Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is helping to keep the region’s economy rolling by contracting with a number of area companies and individuals to produce segmented marketing materials.

‘We took inventory of the marketing materials we had on hand and decided we needed to not only pad out our offerings, but to also update some of the materials being used in-house,” says John McGran, LVEDC’s vice president of marketing.

“In addition to an updated and upgraded PowerPoint presentation that’s meant to showcase Lehigh Valley, we’ve also asked Vaughan Communications Group to create a printed trifold of the Valley – and to repeat this process for the sub-regions of Slate Belt, Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.”

The marketing/communications department is also working with freelance designers to update our finance department booklets – one for lenders and one for borrowers. At the same time, we are working to produce a pamphlet or brochure that will promote our investor program and better explain the levels and perks linked with giving to the region’s economic development organization.

LVEDC has also contracted with THRIVE Media to produce a series of 10 three-minute videos that highlight Lehigh Valley businesses – and the LVEDC programs that have helped these businesses expand, upgrade or… well, thrive.

These videos will appear on the LVEDC website, our YouTube page and will be featured in upcoming newsletters. The first three videos have been shot. They showcase American Millworks, Coca-Cola Refreshments and Lightweight Manufacturing.

And speaking of videos…

LVEDC has obtained the services of Emmy-winning FireRock Productions to create a video that will highlight the entire Lehigh Valley – everything from its prospering business climate to its many recreational activities and its overall livability. FireRock will produce a 3-minute version, plus a shorter 60-second and 30-second spot that can be used on television and elsewhere.

“This video will be a perfect background piece for our forums, council meetings and other gatherings,” says McGran. “It will also be a nice visual piece of collateral for use at the various conferences and meetings our business development team attends. The shorter versions can be used as TV ads that showcase Lehigh Valley.”

Finally, LVEDC is working with Journal Communications to publish a 100-page “magazine” that will promote Lehigh Valley, its thriving businesses sectors, location and opportunities. Professional writers and photographers are currently working on the pieces that will make this project a compelling piece of collateral.

“We wanted to come up with something more exciting than the traditional print materials used to market the Valley,” says McGran. “This publication will be just that – and I believe it will be read more thoroughly by potential clients of LVEDC.”

Other marketing ventures include a two-page spread in the state’s first economic development publication, the ongoing “WOW! Campaign” which includes billboards and print ads, four half-page ads in Lehigh Valley Business and premium sponsorships of LVB’s “Business of the Year” and “25 Fastest Growing Companies” events.

Also in the works is the annual LVEDC Awards event, which this year takes place October 16^th at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. Invitation have been designed and should be mailed shortly.

“This year’s Awards event will be our best ever,” says McGran. ‘We not only have a deeper slate of award winners, but also a few special surprises that will make attendees sit back and say ‘WOW!’”