NEWSlines
Whenever WCG achieves a goal that helps us serve
our clients better, we like to mention our success here.
Catch up on our accomplishments to date, with plenty
more left in store.
NEW ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR AND PROJECT MANAGER ELEVATE WEST CARY GROUP TEAM
After extensive searching, West Cary Group has hired Wendy Thacker and Elizabeth Sundberg to join the team and further strengthen our client offerings. Wendy will serve as Associate Art Director, while Elizabeth joins the agency as Project Manager.
“When we found Wendy, we knew she was a perfect fit for WCG,” says Alexis Gayle, newly promoted Creative Director. “She was freelancing with us as a Graphic Designer and executed tremendously innovative creative for high-profile clients, so we knew she could deliver when it mattered most. We were lucky to convince her that she needed to work with us full time.”
The hiring of Elizabeth Sundberg to West Cary Group’s Account Team is sure to prove as much of an asset to the company.
“Elizabeth excels in the creative process and providing marketing solutions,” says Camille Blanchard, Vice President, Account Services. “Before she came to WCG, she was successfully leading Paladin Tools into big box retail sales, managed three separate brands under the corporate umbrella and headed a rebranding project of her own. Her work ethic is incredible, and she brings that drive every day to WCG.”
Both Wendy and Elizabeth have proven talent and marketing savvy that will spur West Cary Group’s continued growth. We’re excited about the powerful campaigns they’ll help generate for current and future clients.
WCG RESOLVES TO MAKE THE OLD NEW AGAIN WITH EXPANSION IN HISTORIC MONROE WARD
When West Cary Group first opened its doors in the once-thriving Monroe Ward District in 2007, we began as a firm of two with ample room for growth. Five years later, that “ample room” has become “a packed hub of communications activity.” Now with 30 employees, WCG is ready to inject the area with more life by expanding to 10 West Cary Street – a historic building directly facing our current headquarters.
Renovations to the structure are slated to begin at the start of 2012, nearly 136 years after the building was first built. As part of the restoration, WCG will preserve the historical integrity of the building – which features original hardwood flooring, stunning 10-foot windows and wrought iron gate work – while adding the modern touches and technology needed to power a full-service marketing communications and advertising firm.
“I made a conscious decision to establish West Cary Group in Monroe Ward,” says Moses Foster, President and CEO of WCG. “I saw an area that had gone largely ignored and a terrific chance to revitalize one of Richmond’s finest communities. Now we have another opportunity to reinvest in the downtown region, and I’m happy that WCG has risen to a place in our business life where we can take advantage of it.”
In order to best serve clients, marketers today need capabilities in all channels – including social media, mobile, web, direct mail, TV and print. Moses credits WCG’s recent expansion to its ability to integrate these channels seamlessly into marketing programs that power measureable results.
“Our clients know what they get in return for every marketing dollar they spend,” says Moses. “In these difficult economic times, you have to know what your ROI is. Every penny counts.”
“So much has changed since we started in 2007,” continues Moses. “Not just at WCG, but in the community. Now, when I drive into Monroe Ward, I see an area on the rise. The expansion of the VCU campus, the development of area restaurants and businesses… this historic district has regained momentum. WCG is proud to be a part of the resurgence, and we see possibility for even more growth in the near future.”
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK FOR WCG SITE
In a month rife with resolutions, West Cary Group abandoned its initial idea of losing of five pounds and made a pledge it can actually stick to: updating our website. The goal? Make it as progressive, smart and informative as the work we do for our clients.
We started with a dynamic new Home Page with bold graphics and engaging articles that make for great reading. Then we beefed up the section on Our Team to give you a more personal view of the people at WCG who solve business challenges creatively every day.
Need more proof of our prowess? Check out Case in Point to read the back stories behind the innovative integrated communications campaigns that have driven hard-hitting results for our clients.
You’ll also discover:
Bookmark www.westcarygroup.com now – because, unlike most New Year’s resolutions, this is one’s a keeper.
Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Stay Linkedin.
WEST CARY GROUP ENHANCES ACCOUNT TEAM WITH KEY PROMOTIONS AND HIRINGS
West Cary Group has announced several major promotions in its Account team. Rachal Hansen and Cara Hill, formerly Account Managers, have both been promoted to Senior Account Manager. Rachael Harris Evans, previously a Senior Account Director, will now serve as Vice President of Account Services.
“They exemplify what we want our leaders to be,” says Camille Blanchard, Vice President, Account Services. “In order to be considered for a promotion, our team members have to be executing at that level. It’s not the potential we see in them, but the performance they show us every day.”
“Rachal, Cara and Rachael operate at the highest level without fail,” says Blair Keeley, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. “Rachal is like an account gardener – she fertilizes our client crops and watches them grow. Cara has dedicated herself to an intense piece of business for a demanding account that has grown substantially because of her drive. And Rachael handles large, complex pieces of business with such marketing savvy that it’s impressive to witness.”
In addition to promotions, West Cary Group has made the following hires:
- Nick Schimick, Senior Account Director
- Chris Rayl, Account Director
- Tad Czyzewski, Account Director
- Heather Ormond, Account Manager
“There’s been an influx of new business,” continues Blair. “And we’re staffing ourselves accordingly. I think it’s a surge due in large part to WCG practicing what it preaches: taking traditional and new media and seamlessly integrating them; providing communications solutions that drive measurable results; not accepting boundaries in emerging channels like digital, but breaking them. If the WCG team maintains this momentum, the best marketing campaigns that we can craft for our clients are yet to come.”
WCG-DESIGNED HENRICO NOW E-NEWSLETTER DRIVES BIG RESULTS FOR HENRICO EDA
Five months after West Cary Group launched the Henrico Now E-Newsletter, the site is delivering hard-hitting results for the Henrico Economic Development Authority (EDA). Site visits have increased by 250%, and new visits have more than doubled. Henrico.com—the official website of the Henrico EDA and the site to which the Henrico NOW e-newsletter is linked—has seen an increase in absolute unique visitors of about 70%.
The new e-newsletter replaces the Henrico Living magazine. The site was designed by West Cary Group in order to highlight the communities, companies and events that make the Henrico region an attractive place to live, work and grow.
Rachel Hansen, Senior Account Manager for WCG, is pleased with the measurable impact the integrated communications campaign has had for this client. “Each month, we send out an e-newsletter to people in the community, board members, area trade shows and similar contacts to alert them of new content on the site. That’s when we see a huge spike in traffic at Henrico Now—generally three to four times the normal rate. It’s rewarding when marketing strategies drive quantitative results.”
“As Henrico EDA’s agency of record, West Cary Group is working hard to deliver even more engaging content in the upcoming months—more videos featuring thriving companies, more images of unique cultural events and more articles,” says Rachal. “They all work together to highlight what makes Henrico a great place to relocate, expand and grow a business. Henrico Now is gaining a foothold, and we’re looking forward to translating that into a positive economic impact for the county.”