Georgia targets business prospects with ad campaign

ATLANTA, January 6, 2006—The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced it is launching an ad campaign positioning the state as the ultimate location to conduct and grow business. The campaign, which is a critical component of Georgia's new marketing strategy, is specifically directed at C-level executives and key business decision-makers. The campaign will appeal to business prospects looking to relocate and it will also target Georgia-based businesses planning expansion projects. The ads will appear in international, national, regional and statewide publications. 'Georgia's thriving business climate enables business leaders to fulfill their ultimate aspirations for their company,' said GDEcD Commissioner Craig Lesser. 'The messages in these ads are the same messages that we talk about in meetings with prospects—Georgia has the resources, talented people and a business-friendly attitude that makes it possible to achieve high levels of success in short periods of time.' One ad features the headline 'Go Global,' with text that supports Georgia's position as an international hub for business, and an artistically styled collage of international flags that blend together to form one flag. The other advertisement features a similar artistic treatment with the line 'Go Farther.' This ad highlights Georgia's logistics infrastructure, including its superior airport, rail lines, highway system and ports, all of which combine to enable a business to reach its maximum potential in Georgia. Copies of both print ads are available by contacting GDEcD's communications staff. 'Our research showed that Georgia's strengths match everything that companies look for when seeking a location to grow their business, and we want to ensure we are on their radar screen,' said GDEcD Marketing and Communications Director Loretta Lepore. 'We intend to introduce Georgia's assets to business prospects, and remind those who are familiar with the state what makes us a superior business location.' The print ad campaign, designed by McRae Communications of Fayetteville, utilizes the theme 'Put your dreams in motion' to speak directly to business prospects in an active voice. 'We were tasked with developing a campaign that invites companies to look at all the opportunities that Georgia offers a growing business,' said Joe Snowden, president of McRae Communications. 'We believe a proactive theme like 'Put your dreams in motion' sets our advertising apart and prompts a potential client to think about how Georgia can help them reach utmost success.' The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org. McRae Communications (www.mcrae.com) is an integrated marketing agency that provides advertising, public relations and digital media services on an in-house basis. McRae is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Worldcom Public Relations Group.