MADISON, Wis., Nov. 29, 2012 –Waterloo (Wis.) world-class bicycle manufacturer Trek and Madison bio-products company Virent have joined the state’s business climate marketing initiative, “In Wisconsin,” to promote the benefits of doing business in Wisconsin. The “In Wisconsin” integrated marketing campaign, sponsored by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), brands Wisconsin’s business climate and promotes the benefits of starting, expanding or locating a business in Wisconsin. The campaign targets business owners in the state as well as those in neighboring states.
“The initial eight weeks of the campaign highlighted three companies – Organic Valley, Rockwell Automation and Schneider National,” said Kelly Lietz, vice president of marketing for WEDC. “Like the first three, Trek and Virent embody the state’s pioneering spirit and heritage of innovation, key attributes of our state’s business climate. Through this campaign, we are able to convey the link between their success and where their stories take place – in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin’s economic assets include: a concentration of industry clusters with worldwide market significance—water, biosciences and renewable energy/clean technology; its investment in education that fuels cutting-edge research and a skilled workforce; low business operating costs; and a highly responsive network of economic development partners throughout the state.
The campaign runs through 2013 and is designed to engage business leaders and entrepreneurs by directing them to online videos that detail each company’s strong state ties. It uses social media channels to expand reach and engagement and includes marketing materials for economic development partners throughout the state to maximize marketing impact. Direct outreach to key target audiences such as site selectors is also planned.
As part of the initiative, inwisconsin.com became WEDC’s new web address, and a website expansion project is underway. The marketing agency partnering with WEDC on the project is Nelson Schmidt Inc. of Milwaukee and Madison, a leading full-service business-to-business agency.
About Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), formed in 2011 as a public-private entity, leads economic development efforts for the state and nurtures business growth and job creation by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. In addition to Wisconsin’s strong legacy industries of agriculture and manufacturing, recent growth has occurred in water technology, renewable energy, bio-sciences, health care, and food processing. In 2012 Wisconsin was ranked No. 20 in Chief Executive Magazine’s “Best States for Business” and No. 17 as a top state for business by CNBC. WEDC partners with 650 economic development organizations throughout Wisconsin to serve businesses looking to start, grow or relocate. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation, and international business development. Visit inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.
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