Can Cincinnati be the "Silicon Valley of Consumer Marketing?" Apparently the folks that put together Agenda 360 think so. From the Enquirer, “the work grew out of the Agenda 360 community-wide plan sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional chamber, which set as one of its goals the creation of 50,000 jobs by 2020.” The marketing campaign aims to “support entrepreneurial companies in consumer marketing in Cincinnati” with a goal to "make Cincinnati as well known for consumer marketing as California's Silicon Valley is for technology."
Check out Dave Knox's blog, where he recently wrote about this campaign. He listed five areas where the city excels:
• Consumer Packaged Goods: Cincy is the home of not only Procter & Gamble but also Kao Brands / Jergens, Perfetti Van Melle (maker of Mentos), and US Playing Cards. There is a reason that Cincinnati was the birthplace of Brand Management.
• Retailers: The area is the home of the United States largest grocery chain (Kroger with ~2,500 stores) and largest department store (Macy’s with over 1,000 stores)
• Design Firms: Cincinnati is filled with amazing firms including Landor, LPK, Deskey and Interbrand. We also have one of the top Design Schools in the country with the University of Cincinnati College of DAAP
• Advertising Agencies: Cincinnati has a rich advertising history and today is home to agencies like Bridge Worldwide, Barefoot Proximity, Northlich, and many others.
• Market Researchers: The Nielsen Company and dunnhumby both have a major presence in Cincinnati.
What do all of you think. Do you think it's possible for the city to become the "Silicon Valley of Consumer Marketing?"
I definitely hope this happens, seeing as I have a graphic designer girlfriend currently living up in Detroit! 2020 cannot come soon enough!
Posted by: Matt | 16 December 2009 at 08:33 PM