Strickland Announces Ohio Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation and Opportunity in Cincinnati

Press Release

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the designation of the Cincinnati Consumer Marketing Hub as an Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity. The hub will bring together the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Procter & Gamble, Kroger Company, the University of Cincinnati and Macy's to strengthen and create job opportunities in Ohio's consumer marketing industry.

"Cincinnati's Hub designation will assist this region's already strong business and educational community in attracting young creative talent, new companies and job opportunities in consumer marketing to Ohio," Strickland said. "Targeted investments in Ohio's urban regions and businesses are a critical piece of our economic development strategy to create jobs and strengthen Ohio's economy."

The Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation and Opportunity will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, economic development and commercialization in the consumer marketing industry, providing the intelligence, insight, innovation, and infrastructure to sell Ohio's products and services. The state's investment of a $250,000 grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, will assist the hub.

The Consumer Marketing Hub is a key initiative of Cincinnati's regional action plan to transform the local economy and grow talent and jobs for Southwestern Ohio. The hub is expected to contribute to the region's goal of creating 200,000 new jobs by 2020, while also helping to attract and retain highly-skilled young talent.

Hub partners will be supported by global brand-building organizations such as Landor, Bridge Worldwide, LPK and consumer marketing service companies such as Dunnhumby USA and AC Nielsen/Buzzmetrics.

"Cincinnati is known around the world for our consumer goods corporations. From P&G to Macy's, to Kroger, to Landor, to LPK--Cincinnati is a worldwide leader in this area," Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory said. "This new Hub designation and the partnerships that it creates will allow us to grow in our area of expertise in a much more coordinated manner. I want to thank the Governor for his leadership in developing a growth strategy for Ohio that builds upon our strengths."

"There is no other community in Ohio and in fact few around the world that has Cincinnati's unique set of consumer marketing assets and capabilities," said Ellen van der Horst, President and CEO, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. "Through this Hub designation, the State recognizes both the historic strength of the Cincinnati USA region as a center for consumer marketing excellence and also the opportunity to build on and leverage this expertise to benefit businesses throughout Ohio. I applaud the State for granting this hub designation; it will serve as a cornerstone of our efforts to establish Cincinnati as the 'Silicon Valley of consumer marketing.'"

Ohio's Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity are supported by the Ohio Department of Development and work to leverage a region's resources and investments to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers and help to create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio's key industries.

"The Ohio Hubs are vital to the continued economic success of our state's communities," said Mark Barbash, Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Today's investment in the Cincinnati region will further enhance Southwest Ohio as a globally recognized hot-spot for consumer marketing and branding."

This is the fourth Ohio Hub designation, following the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Innovation Hub announcement in Toledo last week, the Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor Hub announcement in Cleveland in June, and the Ohio Aerospace Hub announcement in Dayton last September. The Ohio Hubs program develops a unique, concentrated environment that spurs innovation, company growth, employment, capital investment, product sales and community development in designated areas.

To be designated an Ohio Hub a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban revitalization. The designation consists of a commitment from both the state and region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths.

Source