Feb 23, 2009

Richard Ryman column: Branding effort gains new status, co-chairs

Julie Van Straten and Gail McNutt are the new co-chairs of the Green Bay Branding Initiative.

The initiative has moved beyond its grass-roots birth to achieving 501(c) 3 status, making it a nonprofit organization complete with a high-powered board of directors and more permanency than it had when it launched the "Better By the Bay" economic development campaign in September.

Van Straten, vice president and general counsel for United HealthCare in Howard, and McNutt, vice president of human resources for Schneider National in Ashwaubenon, said they have the people in place to move ahead.

"The biggest task we had was just to get the organization in place, make sure we had the right people on board to move this forward," McNutt said.

Directors include Michael MacDonald, chairman and chief executive officer of Shopko; Charles Schrock, president and CEO of Integrys Energy Group; Neil Cornelius, general manager of Oneida Gaming; Jason Weid, vice president of administration of the Green Bay Packers; and Laura Sankey, senior vice president of marketing/ sales for the Packers.

Also, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt; Paul Jadin, president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; attorney Jon Anderson; Jeff Gross, a partner in the Wipfli accounting firm; Joe Simon, president of Simon Insurance & Investment Services Inc.; Brad Toll, president and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Susan Finco, president of Leonard & Finco Public Relations Inc.

"One of the best things about this initiative is the collaboration we have on this," Van Straten said.

Funding has been provided by area businesses, local governments and other organizations, but more money will be needed.

Van Straten and McNutt said fundraising would be something they'll focus on.

"We will be as successful as our funding allows us to be," Van Straten said.

She said being a 501(c) 3 means contributions can be tax deductible.

McNutt said the initiative is identifying its target audiences and "making sure we are crystal clear on the message we send, and, as Laura (Sankey) keeps reminding us, knowing what we want them to do."

What they want is for the people who live here to stay here and if they don't, come to Green Bay, start businesses, get jobs, and spend money.

Marketing firm Arketype Inc. of Green Bay continues as the creative force for the initiative.

The Web site is www.betterbythebay.com.

— Contact Richard Ryman at (920) 431-8342 or rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com.

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