Rants from the Brand Coach

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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.

7 Rules for Dealing with Difficult People

7 Rules for Dealing with Difficult People

A simple, yet demanding, approach

A few years ago someone bought me a book about the art of dealing with difficult people. I think it’s still around here somewhere. In it, the author writes about how to understand the personality of the difficult person, how to manage challenging situations, and so on. As I read it, I remember thinking, “This is all about how I need to change and be understanding of the other person.”

Each of us has to bite our lip from time to time. We make every effort to do business in an honorable way but sometimes the other person just seems to enjoy being abrasive. Have you ever had that happen?

Back in 2006, when I started Brand Acceleration, I promised myself that I would only work with and for people I like. After a long working career I had had my fill of kissing up to rude and inconsiderate people. I told myself, “No More Jerks!”

That promise comes with a responsibility to not be one of those people. It meant that I, and my team, would have to operate with a very high set of standards. I have a very high regard for honorable and professional people and will not tolerate less than honorable behavior from others. Who I am influences what I do and how I do it. Below is a list of principles that our staff, vendors, and even clients, are expected to honor:

1. Always operate with total honesty. Never lie and never tolerate liars.

2. Treat every person with respect and demand respect from others.

3. Set very high standards and raise them often.

4. Always over-deliver, even when you would rather cut and run.

5. Strive to be the best and never cease to grow, learn, and improve.

6. Be the best in our chosen industries.

7. Price our services fairly. We are not the cheapest, and we don’t want to be.

We’re certainly not perfect. I would never make that claim. However, by following the above principles, we can look in the mirror each day and know that we are looking at someone who is a person of honesty, integrity, and very demanding standards.

We’ve been very fortunate. We have an incredible team of professionals who love to do great work, always striving to generate great results for our clients. Beautiful marketing pieces are nice, but beautiful work that results in growing brands and economic activity are what we’re all about.

Our clients are a daily blessing. They know we will always offer great work and our best counsel. They place their trust in us and work side by side with us toward a common goal. They’re more that clients; they are our friends.

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

Friday, April 19, 2013

Good Economic News 4-23-13

Good Economic News

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

In Bay City, Michigan, Gulf Shore Investments, LLC will develop a new multi-use community, creating 30 new jobs.

In Aiken County, South Carolina, Owens Corning, a maker of glass fiber and composite materials, will expand and add a new warehouse facility. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client, Will Williams with the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties.

In Jefferson Parrish, Louisiana, Incitec Pivot, Dyno Noble, and Cornerstone Chemical will open a new ammonia production facility and hire 65 employees.

In Hancock County, Indiana, auto parts maker Spectra Premium Industry, Inc. will expand and add 50 employees. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client, economic developer Skip Kuker.

Aircraft builder Boeing will expand its operation in Charleston, South Carolina, creating 2,000 jobs.

Food retailer Pita Pit will expand and add 800 employees companywide.

In Laurens County, South Carolina, aluminum casting company Alupress AG will establish a manufacturing facility, creating 57 new jobs.

In McMinn County, Tennessee, auto supplier HP Pelzer Automotive Systems will locate a new facility and hire 200 people.

Nishikawa Cooper, LLC, a maker of products for the auto industry, will expand in Bremen, Indiana, creating 34 jobs.

Sunny Z Foods, a maker of pre-packaged instant meals, will open a new facility in Saluda County, South Carolina, creating 150 new jobs.

In Elkhart, Indiana, RV producer Grand Design RV, LLC will open its headquarters and create 500 new jobs.

Kay Manufacturing Company, a provider of machining services, will expand in St. Joseph, Michigan, creating 80 jobs.

Tractor maker Kubota Corporation has opened a new manufacturing facility in Jefferson, Georgia where it will add 200 employees.

In Georgetown, Kentucky, auto maker Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky will begin building Lexus ES350 automobiles, creating 750 jobs.

General Electric will build an oil and gas research center in Oklahoma, creating 125 jobs.

Drew Industries, Inc., a maker of components for the RV industry, will open its headquarters in Elkhart County, Indiana and will hire 800 people.

Repair services franchise company Mr. Handyman will expand and hire 400 people companywide.

In Dillon County, South Carolina, tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. will expand and add 200 employees.

Imperium Health Management, an information management provider to the healthcare industry, will establish its headquarters in Louisville, KKentucky, creating 40 jobs.

The Entrepreneur Source will expand and add 300 employees companywide.

In Dale County, Alabama, Commercial Jet, Inc. will open an aircraft maintenance facility, creating hundreds if jobs.

Koch Foods will expand its poultry processing operation in Hamilton, Georgia, adding 750 employees.

Disaster recover company Servpro will expand its headquarters in Gallatin, Tennessee, creating 90 new jobs.

SMF, Inc., a metal facbrication company, will establish a new facility in Anderson County, South Carolina, creating 146 jobs.

Borusan Mannesmann, a maker of steel pipe, will open a new facility in Baytown, Texas, creating 250 jobs.

In Wake County, North Carolina, Ipreo Holdings, a provider of market intelegence and data services, will establish operations and create 250 jobs.

Computer maker IBM will open a technology center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, creating 800 jobs.

Auto parts maker Rassini Brakes, LLC will open a new facility in Mt. Morris, Michigan and hire 55 people.

Trinity Frozen Foods, a maker of food products, will open a new operation in Robeson County, North Carolina, creating 149 jobs.

In Salisbury, North Carolina, apparel maker Gildan Activewear, Inc. will open a new operation, expanding its employment to 200 people. Congrats to economic developer Robert Van Geons.

McLaughlin Body Company, a maker of operator protection systems, will open a new facility in Anderson County, South Carolina, creating 250 jobs.

Healthcare facility operator Workout Anytime will expand and add 150 employees companywide.

In Carmel, Indiana, Mainstreet Property Group, LLC, a developer of senior housing and care properties, will expand and create 25 jobs.

In Lenexa, Kansas, Crown Equipment, a materials handling company, has opened a branch and will create 60 jobs.

IEH Laboratories & Consulting group, a food industry service provider , will establish an operation in Scottsville, Kentucky, creating six jobs.

Plastics extrusion company Omega Plastics will expand its headquarters in Clinton, Tennessee and add 80 employees.

In Battle Creek, Michigan, auto parts maker Bleistahl North America LP will open a new facility and hire 58 new employees.

Windham Professionals business centers will expand at two locations in Tennessee and add 245 employees.

Metal Panels, Inc., a maker of metal roofing products, will open a new manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Kansas, creating 23 jobs.

In Columbus County, North Carolina, Ply Gem Industries, a maker of building products, will expand and add 145 employees.

Total Jobs Announcements: 10,513+

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

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Twitter

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Google+

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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

Are Printed Brochures Dead?

Are Printed Brochures Dead?

The answer may surprise you

The internet has replaced brochures, right? Now that you have a great web site and all of your information is there, you no longer need to produce brochures, right?

Many people feel that way. Just over the past few years, I’ve noticed that the days of huge press runs appear to be over. In fact, some companies and communities have completely eliminated printed brochures. While I understand the concerns over the cost of printing and related postage for direct mail, I disagree with anyone who believes that there is no need for brochures. The facts just don’t support this notion.

Imagine this; you go to a car dealership to shop for the latest luxury model you’ve had your eye on for a long time. Maybe it’s a Mercedes, a Cadillac, or even the latest sports car. It’s a beautiful thing. The paint is amazing, the interior is fine leather, and the stereo is unbelievable. You’re almost ready to buy but you want to wait 24 hours in order to ponder your decision and discuss the purchase with your spouse. You are psyched! As the sales person walks you to the door, she hands you her card and a flimsy brochure that she just printed on her desktop inkjet printer. Thud! Your opinion of the car and the dealership just hit rock bottom. Would this really happen? Never! Automobile manufacturers are known for their beautiful brochures.

At Brand Acceleration, we work with architects, engineers, and builders who create beautiful multimillion dollar buildings. Like the luxury car, the workmanship, design elements, and emotion require a beautifully crafted brochure that appropriately matches the beauty of their buildings.

Economic development professionals, the other side of our business, often meet face-to-face with c-suite executives and site selection consultants, hoping they will make a multimillion dollar investment in their community. After investing millions of dollars in industrial parks, infrastructure, and spec buildings, this is no time to hand them a nasty brochure that was cobbled together and printed on your desktop printer, which is low on red ink.

While I agree that an electronic version of a well-produced brochure should be available on your web site, I also believe that a short run of professionally printed brochures should be available for those important face-to-face meetings with prospects and clients. An expertly crafted brochure helps establish a brand image that such clients expect. Anything less could insult the client and kill the deal.

What exactly goes into a professionally produced brochure?

It’s very important, after all, to do it right. With so much on the line, there’s no room for cutting corners. First, it’s important to have a well thought out strategic plan for the brochure, identifying audience needs and expectations and matching them with your deliverables. Next, the copywriting must be stellar. Expertly written copy is more that pretty words. It has an amazing ability to romance the reader, positively conveying your key messages. Next comes design. More than beauty, great design is the art of conveying a brand message through expertly crafted visuals. Then, of course, a brochure must be produced by a professional printer with the experience and attention to detail that yields exceptional results. If corners are cut anywhere along the way, the results could be less than stellar and not worthy of your company or community. The quality of a brochure should certainly meet or exceed the quality of the product, service, or place being promoted.

Which works better, direct mail or e-mail?

While I do like the lower cost and measurability of e-mail marketing, I would never rule out the power of direct mail. I like both. Together with other tools, an effective marketing communications program includes printed brochures. They have staying power.

For our clients, we often use a broad approach, utilizing brochures, e-mail marketing, online advertising, direct mail, social media marketing, and anything else that combines to grow a brand and generate results. We’ve also had great success using printed brochures in combination with such items as flash drives, CD/DVDs, QR codes, and even peanut butter and jelly packs.

Are printed brochures dead? Absolutely not! As in the past, they are an integral part of a broad mix of marketing tools that can successfully pave the way for marketing success.

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

Saturday, March 30, 2013

It Never Pays to Be a Know-It-All

It Never Pays to Be a Know-It-All

Listen to your clients, team, and advisors

Several years ago, when I was working at another ad agency, I answered to a guy whose personality was, let’s say, outgoing. It was my first ad agency job and I was totally ignorant about how such organizations worked. I had worked for years on the client side and in publishing, broadcasting, and event management. I was a marketer, but the agency business was foreign to me. My mode of operation was simple; listen to the client and my team and then make informed decisions.

For Mr. Know-it-all, my listening moments were a problem. He perceived my silence as a lack of confidence and a sign of weakness. His MO was exactly the opposite. An agency veteran with a loud-and-proud confidence, his approach was to dominate discussions and convince clients that he was the expert. Some people accepted his exuberant confidence while others were just too afraid to challenge him, feeding his personality. Back at the office, he had the ear of the agency owner, a hunting and fishing buddy who liked his take-charge approach.

As you might expect, he and I had issues. My approach was to listen to clients in an effort to pin-point their challenges and then recruit my team to flesh out and suggest solutions. A one-man expert, he liked to tell clients what they should do and sell agency services. Needless to say, we had our moments.

That job, and my experiences with Mr. Know-it-all, ended up providing life experiences that significantly influenced who I became and how Brand Acceleration now serves client needs.

First, we recognize that our clients are the experts in their fields. They have knowledge and experiences that we may not have. They understand their clients and industries at a level that may be much deeper than we do. We’re marketing experts and our responsibility is to ask questions, shut up, and hear their challenges.

Next, we remember that our role is to serve as an extension of our clients, bringing ideas and solutions that are based on our experiences. As the owner and face of the company, I rely heavily on the expertise and experience of my team.

Specialization helps

When I started Brand Acceleration, it was because I recognized a disturbing trend in the ad agency industry. Most relied greatly on their creative capabilities and offered little or no industry counsel to their clients. As a result, the business often went to the agency with the most interesting creative and the lowest prices. Another trend was that the average length of the agency/client relationship was a whopping 18 months. I thought that was pathetic.

Our style is totally old school. By specializing in economic development and AEC, we offer significant depth of knowledge about the expectations of our clients’ audiences. We win and our clients win.

For example, our economic development clients love the fact that we have a deep understanding of site selection consultants, real estate brokers, and c-suite executives. We know how they interact with marketing tools such as web sites, videos, social media, and advertising. This knowledge makes conversations with our clients much better since they never have to teach us about their needs. We speak their language and offer informed solutions.

Recently, we deepened our team even further with the development of the Brand Acceleration Board of Advisors. These industry leaders, including experts from several industry categories, offer us outstanding insights that make us even better. Watch for a detailed announcement about this amazing group.

So, if you would like a marketing partner that offers expertise without the bullying attitude, I hope you’ll give us a call. We’ll listen to your challenges and offer knowledge-based solutions.

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

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 3-30-13

Good Economic News

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

In Geismar, Louisiana, chemical maker Huntsman Corporation will expand and create 397 jobs.

In Muncie, Indiana, Delaware Dynamics, LLC, a provider of die casting services, will expand and add 13 employees. Congrats to economic developer Terry Murphy.

Macco Organiques, a maker of chlorides, will open a new facility in Paducah, Kentucky, creating 40 new jobs.

Aircraft builder Boeing will consolidate flight training services in Miami, Florida, creating 787 jobs.

NAPA Auto Parts will hire 700 people companywide.

In Hamilton, Georgia, poultry producer Koch Foods will expand and add 750 employees.

In Macon County, North Carolina, metal manufacturer Franklin Tubular Products, Inc. will locate a new facility and create 121 jobs.

In Monroe, Michigan, auto parts maker Hanwha L&C Alabama LLC will expand and create 70 jobs.

Standard Register, a business services provider, will locate a new operation in Jeffersonville, Indiana, creating 360 jobs.

In Marion County, South Carolina, Essex Holdings, Inc., a global resource company, will open a facility and hire 215 people.

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology will expand its training facility and add 185 employees.

In Madison County, Indiana, truck body maker Warner Bodies, Inc. will expand and add 150 employees.

Martinrea Jonesville, a metal forming company, will open a new facility in North Adams, Michigan, creating 122 jobs.

Metal Shark Boats, a maker of watercraft, will expand in Jeanerette, Louisiana, creating 200 jobs.

Outokumpo Stainless Bar, a metal fabrication company, will expand in Chester County, South Carolina, adding 20 employees.

In New Albany, Indiana, jewelry producer Ronaldo Designer Jewelry, Inc., will open a new plant and hire 80 employees.

Kovatch Mobile Equipment, a maker of water hauling tanks, will expand in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, creating 100 new jobs.

Restaurant Hurricane Grill and Wings will expand and add 420 employees.

Peer Foods Group, Inc., a distributor of Food Products, will locate a new facility in Hancock County, Indiana, creating 80 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Skip Kuker.

In Richland County, South Carolina, Foil and Film packaging maker Constantia Hueck Foils will expand and add 15 employees.

In Grenada, Mississippi, sawmill operator Fly Timber will expand and create 30 new jobs.

In Kingsport, Tennessee, food maker Leclerc Foods will expand and create 40 new jobs.

Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, a provider of hospitality products and services, will expand and create 69 jobs in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

XPO Logistics, a freight services provider, will expand its operation in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, adding 287 employees. Congrats to economic developer Jeff Edge.

Boyd Property Preservation, LLC will expand and create 104 new jobs in Whitfield County, Georgia and 300 in the State of Georgia.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid will open a new facility, adding 100 employees.

In Robertson County, Tennessee, ProPack, a provider of fulfillment and freight forwarding services, will open a new facility and hire 22 people. Congratulations to Brand Acceleration client Robertson County Economic Development. Great job, Margot!

Multicraft International, a maker of auto parts, will expand in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, creating 30 jobs.

Insurance and benefits company MetLife, Inc. will create 2,600 new jobs in Charlotte and Cary, North Carolina.

In Rush and Tipton Counties, Indiana, seed producer DuPont Pioneer will expand and create 41 jobs. Congrats to Brand Acceleration clients Tipton County Economic Development Organization and Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation.

Green Flash Brewing Company, a craft beer producer, will open a new brewing facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia, adding 41 employees.

ICE Recycling LLC, a recycling services provider, will expand in Florence County, South Carolina, creating 15 jobs.

Lockheed Martin will invest in a facility to make tanks for liquefied natural gas in New Orleans, Louisiana, creating 166 jobs.

Sears Home Services will add 500 employees companywide.

In Halifax County, North Carolina, lumber producer Meherrin River Forest Products, will locate a new operation and hire 40 people.

In Vermillion, South Dakota, software developer Eagle Creek Software Services will open a new operation and hire 1,000 people.

In Stafford County, Virginia, food maker Greencore Group plc will expand and add 350 employees.

80/20 Inc., a maker of aluminum products, will expand its operation in Whitley County, Indiana, creating 97 jobs.

In Frankfort County, Kentucky, Hayashi Telempu North America, a maker of auto parts, will open a new facility and hire 103 people.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Lyons Consulting Group, an e-commerce company, will open an office and hire 30 employees.

In Vance, Alabama, auto maker Mercedes-Benze Alabama will open a facility and create 500 jobs.

Global Green Lighting, a maker of lighting products, will open an assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, creating 250 jobs.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, Celadon Trucking Services, Inc., a freight services provider, will open a driver training school and hire 500 employees.

In the cities of Holland and Walker, Michigan, Challenge Manufacturing Company, a maker of metal products, will expand and add 180 employees.

TITLE Boxing Club will add 2,500 employees companywide.

OFS Brands, a furniture and logistics company, will expand in Guilford County, North Carolina, adding 188 employees.

In Dodge County, Georgia, heat treating company Aremac Heat Treating LLC will locate a new facility and hire 60 people.

In Pulaski County, Virginia, vegetable producer Red Sun Farms will expand and add 250 employees.

Detroit Thermal Systems, LLC, a climate control business, will open in Romulus, Michigan, creating 300 jobs.

True Communications will expand and add 120 employees companywide.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, IBM will create a new technology center and hire 800 people.

Otto Environmental Systems, Inc., a plastics maker, will expand in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, creating 32 new jobs.

TeleTech Holdings, Inc., a customer service provider, will expand in Paducah, Kentucky and hire 450 people.

In Augusta County, Virginia, dairy manufacturer Shamrock Farms will open a new facility and create 60 jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 16,876

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

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.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Good Economic News 3-12-13

Good Economic News

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

Ascend Performance Materials, a technology provider, will open a new facility in Brazoria County, Texas, creating 100 new jobs.

In Fishers, Indiana, First Internet Bank of Indiana will expand and create 50 jobs.

In Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, shoe retailer Rack Room Shoes will expand its headquarters and add 87 jobs.

South Louisiana Methanol will open a new methanol production facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana, creating 63 new jobs.

Hardware retailer Lowe’s will hire 45,000 seasonal workers.

In Clarendon County, South Carolina, pharmaceutical maker Spirit Pharmaceutical will locate a new facility and create 296 jobs.

In Chicago, Illinois, healthcare provider GoHealth will expand and add 250 employees.

In Harrodsburg, Kenticky, Wausau Paper, a maker of towel and tissue paper, will expand and create 76 jobs.

U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC, a chain technology company, will expand and add 70 jobs.

In Hamilton County, Indiana, insurance company Baldwin & Lyons will expand and create 133 jobs.

In New Hanover County, North Carolina, packaging maker North State Flexibles will expand and add 41 new employees.

In Lansing, Michigan, moving services provider Two Men And A Truck will expand and create 125 jobs.

Recleim, a recycler of appliances and e-waste materials, will establish a recycling plant in Aiken, South Carolina, creating 200 jobs. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client Economic Development Partnership. Hats off to Will Williams and the rest of the EDP team.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Natie USA, a maker of plastic products, will open a new facility, creating 210 jobs.

Crawford Industries, LLC, a maker of plastic packaging, will expand its operation in Montgomery County, Indiana, adding 11 employees.

In Charlotte and Cary, North Carolina, insurance company MetLife will expand and add 2,600 emplyoyees.

In Macomb Charter Township, Michigan, Baker Aerospace Tooling and Machining, a parts and tooling company, will expand and create 188 jobs.

1-800 CONTACTS, a retailer of contact lenses, will expand its operation in Salt Lake City, Utah, creating 654 jobs.

NextGear Capital, an automotive financial services provider, will expand and create 169 new jobs in Carmel, Indiana.

Weight loss program provider Medifast will add 70 employees.

In Memphis, Tennessee, J.M. Smucker Company will open a peanut butter manufacturing facility, creating 125 new jobs.

In Bartlesville, Oklahoma, engineering firm ABB will expand and add 250 employees.

Global Food Group, a provider of food products, will open a new facility in Clinton, Arkansas, creating 225 jobs.

Walmart Stores, Inc. plans to open a distribution center in Mankato, Minnesota, creating 300 new jobs.

In Kansas City, Missouri, Clay and Bailey Manufacturing Company, a maker of above-ground and underground tanks, will expand and create 4 jobs.

Nuclear energy company AREVA will expand its operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating 130 jobs.

MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., a maker of home cabinetry, will expand its operation in Goshen, Indiana, adding 76 employees.

In Matagorda County, Texas, steel pipe maker Tenaris will open a new facility, adding 600 employees.

Cellairis, a provider of cell phone and PDA accessories, will add 680 employees.

In Bradenton, Florida, Motorworks Brewing will open a new facility and add 30 employees.

Steel building maker Nash Building Systems, Inc. will expand its operation in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, creating 29 jobs.

In Cobb County, Georgia, consulting firm Infisys will expand and hire 200 people.

In Monroe, Louisiana, telecom company CenturyLink will open a new technology center and hire 800 employees.

Printpack, Inc., a packaging products company, will expand its operation in Villa Rica, Georgia, creating 20 jobs.

In St. Joseph, Missouri, I&M Machine & Fabrication, a metal fabrication company, will expand and add 25 employees.

In Hampton Roads and Newport News, Virginia, Liebehrr Mining Equipment New Port News Company, a maker of construction and mining equipment, will expand and create 174 jobs.

Sandwich shop Schlotzky’s will expand and add 1,200 employees.

In Surry County, North Carolina, Awesome Products, a maker of cleaning products, will locate a new facility and hire 90 employees.

In Hanover, New Hampshire, Hypertherm, a maker of cutting systems, will open a new manufacturing facility and hire 500 people.

Southern Finishing Company, a furmaker of furniture, will expand its operation in Rockingham County, North Carolina, creating 11 jobs.

In Mexico, Missouri, steel fabrication company Fluid Power Supports will expand and create 15 jobs.

In Cleveland, Tennessee, Renfro Corporation, a maker of legwear, will add a facility and hire 168 new employees.

Theme park Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, located in Santa Claus, Indiana, will hire 2,100 seasonal jobs.

In Alpharetta, Georgia, tax and advisory services provider Ernst & Young will establish its global IT Center, creating 400 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Peter Tokar.

In Alcoa, Tennessee, ProNova Solutions, a provider of cancer treatments, will expand and add 525 employees.

Lyne Plastics, a recycler and maker of plastic products, will expand in Sedalia, Missouri and create 14 jobs.

In Guilford County, North Carolina, packaging maker North State Flexibles will expand and add 41 new employees.

Bank of America is adding 2,000 employees.

Total Jobs Announcements: 57,977

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

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