Advertising veteran Matt Sicko, who spent nearly two decades propelling brands ranging from Jeep and Mazda to Iams Pet Food and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, has joined Cramer-Krasselt as creative director. In his new role, Sicko will help bring integrated campaigns to life for C-K's local and national clients, including Phoenix Coyotes, Valley Toyota Dealers … [More]
McCarthy Named Regional Chief Investment Officer for Wells Fargo Private Bank
Wells Fargo Private Bank today announced Sean McCarthy has been named regional chief investment officer for the Southwest region. In his new role, McCarthy will be responsible for providing strategic guidance on investments and asset allocation, and maintaining consistent implementation of The Private Bank’s investment strategy to all clients’ portfolios in the region, … [More]
Wells Fargo Tops List of World’s Most Valuable Bank Brands, Leads Strong U.S. Growth
The Brand Finance Banking 500, conducted by leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, ranks the world’s biggest banks by their brand value. The results, published in the February edition of The Banker magazine, reflect industry trends and indicate future developments. Most U.S. banks are growing strongly thanks to monetary policy that has driven a recovery in the … [More]
Entrepreneurs & Innovators
To recover from an injury, any boxer will credit being fit as critical to a speedy comeback. That’s not unlike an Arizona economy counting on being FIT to get it back to fighting form. Only this FIT stands for three pillars: franchise, invention and technology. Entrepreneurs and innovators from these three economic drivers are contributing to a new economy that is proving a … [More]
Bob Parsons, GoDaddy
One of Arizona’s economic strengths is its wealth of entrepreneurial activity. In fact, our state ranks among the highest in the nation for start-up enterprises. Businesses span the gamut from service to high-tech. Entrepreneurs from all walks of life start and develop businesses, feeding our economic engine with the fuel it needs to grow. This entrepreneurial activity … [More]
CopperPoint Mutual Emerges from SCF Arizona
“It seemed like a natural to turn the insurance business over to the people it was created for,” says Don Smith, CEO of what is now CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company. His 14 years with the state’s workers’ compensation insurance company included leading SCF Arizona through its transition from a state fund to a private company, officially launched this past … [More]
Business, Social Media and the First Amendment
A recent court case that upheld a business’s right to fine a customer for posting a negative review on social media may have some businesses questioning: Do we have legal recourse when someone bad-mouths us? Does the First Amendment protect people who say bad things about our company? What is often overlooked in these discussions is the fact that the First Amendment does not … [More]
Mark Russell: Translating Training to Guest Experience
“Training. It’s all about training.” So says Mark Russell, CEO and founder of Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, when asked about how he stays ahead of the pack. His office is a wonderland of street signs, old marketing signs and wooden barrels, and he’s got a pinball machine behind his desk. It’s a décor not unlike that of his restaurants — hardly surprising, as he actually decorates … [More]
Amateur Sports League Follows NBA Business Model
Calling it a “grassroots marketplace,” Jamar Johnson is bringing to Phoenix his concept of Community Basketball Leagues as a platform that connects amateur basketball players and sports-related marketing opportunities for small businesses. Basketball has always been his passion, says Johnson, who went to college on a basketball scholarship and played professionally although not … [More]
Subscription Model Makes the Cut for Barbershop
The concept of a subscription-based barbershop is modeled on NetFlix, according to co-owner Josh Thorsvik, who explains it works because it’s something people “want more of.” In fact, it was the business model itself that came first, and then “we considered what types of business would fit.” Thorsvik and Jacob Meltzer, already business partners with a Liberty Tax franchise, … [More]
Success Follows Attitude
The Success Index was developed based on responses to questions regarding business growth and characteristics proven to be emblematic of high-performing entrepreneurs. Based on a 100-point scoring scale, four distinct levels emerged: “strugglers” (scoring 0-40 points), “sustainers” (scoring 41-60 points), “strivers” (scoring 61-80 points) and “high achievers,” who scored … [More]
Don’t Forget Z’Tejas Valley-wide
A Valley favorite for more than 20 years, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill is known to many as an original that was developed right here in Scottsdale — but, actually, the first location was in Austin, Texas. The concept was to create a fresh and seasonal menu using Southwestern ingredients found in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas and even Louisiana. Born of the fiery and … [More]
New 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i
The third-generation BMW X5 is empowered by this xDrive50i edition for 2014. While the new appearance is notable, it is the latest technologies and fuel efficiencies that are the true benefit in the next edition. With a 2-mpg gain in highway fuel efficiency, a lighter overall weight and some aerodynamic redesign, this driving machine is a “sports activity vehicle” to check … [More]
100 Club of Arizona
“This year’s Tribute to Heroes will be different,” says 100 Club of Arizona executive director Sharon Knutson-Felix, noting that in 2013 “we lost 22 officers and firefighters in the line of duty.” The Tribute is one of the organization’s two major fundraisers, supporting its efforts to “stand behind the men and women who stand behind the badge.” The event March 7th at the … [More]
Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
The Girl Scout Cookie Sale is in full swing now, running from Jan. 27 to March 9, and Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is running it all as direct sales — eliminating the pre-sale stage of previous years. Evidenced by the experience of other councils, eliminating pre-sales and doing direct sales only is expected to increase sales by about 15 percent, according to Heather … [More]
Feedback: February 2014
Question: What was the one thing about your initial concept or product that made franchising a good option? William Brennan Co-founder and CEO Kalologie Sector: Health & Wellness Kalologie is a word that, translated, means “aesthetics.” Our company, Kalologie 360 Spa, focuses on spa services in the aesthetics industry. We offer an array of membership-based spa … [More]
Jerry Brock to be Honored with Spirit of Tempe Award
Jerry Brock will be presented with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Tempe Award at the 17th Annual Breakfast for Chamber Champions on Feb. 28 at the Embassy Suites Tempe. The award recognizes lifetime achievements of service, dedication and contribution to the community and honors hard work and strong commitment to improving the quality of life in Tempe. A Tempe … [More]
SASSI Named One of the Most Romantic Restaurants in America by OpenTable Diners
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, OpenTable has released its annual list of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the U.S. The Diners’ Choice Awards Top 100 Most Romantic restaurant list of winners is derived from more than 5 million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners for more than 19,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This year, SASSI joins three … [More]
