricks County, Indiana, creating 303 jobs.

Global Industrial will hire 50 people companywide.

In Gallatin, Tennessee, composites and coatings maker American Colors, Inc. will open a facility and hire 31 people.

Auto components maker WKW Roof Rail Systems, LLC will open a facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, creating 186 jobs.

In Clayton County, Georgia, grocery retailer Kroger will open a distribution center and hire 120 people.

Systems in Motion, LLC, a technology consulting firm, will expand in Kokomo, Indiana, adding 400 employees. Congrats to economic developers and Brand Acceleration clients Charlie Sparks and Jan Hendrix.


Total Jobs Announcements: 26,227

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana:
Office: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Cell: 317.523.7380

  
Brand Acceleration is a full-service website development, marketing communications, branding, and public relations firm with a focus on economic and community development.







9 Simple Ways to Write a Better Marketing Services RFP

And, why we sometimes decline to submit

By: Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.

As you might expect, we receive numerous Requests for Proposals (RFP). Usually, they come from communities wanting a new economic development website or branding effort in order to help attract jobs and investment. Perfect! That fits us. We’re all about promoting communities in order to attract jobs and investment. That’s what drives us. Sometimes, the community wants a powerful new video or even a full-blown strategic marketing plan. These, too, fit us, and we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to show our stuff and partner with great economic development organizations.

First, let’s consider the difference between an RFP (Request for Proposal) and an RFQ (Request for Qualifications). An RFP is great if you know exactly what you want and have written a clear Scope of Work. Sometimes an RFQ is better suited. If you’re unclear about what your needs are, but want to identify a partner to help develop and execute a marketing communications plan, then the better approach might be a Request for Qualifications. Very likely, this document will not ask for pricing, but may instead ask for a price range. Look at it as the selection of a marketing partner rather than a vendor.

Occasionally, we decline to submit based on the way the document is written. If we can’t understand the real needs or if the process is crazy cumbersome, we’ll likely take a pass. Unfortunately, highly-qualified companies sometimes bow out for this reason. At Brand Acceleration, we have a “Go-No Go” process that helps us determine whether to invest time and resources in the development of a proposal. Believe me, it does take time. No proposal is quick and easy to write.

Based on our experiences, here are a few pointers that may help you find the right partner who will generate the results you desire:

1. Shorter is better
It shouldn’t take forty pages to ask for something that could be described in three.

2. Keep the procurement officer out of the process
a    The person writing the RFP and the primary contact should be the economic developer. Procurement people have no clue what you do or what you need.

3. Write a clear Scope of Work
a    If you don’t know what you need, switch to a Request for Qualifications and find a great marketing partner who can help.

4. Keep the Legalese out of it
a    Marketers are marketers. Don’t make them fill out thirty forms and provide proof of car insurance in order to design your new website or logo.

5. Use plain English and avoid jargon
a    Don’t try to sound like a lawyer or a procurement officer. Just say what you want and you'll receive better ideas.

6. Be respectful of other people’s time
a    If you’re going to hire your old friend anyway, please don’t take advantage of other people’s time just to reach your three-proposal requirement.

7. Send to a short vendor list
a    You’ll get much better results by requesting proposals from a half dozen competent professionals than thirty low-cost vendors who know nothing about economic development. You might even be better off by having a short phone interview before sending anything.

8. Don’t ask the hourly rate
a    True professionals work faster, do better work, and cost more per hour. The real question to ask is, “What is this going to cost?” FYI: We don’t have an hourly rate.

9. Keep the Conversation Door open
a    If I have questions, I want to be able to call the economic developer to get answers. Without this conversation, I can’t provide the solutions needed to assure success.

As a team of passionate economic development marketers, our goal is to get better every day. We do great work, we know the audiences better than anyone, you won’t have to teach us what you do, and we’ll work with you to make great things happen for your community, county, or region.

Isn’t that what you really want?

Do you have suggestions to add to my list? Feel free to chime in.

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
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 website development firm with a focus on community and economic development.