Vivid Ascent - Integrated Marketing Reinvented

2012 Chicago Auto Show Capitalizes on the Power of Technology

CHICAGO — February 2, 2012 – The Chicago Auto Show (CAS) will be using a series of unique and creative social media events and formats to inform and engage attendees at the 2012 show, taking place February 10–19, 2012. It is the first auto show in the U.S. to use such a complete package of social and digital media, highlighting the importance of these mediums for consumers and attendees.

“We’ve used various forms of social media before, but we realized that we could do so much more than any other show to engage social media and excite consumers,” said Dave Sloan, President of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. “In order to create this unique package, we hired Vivid Ascent, an integrated marketing agency that specializes in social and digital media. We have partnered with them to leverage their social media, video and creative skills in a way we have not seen in other U.S. auto shows.”

Some of the unique social and digital media programs that will be used in this year’s show include:

1. Daily “Webisodes” that share updates of special programs, contests and events that will be highlighted on the CAS website and distributed to social media
2. A “First Look for Charity” menu tour for food bloggers and digital influencers that cover the Chicago food industry previewing the show’s annual charity event that is open to the public
3. A Blogger Sweepstakes specifically designed for bloggers to invite their readers to win an exclusive auto show experience
4. Facebook photo contest, called “How Sweet is Your Ride?” allowing followers to upload photos of themselves with their favorite vehicles and vote for the winner, who will receive a VIP Package
5. A special Foursquare page for checking in at the show
6. A Social Media Day for digital influencers and bloggers to preview the event before the public
7. A Drive-In Program designed for select digital influencers and bloggers to evaluate new vehicles
8. Unique Digital Media Releases containing video and digital assets providing news updates throughout the show
9. Twitter updates providing real-time news and information throughout the show

“We wanted to make this year’s show more exciting for the attendees,” Sloan continued. “Since Chicago is the largest consumer auto show in the U.S., we knew that social and digital media could bring a new level of interest and opportunity to highlight the fun, informational and unique parts of the auto industry’s biggest event. We also realized that by using these programs to their fullest we would dramatically increase the reach of the show to the public.”

The public and media can find the various social and digital media programs designed by Vivid Ascent and the Chicago Auto Show by visiting www.chicagoautoshow.com or by following them on Facebook (facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow) and Twitter (@ChiAutoShow).

About Vivid Ascent

Founded in 2009, Vivid Ascent is the first PR and Marketing agency to fully integrate Search Engine Optimization into every Public Relations, Social Media, Advertising Website Design and Direct Marketing program. Vivid Ascent serves clients from financial services, education, non-profit, consumer, B2B and professional services industries. The company was created by 35-year public relations veteran Ray Carmichael and Dan O’Brien, a former senior agency and client marketing executive. For more information, visit www.vividascent.com.

About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association

Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) is the nation’s oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of approximately 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group’s dealer members employ approximately 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information, visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

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Catholic Extension Taps Vivid Ascent as PR and Marketing Agency of Record

Catholic Extension Taps Vivid Ascent as PR and Marketing Agency of Record

CHICAGO – September 6, 2011 - Vivid Ascent, a fully integrated marketing and PR agency in Chicago, today announced that Catholic Extension has selected them as their agency of record after a highly competitive, multi-agency review. Catholic Extension is a national fundraising organization committed to supporting and strengthening under-resourced faith communities across the U.S.

According to Catholic Extension, Vivid Ascent was selected because they best met the criteria of strategic insight and the ability to reach influential market segments across the breadth of traditional, digital and social media. The assignment requires partnering with Catholic Extension’s in-house marketing and communications team to create and implement a measurable, results-oriented communications plan to increase awareness and support fundraising efforts.

“We’re excited to partner with a company like Vivid Ascent because of their strong strategic thinking and digital savvy,” explained Tom Gordon, Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Extension. “Given unparalleled changes in the media landscape and evolving media consumption habits of our target audience, Vivid Ascent brought the best experience and capabilities to help us achieve our objectives.”

The plan includes communicating to all Catholics in major metropolitan areas as well as in under-resourced areas of the country. Stories of how Catholic Extension is building and transforming Catholic communities across the country will be delivered using highly targeted traditional and social media.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to tell the good news of Catholic Extension using an intelligent combination of PR, video, search engine optimization and direct marketing,” said Ray Carmichael, Chairman of Vivid Ascent. “We’re creating a unique plan that will leverage a fully-integrated message platform to reach new audiences and markets.”

About Vivid Ascent

Founded in 2009, Vivid Ascent is the first PR and Marketing agency to integrate Search Engine Optimization into Public Relations, Social Media, Advertising and Direct Marketing. Vivid Ascent primarily serves clients from financial services, education, non-profit, consumer, B2B and professional services industries. The company was created by 35-year public relations veteran Ray Carmichael and Dan O’Brien, a former senior agency and client marketing executive. For more information, visit www.vividascent.com.

About Catholic Extension

Since 1905, the Chicago-based Catholic Extension has been empowering Catholic communities by providing them funds to invest in people, invest in ministries and invest in infrastructure. The funds that Catholic Extension provides helps dioceses establish themselves; become self-sustaining; provide religious education and outreach ministries; build and renovate church buildings; and train the next generation of lay, religious and ordained Catholic leaders. Catholic Extension has distributed nearly $500 million to communities across America throughout its history.