Good News 1-29-13

Good Economic News

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

Excela Pharma Sciences, a maker of pharmaceutical products, will expand its operation in Carldwell County, North Carolina, creating 38 jobs.

Ashley Furniture Industries will open a manufacturing operation and customer support center in Verona, Mississippi, creating 60 jobs.

In Hendricks County, Indiana, apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, Inc. will open a distribution center, creating 250 new jobs. Congrats to economic developer and Brand Acceleration client Cinda Kelley-Hutchings.

JELD-WEN, a maker of windows and doors, will locate its North American Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating 142 new jobs.

In Ames, Iowa, 3M, a maker of electronic and industrial products, will expand and add 75 jobs.

In Jupiter, Florida, turbine engine maker Parametric Solutions, Inc. will establish a new manufacturing facility, adding 100 workers.

Hawkeye Preferred Tooling Group, a maker of molds and tooling products, will expand its operation in Charles City, Iowa, creating 15 jobs.

In Roswell, Georgia, auto maker General Motors will open a new IT Innovation Center, creating 1,000 jobs.

Excel Linen and Telemark, providers of linen products and services, will locate in Kansas City, Kansas, creating 165 jobs.

DENSO International America, Inc., a maker of auto products, will expand its Battle Creek, Michigan operation, creating 266 new jobs.

Milwaukee Tool, a maker of tools and accessories, will open a research and development center in Brookfield, Wisconsin, adding 128 jobs.

Moran Iron Works, Inc., a maker of metal modular components, will expand in Onaway and Rogers City, Michigan, creating 75 jobs.

Kiswire, Inc., a maker of steel cord for the tire industry, will expand its operation in Newberry County, South Carolina, adding 30 workers.

In Albertville, Alabama, Parrallel Forest Products Corporation, a producer of dimensional lumber, will open a sawmill, creating 130 new jobs.

Sadler Power Train, a distributor of truck parts, will expand in Davenport, Iowa, adding 6 employees.

CMS Food Solutions, Inc., a biotech company, will open a manufacturing facility in Leland, North Carolina, creating 50 new jobs.

In Halifax County, North Carolina, timber products maker Klausner Lumber Two will establish a sawmill, creating 350 jobs.

Magnolia LNG, a provider of natural gas, will build a gas production and export facility at The Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, creating 45 jobs.

Fair Oaks Farms Brands, Inc., a maker of dairy products, will expand in Coopersville, Michigan, adding 133 workers.

In Vichy, Missouri, Brewer Science, a maker of microelectronic devices, will open a new manufacturing facility, creating 65 jobs.

Dippin’ Dots, a maker of ice cream products, will expand its operation in Paducah, Kentucky, adding 30 jobs.

In Horry County, South Carolina, lumber maker Canfor Southern Pine will expand and add 56 workers.

Midway Aircraft Instrument Corporation, an aircraft maintenance company, will locate a new facility in Union County, North Carolina, creating 36 new jobs.

At The Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, G2X Energy, Inc. will create a natural gas-to-gasoline facility, establishing 243 jobs.

Monsanto Company, a maker of agricultural products, will expand its seed corn operation in Williamsburg and Grinnell, Iowa, adding 8 workers.

Zentric, Inc., a maker of batteries and fuel cells, will expand its headquarters in Henderson County, North Carolina, creating 116 new jobs.

In Evansville, Indiana, Berry Plastics Group, Inc., a maker of plastic packaging products, will expand and hire 115 workers.

Herbalife, a maker of nutrition products, will establish a manufacturing facility in Forsyth County, North Carolina, creating 493 new jobs.

In Leawood, Kansas, Peninsula Polymers, a specialty chemical distribution company, will open its headquarters and add 10 workers.

Zinpro Corporation, a maker of animal feed supplements, will open a new facility in Butler County, Iowa, adding 39 jobs.

Microtherm, Inc., a maker of insulation products, will open a new facility in Maryville, Tennessee, creating 40 jobs.

Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, a maker of auto seating products, will expand in Detroit, Michigan, creating 755 new jobs.

AirWatch, a maker of products for mobile devices, will expand its operation in Atlanta, Georgia, creating 800 new jobs.

In Olive Branch, Mississippi, Helen of Troy, a marketer of household and personal care products, will locate a distribution center, creating 300 jobs.

Rigaku Innovative Technologies, Inc., a maker of optical products, will expand in Auburn Hills, Michigan, hiring 27 workers.

International Wood Fuels, LLC, a maker of wood products, will open a new facility in Wilson County, North Carolina, creating 32 jobs.

In Adams County, Mississippi, von Drehle Corporation, a maker of paper products, will locate a manufacturing facility, creating 100 new jobs.

Lap Tech Industries, a maker of precision components, will expand its operation in York County, South Carolina, creating 60 jobs.

In Cullman, Alabama, auto maker Mercedes-Benz will expand and add 200 workers.

Signet Maritime Corporation, a marine transportation and logistics company, will expand in Pascagoula, Mississippi, adding 50 workers.

BoDeans Wafers Company, a food products maker, will expand in Le Mars, Iowa, adding 11 workers.

In Shawnee, Kansas, E.C. Manufacturing, a maker of heating elements, will open a manufacturing facility, adding 252 workers.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, craft brewer Sun King Brewing Company, LLC, will expand and hire 32 people.

ACX Pacific Northwest, Inc., a maker of animal feed products, will locate a new operation in Wayne County, North Carolina, adding 38 workers.

Biotrial, a bio/pharma research organization, will open its North American headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, creating 100 new jobs.

Turbine Blade Maker Ellwood Advanced Components, LLC will expand its operation in Forsyth County, North Carolina, adding 55 jobs.

Lear Corporation, a maker of seating products, will expand its operation in Highland Park, Michigan and hire 334 workers.

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fundraising company RuffaloCODY will open a new facility and hire 111 workers.

In Tecumseh, Michigan, Lenawee Stamping Corporation, a maker of metal and welded products, will open a new facility and hire 530 jobs.

Gildan Activewear, Inc., a maker of apparel products, will open a new spinning facility on Rowan County, North Carolina, creating 170 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Robert Van Geons.

Bericap North America, a maker of plastic products, will expand its operation in Cherokee County, South Carolina, adding 50 new jobs.

In Memphis, Tennessee, New Breed Logistics will expand its warehouse and distribution operation, creating 468 jobs.

Cosma Casting Michigan, a supplier to the auto industry, will open a new facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, creating 572 jobs.

In Delta and Brownstown, Michigan, Norplas Industries, Inc., a maker of auto parts, will open a new operation, will open a new operation, creating 658 jobs.

TENOWO, Inc., a maker of textile products, will expand in Lincoln County, North Carolina, creating 26 new jobs.

Swift Group of Industries, a maker of refrigerator filters, will open a new manufacturing facility in Clarendon County, South Carolina, creating 60 new jobs.

DENSO International America, Inc., a maker of auto products, will expand its Southfield, Michigan operation, creating 176 new jobs.

Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc., a maker of electrical components, will expand in Wayne County, North Carolina, creating 29 jobs.

In Sissonville, West Virginia, NGK Spark Plus will expand and add 34 workers.

Michelin North America, a maker of tires and rubber products, will expand its operation in Anderson County, South Carolina, adding 100 workers.

Keihin North America, a maker of parts for the auto industry, will move its headquarters to Anderson, Indiana, creating 175 workers.

Whirlpool Corporation, a maker of home appliances, will expand its operation in Benton Harbor, Michigan, creating 180 jobs.

Bodine Electric Company, a maker of gearmotors, will expand in Peosta, Iowa, adding 35 jobs.

Glacier Transit and Storage, Inc., a provider of refrigerated space, will expand in Plymouth, Wisconsin, creating 7 jobs.

Unique Granite and Marble, Inc., a maker of countertops, will expand and create 25 new jobs in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Total Jobs Announcements: 10, 861

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

Atlanta, Georgia: 404.474.7980

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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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.

 

 

 

 

Each Day is a New Beginning

Each Day is a New Beginning

Even for your brand

Every January, a large number of people kick off the new year with a list of resolutions. Some plan to lose weight, others pledge to drink less (good luck with that), and others expect to transform into a better person. Typically, most resolutions are broken within about two weeks.

Companies and communities, too, often look at January as a time to set goals for improvement. At Brand Acceleration, it’s a time when we get numerous calls for new logos, web sites, brochures, and even new names. The urge to refresh or start over is often overwhelming.

Perception is reality

Unfortunately, there are some things that even the best branding and communications firm cannot change. You see, the secret to brand success is not with a killer logo or web site. It resides in the way you do business and interact with people. If you’re passionate about meeting and exceeding customer expectations, your brand will soar. On the other hand, if you show a blatant disregard for customer expectations, even the most beautiful logo or web site won’t fix the problem. We’ve witnessed numerous companies and communities that have horrible reputations due to bad management and arrogance. As one of my former bosses used to say, “You can’t shine Sh**!”

Seeking professional assistance

I often receive phone calls from people asking if Brand Acceleration designs logos or web sites. I explain that while we do provide those services, we are first and foremost marketers. Our passion is in understanding the needs of our clients and developing marketing strategies that grow the brand and generate results.

Our desire is to be the absolute best at branding and marketing communications in the economic development, architecture, engineering, and construction industries. For our team, this responsibility requires us to make every effort to dig in and understand the needs of such audiences as site selection consultants, real estate professionals, university presidents, hospital administrators, and others.

I don’t care how clever or beautiful a design firm’s portfolio is, if their work doesn’t connect with the target audiences and grow the brand, then the effort will fail and the budget will have been wasted.

I was once in a situation where several firms, including mine, were invited to do presentations to a prospective client team, hoping to get their economic development web site project. It was quite awkward, having each of us sit in the back of the room while, one-by-one, we went to the front to pitch our services. It was especially awkward listening to people talk about how creative their designers were or asking questions to which they should have known the answer. One person even inquired about the prospects for additional business. I, fortunately, was the only person who discussed their industry and audiences. Happily, we got the business; Sadly, I was somewhat ashamed that designers and web site builders attempted to put themselves out as brand professionals in a business about which they knew nothing.

In the branding and marketing industry, as in any industry, each day is a new beginning, a new opportunity to reshape opinions and to better serve the needs of our clients. For each of us, it’s an opportunity to be better than we were the day before. Use each day wisely.

Best wishes for an outstanding 2013.

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts and personal experiences below.

Have a great week,

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis: 317.536.6255

Charlotte: 704:230:0394

Atlanta: 404.474.7980

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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Facebook

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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.

 

Good Economic News 1-6-2013

Good Economic News

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

In Novi, Michigan, visual guiding systems maker OPS Solutions, LLC will expand and create 25 new jobs.

Information Technology provider SPARC will expand its Berkley County, South Carolina operation, creating 310 new jobs.

In Louisville, Kentucky, spring maker NHK Spring Precision of America plans to expand and create 50 jobs.

Fertilizer maker Mosaic Company will open a new facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana, creating 53 new jobs.

In Comstock Charter Township, Michigan, mining equipment maker Getman Corporation will expand and create 150 jobs.

Gourmet mushroom producer amFOG Farms, LLC will relocate its headquarters and open a new production facility in Jasper County, South Carolina, creating 7 new jobs.

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company will expand its Ft. Wayne, Indiana headquarters and add 102 employees.

In Saline County, Missouri, General Electric will expand its operation and hire 115 people.

In El Paso, Texas, business services provider ADP will expand and create 585 jobs.

UPS Midstream Services, a maker of compressor equipment, will open a new machine shop in Jena, Louisiana, creating 95 jobs.

In Tennessee, Bell Helicopter will open a new facility at its Piney Flats operation, creating 125 new jobs.

In Dorchester County, South Carolina, aviation component supplier Aero Precision Products will expand and hire 15 people.

In Burns Harbor, Indiana, Indiana Flame Service, a technology services contractor, will expand and add 24 employees.

Auto parts supplier YH America plans to expand its Versailles, Kentucky operation and create 10 new jobs.

Airline industry supplier Indy Honeycomb will expand its northern Kentucky operation, creating 13 jobs.

The City of Port Huron, Michigan will create a mixed use development, including a convention center, that will create 100 new jobs.

Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc., an engine and transmission remanufacturer, will expand and add 40 new jobs at its Jasper, Indiana facility.

In Loudon, County, Tennessee, tile maker Ceramica Del Conca will build a new manufacturing facility and hire 178 people.

In Shreveport, Louisiana, vehicle maker Elio Motors, Inc. will open a new operation, creating 1,500 new jobs.

In Gloster, Mississippi, Drax Biomass will open a new wood pellet production facility and hire 45 people.

Albemarle Corporation, a producer of specialty chemicals, will expand its operation in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, creating 20 new jobs.

In Elkhart, Indiana, Vista Manufacturing, Inc., a maker of electronic lighting products, will expand and add 15 employees.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders Brewing Company will expand and create 52 new jobs.

In Paris, Texas, the James Skinner Baking Company will open a new bakery, creating 393 jobs.

In Colleton County, South Carolina, yarn and thread maker Sarla Performance Fibers will open a new facility, creating 100 new jobs.

Kimball Hospitality, Inc., a maker of hotel furniture, will expand its operation in Jasper, Indiana, creating 20 jobs.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, Tomcat USA, a maker of structural trussing, will open a new manufacturing facility and hire 50 people.

In Jasper, Alabama, auto parts supplier Vistech Manufacturing Solutions will expand and add 10 employees.

In Charleston County, South Carolina, Millard Refrigerated Services will open a new cold storage facility and hire 87 people.

The RND Group, Inc. a software provider, will expand its operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 25 new jobs.

Intelsat, a satellite services provider, will move its headquarters to Fairfax County, Virginia, creating 430 new jobs.

La-Z-Boy, a furniture maker, will construct a new headquarters in Monroe, Michigan, creating 50 new jobs.

In Dayton, Tennessee, Automotive Components will expand and create 50 jobs.

LocalMed, a provider of services to the healthcare industry, will open a new operation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, creating 100 new jobs.

In Louisville, Kentucky, software company ICIM Corporation will establish its headquarters and create 100 jobs.

Drax Biomass, an energy company, will open a new wood pellet facility in Bastrop, Louisiana, creating 63 new jobs.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, actuarial and consulting firm Milliman, Inc. will expand and add 26 new employees.

Teledyne Electronic Manufacturing Services, a maker of micro-electronic products, will expand its Lewisburg, Tennessee operation, creating 96 new jobs.

Agru America, a maker of geosynthetics, will expand its facility in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties in South Carolina, creating 126 new jobs.

In Tipton, Indiana, Chrysler Group, LLC will open a new operation, creating 850 new jobs.

Perfection Clutch, a distributor of auto parts, will locate a new facility in Hazelwood, Missouri, creating 10 new jobs.

In Portage, Michigan, Mueller Plastics, a maker and distributor of copper, plastic, and brass products, will open a new facility and hire 63 people.

Mando Corporation, a supplier of auto parts, will open a facility in Meriwether County, Georgia, creating 660 new jobs.

In Rockcastle County, Kentucky, packaging products maker Anchor Packaging will open a new facility, creating 150 jobs.

In Elkhart, Indiana, Conn-Selmer, Inc., a maker of band and orchestra instruments, will consolidate operations and create 23 new jobs.

Biomaterials maker Purac will open a new facility in Tucker, Georgia, creating 30 new jobs.

Software company TEKsystems Global Services will open a new IT center in Irving, Texas, creating 500 new jobs.

Auto maker Chrysler Group will expand its operation on Kokomo, Indiana, creating 400 new jobs.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, retailer Belk, Inc. will expand and add 150 employees.

Land O’Frost, Inc., a provider of meat products, will relocate its headquarters to Munster, Indiana, creating 50 new jobs.

Time Warner Cable, a provider of television and internet services, will expand its operation in Lexington, County, South Carolina, hiring 644 employees.

Access America Transport will expand and create 550 new jobs at its Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee facilities.

Total Jobs Announcements: 9,435

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

Atlanta, Georgia: 404.474.7980

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.

 

 

 

 

Good Economic News, December 11, 2012

Good Economic News

 

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

 

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sykes Enterprises will open a call center initially employing 150 people. Congratulations to the Economic Development Alliance of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, North Carolina, a Brand Acceleration client. Great job, Russ Rogerson!

A new Visa global IT center in Austin, TX will create 794 new jobs.

S&D Coffee, a privately-owned manufacturing and distribution company that produces coffee, tea and other beverages, will expand its presence in Concord, North Carolina, creating 200 jobs.

Grenada Stamping plans to expand its Grenada, Mississippi complex and hire 150 new employees.

An expansion of the joint headquarters and manufacturing facilities for firearms manufacturers Walther Arms and Umarex US in Fort Smith, Arkansas will create 120 new jobs.

Shipbuilder VT Halter Marine will build a new ship repair facility in the Port of Pascagoula shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi and create 400 new jobs.

In New Paris, Indiana, Smart Cabinetry, a maker of kitchen cabinets, will expand and create 75 new jobs.

Water management, construction and drilling company Layne Christensen Co. will relocate its headquarters to The Woodlands, TX.  The move will generate 210 jobs.

Smoothie King announced plans to expand its Jefferson Parish, Louisiana headquarters and hire 60 new employees.

In White County, Indiana, Magnetation, LLC, which recycles iron waste, will build a new iron ore pellet plant, creating approximately 100 new jobs. Congratulations to economic developer Connie Neininger of the Logansport Economic Development Foundation, a Brand Acceleration client.

In Carrollton, GA, automotive parks manufacturer Decostar Industries will expand its facility and hire at least 120 new employees.

In Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Biogen Idec will open a patient-services operation, creating 500 new jobs.

In Richland County, SC, automotive systems and industrial components supplier JTEKT Corporation announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility and generate 175 new jobs.

Indiana Galvanizing, LLC, a steel parts galvanizing manufacturer, will open a new facility in Middlebury, Indiana, creating up to 60 new jobs.

Softext Paper Inc., maker of consumer and commercial paper products, announced that it will locate a new production facility in York County, SC and create 36 new jobs.

Royce Associates, a manufacturer and supplier of industrial chemicals, announced plans to build a new facility in Cherokee County, NC and create 25 new jobs.

In Walker County, AL, heavy-haul platform trailer manufacturer Fontaine Trailer Co. is expanding its operations and hiring 75 new employees.

Sand Creek Post & Beam, a manufacturer of wood post-and-beam barn kits, will open a new location in North Sioux City, South Dakota and create 20 jobs.

Dublin-based Green Power Solutions will open a power plant in Laurens County, GA and create 35 new positions.

John Deere broke ground on the expansion of its Valley City, North Dakota manufacturing plant.  Once open, the expansion will add 100 new jobs.

Sarla Performance Fibers will locate its new facility in Colleton County, SC and hire 100 new employees.

In Calhoun County, SC, Southeast Frozen Foods announced plans to expand and hire 10 new employees.

Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products will expand its Bowling Green, KY operation and create 15 new jobs.

Standard Crane & Hoist will build a new manufacturing facility in Gray, Louisiana and create 19 new jobs.

German automotive supplier iwis plans to establish its first US manufacturing operation in Murray, KY and create 75 new jobs.

Ohio Valley Resources, LLC (OVR) will locate a new fertilizer plant in Rockport, Indiana, creating up to 80 new jobs.

Phoenix Packaging Operations, manufacturer of thermoformed rigid plastic packaging, plans to expand its Pulaski County, VA operation and hire 100 new employees.

Canadian-based metal fabricator Davert USA announced that it will build its first US location in Bowling Green, KY and hire 20 new employees.

In Chester County, SC, automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler Group will expand its operations and generate 190 jobs.

Sasol Ltd.'s proposed integrated gas-to-liquid and ethane cracker complex in Westlake, Louisiana will generate 1,253 jobs.

Micro Machine Company, LLC, an orthopedic medical device manufacturer, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Warsaw, Indiana, creating up to 60 new jobs.

NCO Financial Systems Inc., a business processing outsourcing solutions company, will expand operations in Charleston County, SC and hire 75 employees.

Automotive supplier Amtex is expanding its Walker County, AL operation and adding 75 jobs.

Porsche broke ground on its new North American Headquarters in Atlanta, GA.  The complex will employ 400 people and create 100 new jobs.

Haddon House Food Products Inc. will expand its facility in Chester County, SC and hire 100 new employees.

Pipeline Plastics began construction on a new plant in Belle Fourche, South Dakota that will create 25 to 40 jobs.

E&H Tubing, Inc. d/b/a Indiana Steel and Tube, a mechanical and structural tubing manufacturer, will locate its operations in Brownstown, Indiana, creating up to 56 new jobs.

Labinal, a developer of wiring systems for the aerospace and defense industries, announced plans to open an engineering support facility in Mobile, Alabama and hire 50 new employees.

Ice River Springs Water Co. will locate its new bottling and manufacturing facility in Lehigh Valley, PA and create 49 new jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 5,872

 

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.

 

 

 

 

How Big is Your Dream?

How Big is Your Dream?

Set huge goals for the new year

 

I’ve always been a dreamer.  As a child, I would sit at a table in front of the television and pretend I was the famous newsman Walter Cronkite.  At a time when there were only three stations on TV, he was like a god.  Along with Walt Disney, Ben Cartwright, and Ed Sullivan, he was every young person’s idol.

 

Like most people, my dreams constantly evolved.  For a while, I wanted to be a photographer, a dream that still smolders inside me, a business owner, something I’ve done several times, and a travel writer, for purely selfish reasons.

 

I guess it is the goal-setting aspects of dreaming that have most affected my life.  I tend to always look at ways to achieve bigger and bigger things. 

 

Now, as the owner and CEO of Brand Acceleration, Inc., a branding, marketing communications, and public relations firm, the way I measure my successes has changed.  I no longer focus solely on staff count, revenues, and shiny awards.  We actually shy away from awards.  My focus is now on the quality of our work and the reputation of the company – the brand value. As industry specialists, we strive to intimately know, in extreme detail, the needs of clients in the economic development, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Curiously, now that my focus is off the typical growth measurements, the company has begun to experience rapid growth.

 

What’s your dream?

So, at the time when people begin thinking about their New Year’s resolutions, what drives or excites you?  Is it to grow your income by 5, 10, 20 or 50%?  Why not 100%?  Is it to make one more sale per month?  Why not four?  Are such goals realistic?  Maybe not, but then maybe they are.

 

What I’ve learned about myself is that my successes are only as big as my dreams and goals.  Small dreams equal small successes.  Large dreams help drive our team to accomplish bigger and better successes.

 

Years ago, I also learned that our successes are the result of great clients and the outstanding Brand Acceleration team.  Our strategists, writers, designers, programmers, and administrative professionals are the best in the business.  Every day, I observe, in amazement, a group of people who work together to make big things happen for our clients.

 

As we wrap up a year of phenomenal growth and a wild ride, I hope you, too, are dreaming big of the potential of 2013.

 

What’s your dream for the coming year? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts and personal experiences below.

 

Have a great week,

 

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis: 317.536.6255

Charlotte: 704:230:0394

Atlanta: 404.474.7980

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

 

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Google+

YouTube

Vimeo

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.

 

Boring Turkey, Again?

Boring Turkey, Again?

Save room for the old and the new

Last week, our family had the annual discussion about which dishes should be on our Thanksgiving menu. “We always have the same old things. We need to change it up a bit,” one person said. “But, I really like the traditional dishes,” someone else said.

The marketing communications industry faces a similar discussion. On one side of the argument, some people believe such tactics as web, social media, blogs, webinars, e-magazines (such as Rants from the Brand Coach), and e-discussion groups are the only way to go. As a marketer, you must produce powerful content which is interesting, entertaining, and educational, helping the audiences do their job.

On the other side, you have traditionalists who believe tactics such as direct mail, e-mail, phone calls, and media advertising are the best approach. Sadly, there are those who believe these “old” forms of marcom are outdated, old fashion, and useless. They’re wrong!

Just like the Thanksgiving dinner, there’s room for the old and the new. Smart marketers understand how a well thought out program includes a balanced approach, reaching audiences in multiple ways. Just because direct mail isn’t as cool or doesn’t command the buzz of social media doesn’t mean it won’t work. At Brand Acceleration, our team analyses audiences to determine just the right mix of old and new in order to generate results for our clients.

So, whether your Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey and baked beans or tofurkey and vegan stuffing, just remember that life offers vast choices, all of which are great. Marketing techniques vary just as widely. In the right combination, they are all delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving. Eat up!

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis: 317.536.6255

Charlotte: 704:230:0394

Atlanta: 404.474.7980

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Google+

YouTube

Vimeo

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.

Good Economic News 11-20-12

Good Economic News

Here's just part of the good economic news to cross my desk over the past three weeks.

In Caldwell County, North Carolina, wood millwork manufacturer Woodgrain Millwork, Inc. will locate a new facility, creating 170 jobs.

Hitachi Powdered Metals, Ltd.will expand its operation in Greensburg, Indiana, creating 60 new jobs.

Benteler Steel, a maker of steel tubes, will open a new facility in The Port of Caddo-Bossier, Louisiana, creating 675 new jobs.

In St. Ansgar, Iowa, Grain Millers, Inc., a supplier to the food industry, will expand and create 10 new jobs.

In Birmingham, Alabama, Revere Control Systems has added 12 employees since July and has openings for more.

Steag Energy Services, a provider of environmental consulting and manufacturing services, will expand in Cleveland County, North Carolina, creating 29 new jobs.

Unicar Products Group, a maker of auto components, will expand in Wyoming, Michigan, adding 150 employees.

In Dekalb County, Indiana, auto parts supplier TRIN, Inc. will expand and create 75 jobs.

In Woodbury County, Iowa, fertilizer maker CF Industries will expand and create 100 new jobs.

W. Lee Flowers, a wholesale grocery company, will expand its operation in Florence County, South Carolina, creating 15 jobs.

In Pineville, Louisiana, Procter & Gamble will consolidate a detergent-powder operation and hire 50 people.

In Washington, Indiana, MacAllister Machinery Company, a distributor of Caterpillar products, will expand and create 61 jobs.

International Component Repair, a maker of aerospace products, and IHI of Japan will open a new facility in Villa Rica, Georgia, creating 25 new jobs.

In Donaldson, Louisiana, fertilizer maker CF Industries will expand and hire 93 people.

The Armored Group, a maker of armored vehicles, will expand its operation in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, creating 240 new jobs.

In Madisonville, Kentucky, Berry Plastics, a maker of injection-molded plastic products, will expand and create 400 jobs.

In Batesville and Newark, Arkansas, Peco Foods, a poultry processor, will expand and create 300 new jobs.

Kalo Foods, LLC, a gluten-free bakery, will open a new facility in Rockingham County, North Carolina, creating 21 jobs.

In Johnston, Iowa, seed producer DuPont Pioneer will expand and create 100 jobs.

In Chicago, Illinois, biopharmaceutical company Durata Therapeutics will open its headquarters and hire 100 people.

Express Software & Services, LLC, an information technology and software provider, will expand its operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 33 jobs.

Truck bed fabricator Conley Fabrication will expand in Wood County, WV, hiring 10 people.

Nachurs Alpine Solutions, a maker of fertilizer, will expand its operation in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, creating 16 jobs.

In Livonia, Michigan, rivot maker Henrob Corporation will expand and create 152 jobs.

Luxury hardware and accessories producer Portals Hardware will relocate to Kansas City, Missouri, creating 16 jobs.

In Gaston County, North Carolina, auto equipment supplier Otto Nussbaum GmbH & Co. KG will open a new facility, creating 83 jobs. Congrats to Donny Hicks and the team at Gaston County Economic Development Corporation, a Brand Acceleration client.

In Huntington County, Indiana, compression molding maker Continental Structural Plastics, Inc. will expand and add 50 employees.

United Parcel Service (UPS) recently opened a new distribution center in Norcross, Georgia, creating 1,000 jobs.

Indigo Biosystems, Inc., a software provider, will expand its operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 63 jobs.

Summit Polymers, a maker of auto components, will expand its business in Portage, Sturgis, and Vicksburg, Michigan, adding 70 employees.

Underground mine equipment business Walker Machinery will expand its business in Kanawha County, West Virginia, creating 38 jobs.

In Greenville, South Carolina, data backup service provider Servosity will expand and add 30 employees.

Celanese Corporation, a technology and materials company, will expand its operation in Giles County, Virginia, creating 22 new jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 4,239

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

Atlanta, Georgia: 404.474.7980

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

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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.