In the news
Marketing Smarts podcast
Bob Domenz was recently interviewed for the popular podcast “Marketing Smarts.” As host Kerry O’Shea Gorgone said, “Bob Domenz is an expert in brand activation, the CEO of a strategy and creative firm that specializes in B2B branding. We discuss brand activation and engagement, and how you can make your brand tangible by creating experiences and touch points with your target audience.”
In the news
Why Dead Center Thinking is Dead Wrong
The ANA recently published an interview by Avenue CEO Bob Domenz, with Robert C. Wolcott, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of the Kellogg Innovation Network. It contains practical, and often surprising, advice on how to approach innovation, and where to look for marketplace insight and inspiration.
In the news
New B2B learning resource
The new B2B Brand Council website promotes peer-to-peer learning, sharing and networking among senior-level B2B professionals. It features original articles by notable B2B marketers, business leaders and academics, plus other valuable content. Our CEO, Bob Domenz, is the council’s Executive Director.
In the news
Meet your new customers
There’s a changing of the guard underway in B2B: for the first time, nearly half of B2B purchase influencers are millennials. Our own Director of Strategy Rachel Klein looks at why this makes B2B brand purpose more important than ever, in an article for Brand Quarterly.
In the news
Unifying and training a new Pharma organization
Following a major acquisition, we helped a leading Pharma company unify and train its new sales force at their annual sales meeting. Over two days of training, we actively engaged hundreds of sales leaders, managers and reps. Participants gave high marks and praise, stating they felt motivated and prepared to accomplish the year’s goals.
In the news
B2B content gets real
It’s time for B2B content marketing to move from buzzword to brand-builder. In his B2B CMO column for Branding Magazine, Avenue CEO Bob Domenz interviews leading content practitioners about how CMOs can shift their thinking, and that of their organizations, to make content pay.
In the news
High-end B2B communications
Avenue partnered with Essity to develop key internal and external communications for the new Tork Image Design™ line of washroom dispensers. This mini case study details the successful launch into this hard-to-impress, high-end market of upscale buildings, hotels and restaurants.
In the news
B2B’s next big boost?
Pitchbook, the go-to publication for private equity and venture capital firms, recently featured an article by Bob Domenz explaining how effective branding can speed growth and help create value in B2B organizations. It includes interviews with several firms—plus a great infographic.
In the news
Innovation and the B2B CMO
For his monthly Branding Magazine column, The B2B CMO, three leaders speak with Bob Domenz about about how senior marketers can play an important role in innovation. You’ll hear from Kim Metcalf-Kupres (above), Richard Wergan and Robert Wolcott.
In the news
Avenue CEO begins column for Branding Magazine
Bob Domenz has just introduced a new monthly column in the international publication Branding Magazine, which will provide practical support and a strong voice for business-to-business marketers. “The B2B CMO” features B2B leaders sharing their experience and insights on topics of special interest, as in the inaugural column “How B2B CMOs can build the business case for branding.” Bob invites you to let him know if there are topics you feel the column should address.
In the news
Avenue Director of Brand Content featured in “On Branding” podcast
Chuck Kent, our Director of Brand Content and moderator of The Branding Roundtable for Branding Magazine was featured in the podcast “On Branding.” He was interviewed about the art of interviewing, its role in content creation and the power it has to uncover a brand’s true voice.
Events
Leading brand designers at Avenue
The Society of Typographic Arts held its 2015 Judges Night in the Hub at Avenue. The nationally renowned judges included Chicago designer/photographer Paul Octavius, Austin-based Byrony Gomez-Palacio, co-founder of Under Consideration and the Brand New Conference, as well as Louise Sandhaus, former Director of the Design Program at CalArts and winner of the Best Art Book of 2015 award.
In the news
How mid-sized companies can play much bigger
As Avenue Senior Strategist Jack Rohan explains in his article for the online version of Chief Executive magazine, mid-sized companies can achieve outsized influence, and the growth that comes with it, by observing three key points.
In the news
To rename (or not) in a merger
Charlene Gervais was featured in Pitchbook, a leading publication for the venture capital and private equity industry, offering insights on how to decide whether or not to rename after a merger or acquisition. Make sure to read her three guidelines for lowering the risks that can be associated with deciding on a name in “the post M&A fog.”
In the news
Three little words for branding success
In a follow-up to his interview of Avenue CEO Bob Domenz, Chuck Kent of the Branding Roundtable, dove deeper into Avenue's unique approach to brand strategy— Be. Do. Say. Focusing on those three little words is key, and getting them in the right order is even more important.
In the news
How brand strategy helps accelerate post-merger integration
In a recent article in Middle Market Growth, Avenue CEO Bob Domenz examines how brand strategy helped Tosca, a fast growing leader in the food container industry, bring together two differing cultures and position the company for long-term growth.
In the news
Avenue CEO featured on Branding Roundtable
An interview with CEO Bob Domenz about the challenges of rebranding was recently featured on Branding Magazine's "Branding Roundtable" series. In this discussion, Bob describes the unique environments B2B companies live in, how brand strategy drives business strategy, and Avenue’s approach to a successful, lasting rebrand.
transformation
A new vision for an evolving software developer
Avenue has begun work helping an ambitious software developer define a new vision and transform into a software product strategy and management company. Working with its leadership team, we will help them envision a new future, articulate a clear brand position, and develop a go-to-market strategy to engage new and unfamiliar audiences.
In the news
Helping a market leader scale for growth
Avenue is excited to be working with InTown Suites, a leader in extended stay living, to redefine the company's mission, vision, market presence and brand position. This work, accompanied by a recent investment from Starwood Capital Group, will help the company build on a position of strength for an even more prosperous future.
Events
Avenue hosts STA's James Bowie
Renowned sociologist James Bowie gave a lecture at Avenue organized by The Society of Typographic Arts. His retrospective presentation of the Trademarks/USA lead to a discussion of trends in corporate identity design in the early 60s, and drew comparisons to design and branding today.
In the news
Leading organizations through ‘Big Change’
During times of big organizational change such as new leadership, outside investment or M&A, communications mistakes by mid-market leaders can quickly torpedo what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, their organizations and their brands. Learn how to avoid “organizational swirl” and achieve a successful transformation.
Growth strategies
Helping a defense contractor with an innovative strategy for growth
We're privileged to be working again with an international defense and aerospace manufacturer. Avenue will be helping their new leadership team develop an innovative strategy to drive new growth for a high profile program among domestic and emerging international markets.
Awards
TEDx work wins CA Design Award
Our work for TEDx Midwest recently won Communication Arts' Design Award of Excellence in Public Service. It was also named a Merit Winner by How Design Awards. We wanted to turn hidden gems into something powerful for TEDx, and it looks like the team created a gem of their own!
Awards
Big recognition for a Big Change
Congratulations to our client Tosca on the launch of their new brand! The new identity is recognized as a winner, out of more than 4,000 entries, by the 2014 Print Regional Design Awards. The rebranding is one component of the overall strategy Avenue developed to help Tosca transform itself from a niche packaging manufacturer into a provider supply chain management solutions for the perishable foods industry.
Awards
Avenue hosts and wins one-day Designathon
Avenue partnered with Greater Good Studio to host and participate in a Designathon for the First Five Years Fund, an early childhood education plan. The goal: build Congressional support by visualizing the magnitude of the issue. Up against an intense deadline and elite competition from nine other teams, Avenue took home the Grand Prize in a blind judging.
Sales training
Avenue launches new sales skills assessment tool
Are your salespeople as effective as they can be? Introducing the Sales Skills Inventory (SSI), an 84-point assessment to evaluate the specific behaviors and attributes of your salespeople and benchmark against best practices. It’s a proven tool developed from the direct observations of thousands of sales representatives on over 20,000 sales calls in more than 40 countries.
Events
10 hidden gems from TEDx
For the third consecutive year, Avenue helped to organize and promote TEDxMidwest—a gathering of influential, global figures sharing ideas to incite change. For those who couldn’t attend, we put together a list of 10 memorable moments that changed our thinking.
Client news
Antron® carpet fiber, reanimated
Avenue continues to work with INVISTA™ to reinvent Antron®, their leading brand of high-performance commercial carpet fiber. To reengage key customers and influencers, Avenue developed the “What’s the Difference” video—a sales and education touchpoint that demonstrates what fiber is, why it matters and how Antron® delivers uncommon results.
In the news
Avenue goes back to school
As part of the New Venture and Small Enterprise Lab course, a team of the University’s brightest students is working with Avenue to help develop diagnostic and assessment tools to further enhance the level of advisory service we provide to clients. The 10-week project focuses on a variety of areas including leadership, branding, marketing, sales and employee engagement.
go-to-market strategy
Military contractor selects Avenue
Avenue is proud to help a leading defense contractor develop a new approach for their go-to-market strategy. In a time where defense budgets are increasingly scrutinized, competitive advantage will always go to the innovators who find new ways to align their organization, engage their audiences and deliver on their unique value proposition.
Events
Avenue at the BMA Seminar
At the BMA Seminar, Avenue CEO Bob Domenz shared case studies on the ways businesses are using interactive B2B sales tools to transform how they engage with customers. Business and marketing executives were exposed to best practices and insights to help them develop a successful plan for their digital sales and marketing strategy.
Awards
Avenue wins The One Show Merit Award
Avenue’s work on rebranding the Antron® corporate identity system won the Merit Award at this year’s One Club Design Show. From the One Club website: The One Show remains the pinnacle of achievement by providing a showcase of the world’s best work, and by inviting collaboration among individuals who are actively developing outstanding work. Avenue’s work was in good company, with designs considered from industry-leading finalists Apple, Leo Burnett and BVD.