SCORR Marketing, a Nebraska-based strategic marketing firm, has been hired by Impact Analytical as their agency of record.

SCORR Marketing has executed market research on behalf of Impact Analytical, and based on those findings, a new branding campaign has been developed. SCORR Marketing has given Impact Analytical’s logo an update and plans to launch a new ad campaign and Web site with the innovative branding in early May.

“SCORR Marketing’s experience in many of the industries we serve, as well as their strategic angle on marketing, made them the right choice for us,” stated Eric Hill, business marketing manager at Impact Analytical. “We are confident that the refreshed branding will reach our market, clearly differentiating Impact Analytical and showcasing our full range of testing services.”

Impact Analytical is a contract testing laboratory established within the Michigan Molecular Institute. The research institute is located in Midland, Michigan, with the mission to promote the advancement of fundamental scientific research in the areas of chemical and polymer science. Today, Impact Analytical works with more than 300 companies around the world and is dedicated to providing top-notch analytical service that supports the success of their customers.

Working in a variety of industries—pharmaceutical, plastics, consumer products, medical devices, packaging, automotive and specialty chemical—Impact Analytical has developed a new industry standard for “green” products. Branded as Earth Impact, only products that pass meticulous testing protocols and standards will be granted use of the Earth Impact, green product labeling.

“Impact Analytical’s strength in analytical testing for the pharmaceutical industry and our specialized focus in marketing for the drug development arena certainly brought our companies together as an ideal fit. SCORR works within a broad range of industries, ensuring that the branding established for Impact Analytical would reach and bring success in all markets,” said SCORR Marketing President, Cinda Orr.

About Impact Analytical
Impact Analytical is a contract testing laboratory established within the Michigan Molecular Institute in 1995. The research institute was founded in Midland, Michigan, to promote the advancement of fundamental scientific research in the areas of chemical and polymer science and is now dedicated to advanced research, development and commercialization of polymer science and technology. More information about Impact Analytical is available by visiting www.impactanalytical.com.

SCORR Marketing, a Nebraska-based strategic marketing and public relations agency, is pleased to announce the addition of four new team members: Kristin Cheney and Jessica Mosbarger, both of Kearney, Amy Lammers of Aitkin, Minnesota, and Josh Land of Lakewood, Colorado. Cheney will serve as an administrative assistant, Mosbarger and Lammers will serve as account coordinators and Land will utilize his expertise as director of business development. SCORR Marketing is also pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Sladek to media and communications manager.

Cheney attended both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Missouri in St. Louis. With experience in the insurance and real estate industries, she joins SCORR Marketing with the necessary skill set and background knowledge to handle her new role in the organization.

Prior to joining SCORR, Mosbarger was an account manager for Precision Industries and a sales associate for Riddles Jewelry, both located in Kearney. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial distribution from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).

Upon graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, Lammers received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both marketing and Spanish. She began working as a corporate assistant marketing officer with First International Bank & Trust in Fargo, North Dakota, where she managed and coordinated numerous marketing/advertising projects and events.

Land will be leading the sales efforts and expanding the client base for SCORR Marketing. With extensive background in marketing and business development, he will be an asset to the team. Land received a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing with a minor in advertising/public relations and coaching from Hastings College and was previously a loan specialist for Wells Fargo Financial in Omaha.

SCORR’s communications, media and public relations department has experienced significant growth due to the demand for comprehensive, strategic plans. Due to the expansion in this critical arena, Sladek has been promoted to media and communications manager. She has been in the SCORR media relations department for two years prior to her promotion.

“These are exciting times for SCORR Marketing—and for our clients that we serve on a local, national and international level. Kristin, Amy, Jessica and Josh are great additions to the SCORR team. All have shown a high-level of interest in our worldwide client base and have an eagerness to learn. The skills they possess and the application of best practices are critical to our success,” said SCORR Marketing President and CEO, Cinda Orr. “As we continue to see propelled growth in our communications department, it is evident that Kelly has done a phenomenal job handling the media, public relations and communications.”

Happy National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day! Celebrate the day with a PB&J!

Like a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, what makes SCORR Marketing unique and satisfying is the blend of our talent and expertise with the knowledge and insight you have of your own company and markets. Together, they create a powerful mix of marketing skill and know-how that somehow just works to build awareness, market share and profits. When you need a little more spice or additional heat or an extra dash of creativity to create the perfect recipe, SCORR has a full pantry of ideas. This Peanut Butter & Jelly Day is an ideal time to get face-to-face with SCORR Marketing…and make the perfect combination.

About National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day

Legend has it that soldiers in World War II first began combining their rations of peanut butter with their rations of jelly to make this iconic sweet-salty sandwich. What is known for sure is that when soldiers returned after the war, sales for both peanut butter and jelly surged, and the nation has embraced this unique combination of tastes ever since. Although jelly is far and away the most popular accompaniment to peanut butter, aficionados add marshmallows, raisins and bananas — or bacon, onions or pickles — to add interest and excitement. Celebrate the day with a PB&J!

It’s been busy around the SCORR office, but we’ve updated our Recent Work section so you can see what we’ve been working on lately!

SCORR Marketing Advice: Brand Building Begins at Home

By Cinda Orr

Brand management would probably be a lot easier if you had only one audience to worry about, but for most companies, it’s just not that simple. In addition to customers and prospects — each of whom deserve separate consideration — companies need to be aware of the message they are sending to investors, suppliers, strategic partners, the industry, prospective employees and the general public.

Another group that’s often overlooked when developing a communications plan is your own employees. Once you get beyond the number of employees you can casually keep track of in your own brain – and maybe well before that – it’s wise to consider your own workforce as an audience needing and deserving special attention.

Obviously, you need to communicate basic, company-wide information such as changes to the health care plan or 401k, and maybe a notice on the cork board in the lunchroom is adequate for that. But if your goal of communicating with employees is to foster a more stable, loyal and long-term workforce, one that respects your corporate values and reflects them in its work, you’re going to have to stretch a little.

For example, how do you celebrate big news like a product launch, merger or significant new contract or client? At one end of the spectrum is, say, an email notice from the CEO or possibly cheese and crackers in the conference room. Ho-hum. At the other end, when one company we know “hit a home run,” they sent jerseys and ball caps to employees’ homes and had a mid-week party with logo baseballs, beer, hot dogs, Cracker Jack and stars of a local ball team.

Even as a part of your regular, ongoing marketing communications, your employees are a critical audience, and it’s important to use creative techniques to communicate corporate values – such as those you portray in your advertising. If your ads are all about speed, reliability or customer service, it’s vital that employees match those values in the performance of their jobs.

When we created an ad campaign for a medical center recently, we developed a matching internal campaign at the same time, one that was carried out in posters, the newsletter and screen savers on company computers. Even if you don’t go to that extent, at least make it a point to share with your employees the communications you plan for the outside world. If you’re publishing a new corporate brochure, make sure your employees get a copy. Why not? They deserve to know what you’re saying about them. The same is true of your advertising or PR. It costs relatively little to pre-print ads or extra press releases so that your employees see them before your customers do, and it gives them a sense of being an insider and pride of belonging.

Brand building is about awareness of the impact your brand has on everyone it touches. And, as with many things in life, brand building begins at home.

(February 9, 2010; Kearney, NE) – SCORR Marketing, a full-service marketing and public relations firm with locations in both Kearney and Omaha, is proud to be the recipient of three Silver ADDY awards at the 17^th Annual Nebraska ADDY^® Awards.

The ADDY Awards are the advertising industry’s largest competition that recognizes creative excellence in advertisers across all mediums. The Omaha Federation of Advertising and the Advertising Federation of Lincoln orchestrate the ADDY Awards for Nebraska, which took place on February 6, 2010, in Omaha, Nebraska. As part of the competition, judges from top agencies across the country are brought in to determine what projects were the most original and most creative.

SCORR Marketing received a Silver ADDY in the Elements of Advertising Logo category for the Do or Dye Studio Salon logo through the work of Designer, Michael Pohl; Account Executive, Tricia Danburg; and Creative Director, Ben Rowe. In addition, SCORR received a Silver ADDY in the Advertising for the Arts & Sciences Campaign category for the World Theatre “90 Days to Save the World” campaign. Concluding this campaign, the World Theatre surpassed its fundraising goal in just 90 days in its attempt to preserve and restore Kearney’s last original movie house. A third Silver ADDY was awarded to SCORR Marketing in the Advertising for the Arts & Sciences Collateral category for the World Theatre VIP invitations. The work on both World Theatre projects is credited to Creative Director, Ben Rowe.

“It was a great experience to see our team win such outstanding awards for the work we completed for these two area organizations,” stated SCORR Marketing President, Cinda Orr. “We were particularly pleased with the pro bono work done in support of the Kearney non-profit organization, the World Theatre. This accomplishment speaks measures for how marketing contributes to the success of a campaign. I am very proud of our team; creative talent and incredible dedication is what propels our growth and gives us a competitive edge in the local and international markets.”

Also receiving awards at the ADDYs was SCORR Marketing’s Graphic Design Intern from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), Steve Wolf, who won four student ADDY awards. He received two Gold ADDYs for his Axcess Mixtape Promotional Poster in the Student Poster category and for his Bruce Willis illustration in the Student Illustration category. He also took home two Silver ADDYs for his Evoke Tag System in the Student Point of Purchase category and for his Axcess Radio Poster in the Student Poster category.

To view the winning entries, visit our recent work page or visit our facebook photo album.

You don’t get to be a successful marketing firm without the ability to wear a lot of hats. SCORR has a whole hat rack full of services. This Hat Day, rememeber SCORR. For all your marketing needs, we’ve got you covered.

Become a fan of SCORR on facebook to keep up with what’s new and noteworthy in the world of SCORR Marketing!

SCORR is starting 2010 off with a bang! We’ve updated our Recent Identity and Recent Work sections with the latest projects we’ve been working on. Click the links above to check it out. We look forward to more great relationships and quality work in the new year. Thanks!

Start the Year Off with a Solid Strategy

by Cinda Orr

It’s January. A new year, a new beginning. We all know the clichés associated with a new year—yet it truly is a time to take stock and set the course for a successful 2010.

In a moment of reflection, I glanced around the office. On my bookshelf is a plethora of business books—most were “all the rage” in their era and some have stood the true test of time. The ones that have stood the test of time offer advice that appears to be common sense. Let’s all start our new year on the right foot and keep in mind what it takes to achieve our goals.

Strategy
All great companies have a strategy. Period. Every organization needs a blueprint to achieve its goals; it is the backbone of your organization. Develop a strategy, plan before you act, hold yourself accountable—if an action does not put you closer to your stated goals and objectives, question moving forward with it.

Know your audience
Critical to any business foundation is an understanding of the target audience—what are their wants and needs? What motivates them to select your business offering over the competition? Why do they buy your service or product? Taking the pulse of your audience is necessary to set the stage for your marketing message and to evaluate performance.

Promote your business regularly and consistently
I am in the business of marketing so this may seem slightly self-serving, but truly great businesses own their message and promote their brand on a regular, consistent basis.

Evaluate your opportunities
This is a broad, overarching statement. Opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. As a marketing firm, one of our core responsibilities is to drive leads (prospects) to your business development team for effective follow-up and evaluation. Clearly, it is also imperative to have a firm grasp on your competitive landscape.

Make business planning on ongoing, regular priority
Your strategic document cannot be completed at the beginning of the year and then dusted off when another year rolls around. SCORR Marketing recommends a quarterly evaluation of the strategic road map to ensure all milestones are being met, the tactical plan is being executed to meet objectives and business decisions are still aligned with strategy.