PR/Marketing

Q LTD recruits intern, adds Portlandian to staff

By Newsroom

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February 26, 2014

QLTD made a couple of solid hires in the last year, one from within and another from across the country. The downtown Ann Arbor-based firm, it calls Kerrytown home, hired one of its interns recently, expanding the company’s staff to 13 employees. The 30-plus-year-old firm also recruited a web designer from Portland to join its team earlier last year. "She found us online and was intrigued," says Paul Koch, creative strategist at Q LTD. "It was a good hire. She was just a good fit." Q LTD specializes in corporate branding and building an online presence for businesses. Some of its recent projects include designing the online presence of TOA Wellness, a handheld workout device that debuted at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It also redesigned the branding and built the web presence for the American Concrete Institute, which hadn't undergone a rebranding in about half a century. "We want to continue to grow and do good work for our clients," Koch says. "We also want to grow the work we do with Q Gmbh." Q Gmbh is a design firm based in Germany. Q LTD has been doing work with the Q Gmbh for years and it has grown that workload over in recent years. Source: Paul Koch, creative strategist at Q LTD Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

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Logic Solutions hires 6 as it builds out software products

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Economic Development

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January 15, 2014

Logic Solutions likes to find interns at the University of Michigan. The tech firm currently has four U-M student interns who are pursuing environmental and computer engineering degrees. "My goal is to hire at least two of these interns," says Bruce Richardson, president of Logic Solutions. That would go with the six people Logic Solutions has hired over the last year. Those hires include a senior-level technical architect, product manager and a marketing director. Logic Solutions is leveraging that new talent to continue the build out of its software. The Ann Arbor-based firm makes custom software programs and mobile apps. It has also been working on developing its own software platforms, such as its Showcase mobile sales app for iPads. Richardson expects sales of that to gain significantly in 2014. He also has some big expectations for its Quantum Compliance software platform. The software helps businesses implement and maintain compliance with Environmental Health & Safety standards. Logic Solutions acquired the company that created the Quantum Compliance software a couple of years ago and Richardson is looking for it to play a major part in Logic Solutions’ growth this year. "We anticipate the revenue from that will triple in 2014," Richardson says. "If I am a betting man, I would bet that this is where the bulk of our growth will come from in 2014." Source: Bruce Richardson, president of Logic Solutions Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Pure Visibility finds inspiration in new, innovative clients

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Arts & Culture

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December 18, 2013

Pure Visibility doesn't just hold up its work with pride, but its clients, too. The downtown Ann Arbor-based firm services a wide variety of businesses looking for more visibility on the Internet and social media. Among the newest is Novelis, which is developing new, innovative and more sustainable ways to use aluminum, such as in beverage cans. "It's inspiring to work with them," says Linda Girard, president & CEO of Pure Visibility. The 8-year-old company is also finding inspiration in its new office mates. Pure Visibility took over the old Menlo Innovations space in Kerrytown last year. Today it shares that space with software firms Blue Newt and Kontextual. "They fit into our ecosystem quite nicely," Girard says. "It's just a great vibe." Pure Visibility has hired three people over the last year, including professionals in search engine optimization, marketing and business development. It now has a staff of a dozen employees and one intern-turned-independent contractor. Girard hopes to add more people in 2014 as her firm looks to create more original, compelling content. That could mean work for both writers and videographers. "There is a big growth in content generation," Girard says. "Mobile is also a piece of the puzzle. I need the right people to pull off these social media-marketing strategies." Source: Linda Girard, president & CEO of Pure Visibility Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor’s re:group hires 4, looks to add 6 more

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Economic Development

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October 23, 2013

Digital marketing agency re:group is quickly reaching the point where it needs to make a decision. Add more office space or start thinking of innovative ways to accommodate its new employees, like stacking desks on top of each other. Actually, that last option probably isn't feasible. Look for re:group to handle its growth in a more traditional manner. "We're looking at adding space because we're running out of places to put people," Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group. The downtown Ann Arbor-based company has hired four people over the last year, expanding its staff to 25 people. It is also looking to make six hires, specifically for positions in computer programming, account executive and social media, among others. It is also looking for an intern. Behind re:group's growth is a jump in its overall workload. The 10-year-old company has kept its existing clients, like DTE Energy and Health Plus, while also adding a number of new customers. Its new clients include Tutor Doctor and Community Bank & Trust of Florida. "We tripled our revenue last year," Jernigan says. "It's a combination of hard work and bringing in new clients." Jernigan expect this growth curve to continue through as re:group keeps focusing on grow its business in the normal sectors it serves, such as bio-tech, financial services and franchising. "This is where we continue to grow and attract clients," Jernigan says. Source: Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Universal Marketing Group plans to hire 150 in Ann Arbor

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Economic Development

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October 23, 2013

Universal Marketing Group is opening a new call center in Ann Arbor this month, an investment that is expected to created 150 new jobs much sooner rather than later. "We're planning to have that staffed with 150 people by the end of the year," says Jason Birch, partner & CFO of Universal Marketing Group. The 10-year-old company has grown at its Toledo headquarters each time it has needed to expand. This time it the company decided it needed a second location to help supplement its growth. Its founders spend a lot of time in Ann Arbor. They like its proximity to the company's headquarters and the depth of Tree Town's talent pool. "We needed scalability and a community of Ann Arbor's size and diversity gives us that option," Birch says. He adds that all 150 jobs are open now and that they range from call center operators to supervisors to administrative. Interviewing for these jobs is expected to begin before the end of the month. Universal Marketing Group will occupy the former Borders headquarters in a deal brokered with the help of Ann Arbor SPARK. It received $600,000 in incentives from the Michigan Economic Development Corp to make the $575,000 investment to create the call center. The project could expand to 400 new jobs by 2016. Source: Jason Birch, partner & CFO of Universal Marketing Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Hile Creative adds 3 new hires as it rebrands itself

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Economic Development

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September 11, 2013

Hile Creative has made its share of business-plan pivots in its 29 years, making the switch from a design firm to an advertising agency, among others. Now the Ann Arbor-based company rebranded itself again earlier this year, focusing on its strengths in branding and web development. It has also hired three people over the last year, expanding its team to 11 employees. “I’m really happy to have a team now that I feel is the best we have had in our 29 years,” says Dave Hile, founder & president of Hile Creative. Some parts of Hile Creative are the same. It still does a lot of work with toy companies and local start-ups working with Ann Arbor SPARK. And some larger local bio-tech companies such as Esperion Therapeutics and Aastrom Biosciences are among its clientele. The firm also works with the University of Michigan. “We love having an eclectic client base,” Hile says. Source: Dave Hile, founder & president of Hile Creative Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Whole Brain Group focuses on keeping double-digit growth

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Economic Development

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August 21, 2013

The Whole Brain Group likes the idea of controlled growth. The Ann Arbor-based digital marketing firm has grown quickly at times in its 11 years. That accelerated growth came at a cost. So much so that Marisa Smith, the company's CEO, is just fine with the 20 percent revenue growth it has notched over the last year. "We're hoping to keep going at that same pace," Smith says. "I am hoping to add a few more people next year. The Whole Brain Group has hired one person over the last year, expanding its staff to 10 employees and two interns. The recent hire is a University of Michigan graduate who was working part-time and is now full-time. Smith is also looking to hire one more. The Whole Brain Group got its start providing software services, think building websites, before expanding into more digital marketing services. It is now focusing more on inbound marketing and generating sales leads for it customers, such as helping their employees with phone skills and customer service. "We are becoming more and more focused on the sales process and helping make sure more sales are successful," Smith says. Source: Marisa Smith, CEO of The Whole Brain Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Clarity Quest grows into new Stadium Blvd. location

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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July 17, 2013

Growth is nothing new for Ann Arbor's Clarity Quest Marketing, which has been adding staff, increasing revenues, and adding new locations at a regular clip. Now, all of that growth has led the business to expand into a new, 800 square-foot location on Stadium Blvd. "We were getting a little cramped," says Christine Slocumb, president of Clarity Quest Marketing. "We moved for the purposes of having more conference room space, and free parking for our clients." In its downtown Ann Arbor location, Clarity Quest shared meeting space with a neighboring business. Now with its own dedicated conference room, Slocumb says the company can focus more on training, as well as other areas of the business that require more space. "We have a lot more room for creative sessions and brainstorming with clients," says Slocumb. "We've been getting a lot of requests for strategic work, so that really demands a lot of brainstorming." Clarity Quest moved into its new location on July 1. Slocumb anticipates the business to continue to grow, adding up to two additional full-time staff over the next year, as well as two more interns in the near future. Source: Christine Slocumb, Clarity Quest Writer: Natalie Burg

Phire Group moves to downtown Ann Arbor, adds 4 to staff

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Economic Development

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July 10, 2013

Phire Group, formerly Phire Branding Co, not only has a new name but a new home in downtown Ann Arbor. The full-service marketing company has hired four people in the last year, expanding its staff to 16 employees and an intern. That meant the company had to move into bigger space to accommodate both its growth and its culture. The new office is more open and collaborative. "It's bigger and more conducive to our company and its growth," says Jim Hume, principal of Phire Group. "We wanted a space that is uniquely us." Hume credits his company's expansion to a "growing slowly philosophy" that has served it well over its time. The firm has not only expanded its work with existing clients, but has added a few new ones. Because of that the firm is looking to consolidate its gains this year and is being picky with which clients it brings on. "We have a lot of momentum," Hume says. Source: Jim Hume, principal of Phire Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

NewFoundry grows to 12 employees, aims for headcount of 20

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Economic Development

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July 10, 2013

NewFoundry is a new company; a combination of a branding agency, Lingo Definition + Design, with local mobile app and software engineers. NewFoundry now specializes in bringing marketing and technology ideas from the napkin to reality. The nearly 1-year-old company aims to serve as the one-stop shop for the development of its customers' ideas. "We realized there is a real gap in the market place for this type of company," says Scott Hauman, partner & chief strategy officer of NewFoundry. "We like to call ourselves an idea manufacturing company." NewFoundry has now grown to 12 employees and plans to hit 20 people within the next year. It also recently moved into extra space at the Grafaktri building on North Main Street overlooking the Huron River. NewFoundry is also looking at transitioning to shifting more of its revenue to the technology it creates for itself. The firm's revenue is currently split 70 percent from clients and 30 percent from its own products. Hauman would like to flip those percentages over the next year. "We want to be launching our own products," he says, adding his firm has three mobile apps it plans to launch later this month. NewFoundry has also been selected as a Beta tester for Google Glass. Hauman expects to pick up the technology and begin experimenting with it later this week. Source: Scott Hauman, partner & chief strategy officer of NewFoundry Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.