Gerard Design Certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerard Design, an award-winning integrated branding and marketing communications firm, has recently been certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). The company is also certified as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE Certification) and as a small business through the Small Business Administration (SBA Certification).

According to Carolyn Gerard, principal, "With our DBE and WBE certifications, we can help companies achieve their supply chain diversity excellence goals. This provides a real advantage to companies as they seek government contracts and work to enhance their supplier diversity programs."

Gerard Design serves a loyal client base in automotive, high technology, health care, retail, and other fields. The agency creates integrated brand campaigns, including brand strategy, positioning, image, and brand identity development. Gerard Design also helps companies develop interactive media, such as Web site design and development, banner ads, e-mail marketing, landing pages, mobile sites, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, Web analytics, and video. The firm has earned numerous international awards for environmental branding involving tradeshows, corporate signage, exhibits, interior and exterior graphics, kiosks, and product displays. These services are in addition to creating award-winning print branding and collateral pieces and direct response marketing campaigns.

"We are happy to strategize with companies to determine ways in which we, as a certified DBE and WBE, can help them achieve their diversity goals," added Gerard. "We welcome inquiries and invite business professionals to visit our Web site and view our portfolio."

The federally mandated DBE program provides contracting opportunities in the United States Department of Transportation's highways, mass transit, and airport financial assistance programs to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Once certified, the firm is listed in the Illinois Unified Certification Program's (IL UCP) DBE Directory to assist bidders/proposers in meeting DBE contract goals. The five participating agencies are IDOT, City of Chicago, Pace, Metra, and CTA.

Gerard Design is located at 28371 Davis Parkway, Suite 100, in Warrenville, Illinois. Gerard Design has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. In 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2012, the agency was named one of the area's fastest-growing private companies by Inc. magazine. For more information about the services Gerard Design offers, please phone 630-355-0775 or visit www.gerarddesign.com.

SOURCE Gerard Design