London Communications Agency Shares Creativity Award with “The Best On Earth”

LONDON, ON – An international creative communications competition has awarded one of its top prizes to Marketing Strategies & Solutions of London, Ontario, for the agency’s production of a booklet honoring the recently closed grader manufacturing plant in nearby Goderich.

The Summit Creative Awards recognized the booklet titled “The Best On Earth” as a Silver Award winner in its 2010 “Public Relations Events” category. The booklet and an accompanying newspaper advertisement were commissioned by Volvo Motor Graders as a “farewell” to the Town of Goderich and in recognition of the contribution made to the grader industry by generations of Goderich tradesmen and engineers.

According to Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions, his company also had a special connection with the Goderich grader facility. “The plant in Goderich passed through several ownership changes and brand names over the years, but the people in Goderich were a constant from generation to generation. Throughout most of the past 25 years, members of the team here at Marketing Strategies & Solutions in London have also been fortunate enough to work alongside the Goderich staff as their advertising and communications agency.”

The Summit International Awards (SIA) organization was created specifically to honor creative excellence in small and medium-sized advertising agencies. Over the past 16 years, the Summit Creative Awards have grown to attract entries from more than 50 countries.

Adeland acknowledges that the farewell booklet presented a unique and bittersweet challenge. “We were closing the door on an era for the Town of Goderich and for ourselves, as well,” he said. “It was a very emotional time for everyone at the grader facility, a time of both pride and sadness. Goderich was “the grader capital of the world” for over a hundred years. We wanted this booklet to represent all the great achievements of these people, irrespective of the nameplates on the side of the machines. “The Best On Earth” was a slogan we developed for their advertising campaign some years ago. At this point in history, we felt it struck the right tone for commemorating the people behind the machines.”

Production of the 24 page booklet was a shared effort by Adeland’s staff, Volvo employees and members of the Champion Antique Grader Club, also in Goderich. Prior to its purchase by Volvo Construction Equipment, the Goderich facility was known as Champion Motor Graders and as Dominion Road Machinery, dating back to 1910. The booklet features a collection of historic photographs of graders and the grader factory collected from company and personal archives. Text highlights major milestones and innovations in grader technology, beginning with production of the world’s first motorized grader. Two multimedia DVDs are also bound into the booklet, containing photo collections and videos of bygone days in Goderich.

As closing day for the facility approached, Volvo ran a full page advertisement in the Goderich Sentinel newspaper titled “Thank you to ‘The Best on Earth’.” Like the booklet, the ad, also created by Marketing Strategies & Solutions, combined recent photos with historical images to celebrate the motor grader legacy of Goderich.

To download a copy of this keepsake, go to www.marketingstrategiesandsolutions.com/thebestonearth.pdf

• June 2010 •

London Communications Agency Honoured For “Advertising That Works!”

LONDON, ON – Marketing Strategies & Solutions was recently notified that the firm has been chosen to receive a total of three awards from the 2009 Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards (MEA) program.

The Summit MEA competition is based on the premise that the goal of marketing communications is to change, influence or reinforce a target audience’s knowledge, attitudes or beliefs. The awards are presented by the Summit International Awards, an organization created in 1994 specifically to honour creative excellence in small and medium-sized advertising agencies.

Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions, welcomes the awards as a validation of the agency’s core beliefs about customer service. “These awards support our way of becoming deeply immersed in our clients’ business, getting to know their audiences well enough to make a real difference. There are many awards out there for the advertising industry; this is the one program that rewards advertising that works.”

Unlike most award programs, the judges for Summit MEA awards do not name Gold, Silver and Bronze winners. Instead, each entry is scored on how well it achieves its specified goal. Of 504 entries submitted from 11 countries, less than 20% scored well enough to be admitted for a “Finalist” award in 2009. Exceptional entries may be further recognized as a “Winner” in its category.

A corporate brochure produced by Marketing Strategies & Solutions for Timberland Equipment, of Woodstock, Ontario, was among those singled out as a Summit MEA category Winner. Adeland explained that “this brochure was a strategic move by Timberland to redefine its position in the upper strata of large industrial clients globally. It became the hub for several new initiatives including a rebuild of the website that showcase the company’s capabilities as a strong value-added engineering partner for major projects.”

The agency was also awarded Finalist standing for its work in not-for-profit advertising category for John Zubick Ltd., and for a bilingual calendar promotion developed for the SMS Rents equipment rental network.

Established by Robert Adeland in 1997, Marketing Strategies & Solutions has found a successful niche in the marketing world as a specialist in integrated communication services for industrial manufacturers and other business-to-business clients. The firm is one of a number of advertising agencies in North America to be admitted as members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Major clients in Canada and the United States include Volvo Road Machinery, SENNEBOGEN America, Champion Motor Graders, Titan Trailers, Winkle Industries, SMS Rents and Sommers Motor Generator Sales. The agency also serves numerous manufacturers and business services local to London, Ontario.

• September 2009 •

Art of “Banting & Friends” draws visitors and funding to Banting House National Historic Site

London, ON – First-time visitors to Banting House National Historic Site of Canada over the July 1st weekend were introduced to a lesser-known side of one of Canada’s legendary scientists. A special Exhibit of “Banting & Friends” celebrated the artistic work of Sir Frederick Banting, this discoverer of insulin, along with recent works of contemporary London artists who embody the great doctor’s spirit and passion.

Part art show, part history lesson and part fundraiser, the two-day event was held in Banting House National Historic Site of Canada and on the adjacent grounds (Sir Frederick G. Banting Square) in the downtown area of east London.

Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions, reports that “Banting & Friends” was a highly successful venture on all counts. Adeland sits on the Advisory Committee for Banting House, and took an active role in planning and promoting the weekend show.

“On a good Saturday, we see maybe 15 - 20 sightseers at Banting House and the Gift Shop sales might be $100 - $150. The juried show and the new exhibit of Banting’s own art drew over 250 people to the site each day and generated more than $3,000 in Gift Shop sales and another $400 in donations,” said Grant Maltman, Curator of Banting House National Historic Site of Canada.”

An outdoor display in the Global Garden surrounding Banting House helped to kick off a new a permanent installation of “From Test Tubes to Paint Tubes” featuring the world’s largest permanent installation of original Banting artwork. Maltman explained the importance of art in the life of Banting.

Painting and drawing were Banting’s way of escaping the pressures of international celebrity after he and Charles Best brought insulin to the world. Banting became a close friend of A.Y. Jackson of Canada’s Group of Seven. Jackson mentored Banting’s development as an artist, which is reflected in the 200 pieces Banting produced.

“Banting & Friends” also proved to be a financial success for the historic site. Adeland explained “The Canadian Diabetes Association owns Banting House, but our goal is to keep the Site self-sustaining, so no CDA funds are diverted from their vital research to find a cure for diabetes.” Artists who took part in the juried show agreed to contribute part of their sales to the Banting House fund, while the memorabilia shop on the site did a booming business catering to the many visitors.

The art sales also attracted many new subscribers to a special series of limited edition fine art prints The Four Seasons based on works by Banting. “Thanks to this event,” says Adeland, “the first two editions of the prints are almost fully subscribed, and we will soon be going ahead with production of the third in the series.” The Four Seasons is another fundraising project, conceived by Adeland a few years ago. To date, sales of the prints have raised close to $90,000 for Maltman and his staff to maintain the Site and expand its collection of Banting artifacts.

For information on Banting House National Historic Site and on The Four Seasons series, contact:

Banting House National Historic Site
442 Adelaide Street North
London, Ontario, Canada
(519) 673-1752, Ext. 226

Grant.Maltman@diabetes.ca

• August 2009 •

Craigwood confirms board for 2009-2010

LONDON, ON – All sitting members of the Board of Directors at Craigwood Youth Services are returning for another year of service. The annual meeting of the board recently reviewed its membership and confirmed its policies regarding the number of members and requirements for quorum.

In an eventful year, the board welcomed its newest member, Ann Freeman, and saw the retirement of its past Chair, Monte Black. All of the Craigwood community also mourned the passing of Rev. Clare Weidman, who served on the Craigwood board for more than 25 years.

• August 2009 •

Craigwood Youth Services Welcomes Lyn Ibson To Board Of Directors

LONDON, ON – The Board of Directors for Craigwood Youth Services has accepted the nomination of Lyn Ibson, Creative Director of Marketing Strategies & Solutions, as a member of the Board, effective February, 2008.

Craigwood has been providing services to youth for over 50 years, beginning as a residential boys' farm run by the Mennonite Committee of Ontario. Since that time, Craigwood has evolved into one of Ontario’s most respected Children's Mental Health Centres.

Ibson said his interest in Craigwood work was piqued by his consultations with Robert Adeland, a former Craigwood Director and President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions. “I knew of Craigwood previously, but only in a limited way,” Ibson said. “I suspect that few people recognize the real scope of Craigwood’s mandate, or of its stature in the mental health community. As a board member, I hope I can offer some ideas and guidance to raise public appreciation of how much Craigwood does to support our kids and our families.”

According to Ibson, Craigwood has a well-composed board drawing from many resources in the community: legal, financial, education, police, social services and parents. “The leadership at Craigwood is outstanding,” he says, “from our Board chair, Barbara Decker-Pierce, and our Executive Director, Lothar Liehmann and throughout an extraordinarily dedicated management group. Despite this, Craigwood faces continuing challenges. Resources and funding are chronically scant, while the mental health needs of Ontario’s youth keep growing. The staff is committed to being the one place that families can depend on: to “help the hardest to serve,” so no youth in need is turned away by our mental health services system.”

With day treatment and residential programs based in London and Ailsa Craig, Ontario, Craigwood provides a continuum of care and counselling services to adolescents and their families in Southwestern Ontario. Clients are referred to Craigwood by other social service and youth justice agencies as well as by self-referral.

For information on Craigwood, contact:

Craigwood Youth Services
520 Hamilton Road
London, ON N5Z 1S4
(519) 432-2623
www.craigwood.on.ca

• March 2008 •

Marketing Strategies & Solutions welcomes Brian Lowe to client service team

London, ON – Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Lowe as Vice President, Client Services.

“We have known and worked together with Brian as an effective team for many years,” Adeland said. “We’re excited to have a person of his experience and character to join us in bringing exceptional service to our clients.”

Brian Lowe is well known throughout the heavy equipment industry as a knowledgeable and creative marketer for some of the industry’s leading equipment manufacturers. Most recently, he served as Communications Manager and as Product Manager for Volvo Construction Equipment and its line of motor graders and was an active participant for many years on Volvo CE’s Global Marketing Council.

Established by Robert Adeland in 1997, Marketing Strategies & Solutions has found a successful niche in the marketing world as a specialist in integrated communication services for industrial manufacturers and other business-to-business clients. The firm is one of a few advertising agencies in North America to be admitted as members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Major clients in Canada and the United States include Volvo Road Machinery, SENNEBOGEN America, Titan Trailers, Winkle Industries, SMS Rents and Sommers Motor Generator Sales. The agency also serves numerous manufacturers and business services local to London, Ontario.

In his new position with Marketing Strategies & Solutions, Lowe will specialize in the development of new business from North America’s manufacturing sector. Lowe was instrumental to the successful international launch of the new G900 family of Volvo motor graders, developing a communications strategy to lead its introduction through the internal buy-in process at the senior executive level, through the Volvo sales channel and finishing with the end-user launch at industry trade shows. Previously, Lowe led the development of many programs and events to support equipment sales representatives and educate customers. Editors of trade publications have frequently consulted with him for expert insight into equipment applications.

Prior to joining Volvo, Lowe filled several product planning and customer support roles in the forestry equipment industry with firms such as John Deere and Timberjack. In 1986, he began his career with Champion Road Machinery. Throughout his career, Lowe has acquired significant international and domestic industry experience, attending corporate and dealer events as well as visiting end-use customers globally. He has earned industry recognition through awards sponsored by Construction Equipment magazine, Better Roads magazine and the PICA “Measures of Excellence” program sponsored by AEM.

In taking on his newest position, Lowe remarked, “Marketing Strategies & Solutions has proven to me that its approach to ‘breaking new ground’ provides a strong foundation for helping manufacturers advance to their next level of growth, whatever it may be. I look forward to bringing this opportunity to innovative and ambitious businesses throughout Ontario, Canada and the US.”

• June 2009 •

International awards recognize work of London advertising agency

London, ON – Two different international organizations recently honored the work of London Ontario’s Marketing Strategies & Solutions for excellence in creative communications. Established by Robert Adeland in 1997, Marketing Strategies & Solutions has found a successful niche in the marketing world as a specialist in integrated communication services for industrial manufacturers and other business-to-business clients.

Advertising and public relations programs produced by the agency in 2008 earned top honors from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and from the Summit International Awards.

Adeland notes that the two awards provide a good reflection of the company’s core values. “Great marketing is rooted in a strong image and compelling story,” he says. “We’re very proud that one of these awards recognizes an image-based campaign to bring a new corporate and storefront brand name into the market, while the other is for a story-rich package of new features for the launch of a new product line.”

Marketing Strategies & Solutions is a registered member of AEM, an international association of equipment manufacturers for the construction and agriculture industry. AEM sponsors the annual PICA “Measures of Success” awards program. This year, AEM gave its top award for Press Release Packages (in the under $50 million category) to a series of announcements and photographs prepared by Marketing Strategies & Solutions. This press kit was part of the introduction of the new Production Class machines from Champion Motor Graders of Charlotte, NC. The news package was part of a complete launch program created by the agency for the tri-annual ConExpo heavy equipment exhibition in Las Vegas which included having George Chuvalo, a true Champion in attendance to meet and greet visitors to the booth.

The Summit International Awards (SIA) organization was created specifically to honor creative excellence in small and medium-sized advertising agencies. Over the past 14 years, the Summit Creative Awards have grown to attract entries from more than 50 countries. This year, the Summits awarded a Silver prize to the new brand image launched last year when the Komatsu Rents network of equipment rental stores had changed its name to SMS Rents. Marketing Strategies & Solutions also developed the advertising, website and sales literature to support the rebranding program image for their Mississauga-based client in both English and French.

• April 2009 •

Canadian Diabetes Association Southwest Region Office (London & District Branch) gets “The Full Meal Deal” for annual fundraiser

London, ON – Over the past 27 years, a local fundraiser known simply as “The Meal” has become the highlight on the calendar of the Southwest Region Office (London & District Branch) of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). Behind the scenes, Marketing Strategies & Solutions has been busy making sure that the organizers of The Meal are able to reap every reward from their signature event.

The Meal is one of London’s premiere fundraising dinners, where guests are wined and dined by a “Who’s Who” of London area chefs. The 2009 Edition of The Meal, served on April 19th, was hosted at the Ballroom of The Hilton London. This year, the menu, prepared under the watchful eye of Todd Pylypiw, Executive Chef at The Hilton, included a Champagne and Caviar, a Martini Ice Luge, Canapés, Wild and Tame Mushroom Soup, Crab Cake and Fennel Salad, Shrimp Caesar Sorbet, Beef Rosenborg and a Dessert Extravaganza.

“The Meal is one of our favourite events, too,” says Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions. “We made the commitment to become a Platinum sponsor because, in all the years that we have been helping out the CDA locally, The Meal stands as a recurring success.”

While the chefs at The Meal are on the front line, donating their time and talents to help fight diabetes, Adeland and his team work quietly in the background to support the cause. Their Production Manager, Mina Thaler, serves on The Meal’s organizing committee. The logo, letterhead, invitations and menus are produced in the agency’s creative studio each year. Adeland also prevails upon his colleagues in the printing business to donate their services. After the dinner, the CDA presented each participating chef with a thank you gift, again contributed by Marketing Strategies & Solutions. This year, Adeland provided the French-made sterling silver Parker Pens, trimmed with 23K gold plate.

“London has been the home to all our success at Marketing Strategies & Solutions,” Adeland says, “and the CDA has been an important part of my family for many years, too. As one of our clients would say, ‘If you can, do!’ I just feel very privileged that we are able to do our part to give back to our community.”

According to Jane Cunningham, the former Executive Director of the London & District Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association, “People like Robert and Mina help make The Meal successful every year. We count on their support and they are always there.”

For more information on The Meal, contact:
Mina Thaler - Marketing Strategies & Solutions
(519) 432-8327
mina@marketingstrategiesandsolutions.com

• March 2009 •

Marketing Strategies & Solutions initiative creates special fund for Banting House National Historic Site’s Curator

London, ON – Grant Maltman, Curator of Banting House National Historic Site (BHNHS) and Robert Adeland, President of Marketing Strategies & Solutions began planning a unique fundraising program a few years ago. The objective was to provide BHNHS with some of its own funding. “As a museum, we need to have discretionary funds that will allow us to acquire Tier 1 artifacts that tell the Banting history,” said Maltman.

This led to the creation of Banting’s 4 Seasons. According to Adeland, this is a work in progress and at this time, is half-way through its mandate. With two of Banting’s pieces of original artwork, each was painstakingly scanned to maintain the integrity of the color and then printed on archival quality paper. “By only printing 250 copies, we have created a unique series of artwork by one of Canada’s greatest Canadians,” said Adeland. “Furthermore, to ensure the validity of each copy, they have been numbered, signed and authenticated by Grant.”

They both felt that with the potential to raise $250,000 that the Canadian Diabetes Association would be able to dedicate the funds it raises to achieving its mandate of research, service, education and advocacy.

Maltman was very appreciative of Marketing Strategies & Solutions. “They took all the risk off the table and to date, we have raised just over $70,000.

To learn more about Dr. Banting the artist, his relationship with A.Y. Jackson and to have an insight to his artistic vision and his love of the Canadian Landscape, click on either or both of the 2 PDF files. Find out how to own a limited edition print from one of Canada’s world-renowned physician, humanitarian and artist.

To learn more about diabetes, visit the Canadian Diabetes Association’s website.

· BHNHS Official "Eastern Arctic" Letter [PDF]
· Limited Edition Prints Information [PDF]

• January 2008 •

LEA Conference promotion earns Summit International Award for MS&S

"All the Right Connections," an innovative event promotion developed for the London Executives Association (LEA), was able to connect with judges of the Summit International Awards as well as connecting international association members with the annual conference hosted in London, Ontario.

When LEA was chosen to host the gathering for its parent organization, the International Executives Association (IEA), organizers turned to Marketing Strategies & Solutions for help attracting members to the city. The result was a customized business card wallet containing 40 business card-sized "mini-posters" of area attractions and hospital sites.

As Lyn Ibson, Creative Director for MS&S, explained: "LEA is all about making connections with prospective business peers and allies. The business card is a primary communications tool for members, so it seemed the natural way to communicate a wide range of things to see and do in London." Each card described a single tourism site or business resource in the region and provided contact information to help members to plan their visit. A similar format was used to enclose event information such as travel directions, menus and seminar schedules. Wallets filled with the cards were hand-delivered to attending members at the previous year's conference in California, then mailed to remaining members.

The Summit International Awards were created to recognize and celebrate the creative accomplishments of small and medium sized advertising agencies and other creative companies throughout the world with annual billings of under $25 million.

Over the last decade, the competition has established itself as the premier arbiter of creative excellence for firms of this size.

Companies and individuals from more than 50 countries and five continents participate in its awards programs. Using rigorous evaluative criteria and blind judging processes, its competitions reward those firms truly deserving of special recognition.

• June 2006 •