Willow began the second quarter of 2009 with seven new creative awards.

At the Summit International Awards (SIA), Willow earned Silver awards for Take the Cake’s Web site and bronze awards for THOR Investment Management’s brochure and Hill-Rom’s nano Ag+ Silver Technology Video.

The SIA, administered by the Summit International Awards Organization, is a rigorous award competition that recognizes creative excellence in companies and individuals from more than 50 countries and five continents.

At the Hermes Creative Awards, Willow won platinum awards for Hill-Rom’s nano Ag+ Silver Technology Video and Take the Cake’s Web site, a gold award for Take the Cake’s business cards and an honorable mention for The Citizens Bank of Ashville’s logo.

Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals. It is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The Association oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges and sets standards for excellence.

“While Willow’s focus is on strategic solutions that help drive business results for our clients, it’s exciting to be recognized through creative awards as well,” Debbie Dent, president of Willow Creative Group.

Willow Creative Group invites you to celebrate Arbor Day and promote growth in our Cincinnati community. Stop by Fountain Square on Friday, April 24 between 11:30 and 1:30 to pick up your free Willow or Norway Spruce tree. To learn more about happenings on Fountain Square, visit http://myfountainsquare.com/

Check out the article below to see why Willow Creative Group believes the current economy provides a marketing opportunity that cannot be passed up.

The Opportunity of this Recession - Full Article

For a short summary, click below.

The Opportunity of this Recession - Summary

As part of Junior Achievement’s national Job Shadow Day on February 6, 2,400 students in Greater Cincinnati went out into the community to experience real businesses first-hand. Students from Taylor High School’s business management class visited Willow Creative Group, a full-service marketing agency in Over-the-Rhine.

At the agency, students heard from employees about their roles, participated in a tour of the office space and took part in a brainstorming session. During the interactive session, students were asked to come up with a name for a tennis shoe for seniors.

“NikecAir” called out one student.

“SilverSneaks or maybe GoldenToes,” his classmate chimed in.

“These could be the marketers of the next generation,” said Debbie Dent, president of Willow Creative Group. “Whatever their future career might be, we loved having the students with us for the day. We’ve hosted students for job shadow day for the past four years, and their energy is always contagious!”

“After four years of participating in the event, this was by far the most engaging and interactive job shadow experience my students have had the benefit of being part of,” said Aaron Bradley, business management instructor at Taylor High School.

JA Worldwide is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs such as Job Shadow Day.

What’s Baking in Northside?

These days, Take the Cake owners Melissa Mileto and Doug Faulkner are into much more than cakes. They have a new brand, new Web site, and a new café.

The café, located at 4035 Hamilton Ave., opened on Saturday. It offers sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas and savory tarts made from natural, locally-produced ingredients. Guests can enjoy the eatery’s casual environment, seasonal fare and free Wi-Fi at open, community tables. And, don’t forget those distinctive treats – all of which will still be available from their on-site, full-service bakery.

Above the café, they will have an open studio space for local artists.

“We’re one-of-a-kind. I’m confident that customers will appreciate this quality in our café as much as they do in our bakery,” said Melissa Mileto, co-owner of Take the Cake.

Last spring, as they prepared for this business expansion, Take the Cake took a key step to partner with Willow Creative Group to re-brand their business. Their new visual identity reflects their fun, eclectic approach to savories and treats. They also developed a new Take the Cake Web site that is as unique and unexpected as the owners themselves (www.takethecakecincinnati.com).

Click here to read the article:
Steps to Determine ROI on a Succesful Brand
By Debbie Dent, president of Willow Creative Group
Published in Western Independent Banker, March/April 2008.

Visit the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s Web site to learn more about the WE Celebrate awards

Debbie Dent, President of Willow Creative Group is presented with award by Ellen ven der Horst, President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

CIINCINNATI – In the fourth quarter of 2008, Cincinnati-based Willow Creative Group garnered six new international creative awards in addition to the five awards they earned earlier this year.

Willow pulled in multiple honors from the 2008 MarCom Awards including platinum for THOR Investment Management’s corporate brochure; gold for Clark Schaefer Hackett’s corporate branding; and honorable mentions for an ad for local bakery Take the Cake and a corporate brochure for Trace Creek Construction.

At the 2008 Davey Awards, Willow won gold for their own Web site and silver for THOR Investment Management’s corporate brochure.

“I believe these awards represent Willow’s ability to create a breadth of strategically-driven solutions across diverse industries and needs,” said Debbie Dent, president of Willow Creative Group.

The MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and communications. It is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

The Davey Awards is an international awards competition specifically for small to mid-size advertising firms. It is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.

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CINCINNATI – Willow Creative Group was named 2008 WE Celebrate Women-Owned Business of the Year (25 or fewer employees) by the Cincinnati US Regional Chamber at their annual WE Awards breakfast last Thursday.

The WE Awards honor women and women-owned businesses for their achievement, innovation, social responsibility and mentoring. Willow was recognized for their consistent culture of excellence; the proven quality of their products and services; their growth history and their involvement in the community.

Arlene Koth, VP, Stakeholder Services for Downtown Cincinnati Inc, said she nominated Willow for the WE Award “because they actively support the mission of Downtown Cincinnati Inc. to build a dynamic metropolitan center through their excellent strategic marketing work for clients and tangible contributions to the community.”

“This is a great way to top off Willow’s 20th Anniversary year. I am honored by the recognition and proud of our team and our clients who have helped us achieve this accomplishment,” said Debbie Dent, president of Willow Creative Group.

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