In recognition of his contributions to the public relations profession in the Detroit area over the past 30 years, James A. Bianchi, president of Bianchi Public Relations, Inc. of Troy, was recently inducted into the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Detroit Chapter’s Hall of Fame. He was honored at the organization’s annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Dearborn Inn.

 

Induction into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame is considered the chapter’s highest honor, reflecting a PR practitioner’s significant contribution to the profession, the PRSA Detroit Chapter and the community. Nominees are evaluated and selected for induction by the Chapter’s Senior Council, a group of PR veterans with 20 or more years of experience.

 

“I’m both humbled and honored that my peers have selected me for the Hall of Fame, especially as the group includes some Detroit PR legends I have respected and admired for years,” Bianchi said. “I look forward to continuing our support of PRSA Detroit and I plan to spend the next 20 years trying to live up to this recognition.”

 

Bianchi founded Bianchi Public Relations in 1992, after six years as PR manager with the former Fortune 200 transportation manufacturer, Fruehauf Corporation, and another six years leading automotive and industrial account teams at another Detroit-area PR firm.

 

Recently celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Bianchi PR specializes in the automotive, industrial and business-to-business segments, and has grown to represent such well-known clients as Johnson Controls, TRW Automotive, Cooper Standard, 3M and BASF.

 

In 2003, Bianchi was the first recipient of the Wayne State University (WSU) Department of Communication Alumni Achievement Award. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism, graduating with distinction from WSU in Detroit.

 

Accredited in public relations by the PRSA, Bianchi is a long-time member of the Detroit Chapter of PRSA, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Troy Chamber of Commerce, the Automotive Press Association, SAE International, the Truck Writers of North America and the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit.

 

About Bianchi PR

An award-winning PR agency based in Troy, Mich., Bianchi Public Relations is among the top five independent PR firms based in southeast Michigan, according to PRWeek magazine’s rankings. Offering national reach and local specialization, the firm is an affiliate of The PR Collective, a public relations network of more than 25 independent agencies across North America.

 

With special expertise in the business-to-business realm, the firm has represented clients in the aftermarket, association, automotive, consulting, defense, design, e-business, education, engineering, industrial, legal, manufacturing, not-for-profit, professional services and technology sectors. For more information, visit www.bianchipr.com or call 248-269-1122.

The Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) recently honored several professionals for sales and marketing excellence at the 19^th annual MSED Black-Tie Gala Dinner held Thursday, October 18 at the Roostertail in Detroit.

 

At the Gala, Jay Farner, president and chief marketing officer of Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc., accepted the MSED Executive Leadership Award. Farner was introduced by Alan Schwartz, vice chairman and partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn LLP. Farner was acknowledged for impacting those around him by encouraging them to grow and create.

Farner’s work in the mortgage industry has helped Quicken Loans become the nation’s largest online lender and fourth largest retail lender, closing a record $30 billion in retail home loans in 2011.

 

Saad Chehab, president and CEO, Chrysler Brand for Chrysler Group LLC, received the Trailblazer Award. Chehab was honored in recognition of his ability to create a unprecedented marketing campaign delivering impactful results for his company.

 

Chehab’s leadership on the successful “Born of Fire” commercial and “Imported from Detroit"  campaign resulted in positive attention for the Chrysler brand and the Detroit area.

 

“We congratulate the award winners who have contributed greatly to the successes in their respective industries,” said Dave Harries, chairman of the 2012 MSED Gala and president of Spartan Marketing Services. “It’s important to celebrate the hard work and success of our peers and the Gala gives us that opportunity.” 

 

Also at the Gala, Yannick Greiner, director of international and OEM sales at Rugged Liner, received the individual Platinum Award. The Platinum Award for top team went to Reliance One.

 

Greiner was recognized for creating jobs, expanding manufacturing and building global sales. He started at Rugged Liner in 2010, when it had a purely domestic focus. He has now become the leader in the company’s international growth, while continuing as a member of the East Michigan District Export Council – a position appointed to him by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce – where he helps council Michigan companies in developing export sales.

 

Reliance One, a Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) certified staffing corporation located in Auburn Hills, was chosen for its successful new marketing initiative created to help the company survive the recent economic downturn. Lead by Jim Beath, president, and Jim Paquette, executive vice president, the initiative helped improved employee productivity and increase revenue over the past year by 50 percent.

 

The Platinum Award finalists were evaluated by a panel of their peers, chaired by Len Damico, executive vice president of sales and marketing at H.C., Olsen & Associates. Factors considered included: nominees’ track records in sales; utilizing new ideas or approaches; meeting challenges imaginatively; exhibiting exemplary teamwork; and impacting a business or industry.

 

The MSED Gala, which is in its 19^th year, celebrates the outstanding achievements of business executives and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan.  The funds raised by the event allow the organization to provide educational outreach in the metro-Detroit community.

 

“The Gala gives us the chance to do more than acknowledge the accomplishments of the area’s best in marketing and sales,” said Harries. “It also allows us to give back and help future industry professionals through scholarships and education.”

Congratulations to MSED members Damian Gardley, Director of Sales for LG Chem Power Inc., and Sandy Stojkovski, President of Scenaria Inc.  Damian & Sandy were named to the 2012 Crain's List of 40 Under 40.

 

 

(September 27) President and CEO of Chrysler Brand for Chrysler Group LLC. Saab Chehab talks with Paul W. Smith live at the Paris Motor Show. From Paris, France.

 

http://www.wjr.com/FlashPlayer/default.asp?SPID=34612&ID=2541507

The Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) recently awarded $5,000 in scholarships to two students from area universities. The scholarships represent MSED’s continuing effort to support students pursuing an education in sales and marketing.

 

The 2012-2013 MSED scholarship recipients were: Vanessa Barrios of Ypsilanti, Mich. and Brittany Bodi of Toledo, Ohio.   Each recipient received a $2,500 scholarship from the organization.

 

“We congratulate these students for their academic focus and achievement, which has earned them not only scholarships, but our highest praise,” said Kathryn J. Brennan, MSED Education Committee chair and president of The Brennan Group. “We are committed to giving back to the bright, young people who will become tomorrow’s business leaders.”

 

According to Brennan, the winning students demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, as well as community involvement and active participation in campus activities. Most notably, the scholarship recipients are working to help pay for their education.

 

Barrios, a senior at Eastern Michigan University, is on the Dean’s academic list with a 4.0 grade point average. She has held a variety of sales jobs in retail. Her goal is to work in supply chain management for a multi-national company.

 

Bodi, a senior at the University of Toledo, has won several sales achievement awards.  During two-and-a-half years as a membership specialist for a health club, she honed her sales skills while earning funds for tuition.

 

The MSED scholarship program, founded more than 10 years ago, has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships. In January of each year, scholarship information is distributed to the dean of the business school at each of the participating local colleges and universities. The business school submits the names of qualified students to the MSED Education Committee who then interviews the area’s top juniors and seniors. Upon completion of these personal interviews, the most outstanding applicants are chosen by the committee for the awards. Students and advisors interested in more information should visit the MSED website at www.msedetroit.org.

Saad Chehab, president and CEO, Chrysler Brand for Chrysler Group LLC, will be this year’s recipient of the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit’s (MSED) Trailblazer Award at the organization’s annual Black-Tie Gala to be held at the Roostertail in Detroit on October 18.

 

The Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual whose work significantly impacted the company they work for and the landscape of their industry.

 

As the head of Chrysler Brand, Chehab lead the team that developed the well-known and successful “Born of Fire” commercial and “Imported from Detroit" campaign.  Chehab is also a member of the Group Executive Council as Head of Lancia and Chrysler Brands for Fiat S.p.A.

 

 “We are honored to have Saad Chehab as the Trailblazer Award winner at this year’s Gala,” said Dave Harries, chairman of the MSED Gala and president of Spartan Marketing Services. “In a world where social media has put corporate decision making under intense scrutiny, the launch of the 'Imported from Detroit' campaign with the now famous two-minute commercial, 'Born of Fire', was a very bold move no company before Chrysler was willing to make. It made all of us in this region very proud of where we live and work.”

 

The event celebrates the exceptional achievements of business executives, and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan.   It is the 19^th annual black-tie fundraiser to be hosted by the MSED. Proceeds from the event benefit scholarships, educational seminars and charitable contributions.

 

“The Gala provides an opportunity for marketing and sales professionals to celebrate the achievements of their peers, network with other area business professionals and serves as a primary funding source for MSED education scholarships,” said Harries.

 

One individual and one team of southeast Michigan's top sales and marketing professionals will also be recognized and receive MSED’s Platinum Award. The award honors those whose work distinguishes themselves in the field and helps their companies achieve or exceed critical business goals. The winners are nominated by their professional peers and selected for their outstanding sales and marketing performance, which led to awarding or generation of new business and/or cost savings during 2011 and the beginning of this year.

 

Also at this year’s Gala, Jay Farner, president and chief marketing officer of Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc, will be presented with MSED’s Executive Leadership Award.

 

An exclusive Trailblazer sponsorship package is available for this event. As one of the benefits, two of the six seats the purchasing company receives will be at Chehab’s table during The Gala.

Tickets for the black-tie event cost $150 for MSED members, $195 for non-members, $1,100 for a member’s table of eight and $1,400 for a non-member’s table. The price includes an elegant cocktail reception, dinner and afterglow reception.

 

For information about tickets, event details or sponsorship opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at (248) 643-6590 or visit MSED Gala page.

The Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) has announced its officers, board of directors and committee chairs for the 2012-2013 program year. 

 

Named officers for the organization are:

•·  President – Thomas VanderLaan, vice president, business development, AVL Powertrain Engineering, Plymouth, Mich;

•·  Vice President & Sponsorship Chair – Robert Simon, vice president, business development, LMC Automotive, Troy, Mich;

•·  Treasurer – Joseph Melnick, chief marketing officer & director of planning, Butzel Long, 

       Detroit; and

•·  Executive Director – Ann Bruttell, president, Meeting Coordinators Inc., Troy, Mich.

 

Elected to the 2012-2013 board of directors are:

•·  Past President & Programs Co-Chair – Richard Marsolais, business development operations strategist, Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn, Detroit;

•·  Director – Gerald Bricker, principal, Aadvise Consulting LLC, Northville, Mich;

•·  Director – Tracy Fashing, director, sales & marketing, The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham, Mich;

•·  Director & Awards Committee Chair – David Harries, president, Spartan Marketing Services, Rochester Hills, Mich;

•·  Director – Anthony Lovell, global vice president, sales & marketing, Grede Holdings, Southfield, Mich;

•·  Director – James Seta, vice president, North American powertrain & electrical business unit, SKF Automotive Division, Plymouth, Mich;

•·  Director & Marketing/Communications Chair – Glenn Stevens, vice president, membership & sales, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Troy, Mich; and

•·  Director – Wim van Acker, partner, The Hunter Group LLC, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

 

Named as committee chairs are:

•·  Chair, Golf – David Braun, account executive, The Mergis Group, Troy, Mich;

•·  Chair, Education Committee – Kathryn Brennan, president, The Brennan Group, Detroit; and 

•·  Chair, Membership Committee – Deborah Staley, marketing & product strategy manager, US Manufacturing, Warren, Mich.

 

The Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) is a non-profit association of accomplished sales and marketing professionals that recognize the powerful advantage of building and nurturing relationships with their peers and their community. MSED provides the network and resources to advance new thinking, exchange counsel, ideas and new business; and help its members advance their sales and marketing careers. MSED contributions to charities and its own scholarship program help foster the value of the sales and marketing profession in the community.

Jay Farner, president and chief marketing officer of Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc, will receive the 2012 Executive Leadership Award from the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) at the organization’s annual Black-Tie Gala to be held at the Roostertail in Detroit on October 18 beginning at 6pm.

 

The event celebrates the exceptional achievements of business executives, and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan. It is the 19^th annual black-tie fundraiser to be hosted by the MSED. Net proceeds from MSED events support scholarships, educational seminars and charitable contributions.

 

Over the past 16 years, Farner has helped build Quicken Loans into the nation’s largest online lender and fourth largest retail mortgage lender, closing a record $30 billion in retail home loan volume across all 50 states in 2011.

In addition to his role at Quicken Loans, Farner also lends support to Bizdom, serving on the entrepreneurial boot camp’s appropriations board that determines funding for proposed startup businesses located within the city of Detroit.  He is managing director of Quizzle, an innovative website that helps consumers get a complete understanding of their credit, and chairman of One Reverse Mortgage, the nation’s largest reverse mortgage company.

 “We are proud and honored to have Jay Farner as our Executive Leadership Award recipient,” said Dave Harries, chairman of the MSED Gala and president of Spartan Marketing Services.”  As president and chief marketing officer, he not only excels in leading his team to optimize results for the company and its clients, but his strategic positioning of the Quicken Loans brand has achieved amazing results, proven by the company’s recurring ranking as a best place to work and its back-to-back J.D. Power Awards for client satisfaction.”

Farner is an active member on several boards of directors, including: Cellerant, a biotechnology company focused on developing human therapeutics for blood-related disorders and cancer; Sociocast, an intelligence platform providing companies real-time user behavior; ePrize, the leader in the interactive promotions industry; and Protect America, a leading home security company. He is also a member of the Karmanos Cancer Institute’s marketing committee.

 

The Gala will also recognize one individual and one team of southeast Michigan’s top sales and marketing professionals with MSED’s Platinum Award, as well as one emerging business leader who has effectively employed technology-based marketing tools with the Trailblazer Award.

 

Tickets for the black-tie event cost $150 for MSED members, $195 for non-members, $1,100 for a member’s table of eight and $1,400 for a non-member’s table. The price includes an elegant cocktail reception, dinner and afterglow reception. For information on tickets, event details or sponsorship opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at (248) 643-6590 or visit the organization’s website at www.msedetroit.org.

Marketing & Sales Executives of

Detroit(MSED) is accepting nominations for top-performing marketing and sales professionals in southeastern Michiganfor the organization’s coveted Platinum Awards.

 

Two Platinum Award winners, one individual and one team, will be honored at MSED’s 19th annual Black-Tie Gala Dinner on October 18. The awards recognize work which led to the awarding or generation of new business and/or cost savings from Jan. 1, 2011 throgh June 1, 2012.  Nominees do not have to be MSED members.

 

The award nomination form can be downloaded through the MSED website at www.msedetroit.org. The completed nomination along with any additional information about the nominee should be emailed to meetings@meeting-coordinators.com. Nominations must be received by September 1.

 

According to Len Damico, chairman of the 2012 MSED Platinum Awards and executive vice president, H. C. Olsen & Associates, the Platinum Awards celebrate the area’s best marketing and sales professionals with recognition and publicity from their peers in the industry.

 

“In these very challenging economic times, this is an excellent opportunity for individuals and teams from southeast Michigan-based businesses to showcase how their sales and/or marketing initiatives made a meaningful difference to their companies’ bottom line,” Damico said.

 

Nominees will be evaluated by MSED judges based on their achievements in increasing or maintaining sales, using creative problem-solving methods, reaching or exceeding company goals, impacting a business or industry and exhibiting exemplary teamwork or leadership as an individual, including distinguishing oneself from the competition during 2011 and the first part of this year.

 

A group of finalists will be selected from the nominees and interviewed by a panel of judges, with the winning individual and team being identified at MSED’s annual Black-Tie Gala Dinner on October 18.

 

The Platinum Awards are sponsored this year by Corp! magazine.

 

For more information on the MSED Platinum Award nominations, event sponsorships or advertising opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at 248-643-6590 or go to 2012 Gala. 

The Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) recently named the winners of its Platinum Awards for sales and marketing excellence at the 18^th annual MSED Black-Tie Gala Dinner held October 25 at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich.

 

The Platinum Recognition Award for the top individual went to Tony Lovell, vice president of sales and marketing, Grede Holdings LLC. The Platinum Recognition Award for the top team went to the Priority Health East Region Development Team.

 

“We received a record number of nominations this year, so choosing the winners was even more of a challenge,” said Dave Harries, chairman for the 2011 MSED Gala and president, Spartan Marketing Services. “However, the individual and team we selected stood out with their successful approaches and excellence in their respective fields.”

 

The Platinum Award finalists were evaluated by a panel of their peers, chaired by Len Damico, executive vice president of sales and marketing, H.C. Olsen & Associates. Factors considered included nominees’ track records in sales, utilizing new ideas or approaches, meeting challenges imaginatively, exhibiting exemplary teamwork and impacting a business or industry.

 

As vice president of sales and marketing at Grede Holdings LLC, a newly formed manufacturing company, Lovell has been responsible for putting together a sales force, directing sales and marketing efforts, creating brand awareness, diversifying its customer-base and generating new sales revenue growth. Through leadership, drive and creativity, Lovell was able to direct an extensive communications program, which included participation in industry trade shows, sponsorships and coordinating speaking engagements for the company’s CEO. He also doubled the sales team and exceeded new business goals by more than 20 percent in 2010 and 2011.

           

Being new to the southeast Michigan region, Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Priority Health East Region’s Development Team had to develop brand recognition, an agent relations program and a provider network. The team utilized a variety of marketing tools to build recognition and relationships, which helped to nearly double membership. The southeast region now accounts for approximately 25 percent of Priority Health’s statewide membership.

 

Also at the gala, the MSED Executive Leadership Award was presented to Sandy Pierce, president and CEO, Charter One, Michigan, who was introduced by Beth Chappell, president and CEO, Detroit Economic Club. Pierce was recognized for her accomplishments in the banking industry and her involvement and support in the

Detroitcommunity.

 

In addition, new to the Gala this year was the Trailblazer Award, which awards an emerging business leader who is recognized for effective implementation and use of technology-based marketing tools. The inaugural recipient of this award was Scott Monty, global digital and multimedia communications manager, Ford Motor Co.

 

In its 18^th year, the MSED Gala continues to celebrate the exceptional achievements of business executives and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan.  The proceeds from this pre-eminent event help support scholarships, educational seminars and charitable contributions.

 

“The Gala gives us an opportunity to not only recognize the great achievements of our peers in the marketing and sales industries, but also take time to celebrate the positive changes happening in

Michigan,” Harries said.