
|
Ashley Furniture HomeStores®
OVERVIEW
Founded by Carlyle Weinberger in 1945, Ashley Furniture's Worldwide Headquarters in Arcadia, Wisconsin started as a sales organization with
branches in Chicago, IL and Goshen, IN. In 1970, the Arcadia, WI factory opened. Specializing in occasional tables and wall systems, the building encompassed 35,000 square feet of space and 35 employees. Under the vision, direction,
and leadership of Ashley's owners, Ashley has become a "World-Class
Furniture Manufacturer."
CHALLENGE
Brand continuity and consistency. Adherence to brand continuity and guidelines
is especially critical in large companies where managers sometimes never even
talk to one another. In such situations, it's possible to break a brand promise while spending millions on advertising.
SOLUTION
In 1997, Prizm aligned itself as an Ashley Furniture preferred vendor. Prizm assisted Ashley Furniture in establishing company-wide standards. Through various degrees
of transition, Prizm has continued to assist Ashley HomeStores via our custom
fulfillment program. Stores are able to order marketing products and printed materials
online through a custom designed portal. Often times at reduced costs and in less
time than traditional processes.
RESULTS
New programs and materials can be created more quickly and easily, resulting in higher return on investment. The first Ashley Furniture HomeStore opened in Anchorage, Alaska
in 1997. Since then, over 300 locations have been opened in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Japan. In less than 10 years, Ashley Furniture HomeStores has become the largest home furnishings retailer in the country. By offering free shipping to HomeStores with orders over $500, Prizm is able to provide assistance to HomeStores throughout the world. |
 |
Kolpin®
OVERVIEW
For more than 60 years, Kolpin Outdoors, Inc. has remained a leader in outdoor product development and has repeatedly redefined the industry standard with patented innovations in hunting blinds, firearm cases, game calls, decoys, feeders, Gun Boot® cases and brackets, carriers, Stealth Exhaust, ATV luggage and a wide array of ATV accessories.
CHALLENGE
In 2005, Kolpin sold a portion of their businesses to larger corporations. They maintained three major divisions: Final Approach, Kolpin and Kolpin Powersports. Their strategic vision was to expand into new product
categories within the outdoor recreation market. Strategic management of the Kolpin brand image was essential while taking into account the culture, brand, employee and client retention, sales, profitability, and growth of the two Kolpin companies.
SOLUTIONS
Since 2000, Prizm assisted Kolpin with the design, photography and printing of their
catalogs. As Kolpin grew and acquired several competitors, they further utilized Prizm's resources, and Prizm became the company's agency of record. Through brand
management and integration of several distinct cultures and core values into one
identity, Kolpin was branded as a growth oriented, innovator of outdoor products.
A consistent brand identity was developed across all product lines and integrated in
all advertising and marketing efforts.
RESULTS
Sales volume increased 18.8% in 2005 and improved standard gross margin to 36.7%.
As a result, a portion of the businesses were sold to larger companies at a large margin. After this sale the Kolpin brand sales volume increased 20.2% resulting in Kolpin being acquired in 2007 by Bushnell. |
 |
MaxBat®
OVERVIEW
MaxBat is the nation's fourth largest manufacturer of maple baseball bats and one of the most popular bats in professional, amateur and youth baseball worldwide. All bats are manufactured from start to finish in Brooten, MN.
CHALLENGE
Prizm was asked to create a messaging strategy and web site that better convey MaxBat's position in the marketplace and engage their audience.
SOLUTION
Well orchestrated marketing is a key differentiator for early stage companies. Prizm created a communications/media program aimed at generating awareness and business opportunities within the industry. Based upon the customer's priorities and budget, Prizm utilized revolutionary technology, identifiable imagery, and targeted grassroots marketing to gain marketshare and exposure. The new web site is centralized around helping baseball players at all levels of competition recognize their potential and gives them a platform to communicate their successes. The use of new technology makes the site's navigation more fluid and provides an extremely flexible platform for updates and future expansion.
RESULTS
As a result of these efforts, MaxBat has seen tremendous growth. From February 2006 to February 2007, MaxBat saw a 244% growth in sales. They launched three new web sites in 2007: maxbats.com; awardbats.com; and batbillets.com. Their exposure in
the marketplace has gained the company over 1,000 professional players. In 2008,
the company will concentrate on e-marketing and continue their efforts in gaining marketshare and industry exposure. It's Prizm's responsibility to maintain a high level
of visibility and relevancy for MaxBat in 2008. We have already begun work on the next phase of the web site which will include interactive gaming capabilities.
|
|
Miken Sports®
OVERVIEW
Miken is the premier manufacturer of high-performance softball and baseball bats; fielding gloves; batting gloves; bags and accessories. Founded on the philosophy of "technology without limits", Miken® Sports pioneered the first
composite bat in 1998, revolutionizing the softball industry. Since then, Miken has continued to lead the industry by developing cutting edge technology
to enhance the performance of their equipment. Vigorous field testing by world-class ballplayers ensures that every new product delivers the level of
performance and durability that has made Miken famous.
CHALLENGE
Differentiate Miken from the competition while continually branding their
high-performance bats to their cult-like followers.
SOLUTION
Miken came to Prizm in 1999. Prizm utilized revolutionary technology,
identifiable imagery, and targeted grassroots marketing to clearly differentiate Miken from their competitors. By strengthening its customer relationships, Miken was able to gain marketshare and become a threat to larger, more common sport retailers. Several new bat lines were launched as a means
to drive organic growth and target specific demographics and genres. These high-performance products with a unique personality allowed Miken to gain significant exposure in new markets.
RESULTS
Miken's success has been driven by two forces
- innovation and a passion for delivering what players demand. Miken's growth in the marketplace led to their acquisition in the fall of 2004 by K2 Inc. Net sales for 2006 improved 12.4%
and gross profit percentage improved to 34.4% in 2005 from 33.3% in 2004
and 30.6% in 2003. |
 |
Organic Valley®
OVERVIEW
In 1988, seven farmers came together to form an organic farming cooperative. Today, the cooperative has grown to over 1200 family farms that provide organic milk, cheese, butter, eggs, juices, soy beverages, produce and meats.
CHALLENGE
Organic Valley does not simply provide organic products. It is their mission to be less polluting, use all resources in a more sustainable manner, recycle more, and handle residual wastes in a more acceptable manner; resulting in a beneficial environmental impact and reducing energy and waste costs. Organic Valley's philosophies and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth. They are making their daily practices more environmentally friendly. They're also looking
more closely at the environmental practices of the companies with which they do
business. Anything that can be done to lessen their impact on the environment and decrease their carbon footprint is of utmost importance.
SOLUTIONS
Through the use of waterless printing technology, Prizm Companies has provided an
environmentally friendly printing solution for Organic Valley since 2006. This process
utilizes recycled paper - up to 100% post consumer; vegetable oil based inks; and
recyclable silicone rubber coated printing plates, where neither chemical development, nor toxic waste disposal is required. Currently Organic Valley prints on chlorine free processed post-consumer waste, recycled fiber paper creating an overall formula that is better for the planet.
RESULTS
Organic Valley plays a major role in promoting environmental awareness and a respect for the diversity, dignity, and interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil, and global life. Organic farming methods are helping to heal our earth by returning vitality and nutrients to the soil and keeping air and water safe from pollution caused by toxic pesticides and herbicides. When printed items are a necessity waterless printing on recycled paper products is just another way for Organic Valley to help protect the environment.
|
 |
Predator® Camo
OVERVIEW
Predator Inc. opened its doors for business in the summer of 1991. The main objective at that time was to offer the bowhunter a product that was unparalleled in its ability to make them disappear. The line of clothing and accessories offered by Predator Inc. features some of the finest fabrics available - from soft, durable, fade resistant 100% cottons to the high tech fabric Bucksuede®, Scent-Lok® and Predator's exclusive Warp Knit® fabric. These fabrics combine to give the user a functional, long lasting product.
CHALLENGE
Create an overall brand image to be utilized across all mediums.
SOLUTION
Prizm developed a creative solution that establishes a memorable, effective brand image, and motivates a key target audience. The overall brand is aimed at elevating perceptions and better reflect the core of Predator's business; quality, service, and professionalism. The brand image will be utilized throughout all mediums.
RESULTS
Predator unveiled the new brand image via their 2008 catalog and trade show booth at the 30th Annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
|
 |
Trane®
OVERVIEW
Trane has approximately 215 Parts Centers in North America
and Latin America offering a full-line of Trane and non-Trane
parts - including more than 100 of the most recognized
wholesale parts and supply lines in the industry. Trane Parts Centers offer OEM spec parts for Trane equipment and a
broad offering of after-market parts for almost any HVAC system.
CHALLENGE
Obtain double-digit sales growth for its aftermarket parts division.
SOLUTION
In 2005, a program was developed centering around a new
promotion, "Extreme Team," targeting contractors, dealers and HVAC professionals with monthly direct-mail campaigns which would drive them to an online survey to gather critical market data. The monthly campaigns feature special buys from industry partners. Initially the campaigns featured giveaways and encouraged the contractor to join an advisory team via an online survey.
RESULT
This fulfilled two purposes. The client was able to develop an e-mail database to replace some
of their direct mailings and reduce program costs significantly; and with the survey information,
the company is gathering pertinent information that affects the consumer and their buying
decisions. Their industry partners have seen in excess of 50% sales growth for the featured
products. By evaluating the survey results, the client has also clearly identified obstacles that
have hindered sales at their parts centers. The overall success of this program has grown this
company to be purchased for 10.1 billion dollars. A new program will launch in 2008 formatted
on the original goals of the Extreme Team program. The 2008 program, "Outdoor Adventure,"
will feature e-marketing, consumer driven programs, and giveaways.
|
 |
|
|