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 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).
For more information:
Mike Schreurs, CEO
Strategic America
515.453.2000
mschreurs@strategicamerica.com
