6.3 EDSR 02-17-2015
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority 6.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Marketing UpdateFebruary 17, 2015Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description Reviewed by
Marketing Update Jeremy Barnhart, Deputy Director CODD
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Item presented for information.
Background/Discussion
One of the 2015 Performance Measures set by the EDA is to promote Elk River by advertising in at least
three national publications with at least 5,000 subscribers. The advertising for 2015 is scheduled and
includes seven trade magazines which have a reach of over 287,500 subscribers. Staff researched various
trade magazines in order to reinforce the city’s four targeted areas and to maximize our advertising
dollars. Elk River will be promoted in the top seven trade magazines throughout the year and will be
highlighted in two 300+ word editorials.
An article on Research and Development published in the January/February 2015 edition of Trade and
Industry Development included a section on Elk River. City Staff and Trisha Mowry, CEO of Metal Craft
were both quoted in the article. A quarter page advertisement was also included in the edition.
Elk River’s marketing and promotional materials have been completely revamped. In the past
promotional materials consisted of Powered by Nature sweatshirts, micro-buffs, pens and other items.
Today EDA staff has put together a package that represents Elk River’s technology, recreation,
manufacturing/trade industry, social and business facets and are all wrapped up in a clear tote which
people can take to sporting events.
In the next six months Elk River will be represented at Data Center World (in partnership with
Sherburne County), at market visits with GreaterMSP and DEED, in various advertisements via trade
magazines, at various conferences and local events, and in a Business Retention and Expansion video
produced and distributed through GreaterMSP, just to name a few.
Financial Impact
Advertising dollars was included in the 2015 budget.
Attachments
Advertising Schedule
Template Updated 4/14
2015 Advertising Schedule
Trade and Industry Magazine $2,993.00
Outreach: 45,000 subscribers print and online
Three ¼ page ads
o
January/February
Medical Manufacturing focus
July/August
Alternative Energy and Data Center focus
September/October
Manufacturing focus
Business Xpansion Journal $7,400.00
Outreach: 91,000 executives, business owners and site selector professionals (print and online)
Five full page ads
o
January
Manufacturing focus
Feb/March
Energy focus
April
Data Center focus
September
Alternative Energy focus
October
Aerospace manufacturing focus
Heartland Real Estate Journal $4,200.00
Outreach: 12,000 subscribers print and online
Two ½ page ads and one full page
o
March
Business Park focus
August
Economic Development spotlight – Elk River
September
State of MN focus
**New Expansion Solutions $3,602.00
Outreach: 20,000 subscribers print and online and over 10,000 leads generated at trade shows
o 2 1/2 page ads and advertorials
• March /April
• Data Center focus
• September /October
• Shovel Ready Sites focus
■ Enterprise MN $2,500.00
Outreach: 500+ manufacturing focused subscribers
o Full page ad
■ February
• Elk River Machine focus
■ Site Selector $5,000.00
Outreach: 79,000 subscribers print and online
o Two 1/3 page ads
■ January
• State of MINI focus
■ March issues
• Data Center focus
■ Business Facilities $1,500.00
Outreach: 40,000 print and online subscribers
o % page ad and e- newsletter listing
■ March /April
• State of MINI focus
Total advertising expense $25,195.00
Total outreach 287,500
.08 /impression