APRIL Newsletter – How PR protects the brand, why outsourcing might be for you and an invitation to think differently, change the world and innovate!

Inside This Issue

As a business owner or leader, you know talent matters. The challenge is that the job market is tight so talent can be scarce. To find the resources, expertise, focus and funds to be successful is in and of itself a necessary but daunting task. This month's issue of the digest explores the costs and benefits of outsourcing some or all of your marketing services.

When it comes to reputation management, positive press, keeping the public informed, explaining policy, consumer relations and attracting great talent, public relations is the halo over your brand making it possible for you to stand out from your competitors. We dive into the nuances and value of public relations in the video featured in this month's newsletter. 

You'll also find invitations to several upcoming events you won't want to miss including the SVA Women in Business event and Schools for Haiti Gala made possible by our client, Fearing's Audio Video Security. 

Save the date for the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference on June 5th and 6th too. It's been an honor to be a judge and a lead sponsor in 2018 and to be a witness to creativity, innovation, ingenuity and courage throughout the process. 

Here's to being difference makers through our work and our lives.

Laura Gallagher is a regular guest on Girl Talk which can be seen weekly on the independent TV station, Channel 57. Tune in to see more stories about small to medium sized businesses or subscribe on their You Tube channel.

Is your business growing?
What if you could focus on what you do best by outsourcing your marketing?

So many business owners whose businesses are growing are also discovering how challenging it is to keep up with it all. From a marketing perspective alone, ensuring the message is tight across all channels while generating leads that are worth pursuing and creating content that draws customers in takes an art director, a copywriter, a web developer, a sales and marketing director and a publicist. 

The content demands increase, but labor and knowledge may be in short supply within your organization.

Google AdWords, content creation, web analytics, lead generation, email marketing, PR, social and overall sales strategy at a CMO level, with all of the talent and experience to make it happen, comes at a high cost when you consider your current needs as well as the human resources, payroll and management costs. So maybe you outsource part of the tasks and hire a marketing person but the results aren't there because the team isn't a cohesive unit. Plus, it's taking time to manage, support and pay for all of this learning. 

What if you could:

• Reduce your overhead
• Avoid the hassle
• Get better results
• Make more money

Companies are realizing the benefits of outsourcing their marketing services. When you hire a CMO firm with the team in place, you will achieve your goals faster and at a reduced cost. That's where The Creative Company comes in. 

Willy Street Co-op Receives Force for Positive Change Award

Willy Street Co-op received the Force for Positive Change Award on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Marquette University. This year’s awards were the second time this statewide competition was held recognizing social entrepreneurship as a model for solving social or environmental challenges in a way that is sustainable, just and that generates impactful change in Wisconsin. A total of $126,000 in prize money was awarded to 11 organizations.

Photo credit: Dan Johnson

“We hope the award win shine a light on what’s possible when people come together to do something worthwhile. The Co-op is committed to a more sustainable future and we are grateful for the recognition as well as the opportunity to continue to do good with the funds awarded to the Co-op by the Force for Positive Change.” said Brendon Smith, Communications Director for Willy Street Co-op.

The Co-op is one of the largest grocery food cooperatives in the country and a long time Creative Company client. 

The Co-op's award entry included information about the various ways they make a positive contribution including:

• Distributing Double Dollars October through March

• Providing over $400,000 of grants to local nonprofits since it began in 1992 through their Community Reinvestment Fund

• Collecting over $2 million for Community Shares of Wisconsin’s CHIP program, benefiting over 60 local nonprofits

• Prioritizing offering products from local farmers and vendors

• Offering an Access Discount Program as a means to offer the owners shopping in the store with low income a 10% discount on their groceries

• Launching a fruit & vegetable prescription pilot program in partnership with the City of Madison, Dane County, Second Harvest Hunger Care Coalition, and UW Health Northeast Family Medical Center

Congratulations, Willy Street Co-op!

Upcoming Events

Schools For Haiti Gala 2018

Reserve your table now. Be there on May 12, 2018.

Schools for Haiti is returning to the Marriott for it's 5th annual gala this year! Fearing's Audio Video Security is the organizer for the event happening on May 12th. Doug and Lois Fearing have travelled to Haiti many times where they experience first hand how the children are benefitting from the support this fundraiser provides. Many of these children live in make-shift houses and come to school hungry each day. This mission addresses their most vital needs and provides hope for a better future.

Can you help with a silent auction item? Great! Sponsor? Awesome! Get a ticket or two or a table?! Fantastic! The committee's goal this year is to raise $125,000. Please contact Lois Fearing if you have any questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor. You can also drop off silent auction items at The Creative Company! We hope you'll join us as we come together to make a difference in the lives of children in Haiti. 

Reserve tickets now!

Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference

The two-day conference is one of the Midwest’s premiere “how-to,” hands-on events for entrepreneurs of all ages and experience levels.

The Governor's Business Plan Competition awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference at Union South. 

Creative Company is proud to be a lead sponsor for the 2018 Governor's Business Plan Competition. Creative Company President Laura Gallagher is also one of the 2018 judges.

SVA Women In Business Breakfast

Are you a business owner, executive or on the management team for your company? This breakfast is designed for women business leaders looking to be inspired by their peers. SVA was one of our sponsors for the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Conference in our inaugural year. We hope you'll join Creative Company in supporting their event on June 19th at Overture Center!