Ann Arbor SPARK Awarded IEDC Excellence Award for New Media Marketing

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK was recently honored for its New Media marketing efforts with a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Details on Ann Arbor SPARK's new media marketing strategy are offered in a new video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwemMhzhulw

"Ann Arbor SPARK markets the region to a diverse audience, including entrepreneurs to site selectors to investors.  To successfully reach these different groups, it's important for our marketing efforts to be robust and varied," said Donna Doleman, Ann Arbor SPARK vice president, marketing and communications. "Broadening our marketing efforts to include innovative new uses of technology has been incredibly effective in promoting the region as a destination for business success both nationally and globally. It's this international prestige that gives us an edge when marketing the region."

Ann Arbor SPARK's integrated marketing plan is designed to deliver consistent messaging across a range of new media: Social media, online newsletters, website, videos and podcasts.  As part of a new, strategic approach to marketing, Ann Arbor SPARK integrated new media with "traditional" marketing platforms, including print collateral materials, press releases, email campaigns, direct communication with stakeholders and clients, and information boards at its incubators.

By implementing a new, integrated approach to marketing, Ann Arbor SPARK has been able to broaden its reach national and globally, extend its messaging and more fully engage its target audiences.  In doing so, the organization has improved awareness of the region as a destination for business growth.  

IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. These awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

About Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base.  From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC's members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.www.iedconline.org.

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK