Innovation News

Empower MediaMarketing project mixes volunteerism, social media

Empower MediaMarketing employees, under the theme "Giving Back Instead of Looking Back," took on an innovative 24-hour volunteer project to celebrate the Cincinnati company's 25th anniversary.The volunteer project involved tackling a multitude of tasks - and tweeting about them - at the non-profit Brighton Center in Newport, and could serve as a blueprint for future volunteer projects by Empower. 160 Empower volunteers worked over 24 hours straight at the Brighton Center, which offers community support services through its Family Center, Bright Days Early Childhood Education Program, Homeward Bound Runaway Shelter, Two Rivers Senior Facility and Saratoga Place Senior Facility. Volunteers painted, cleaned, had breakfast with the center's teens, played bingo with its seniors and completed some minor repairs."There were at least nine different shifts; we did everything," said Empower President Jim Price.The effort had an added dimension, employing social media tools to create a wider buzz about the Brighton Center. Empower employees, well-versed in using social media tools, used Twitter, Flikr and Facebook during their volunteer work. It allowed the Empower employees to broadcast their work, and promote the Brighton Center to their network of friends through status updates and photos."We drove awareness though 160 well-connected people by using our skills through social media channels," Price said.Empower corralled the tweets, photos and other updates in a central online location that also includes a video featuring Brighton Center clients. "Our micro site is designed to increase advocacy for the Brighton Center," Price said. "By increasing awareness through social media, our experience tells us that the Brighton Center will see additional volunteers and donations over time. It's a well-deserving organization with a variety of needs."Empower clients and service partners are also supporting the effort, including donations from Marco's Pizza, Meijer, Rust-Oleum and Hoover.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Mark Braff, Jim Price Empower MediaMarketing

The Voice of Your Customer blazes a new trail in niche market research

For Crystal Kendrick, market research means a lot more than making a buck. Her firm, The Voice of Your Customer, uses a variety of strategies to pinpoint the needs and buying habits of niche markets. By giving a voice to the less-heard consumer groups, Kendrick is making a difference she's proud of. "It's the voice of the unheard," says Kendrick. "And it's not always racial minorities or poverty groups. We also deal with the wealthiest, most exclusive customer. They're just a population not involved in traditional markets." The Voice of Your Customer finds the needs and desires of specific demographic groups through secret shopping, surveys, and focus groups. The firm also empowers organizations to reach these markets through training seminars and media campaigns. Government contracts are a vital business base for The Voice of Your Customer. A series of projects for the State of Ohio promoted healthy lifestyles among rural populations in Appalachian counties. VOYC also teamed with a federal consumer protection agency to bust a calling card scam. They hired residents of seven foreign countries to test calling cards, proving they didn't include the number of minutes advertised. The findings from this study were used in court proceedings against the fraudulent card sellers.Kendrick was born in Cincinnati, but grew up in suburban Philadelphia. She moved back here in 1993 for grad school at NKU. In 2005, Kendrick began secret shopping and handling media work for nonprofits while working days in the corporate world. In 2007, the business reached a tipping point of growth, and Kendrick made a "leap of faith" by making The Voice of Your Customer a full-time endeavor. The Voice of Your Customer's Walnut Hills office is in a federally-qualified HUB Zone. Kendrick has secured a variety of certifications for VOYC, including Minority Business Enterprise, Women's Business Enterprise, and EDGE (Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity). "Being a member of an underserved community gives me perspective on how to reach those communities," says Kendrick. VOYC's volunteer involvement includes work with the Cincinnati Herald, The Links, Delta Sigma Theta, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.In a strategic location like Greater Cincinnati, Kendrick sees the circle of her influence expanding. Adding two more employees to her staff of five is a key goal for 2010. "Cincinnati is so affordable, and with so many companies headquartered here, there are so many opportunities in the business-to-business environment,"  she says.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Crystal L. Kendrick, President, The Voice of Your Customer

All Aboard Ohio Cincinnati gets on track to promote 3C Rail

In recent years the Cincinnati Chapter of All Aboard Ohio has fallen by the wayside. The organization - comprised mostly of rail enthusiasts -  had lost its steam."The Cincinnati end (of the statewide organization) had kind of fallen off," said longtime member and Cincinnati/Tri-State Regional Coordinator Beau Tuke.But it's amazing what $400 million in stimulus funding can do. Ohio was awarded those funds for a proposed rail project that has the potential to transform passenger rail across Ohio and the Midwest. All Aboard Ohio is mobilizing across the state, including in Cincinnati to raise awareness and garner support for state adoption of the 250-mile 3C corridor that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati through daily train service for the first time in 40 years.Ohio's $400 million grant was one of the largest awarded in the country under the Federal Railroad Administration stimulus program.  This rail project is far from a done deal, with a contentious debate going on in Columbus and in communities across the state as to the benefits of a rail system. All Aboard Ohio is among organizations working to garner local, community and business support for passenger rail."We're really working to raise awareness and support," Tuke, of Mt. Adams, said. "This isn't just about being able to ride from Columbus to Cincinnati, but being connected to Chicago, Indianapolis and other places by rail."The Cincinnati Chapter of All Aboard Ohio currently meets the second Tuesday of each month in Tower A at Cincinnati Union Terminal at 6:30 p.m. Tuke is working to expand the group's membership by adding more community and business-minded voices that want to help make the case for the 3C. The group is also working to get support from the Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana communities.The Cincinnati chapter has an email distribution list for those who can't always make it to the meetings. If you're interested in being added to the list email Tuke at beautuke@yahoo.comWriter: Feoshia HendersonSource: Beau Tuke, All Aboard Ohio Cincinnati ChapterYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Zone Communication Group thrives during recession

Barking Fish snags Pete Rose’s support for new “4,192” film on the Hit King

Any baseball fan knows Cincinnati's Pete Rose, but a new generation of fans are losing sight of "Charlie Hustle," the nickname Rose earned as baseball's record-breaking, bowl-cutted icon, sliding head-first into first base. A new film by Covington-based Barking Fish Entertainment plans to change that.Producers hope the film will remind fans of the Rose who finished his playing days with three World Series rings and a slew of records. The feature-length documentary, "4,192: The Crowning of the Hit King," is scheduled to premiere in Los Angeles on July 9 and Cincinnati soon after, during baseball's All-Star break.     Rose's early life, growing up on Cincinnati's West Side, as well as his 23-year playing career are highlighted, from an early-career spring training game in which Yankees legend Whitey Ford gave Rose the "Charlie Hustle" moniker - some same derisively - to the September night 25 years ago when Rose slapped a single (the titular 4,192nd hit of his career) to become the sport's all-time hits leader, surpassing the legendary Ty Cobb.     The anniversary of that occasion was, in part, inspiration for the project, said Barking Fish partner Aymie Majerski.     "My business partner, Terry Lukemire, is a huge baseball fan and, of course, he's from this area, so it was important to him," Majerski explained. "There really hasn't been a documentary on Pete Rose, especially one that focuses on his playing career. That's what we were most interested in, because people have forgotten the kind of player Pete was."     The first hurdle was getting Rose's permission. Though he had declined many offers over the years, Rose quickly signed off on the project and Barking Fish started work last July, Majerski said. Rose contemporaries and baseball Hall of Famers' Marty Brennaman, Tony Perez and Mike Schmidt also quickly signed on, and contribute interviews, she adds.Work continues on the film, leading up to the July premiere in LA, where Majerski says they'll strike a deal for theatrical circulation and possible broadcast rights. A DVD release in planned for September. Barking Fish, based in Covington's arts district, was formed five years ago by Lukemire, and Majerski, who is originally from Los Angeles. The partnership has been prolific, working on projects for BET, Showtime, Sony Music and other corporate customers. Their latest work, "Rebound: A Basketball Story," chronicles Simon Kenton High School's 1981 state basketball title after as massive gas explosion that severely damaged the school, injured many and resulted in one death. Narrated by Nick Clooney, it will air on Kentucky Educational Television in June. Writer: Dave MalaskaSource: Barking Fish partner Aymie Majerski

Cincinnati rallies for Issue 1 high tech business, jobs program on May ballot

A bipartisan group of Cincinnatians are coming together to rally for renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier economic development program. The 10-year, multi-million dollar program directs bond issued funds into specific, high-tech startups and businesses identified as high-growth, high pay areas for Ohio workers.The rally is April 7, 10 a.m. at the Taft Center at Fountain Square downtown. Organizers are expecting more than 100 to attend.The Third Frontier initiative, Issue 1, will be on the May 4 ballot. It would extend the program through 2016 at a level of $700 million dollars. The first-phase of the program expires in 2012; voters approved it in 2005. The state didn't raise taxes to fund Third Frontier and the current phase will be repaid to the state in 2014, according to an independent study. Funding through Ohio Third Frontier has created 571 new companies and more than 55,000 new direct and indirect jobs across Ohio, according to state economic development officials.These companies have attracted $3.2 billion in additional investments, produced more than $6.6 billion in total economic impact, and led to an average return on investment of 22 percent per year.Cincinnati benefited from the program through the creation of several dozen startups including Blackbook EMG, AssureRx, Akebia Therapeutics and ZipScene. Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce president Ellen van der Horst said Third Frontier creates jobs by attracting entrepreneurs to the city and state, and helping existing companies grow through innovation."Third Frontier invests in promising new high-tech start ups but funds also go toward expansion for small businesses and companies in a wide variety of sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology and medicine. It's not only white lab coat kinds of industry," said van der Horst, who will be speaking at the rally.Other scheduled speakers are Mayor Mark Mallory, Bob Castellini, president and CEO, The Castellini Company, UC President Greg Williams and Cincinnati Children's Hospital president Michael Fisher.Find out more about the Issue 1 here.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Ellen van der Horst, Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and Carolyn Pione, CincyTech You can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Local business leaders launch Indian American Chamber of Commerce

The Indian community is becoming a growing part of Cincinnati, and of the local business community. As the Southeast Asian country continues to increase in wealth and influence, more Americans are looking to do business with Indian companies.Those are just a couple of reasons a group of local professionals are launching the Indian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The organization will host a membership kickoff event May 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at  Elements Conference Centre, 11974 Lebanon Road in Sharonville.Currently there are 2,500 Indian families living in Greater Cincinnati, according to Indian Chamber board members. That's a small, but growing and influential group, said president Rayan Coutinho, an attorney at Wood and Lamping who is originally from Bombay."Nationally, more than 60 percent of Indians have a bachelors degree, and more than 40 percent have a master's or doctorate degree," said Coutinho.  In addition Indian workers and entrepreneurs in America have a significant presence in the medical, hotel/hospitality and high tech fields, he added.The Chamber 's aim is to bring together Indian-born and ethnic Indian Americans, as well as any Americans in Cincinnati who'd like to network and create business opportunities with the Indian community, Coutinho said."We're not limiting the membership; of course it is focused on Indian business. But we think what is good for Cincinnati is good for the local Indian business community. The Hispanic Chamber does a fantastic job of that and we hope to emulate that," Coutinho said.The new Chamber also aims to be the starting point for Indian companies that want to do business with Cincinnati or vice versa."We're trying to provide a one-stop shop for information. For instance, there is an Indian company that wants to set up a software company in Cincinnati, we would give them the information to get started," he said.The Indian Chamber has a seven-member board representing various business sectors and regions of India. It will be housed at  D.A.G. Construction in Winton Place, where Chamber Board member Lindsay Wilhelm works as Marketing Director.The Chamber plans to launch its web page sometime this week.Writer: Feoshia Henderson Sources: Indian Chamber of Commerce board members Rayan Coutinho and Lindsay Wilhelm You can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Christ Hospital Kidney Transplant program awarded top national honor

Cincinnati's The Christ Hospital Kidney Transplant Program has been named a Center of Excellence by one of the country's largest health and wellness companies.OptumHealth, in Golden Valley, in Minnesota, based the prestigious Center of Excellence designation on benchmarks developed by the company and its Clinical Sciences Institute.The designation is a boost for The Christ Hospital because OptumHealth will include the hospital in its Center of Excellence network. The network connects patients with complex medical problems to providers that demonstrate quality and cost effectiveness in handling them.Among the indicators examined are procedural volume and associated outcomes; stability of team; projected trends and technological advances in the specific field of medical science.More than 1,500 kidney transplants have been performed at The Christ Hospital since 1972.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Michael Beauchat, The Christ HospitalYou can follow Feoshia on twitter here.

Hispanic 100 Initiative helps Latino professionals branch out

The Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA is looking for a few good men and women - a hundred, in fact. HCCUSA's Hispanics for Community Engagement, also known as the Hispanic 100 Initiative, will identify, guide, and mentor a hundred Hispanic businesspeople, positioning them for leadership in greater Cincinnati organizations.Alfonso Cornejo, president of the Hispanic Chamber, described his vision for the Hispanic 100. "We want to enroll fifty women, and fifty men - half from Fortune 500 companies, and half from small businesses." He plans to divide this mix into affinity groups based on common interests, such as sports or the arts. When organizations from around Cincinnati call the Hispanic Chamber in need of volunteers, Cornejo and his staff will have teams ready to go. If an organization is looking for Hispanic representation on their board, the Chamber can easily recommend a talented leader. The Hispanic 100 will also sponsor group outings to build community and increase visibility of Latinos at local events. Observing that many Spanish-speaking countries lack a strong system of nonprofits, Cornejo hopes to build up volunteer work as a new tradition for Hispanic Americans. After emigrating from Mexico, he came to Cincinnati through employment at P&G. He's spent the last nine years operating his own consulting firm, specializing in human resources and Latin American business. The Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA was founded fourteen years ago; its mission is to promote the creation and growth of Hispanic companies. It's the largest Hispanic chamber  in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Cornejo has served as Board President for the last seven years; his enthusiasm for the growth of the Hispanic Chamber is contagious. "We're making Cincinnati a more welcoming city for immigrants," said Cornejo. "We can show the world how beautiful this city is." Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Alfonso Cornejo, Board President, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA