Category: News

Visibility Marketing Inc. Joins Trade Mission to Canary Islands
By Categories: News

(Cleveland, Ohio) — Visibility Marketing Inc. is one of nine U.S. companies in the Canary Islands this week on a trade mission exploring opportunities on the Islands as well as West Africa. Companies from four states and Washington, D.C. are participating in the mission.

“Africa presents an incredible opportunity for the entire U.S. business community,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Antwaun Griffin. “The economic growth and market diversity on the continent mean there are opportunities for companies in just about any sector, and I’m glad to see such a strong delegation of businesses participating in this mission.”

The mission is organized by the Virginia and Washington, D.C. District Export Council, and certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It will connect companies to government decision-makers from eight West African markets, facilitate business-to-business appointments with pre-screened potential partners in the region, and include technical site visits across the Canary Islands.

Visibility Marketing Inc.  delivers energy management and smart water management solutions that integrate strategic marketing and management consulting to public utilities and public-sector infrastructure planning organizations. Areas of specialization include electric grid modernization (Smart Grid) and Smart Water Management.

“Emerging African nations represent unlimited opportunity within the renewable energy and water sectors,” said Chief Executive Officer, Montrie Rucker Adams. “Developing strategic partnerships within the Canary Islands allow us to explore new global markets and plan our strategy for the African continent.”

Visibility Marketing Inc. is also participating in the Africagua Conference, an event for renewable energy and water firms connecting to development opportunities in the region.

West Africa had the strongest economic growth on the continent in 2014, and the Canary Islands’ network of ports makes it an excellent launching point for entering multiple West African markets. The Canaries also boast a stable legal framework under the EU, and a low four percent corporate tax rate.

This trade mission is an important part of the United States’ Doing Business in Africa campaign, and comes two months after the U.S. Commercial Service led Trade Winds—Africa, the largest-ever U.S. trade mission to the continent. The U.S. government has committed billions of dollars to development initiatives in Africa, and has facilitated billions more in U.S.-Africa business deals since the start of the Doing Business in Africa campaign.

###

Visibility Marketing Inc. Wins Bid for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program in Ohio
By Categories: News

Cleveland, OH – Visibility Marketing Inc. was awarded a contract to develop three statewide tobacco cessation and prevention marketing campaigns in Ohio. The State of Ohio Department of Health Services awarded the contract as part of their Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program. The campaigns will launch in 2015 and focus on three key areas: Preventing tobacco initiation, increasing smoking cessation, and raising awareness on the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Ohio’s adult smoking prevalence rate is significantly higher than the national rate—with over two million adults in Ohio who are current smokers. “We are pleased and excited to work with the State of Ohio Department of Health on this initiative. Ohio’s smoking rate is nearly double that of the state’s recommended target rate. We hope to contribute to lowering those numbers,” said Montrie Rucker Adams, President and Chief Visibility Officer for Visibility Marketing Inc.

Visibility Marketing Inc. will collaborate with Better World Advertising (BWA), a leading social marketing agency headquartered in San Francisco, to design the three targeted campaigns. “Better World Advertising is honored to partner with Visibility Marketing Inc. and we are excited to contribute our expertise to develop hard-hitting campaigns to help drive down Ohio’s tobacco use and improve health,” said Les Pappas, BWA President and Creative Director.

 ###

 Visibility Marketing Inc. specializes stakeholder engagement. We help companies with creative education and behavior modification—with a particular interest in sustaining our planet. Through strategic and effective marketing communications and public relations campaigns, companies become “more visible”—thus increasing their public awareness and ultimately impacting the bottom line.

Better World Advertising is a leading social marketing agency with offices in San Francisco, New York City and Washington, D.C. BWA improves society by designing and implementing social marketing campaigns that achieve high levels of community education, self-efficacy and beneficial behavior change. BWA’s services cover every component of social marketing—from needs assessment and formative research, to message development and testing, all types of production, media planning and buying, public relations and earned media, and impact monitoring and evaluation.

CBC Magazine Article: IPG Connects Self-employed PR Pros
By Categories: News Tags: , , , , ,

This article first appeared in CBC Magazine
By Lauren Sable Freiman | Photo by Jim Baron

Being self-employed certainly has many advantages. But camaraderie and the opportunity to bounce ideas around the office typically aren’t among those advantages. That’s where the Independent Practitioners Group steps in to fill a very real void.

montrie rucker adams, IPG

A support group for self-employed public relations and marketing professionals, IPG started as a subgroup of the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 1990. In 2001 the group broke off to become an independent networking group, focused on addressing the unique needs of those who work independently.

“There is a certain amount of isolation you deal with when you are self-employed, and this is one avenue to get out and mix and mingle with peers,” Jim Tabaczynski, IPGs co-chair and president of JPT Group, says.

Almost 80 percent of the group’s 15-20 paid members are female and have been working in the industry for an average of eight years. Most members work from home but not all. Montrie Rucker Adams, IPG’s co-chair and treasurer, houses her business, Visibility Marketing Inc. in an office outside of her home.

“There is a great camaraderie among members. There are a lot of emails going back and forth where people ask who knows about this or who can help me with that,” she says.

IPG hosts monthly lunch meetings from September through May at restaurants around the city. The format varies between professional development and open roundtables, and the content is driven by member wants and needs. A roundtable discussion where members shared their favorite apps was a big hit among members, Tabaczynski says.

As the public relations and marketing industry is dynamic and ever changing, members are especially interested in programs on things like pay-per-click advertising and mobile apps, which provide them with new ways of reaching people.

“We always ask our members what they want,” Tabaczynski says. “The best way to find new programs is to listen to your members.”

According to Rucker Adams, IPG has hosted conferences in the past, including one on social media. As a small networking group, IPG is also open to partnering with other networking organizations to co-sponsor programs. One such program was a meet and greet with tech writers from Crain’s Cleveland Business and The Plain Dealer, which IPG co-hosted with the Northeast Ohio Software Association.

“Our members always enjoy meeting with the media. It is a program that seems to resonate the most with people,” Tabaczynski says. “What we usually tell the media is that we want to learn how to work with you better and we want you to be able to work with us better. We ask what types of stories they are looking for, what they aren’t looking for, and what they consider to be their geographic footprint.”

Though some members have similar businesses and are competitors, Rucker Adams says that, nonetheless, IPG members serve as a strong support system to other members.

“We are very big on passing information, and there are many opportunities to gain clients as well,” she says. “There is always an opportunity to get a new perspective. The more varied voices you have, the more opportunity you have to learn.”

For more information: IPGCleveland.org

Crains Cleveland Business Article: Montrie Rucker Adams, president and chief visibility officer, Visibility Marketing Inc.
By Categories: News Tags: , , ,

Purple2Originally Published in Crains Cleveland Business: November 16, 2014

Earlier this year, Crain’s Cleveland Business formed an 11-member minority advisory board to provide objective, constructive input on minority-based issues for Crain’s. The Crain’s Business Diversity Council has met regularly since April. This is one in a series of profiles of its members.

Montrie Rucker Adams is a seasoned communications professional, yet she still has had her abilities called into question despite her qualifications.The president and chief visibility officer for Visibility Marketing Inc. of Beachwood said diversity and inclusion are issues that still need to be addressed. “No matter where you are, there’s this segregation that seems to naturally happen,” she said. “It’s still going on, it’s still happening. … It’s the 2000s and people are still running from each other.” Adams, who also has worked as director of publications for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; as manager of marketing and public relations for the Health Museum of Cleveland; and as editor of Kaleidoscope magazine, is not one to sit back, however. Not only is she a member of the newly formed Crain’s Business Diversity Council, she’s been involved in a variety of community organizations and efforts, including the East End Neighborhood House and Continue Life Inc., a homeless shelter and transitional housing program for expecting and parenting young women.Adams also is passionate about her work with the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women at Case Western Reserve University.

“I am truly a women’s advocate,” she said. “When it comes to women, we’re still just treading water … sometimes just standing still.”

She even has made inclusion part of her everyday work at Visibility Marketing, implementing a practice of what she calls “Smart Inclusion.” It builds off the concept that innovation requires collaboration that crosses boundaries that we used to avoid or ignore.

Too often, she said, it is human nature for people to look for people like themselves — whether it’s in news coverage, the world of business or other circles.

“It’s the same old, same old,” she said. “That’s what happens when you don’t open your circle wide enough.”

It’s for that reason that Adams is encouraged by the Crain’s Diversity Council and her involvement with it. “It’s a positive step in the right direction,” she said.

Adams, a Northeast Ohio native who now lives is Richmond Heights, earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and psychology from Baldwin-Wallace College and her master’s degree in business administration (marketing/marketing management) from the University of North Carolina.

She and her husband, with whom she works at Visibility Marketing, have two children, ages 11 and 13.— Amy Ann Stoessel

Visibility Marketing Inc. & the 8(a) Certification
By Categories: Featured, News

Visibility Marketing Inc. is thrilled and eager to participate in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program.  It was a difficult process and we’re happy that we are in!

The nine-year program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the government’s market place. Thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs like us (and you!) are able to gain a foothold on government business.

By participating in the program, Visibility Marketing Inc. can receive sole-source contracts. But we can also form joint ventures, like the one we’ve formed with Möbius Grey (Mö-Vis).

If you’re interested in becoming 8(a) certified, give us a call. We can explain our experiences and point you in the right direction.

Visibility Marketing Inc. Gets New Logo!
By Categories: Featured, News

It’s time! To celebrate it’s tenth anniversary and the move into sustainability initiatives, Visibility Marketing Inc. has a new, re-designed logo. After ten years, we thought this is a great time to spruce it up and go for something a little different. It’s interesting how, as my mother would say, “time brings about a change.”

Ten years ago it was very expensive to print a document using more than one color. So, as a new company and thinking economically, we went with one color in different shades. The printing industry is definitely different now. Four colors, spots colors…these are no longer words to fear in printing.

We’ve added green to show our appreciation for energy conservation, sustainability and saving our natural resources – the Earth.
What Our Colors Mean:

Purple: Purple is a color favored by creative types. With its blend of passionate red and tranquil blue, it evokes mystery, sophistication, spirituality and royalty.

Green: Green connotes nature, health, freshness and serenity. It represents growth, nature, and money.

There is still the distinguishable V and M with a 3D feel. When you see the logo, we hope you see what we see, that Visibility Marketing is looking forward to ten more years with a focus on a future of “green” and “innovation.”
Sources: Entrepreneur.com and digitalskratch.com

Be More Visible! And The Power of Ten
By Categories: Be More Visible, Featured, News, Uncategorized

The number ten signifies completeness. It implies that nothing is wanting. Ten is a very significant number so far for me in 2010. Here’s why:

~We launched the much needed and very helpful booklet Be More Visible! Create More Interest in You, Your Product or Service

~We celebrated Visibility Marketing’s tenth anniversary in October (tenth month), with Don’t Drop the Dream! a fundraiser for Continue Life, a homeless shelter for pregnant and parenting women.

~Over 100 people attended Don’t Drop the Dream!

~I was ten when I first visited my father’s company and decided I wanted to own a business

~Visibility Marketing won COSE’s Ten Under 10 Award for best practices in innovation, growth/success, value to the community and the environment, diversity promotion and customer service.

I’ve just listed five (half of ten) significant tens for Visibility Marketing. The first ten people who email me will receive the new booklet, Be More Visible! Create More Interest in You, Your Product or Service.

In it are more than 60 (six times ten) ways to tell others about you or what you have to offer. Using these tips at least once a week will create mre visibility, which often leads to more sales.

Thanks in advance for your support and continue to Be More Visible!

A Celebration of Tenacity
By Categories: Featured, News

Don’t Drop the Dream! was a celebration of tenacity, perseverance and hope. Thank you to everyone who attended and an even greater thank you to those who supported Continue Life, a homeless shelter for pregnant and parenting women.

The over 100 guests at the Italian eatery Massimo da Milano enjoyed the jazz sounds of Cecil Rucker & Good Vibes featuring Nancy Redd. Nancy sang passionately and accompanied the band on flute. International recording artist and author Kelly Chapman soulfully treated the guests to several inspirational songs not featured on her two CDs Real and Great is Your Grace. Continue reading A Celebration of Tenacity

VMI Wins COSE”s Sixth Annual Ten Under 10 Award
By Categories: Events, Featured, News

For six years Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) has recognized businesses with ten or fewer employees who have demonstrated best practices in innovation, growth/success, value to the community and the environment, promoting diversity and excellence in customer service.

This year, Visibility Marketing is proud to be a recipient of COSE’s sixth annual Ten Under 10 Awards. The award was presented to Montrie Rucker Adams and Todd Q. Adams during the luncheon at COSE’s annual conference at Cleveland’s International Exposition (IX) Center.

This has been a great 10 years for Visibility Marketing. We are looking forward to providing additional innovative marketing and communications services in the area sustainability.

Tenth Anniversary Celebration-Don’t Drop The Dream
By Categories: Events, News

It is difficult being young, single and pregnant. Now imagine being young, single, pregnant and homeless. Unfortunately, that’s the plight of over 1000 women and children each year in Greater Cleveland who find their way to Continue Life Inc., a homeless shelter and transitional housing program for pregnant and parenting women.

Continue reading Tenth Anniversary Celebration-Don’t Drop The Dream

260 Ways to Be More Visible
By Categories: Be More Visible, Blog, News

For the tenth anniversary of Visibility Marketing Inc., we’ve compiled a list of 365 260 ways to “be more visible.” They are quick and easy.  Nothing hard.  Nothing new.  It’s only a matter of incorporating the old Nike tagline philosophy “just do it.”

We started out with 365 but then realized, why work them on the weekends?  We’ll just give them enough for Monday through Friday and let them rest and play the other two days.  Now, if you’re really ambitious we can have that conversation.

So, if you want to be “more visible” just do one of these a day.  Or, you can do one of these for 5 days, or 25 days.  If you get bored with one, choose another. It’s all a matter of working it until it works.

Now sign on to Twitter and follow @BeMoreVisible to get your visibility for today.