Better Times are Upon Us

Better Times are Upon Us

America is coming back

You know, we all like to be busy. It gives us a sense of purpose and dignity. After almost four years of economic turmoil, I think Americans are weary and determined to get things going again. It’s time. I especially enjoy hearing people talk about their recent bursts of activity. It gives me hope and feeds my enthusiasm.

Our AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) friends tell us of a steady stream of RFPs, keeping them crazy busy, just trying to capitalize on every opportunity. Profits remain relatively low, but an RFP is like fuel to a smoldering fire.

Our friends in the economic development industry are seeing the same thing. New deals are beginning to surface and old, tabled deals are coming back to life. Once again, we’re beginning to experience exciting times in America.

I don’t think anyone can name one particular industry that’s leading the way to recovery, but auto makers and parts suppliers are especially active. There’s also a lot of talk about businesses coming back to America, reshoring from Asian countries as a result of increasing shipping costs and increasing pay rates.

At Brand Acceleration, we’ve been very fortunate throughout the recession. We’ve remained busy as companies and communities have continued to promote. In recent months, we’ve seen a significant burst of new business, presumably a result of the new activity being experienced by our clients. I can’t help but believe that there’s a serious excitement out there that is firing people up and encouraging them to jump start their marketing activity. I get calls almost every day from people seeking suggestions about new and unique ways to get things going.

This sense of renewed optimism is no more evident than at conferences and trade shows. There’s an exciting buzz that is so infectious that attendees just can’t wait to get back home where they can put their newfound knowledge and excitement to work.

Looking at my calendar, I see that I’ll be attending at least one conference per month for most of the year. My list of speaking engagements is filling up, too. Later this week, I’ll have the honor of speaking at the MidAmerica Economic Development Council (MAEDC) meeting in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a beautiful city. If you’re ever in need of a speaker on the topics of branding, location branding, web development of management, I hope you’ll give me a call. It would be an honor.

For us, this flurry of new business activity has given us the opportunity to help our clients with such services as brand research, logos, web sites, videos, social media management, e-mail marketing and event marketing efforts. It’s truly an exciting time.

Spring also brings with it the anticipation of family activities such as picnics, vacations, a few very special holidays, festivals and, of course, auto racing. Around our office, we have many race fans. This month, our eyes are focused on the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600.

I hope you are also seeing this fresh new feeling of excitement about life and business. Please feel free to chime in. Here’s your chance to share your thoughts below.

Have a great week,

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana

Phone: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

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.

Good Economic News - April 24, 2012

Good Economic News

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

New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale, will build a new brewery in Asheville, North Carolina, creating 154 new jobs.

Abbot Nutrition Manufacturing will create its new home in Miami County, Ohio, adding 241 new jobs.

PWC Accounting has announced plans to add 12,000 new positions companywide.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a producer of plant genetics (seeds), will expand its operation in Johnston, Iowa, creating 100 new jobs.

Serco, a travel and hospitality company, will expand its operation in Campbellsville, Kentucky, creating 125 new jobs.

Michelin North America, a maker of earthmover tires, will expand its operation in Anderson and Lexington Counties in South Carolina, creating 500 new jobs.

BRP, a maker of motorized recreational vehicles, will expand its operation in Mitchell County, North Carolina, adding 70 new jobs.

Auto parts supplier Seung Chang Airtek, Inc., has opened a new facility in Aubern, Alabama and will add 50 new employees.

Lafarge North America, a manufacturer of cement, aggregate and concrete, will move its headquarters to Chicago, Illinois, creating 90 new jobs.

Ritz Instrument Transformers will expand its operation in Hart County, Georgia and hire 50 people.

Deere and Company, a maker of John Deere crawler products, will expand its operation in Dubuque, Iowa, creating 125 new jobs.

DRC Industries, a packaing materials supplier, will expand its operation in Carroll County, Kentucky, adding 25 new jobs.

In Guilford County, North Carolina, Stanley Furniture, Inc. will expand and add 42 new employees.

In Hendricks County, Indiana, steel producer Steel Dynamics will expand and add 50 new employees.

Diversified Plastics, Inc., a maker of material handling products, will expand its manufacturing facility and create 15 new jobs.

Weeks & Leo Company, a supplier of products for pharmacies, will expand its operation in Clive, Iowa and create 18 new jobs.

In Opelika, Alabama, Mando America Corporation, a maker of brake and steering products, will expand and create 30 new jobs.

Mobile Track Solutions, LLC, will expand its facility in Elkader, Iowa, creating 20 new jobs.

SMC Corporation of America, a pneumatic technology developer, will expand its headquarters in Noblesville, Indiana, adding 150 new jobs.

In York County, South Carolina, Ross Stores, Inc. will open a new distribution and warehousing facility, creating 600 new jobs.

In Macomb, Illinois, NTN-Bower Corporation, a manufacturer of bearings, will expand and create 80 new jobs.

Duke Sandwich Productions, a maker of food products, will locate a new production facility in Anderson County, South Carolina, creating 45 new jobs.

Google, the popular search engine, plans to hire 700 people in sales and engineering positions companywide.

Mansfield-King, a maker and distributor of personal care products, will expand its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 144 new jobs.

In Wayne County, North Carolina, Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc., a processor of metals, will expand and add 44 new jobs.

Westfield Insurance plans to add over 100 new jobs, mostly in Ohio.

Geneseo Communications, a telecommunications firm, will open a new data center in Bettendorf, Iowa, creating 13 new jobs.

Oceaneering International, Inc., a maker of remotely operated vehicles, will expand and create 200 new jobs in Morgan City, Louisiana.

Carter’s, Inc., a marketer of baby and young children’s apparel, will open a new distribution center in Braselton, Georgia, creating 600 new jobs.

In Edmonson County, Kentucky, Taggart Solar, LLC, a maker of Solar Panels, will locate a new manufacturing facility, creating 30 new jobs.

Ionic Technologies, Inc., a provider of heat treating and coating services, will expand its operation in Greenville County, South Carolina, creating 13 new jobs.

In Franklin, Kentucky, Vermont Thread Gage, LLC, a maker of fixed-limit gages, will expand and hire 15 people.

In Ankeny, Iowa, The Toro Company, a provider of lawn maintenance products, will open a new distribution facility and create 26 new jobs.

In West Lafayette, Indiana, Automotive Robotics Indiana Labs, Inc., a provider of electronics, engineering, design and manufacturing services, will locate a new facility  and create 30 new jobs.

BHP Billiton, a petroleum industry company, will hire 600 people companywide.

Baxter International plans to locate a new bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, adding 1,500 new employees.

In Iowa City, Iowa, Alpla, Inc., a maker of plastic packaging products, will expand and create 37 new jobs.

Grace Plastics, a plastics recycler, will locate a new facility in Greenville County, South Carolina, creating 16 new jobs.

Behnke Enterprises, a maker of agricultural and industrial trailers, will expand its operation and create 25 new jobs in Farley, Iowa.

Accuride Corporation, a supplier of commercial vehicle products, will expand its production capacity in Kershaw County, South Carolina, creating 25 new jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 18,698

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana

Phone: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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Twitter

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.

You Don’t Decide What Your Brand Reputation Will Be

You Don’t Decide What Your Brand Reputation Will Be

Others will do that for you

As a veteran in the marketing communications and public relations industry, there’s one immutable lesson I’ve learned over all others. Others will decide your brand reputation. That’s because a brand doesn’t reside in a logo, slogan or even a web site. It’s an emotional thing that resides between the ears of the audience. They choose what they believe. Period! The phrase “Perception is Reality” is no more important than in the brand management business. The perception by others is the reality we must face.

“We need a new brand!”

Every once in a while, someone will call me and say, “We need a new brand.” I’ve been in the business long enough to know that this nearly always means they want a new logo. In our business, a brand and a reputation are one and the same, so my instinctive thought is, “You want a new reputation?” This is not easily accomplished. A bad reputation cannot be repaired by simply applying a new logo. It’ll still be the same bad company or community, only prettier.

Who determines your name?

At Brand Acceleration, we work with numerous clients with very long names. Architects, engineers and construction companies are notorious for using the names of every principal owner, making it very difficult to say and even harder to remember. Inevitably, their clients will shorten it for them, using only the first name or two. Jones, Smith, Brown and Applegate Architects, Inc. quickly becomes Jones-Smith or simply Jones Group. Worse yet, the company may become JSB&A, leading to the question; “What does it stand for?”

Government agencies, such as our economic development clients, are just as guilty. Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is far too much for anyone to remember. Can you imagine how someone might answer the phone? While it certainly sounds like a government agency, it is terrible for marketing. That’s where companies like mine come in. We often are challenged with the development of shorter, more appealing names.

As mentioned above, clients and audiences will often change a long name for you. For example, Federal Express Corporation, the overnight package carrier, learned that its name was far too long and didn’t roll off the tongue easily when customers began to abbreviate it to the much simpler FedEx. Apparently, someone at Federal Express got the message, because the company eventually rebranded itself accordingly. Its trucks, planes, packages and advertising all feature the FedEx logo. Other examples of this include UPS, Chevy, Coke, Pepsi, and countless others with long names. Merrill Lynch, long before its acquisition by Bank of America, was once known as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith.

Others will decide

While you may be able to influence opinions about your brand by delivering outstanding quality and service, your customers and audiences will always reserve the right to believe what they want. That’s why our team is so passionate about understanding audiences and beginning all marketing communications efforts with them in mind. Whatever we do, if we want it to be believable, must begin with them.

I’d love to hear your opinion. Please feel free to share it below.  

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana

Phone: 317.536.6255

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 - April 3, 2012

Good Economic News

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

Nexans, a provider of cable products, will open a new manufacturing plant in Berkley County, South Carolina, creating 200 new jobs.

In Dublan, Georgia, vehicle supplier Dinex Group will open a new manufacturing plant, creating 250 new jobs.

In Franklin, New Hampshire, Watts Water Technologies, a maker of valves, will expand its operation and create 100 new jobs.

Amazon.com, Inc. has confirmed that it will open a new distribution center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, creating 1,050 new jobs.

Intercontinental Hotels Group will hire 1,355 people company-wide.

In Auburn, Alabama, Si02 Medical Products will open a new facility and create 300 new jobs.

TEIJIN Advanced Composites America, Inc., a developer of automotive parts, will open a new facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, creating 25 new jobs.

In Wake County, North Carolina, Aerocrine, Inc., a medical technology company, will locate its North American headquarters and hire 45 people.

Genport SRL, a developer of electric generators and batteries, has located its North American headquarters in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, creating 20 new jobs. Congrats to economic developers Joe Seaman and Jody Hamilton of Greater Lafayette Commerce.

Prudential Financial, a financial services and insurance provider, will build a new office tower in Neward, New Jersey, creating 400 new jobs.

CirrusMio, Inc., a software company, will open a new operation in Lexington, Kentucky, creating 10 new jobs.

Busche Enterprise Division, a CNC machining firm, will expand its operation in Albion, Indiana, creating 120 new jobs.

Ameridial, Inc., a provider of contact center services, will expand its operation in Rutherford County, North Carolina, creating 195 new jobs.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, Hark Orchids, LP, an orchid propagation company, will establish a new facility and hire 80 people.

CISCO Systems, a computer products company, will hire 3,000 people company-wide.

In Bloomington, Indiana, Employment Plus, Inc., a staffing company, will expand its headquarters and add 307 new jobs.

In St. Augustine, Florida, 2G CENERGY Power Systems Technologies will open a new facility, creating 125 new jobs.

Spaulding Clinical Research, a tester of cardiac care safety equipment, will open a new operation in West Bend, Wisconsin, creating 183 new jobs.

Leggett and Platt, Inc., a maker of engineered components, will expand its operation in Porter County, Indiana, creating 30 new jobs.

Rolled Alloys, a provider of specialty alloys, will locate a new facility in Chester County, South Carolina, creating 24 new jobs.

In Farmington Hills, Michigan, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, a maker of automotive products, will expand a create 60 new jobs.

In Rowan County, North Carolina, pharmaceutical maker Ei, Inc. will expand and add 119 new employees. Congrats to economic developer Robert Van Geons.

Starbucks Coffee Company plans to open a manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia, creating 140 new jobs.

In Colbert County, Alabama, Navistar International Corporation will begin producing its LoadStar work vehicle, creating an undisclosed number of new jobs.

enVista, LLC, a supply chain consulting services company, will expand its headquarters in Hamilton County, Indiana, creating 96 new jobs.

In Mexico, Missouri, Spartan Light Metal Products, a provider of die casting services, will expand and add 42 new employees.

PyraMax Ceramics, a maker of ceramic pellet, will invest in a manufacturing facility in Wrens, Georgia, adding 60 new jobs.

In Noblesville, Indiana, Helmer, Inc., a maker of laboratory equipment, will expand and add 46 new jobs.

Concentra, a provider of health care services, will add 651 jobs company-wide.

Tognum AG, a propulsion and power solutions provider, will expand its operation in Aiken County, South Carolina, creating 20 new jobs. Congrats to economic developer Will Williams.

CHEP USA, a pallet and container pooling provider, will open a new headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, adding 173 new employees.

In Jasper County, South Carolina, LowCountry Biomass LLC, a recycler of wood residues, will expand and create 26 new jobs.

In Allen County, Indiana, automotive supplier Android Industries will locate a new facility and add 57 new employees.

The Walt Disney Company is starting an initiative to hire, train and support up to 1,000 returning veterans.

Brown-Forman Corporation, a provider of wine and spirits, will add 89 new jobs in Waynesboro, Tennessee.

Deca Financial Services, LLC a collection agency, will expand its headquarters in Fishers, Indiana and add 270 new employees.

Total Jobs Announcements: 10,418+

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

FaceBook

Google+

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

What, or Who, Inspires You?

What, or Who, Inspires You?
What makes you a better person?

It seems the older I get, the more emotional I get. Young men often have a very difficult time expressing themselves in deeply emotional ways, but now that I’m in my fifties, I’m much more likely to tear up in a sad movie or at the sight of a soldier returning home to his or her family.

Each of us, I believe, has something that impacts us deeply. Maybe it’s a life philosophy, a family member or someone else that inspires us to live in a certain way. I’m sure that with a bit of thought I could write a rather lengthy list, but here are just a few, in no particular order, that deeply inspire me:

My daughter

For the past six years, Colleen has suffered with debilitating back pain. Beginning when she was a sophomore in high school, she had to give up dance choir, the love of her life, due to her constant, agonizing pain. Over the years, she saw numerous doctors and underwent every imaginable test, therapy, treatment and medication, but nothing helped.

Recently, however, it was discovered that she had a severely herniated disc in her spine, causing much of the pain and numbness or shooting pain in her legs. In February, she underwent spinal surgery and now is in recovery and more physical therapy. Even though she still experiences back pain, we’re hopeful that we’re on the right path.

Watching her go through all of this has been very difficult, yet inspiring. Through high school and college, she painfully say through classes, school functions, class trips, two graduations, fraternity meetings and other activities while maintaining excellent grades. She’s been so strong and I’m extremely proud of her.

My father-in-law

Lloyd Thompson displayed a strength that has inspired me for many years. While he had strong opinions, he had an amazing ability to keep them to himself. I recall many passionate family discussions when opinions were flying about and Lloyd sat silent, taking it all in. Sure, he was willing to share his wisdom, but he always respected every person’s right to a differing opinion.

Lloyd is gone now, but I think of him often, finding inspiration in his ability to quietly allow others to disagree.

Our Armed Services personnel

There are few things more painful and inspiring than the sight of one of our wounded warriors, sometimes with missing limbs or brain injuries, returning home. The idea that these heroes so loved this country that they put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect us inspires me deeply.

It is for then and others like them that the American Flag flies on the front of my home every day. It’s not only my way of expressing my appreciation, but a personal reminder.

Risk-takers

I’ve always admired risk-takers, especially in business. When someone has an idea for a product or service, they often jump in, risking everything to make their dream come true. I find tremendous inspiration in their passion, confidence and bold passion to succeed.

I’ve started several businesses and have often found inspiration in such people as Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Steve Jobs (Apple), Fred Smith (FedEx), Ronald Reagan (former President of the United States), Sam Walton, (Wal-Mart) and Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of England).

Honest, integrity and loyalty

To me, there are no more meaningful personal characteristics. While none of us can claim perfection, I work hard to live by a strict code of personal conduct of which I and my family can be proud. I seek out friends, employees, vendors and even clients with the same values.

Unfortunately, I occasionally encounter challenging people who are, let’s say, morally challenged. Some will lie, cheat or even hurt others to get ahead. Although I feel very sorry for them, there’s just no room for them in my life.

People who know me know that I am an extremely loyal person. Friends, clients and others know that I will do just about anything for them. Life is very short and I find serious inspiration in people of integrity.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I’d love to hear your stories, too. Share them below.  

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

FaceBook

Google+

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 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

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.

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.