Strategic
America Celebrates 30 Years of Marketing Growth
New eco-friendly
office, national client base and professional development highlight future
(DES
MOINES, IA, May 18, 2010) – Strategic America (SA),
a West Des Moines-based integrated marketing firm, celebrates 30 years of
business this year, remaining an independently owned and operated agency that
represents clients across the United States and Canada. Earlier this year, SA
moved its offices from 1500 NW 118 Street in Clive to newly remodeled space at
6600 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, creating a headquarters that genuinely
matches its company culture.
To
celebrate, the agency will host an open house and launch a training series for
its associates and clients. It has promoted two key executives and acquired
several major new clients as well. Additionally, it is seeking LEED
certification of its new facilities.
During
the open house Thursday, May 20, clients and vendors can tour SA’s new
eco-friendly office space and hear native Iowan and SA client, Charlie Wittmack,
present on the “Seven Summits of Success” and how to apply the principles that Wittmack
acquired in climbing Mount Everest, into their business and personal lives.
Wittmack, founder of The World Tri, perhaps one of the most challenging human
endurance tests ever, will embark on this triathlon in Europe this summer with
his family accompanying him on the yearlong journey.
“Over
three decades, this agency has witnessed significant changes in advertising
trends, client goals and the tools we use,” says Mike
Schreurs, CEO of SA. “Celebrating this anniversary is a testament to our
adaptability and the long-term relationships we’ve built with our clients, a
remarkable legacy in our industry.
“As
we look forward, our foundation increasingly consists of regional and national
clients with a strong core of local and state clients as well,” says John Schreurs,
SA’s President and COO, who joined the agency in 1983. “Our client mix, based
on revenue, is now approximately 80 percent national and 20 percent in-state.
With new accounts such as Hunter Douglas, Veria TV, Rotobrush and Marsh High
Net Worth, our multidisciplines and professional staff of 85 associates continue
to be sought for our strengths ranging from strategic planning, research
branding and field marketing to issues management, presentation coaching and
public relations including media relations and social media.”
New
executive promotions include Nathan
Johnson, Field Services Marketing Director, and Kelly
Regenold, Chief Financial Officer, both to Vice President positions at the
agency and in recognition of business expansion.
“We
remain committed to our local community,” says Lore McManus Solo,
Principal and Vice President, Public Relations. “We estimate that at least ten
percent of our billable hours every year go to support local nonprofit
organizations such as the United Way of Central Iowa, the Boy Scouts, local
homeless shelters, church groups and as additional pro bono services to clients
such as the Developmental Disabilities Council and Neighborhood Finance
Corporation. We’re honored to provide marketing services to these well-run,
best practices organizations.”
Named
Des Moines’ best advertising and public relations firm by readers of the Business
Record in 2009, SA celebrated another milestone when the agency moved its
headquarters.
“Our
new offices create a statement about our aspirations and also how our clients
and employees relate to our work environment,” says John Schreurs, who along
with Lisa
Holtorf, Director of Production and Design Services, led the mission to
move to the new location over the last year. “We’re pursuing LEED certification
and were environmentally conscious as we remodeled,” he explains. “We’ve
advised clients for decades to champion corporate social responsibility and to
be environmentally conscious. We are ensuring we center our footprint in these
arenas as well.”
SA’s
new office space features recycled and reused materials that highlight client
relationships. From the creative office layout, which ensures all employees
have an unfettered view of the outdoors to the office fixtures made of recycled
material, the agency also is pursuing an enhanced recycling program as well as
counseling clients on environmental choices in collateral materials.
From
its former offices, SA donated all office cubicles and numerous supplies to
local charities, while all remaining fixtures, such as the large columns that
created SA’s lower- level entrance in its former home, were recycled.
“In
preparing for the move, we wanted to donate any remaining furniture to United
Way agencies and move toward a more environmentally responsible office,” says Jim
Stafford, Principal and Vice President, Client Services. “Going green
benefits not only our planet, but also our business—numerous studies have shown
that green workspaces lead to higher productivity and less sick time. Our own
internal survey indicated strong employee interest in being environmental
stewards.”
Strategic
America is an integrated marketing communications firm that employs 85
communications professionals. Founded in 1980, Strategic America represents
more than 40 diverse national, regional and local clients, focusing on
insurance/financial services, retail, government and nonprofits, business-to-business
and channel marketing.
Strategic
America is a well-regarded member of the American Association of Advertising
Agencies (AAAA), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Worldcom
Public Relations Group and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
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For more information:
Michael R. Schreurs, CEO
Strategic America
515.453.2000