In response to their own marketing needs, Kothrade turned to Prime Advertising & Design, for a little maintenance of their own.

The first step of Kothrade’s maintenance was an updated logo design. The new logo is an attention-grabber.  The bright red and balanced design conveys Kothrade’s rough-and-ready attitude. Kothrade is ready to get down to business, and now, so is their logo.

After redesigning the logo, Prime Advertising turned our attention upon Kothrade’s website. Prime cleaned up the site, making all of the services Kothrade offers much more accessible.

The new website is modern and clean, showing off Kothrade’s technology and commitment to helping their customers.  Also, using the Element Z content management service, Kothrade will now be able to manage and update their website with any new services they have to offer their clients.

Prime Advertising set up a blog for Kothrade, so that they can update clients with the latest and greatest information about their company. Also, with the blog, they can post current industry information. The blog feeds directly into facebook and twitter, allowing Kothrade to utilize social media in order to further their marketing reach and search engine optimization.

Kothrade has always had the physical tools to meet their customers’ needs; now, with their new logo, blog, and website, Kothrade has added more valuable devices to their tool-belt. Kothrade is better-able to reach out into the communities they serve and to communicate effectively with their clients. Kothrade’s new website says, “The Experience and Equipment to Get the Work Done Right.”—a standard Kothrade holds themselves to, now mirrored by their professional appearance and website.

Prime Advertising was able to dig a little deeper into Kothrade, and in the end, unearthed for them a bright, new image. As Kothrade proves every day—a little maintenance can go a long way!

The response was very enthusiastic to our call for photo entries,  we are so appreciative of all who shared their talents!

All entries are on display through mid-September at the Government Center for public viewing.  Three photographers were recognized in each category with each 1st place receiving $100; 2nd place $50; and 3rd place $25.  In addition, this year a Youth category was added.  Four photographers under 18 were selected to each receive a $25 award for sharing their skill.

All photos submitted are available for viewing on www.myprimeguide.com/photos.  Make sure to check out the photographic skill that abounds in our community!

Going Together

1st Place Winner:  “Bubble Boy” by Suzanne Olson

2nd Place Winner: “Laundry is Starting to Get Interesting” by Neill Johnson

3rd Place Winner:  “Plunge Into Summer” by Diane Schaefer

Going Strong

1st Place Winner:   “Rally ‘Round the Flag Boys” by Rich Moll

2nd Place Winner:  “Grand Slam Celebration” by Pamela Baker

3rd Place Winner: “The Town Green….In Green” by Dean Scheidler

Going Natural

1st Place Winner:  “Winter Branch” by Pat Aldritt

2nd Place Winner: “Purple Flora” by Rob Gray

3rd Place Winner: “Elm Creek into Spring” by Blair Luedke

Going Wild

1st Place Winner:   “Brutus the Bulldog” by Peter Haag

2nd Place Winner: “A Perfect Perch” by Jen Auseth

3rd Place Winner: “Baby Deer” by Bijoy Anose

Youth Recognition

“Maple Grove’s Lights in the Sky” by Alec Andrzejek

“Backyard Frog” by Erin Linder

“Swing into the Future with a Smile on Your Face” Morgan Pfaff

“Ice Engulfs a Newly Formed Pine Tree Sprig” by Morgan Schoo

These photographers were presented with their prize and certificate of appreciation at the August 15th City Council meeting.  Don’t be surprised to see these and other entries in future newsletters, City of Maple Grove and Prime Advertising & Design websites, and area-wide publications.  The contest will return in 2012, so keep those shutters clicking!

Prime Advertising & Design is proud to have been chosen as Polar’s agency of record. We’re excited to be designing and programming Polar’s new websites using our Element Z Content Management System. Prime will also focus on updating Polar’s logo, marketing materials and developing a comprehensive marketing strategy which includes a variety of advertising options.

Times are good at Polar – the company recently added over 600 employees, and it’s been mentioned as a business success story in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal.

The Prime team was recently on-site for an educational tour at Polar’s main manufacturing facility in Opole, Minnesota with Tim Kelly, who directs marketing for Polar. All of us were impressed with the scope of the operation and the company’s innovative approach to manufacturing tank trailers.

Tim pointed out that Polar stands out above its competitors because each tank trailer is customized to each client’s specifications. Parts are custom-made as well – yet another factor that reduces costs and increases efficiency.

Whether their tanks are carrying grain, milk, fuel or chemicals, Polar has established a superior reputation throughout North America for its great customer service as well as the quality of its products. The whole Prime team is excited to be working with Polar for the long haul!

For this reason, Prime gladly volunteered, for the 11th year in a row, to be a Gold Leaf Sponsor for this year’s Maple Grove Days. In addition to publishing the Official Maple Grove Days Event Guide, Prime sponsored many of the leading events, such as the Pierre Bottineau Parade, the art fair, and the fireworks display. Also, partnered with Excel Promo, Prime provided and donated over 800 t-shirts to Maple Grove Community Organization, those volunteering at the events, and those participating in the Rice Lake Classic 5-K Run.

Maple Grove Days is an opportunity for the community of Maple Grove to put its best foot forward, and as ever, the city didn’t disappoint! During the events, we at Prime made our presence known, not only with our neon-orange shirts and frisbees in the Parade, but with our friendly and fun attitude at the Business Expo. At the Business Expo, Prime got the opportunity to interact with Maple Grove’s involved community members, as well as the chance to give back to the community that has given us so much. To do so, Prime offered up a drawing so those attending the Business Expo had the opportunity to win some great local prizes!

We held the drawing, and here are the results:

Winning a $25 gift-card to Malone’s Bar and Grill was Sharla D.. Natalie B. and Stephanie K. each won a $20 gift-card to Broadway Pizza. There were three lucky-winners of $25 Sawatdee Thai Restaurant gift-cards: Jennifer W., Audrey J., and Sandy T. Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank-you to all who participated!

The drawing at the Business Expo was such a success, we plan to kick-off a monthly drawing! From our community base at MyPrimeGuide.com, we will draw a name every month, and that lucky person will win some great local prizes! So, if you’re interested to win gift-cards to the hottest restaurants in Maple Grove, go to MyPrimeGuide.com, provide your email/zip code, and respond to Prime’s confirmation email. It’s that easy! You can also “Like” MyPrimeGuide.com on facebook to view updates on the site’s launch. Then you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the best that the community of Maple Grove and Prime Advertising has to offer!

AWC hired Prime Advertising & Design to streamline their marketing, making it more effective, which included an updated logo, website redesign, blog, e-mail marketing and creating new print ads for the Official Community Resource & Residents’ Guides and City Newsletters.

Prime started with the logo redesign, once that was complete, Prime’s attention turned to their website. AWC offer a wealth of educational information and their previous website navigation was difficult to follow and did not reflect their unique facility that sets Animal Wellness Center apart from other pet hospitals.

Creating a beautiful design and building the website on the Element Z Content  Management System was essential, allowing for easy updates to the website, blog and their email marketing program. AWC needed the ability to keep their clients informed on events, news topics and specials that change regularly. Prime also streamlined AWC’s client communication by programming the blog to feed directly into their website and Facebook page, allowing for one update to reach people in multiple ways!

By making the process of client communication significantly easier and more streamlined, AWC can focus their attention on what they do best, offering advanced veterinary care with a personal touch!

Galaxy Auto and Tire Centers is an auto service and tire dealer in the northwest metro of Minneapolis, MN.  They offer 3 convenient locations including Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and Spring Lake Park.
Galaxy Tire & Auto Centers has been in business for 38 years and they have had a handful of logos during those years. Galaxy came to Prime to discuss hiring us to streamline their marketing and to make it more effective.

One of the first things Prime did for Galaxy was to freshen up the logo without losing the familiarity that Galaxy’s clients have come to know, Prime designed a clean and updated logo, while using the blue and yellow that Galaxy has branded itself with over the years.

Once their logo was complete, Prime’s attention turned to Galaxy’s website. They were unable to update their old site and the content did not function as they wished it would. Their new site uses Web 2.0 technology and Prime Advertising’s state-of-the-art content management system. This gives Galaxy the ability to change and update their own content on the fly.  We were also able to update their online service information pages with diagrams and the discount pages with social media links. Prime also interlinked Galaxy’s web pages, helping to create the highest level of search engine optimization.

Time is important to all of us. Galaxy has always emphasized safety, but wanted to let people know that they are also convenient. “Savings Your Way” and “Peace of Mind, On Your Time” became their new slogans. The new slogans are followed by icons that give you the choice to sign up for their blog feed, like them on facebook, follow them on twitter, join their email club or text message for special offers.

There are so many different ways to find what one is looking for and Galaxy wanted to make doing business with them easy.  By being so accessible online, Galaxy has increased their search engine optimization, while also emphasizing convenience. Best of all, Prime has created auto-feeds so that Galaxy’s blog posts feed into facebook status updates.

Their latest project completed was for the MERSC event that was held in April. Keeping up with the new brand and client-centric focus, Galaxy updated their special event booth. We stuck to the basics, updating a table throw that included Galaxy’s new logo, a vinyl pull-up banner, 2-sided 22” X 28” sign, flyers and personalized Galaxy USB drives as a promotional handout.

If you’re in the need of auto service or tires, please visit Galaxy Auto & Tire Centers.

The food had to have a Halloween theme and was voted on for the most creative. Leave it to the imaginative minds of Prime to have a severed head spewing green chicken salad, alligator eyeballs, compost salad and green ice skulls floating in the punch. The winner was pretty clear once the votes were counted – the green chicken salad handwiches. Congrats Rob and Julie!

Participation was down a little with the costumes this year, but the best costume award was still given out. The award went to Ben who dressed up as our Vice President Nathan. Unfortunately our VP was not in the office today to get a side-by-side comparison!

Everyone at Prime would like to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween!

[View with PicLens]

[View with PicLens]

First, Marilyn was recognized for her end of tenure with the board, and her two years of service (2009 and 2010) to the Chamber.  Marilyn has helped make a variety of Chamber events hugely successful.  The Chamber Golf Tournament, the Anoka Riverfest and Craft Fair, and the Annual Chamber Gala are just a few of the events that Marilyn’s enthusiasm and energy have helped to shape and prosper.

Second, which was a surprise to Marilyn; the Chamber awarded her an additional and highly prestigious award – the President’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.  Marilyn earned the President’s Award because she so strongly embodies what the Chamber values in volunteerism – service with character.  Marilyn does not just give her time; she gives 100% of her spirit, heart and energy to everything she touches.  Service is not just a catch phrase for Marilyn; it’s a way of life.  We thank the Chamber for their award, and we give a huge shout out to Marilyn for being such a wonderful example of volunteerism at its prime!

[View with PicLens]

As a member of the Maple Grove community since 1993, Prime Advertising & Design was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the Maple Grove Days festival this year, and donated over 800 official event T-shirts to volunteers, committee members and 5K race participants.

In addition to the parade, Prime participated in the charity “bed race” benefitting the 40 Winks Foundation – a group that donates beds to various charitable organizations. Several Prime clients placed well in the competition including Slumberland (1^st), J Brothers Construction (2^nd), Rose Arbor (Most Creative), and J. Cousineau’s (Most Enthusiasm).

[View with PicLens]

Everyone had a great time, enjoyed the summer weather and loved seeing many of our clients participating as well in this successful community festival.  All of us here at Prime can’t wait ‘til next year!

Enjoy the below video of the Maple Grove Days fireworks finale.
Maple Grove Days Fireworks Video (requires QuickTime)

Participating in the career development event was Nathan Olmscheid, Prime’s Director of Business Development. Olmscheid and eight other local business leaders were part of a panel discussion chaired by Anoka Chamber President Pete Turok. Following the panel, the day concluded with three roundtable sessions. These sessions allowed panel members to interact with students interested particular career paths.

Some of the topics touched on during the day included the rise of social media, and an analysis of career fields and job opportunities over the next several years. Prime is a proud member of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, among other chambers, and its employees are frequently asked to share their thoughts on various issues, such as marketing, advertising, technology and public relations.