CMD CREDITS ABILITY TO STAY AHEAD OF RAPID CHANGE AS KEY TO SUCCESSS

PORTLAND, Ore. – A difficult economy. A rapidly changing industry. An ever-evolving business model.

For any agency, trying to survive the turmoil of the past few years has been challenging at best. Yet CMD, one of the leading marketing agencies on the West Coast, credits these factors as key to its success.

CMD recently reported one of its most successful quarters in the company’s 30-plus year history, achieving record-setting revenue and profit since the beginning of 2013. In the past three months, the agency has added 10 new hires and promoted six employees. CMD continues to expand its regional presence, with offices in Seattle and in San Francisco. It has added top talent and new services, including a strategy and solutions group, responsive design capabilities and a metrics and analytics division.

Most importantly, CMD has broadened its client portfolio, netting a number of new accounts and clients. With roots working with some of the largest global technology brands and experience in the housing and manufacturing segments, the agency has used its knowledge to the benefit of new tech sector clients such as ASUS and leading consumer brands such as Expedia.

“Rather than resist change, we’ve embraced it,” said Phil Reilly, president of CMD. “Our success can be credited to the fact that we’ve never been afraid to evolve our model to fit what clients need.”

Change Comes Second Nature

Change comes naturally to CMD, which was founded in the days when CD-ROMs were considered innovative, and at the time, the agency focused heavily on providing training services. As marketing strategies evolved and technology increased, CMD stayed on the forefront by working with clients considered leaders and innovators in their respective fields. The agency began incorporating new services, increasing its creative talent pool and shedding old ways of doing things. Constant evolution became part of its DNA.

Now with approximately 150 employees, Reilly says CMD is big enough to invest and build out services that have the most significant impact on clients’ marketing needs, but small enough to be nimble when it comes to instituting change rapidly. Today, the agency offers digital, advertising, design, social media, PR, paid media, film and video, events, promotion and content marketing, and metrics and analytics.

“We’ve always been a big believer in having more than one arrow in our quiver,” said Reilly. “We invest in and build out areas that we believe will have growth potential and the biggest impact on clients’ marketing strategies. It’s easy to get distracted in an industry that’s changing so rapidly, so we focus on how to deliver the most effective campaigns possible for the client’s investment.”

Increasing Competitiveness in a Tough Economy

CMD credits a tough economy for being a catalyst for change and helping the agency succeed. The agency moved from being heavily concentrated in the housing segment before the economic downturn to effectively broadening its client base and concentrating on technology and other leading business to business and consumer brands. Additionally, CMD saw early on that data and analytics would play an important part in how marketing expenditures would be budgeted for and determined moving forward.

“Every client looks for return on marketing investment and how it impacts the bottom line – and that becomes especially important in a down economy. That’s why we’ve focused on things like adding a strong analytics department, which put us way ahead of the competition and helps reassure clients that their dollars are working as hard as possible for them,” said Reilly.

According to Reilly, it’s that ability to maintain a competitive edge and focus on the company’s core values that has allowed the agency to grow and change the definition of what it means to be a “creative” agency.

“In the old definition, being a ‘creative agency’ meant producing creative ads,” said Reilly. “At CMD, we believe the true meaning of creative is the ability to understand and implement the right combination of effective solutions that motivates an audience to take action. It’s a balance of both art and science. And that’s the agency of the future that CMD is excited to help pioneer.”

About CMD

With an arsenal of specialized disciplines, CMD takes a synergistic approach to tackling the toughest marketing challenges in a new era of communications by using the right blend of powerful solutions – including digital, advertising, social media, PR, promotions, film and video, and more. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., and ranked among the nation’s top 20 independent agencies, CMD works with some of the world’s leading brands including Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, Expedia, NW Natural, JELD-WEN and Timber Products. CMD also has offices in Seattle and San Francisco, and can be found online through the CMD website, Twitter, Facebook or blog.

CMD VICE PRESIDENT DARCIE MEIHOFF SELECTED AS “WOMEN OF INFLUENCE” ORCHID AWARD HONOREE BY PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL

PORTLAND, Ore. – One of Portland’s most influential women executives of 2013 calls CMD home.

CMD Vice President Darcie Meihoff, APR, was selected today as a 2013 Women of Influence Orchid award honoree by the Portland Business Journal. The award was presented at a luncheon sponsored by the publication.  

Each year, the Portland Business Journal recognizes 25 “women of influence” for their business and civic contributions. The publication’s editorial staff picked the 25 based on criteria of career accomplishments, community service, influence within the business and civic communities and the value of their contributions to their organizations.

“It’s an honor to be included among such a tremendous group of women who contribute so much to our community,” said Meihoff.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Meihoff also holds the title of executive director of the earned media group at CMD. In her role, she spearheads public relations and social media strategies and initiatives for CMD’s prestigious client roster, which includes many high-profile global brands.

“The entire CMD team is proud of Darcie for being recognized as one of Portland’s truly outstanding business leaders,” said CMD President Phil Reilly. “She is a natural leader and lives our agency’s core values of providing strategic guidance and delivering maximum results each and every day.”

Meihoff joined CMD in 2003 to help launch the agency’s earned media department. Since that time, her team has earned numerous awards and honors for outstanding public relations and social media campaigns, including a PRSA International Silver Anvil award in 2008. She also sits on the agency’s executive management team and is part of CMD’s Strategy and Solutions Group, which helps guide high-level strategy and cross-discipline business solutions for the agency’s clients.

Her agency experience also includes positions at Leopold Ketel & Partners, Cole & Weber and Gerber Advertising.

With a particular interest in environmental and sustainability initiatives, Meihoff has dedicated her time to serve as board president of The Forest Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that helps protect and preserve one of Portland’s greatest natural treasures.  She graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

“Having worked with Darcie for close to 20 years, I have watched her develop into a leader in the PR field as well as the in the community,” said Olga Haley, APR, managing director, PR and new business development at Leopold Ketel & Partners. “On the professional side, it has been amazing to see how she has transformed her skills from a strictly earned media practice to the new social mediums. At the same time, she has been a model in the community with her commitment to serving as president of The Forest Park Conservancy and working with local groups like SOLV. Aside from being a great friend, I’m happy she has been recognized for her tremendous efforts.”

About CMD

With an arsenal of specialized disciplines, CMD takes a synergistic approach to tackling the toughest marketing challenges in a new era of communications by using the right blend of powerful solutions – including digital, advertising, social media, PR, promotions, film and video, and more. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., and ranked among the nation’s top 20 independent agencies, CMD works with some of the world’s leading brands including Microsoft, JELD-WEN, Intel, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, NW Natural and Timber Products. CMD also has offices in Seattle and San Francisco, and can be found online through the CMD website, Twitter, Facebook or blog.

Healthcare IT blog, op-ed take top honors in regional competition

PORTLAND, Ore. — CMD’s social media, PR and digital communications programs received a perfect score at this year’s regional PRSA Spotlight Awards; every program the agency entered won. In all, CMD took home six awards for programs that stood out among dozens entered from around Oregon and southern Washington. The awards were presented on Oct. 25, 2012.

CMD’s awards include:

• Spotlight Award for Turning Up the Volume: Boosting Health IT Blog Views 1,200 Percent
• Spotlight Award for A Bridge Too Low: Greenberry Op-Ed
• Award of Merit for Intel’s “What About Me?”: A customized social media-based infographic experience
• Award of Merit for Better Together: Growing Partner Relationships and Community Engagement at HIMSS
• Award of Merit for Delivering Value to Readers: Timberline Newsletter
• Award of Merit for Summing Up a Social Media Identity: CMD’s Social Media Audit

“It is our goal to offer best in breed social media practices, and these winning projects are excellent examples of our integrated approach,” said Darcie Meihoff, APR, vice president of earned media at CMD. “Our ‘perfect score’ of six awards this year is a testament to team spirit and the strategic thinking that informs our work for our clients.”

Hosted by the PRSA Portland Metro Chapter, this year’s awards were determined via a juried process and were independently judged by the Pittsburgh PRSA chapter. “Destination Integration,” the theme of this year’s Spotlight Awards, is intended to highlight the current convergence of digital media with traditional public relations practices.

About CMD

With an arsenal of specialized disciplines, CMD takes a synergistic approach to tackling the toughest marketing challenges in a new era of communications by using the right blend of powerful solutions – including digital, advertising, social media, PR, promotions, film & video and more. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., CMD works with some of the world’s leading brands including Microsoft, JELD-WEN, Intel, McCormick & Schmick’s, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, NW Natural, and Timber Products. CMD also has offices in Seattle, San Francisco and New York, and can be found online through the CMD website, Twitter, Facebook or blog.

PORTLAND, Ore. – CMD, one of the leading integrated marketing agencies on the West Coast, has expanded the Earned Media department with two new additions and a staff promotion. Brandon Wick has joined the team as account supervisor, Megan Blankenship as account executive, and Jesse Davis has been promoted to assistant account executive.

In their respective roles, Wick, Blankenship and Davis will support growing client needs in the areas of social media strategy and execution, content development and public relations.

“We’ve focused on building a top-notch earned media team with some of the most skilled social media and PR pros in the region,” said Darcie Meihoff, CMD vice president, earned media. “That’s why we’re thrilled to be able to recognize and welcome such great talent as part of our growing team.”

Wick holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego and bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining CMD, he was with McClenahan Bruer Communications, where he ran integrated marketing campaigns for technology leaders such as Intel, HP and Xilinx. Wick was a freelance writer and consultant in Stockholm, where he authored the 2005 Swedish IT Industry Guide, published by IDG.

Blankenship earned a master’s degree in Arts Management from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Strategic Public Relations from Arizona State University. Most recently, she was assistant account executive at Wieden+Kennedy, where she managed global and North America brand initiatives for Procter & Gamble.

Davis was promoted from CMD earned media account coordinator to assistant account executive and is responsible for social media management, videography and earned media tracking and analytics. He joined CMD in 2011 and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

About CMD

With an arsenal of specialized disciplines, CMD takes a synergistic approach to tackling the toughest marketing challenges in a new era of communications by using the right blend of powerful solutions – including digital, advertising, social media, PR, promotions, film & video and more. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., CMD works with some of the world’s leading brands including Microsoft, JELD-WEN, Intel, McCormick & Schmick’s, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, NW Natural, and Timber Products. CMD also has offices in Seattle, San Francisco and New York, and can be found online through the CMD website, Twitter, Facebook or blog.

Interactive graphic introduces first major global comms program this year

PORTLAND, Ore.― Did you know dancing on the beach is popular in Brazil, while shark tolerance is highest in Italy? To launch Expedia.com’s Summer Sales event, the company recently partnered with CMD, Oregon’s largest multidisciplinary marketing agency, to create the 2012 Flip Flop Report, a fun and interactive infographic showcasing global beach trends.

No matter where you live, the desire to escape summer swelter for a breezy, beach destination is a worldwide movement. The nature of the research and interactive graphic of the Report helped it gain attention in the media, attracting multiple tier-one media outlets with more than 100 placements appearing worldwide in the first week after its release.

Using colorful illustrations to rank and compare key pieces of research, the CMD team produced an infographic that is easy to navigate, visually stunning, and fun to share.  The Summer Sale campaign also features a Facebook quiz and a series of family-oriented city guides about beach habits as well as additional strategies for connecting travelers with vacation deals.  The comprehensive data in the 2012 Flip Flop Report was culled from 8,000 people in 21 countries.

Expedia.com is an exciting new addition to CMD’s robust client roster. Sarah Keeling, director of public relations at Expedia.com, praised the new partnership, noting, “The Summer Sale is the biggest, most critical event of the year for most of our sites around the world, and CMD’s work for us in the digital and social space helped engage customers to bring them into our site in a fresh, creative way.”

She added, “We needed an execution partner, but what we got was an agency that truly cares about our business and about producing rich storytelling for our brand.”

In the coming months, CMD will continue to support Expedia.com in its 2012 global communications efforts through a variety of traditional and digital marketing initiatives. You can access the full Flip Flop Report at http://www.expedia.com/flipflop.

“This is simply another great example of how CMD empowers top tier brands through cutting-edge digital marketing. It showcases our agency’s technical, creative and social media savvy, and the many ways we generate value for our clients by producing the high quality creative work they expect from us,” said Phil Reilly, CMD president.

As a CMD filmmaker, no one believes in this idea more than Ron Bourke.

For years, Ron has been behind the camera, directing hundreds of shoots for dozens of CMD clients. For brands and companies, Ron has found just the right words and created enough magic to turn even the most ordinary thing into something extraordinary.

Then one day, Ron found out about a story that didn’t need anything extra to be extraordinary. It just needed to be told.

In his documentary, “Lessons of Basketball and War,” Ron has begun unraveling the story of a real-life drama playing out in a seemingly ordinary Portland middle school. At this school, refugee teenage girls from war-torn Somalia have coped with how to adjust to a new life, a completely different culture, and overcome the tribal rivalries and violence of their past – through the help of a principal and the game of basketball.

The film follows the school’s principal, Kevin Bacon, and this ragtag basketball team through a year of challenges, disappointments and occasional victories. As the girls adjust from the wartime horrors of east Africa to the cold, gray drizzle of Portland, Ron’s goal is to focus on the deeper story of belonging, the meaning of community, and how peace can be inspired by something as simple as the game of basketball.

A labor of love, Ron hopes to complete the final editing of this stirring documentary and bring it to life by raising money through a grassroots funding effort at Kickstarter. To learn more about “Lessons of Basketball and War,” visit Ron’s Kickstarter site: http://kck.st/x5KLTY.

At CMD, we are inspired by amazing talent and story tellers like Ron, and we hope you are too. At a special event being held at CMD on March 7, from 6-7:30 p.m., Ron and Hosford Middle School Principal Bacon will tell the tale behind this incredible basketball team, preview the footage, and describe what it will take to complete the film. It’s a story worth sharing; we invite you to come by and learn more or consider supporting this fantastic project through Kickstarter.

PORTLAND, Ore. –Forest Park Conservancy (FPC), the leading nonprofit organization that helps care for Portland’s largest urban park, has named Darcie Meihoff, CMD vice president/managing director of earned media, president of its board of directors for 2011-2012.

Darcie Meihoff, FPC 2011-2012 board president

The Conservancy helps protect, maintain and preserve Forest Park in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation. With a dedicated staff, FPC helps rally volunteers to remove invasive species, help protect native wildlife and maintain the park’s 80 miles of trails. As highlighted in the recent (Forest Park Conservancy Trails Report –embed link) in 2010 alone, FPC rallied 1,400 volunteers and, along with its crews, logged more than 10,000 hours to help care for and restore the park and its trails. The board of directors provides strategic guidance, oversight and support for the Conservancy’s work in caring for what is considered one of the nation’s most iconic forested urban parks.

“We are fortunate to have such an amazing natural and recreational resource right in our city’s backyard that contributes greatly to Portland’s livability and environment,” said Meihoff. “We need to tackle the tough issues affecting the health and well-being of the park, and it’s an honor to serve in this capacity with people who are dedicated to doing just that.”

With 21 years of public relations, marketing and communications experience, Meihoff heads up the earned media division at CMD, one of Portland’s largest marketing agencies. She has held several positions on FPC’s board of directors since 2009, including as board secretary. A native Oregonian, Meihoff also has served on the Public Relations Society Portland-Metro board of directors for the past 10 years, including as president in 2008.

About Forest Park Conservancy and Forest Park

The Forest Park Conservancy (FPC) is a nonprofit organization working to preserve, protect and restore Forest Park. The Conservancy works collaboratively with Portland Parks & Recreation, which manages this 5,100-acre city-owned park on a limited budget. FPC focuses on trail maintenance and improvement, habitat restoration, environmental education and public outreach. To donate, get involved or become a member of Forest Park Conservancy, call (503) 223-5449 or visit www.forestparkconservancy.org. Follow FPC on Twitter @pdxforestpark.

Julie Yamamoto (left) and Melissa Lion (right) will be speaking at BlogHer '11.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Two top pros from CMD, Portland’s leading integrated marketing agency, will speak next week at BlogHer ’11, the world’s largest conference for women in social media.

CMD earned media senior executives Julie Yamamoto and Melissa Lion will present on two panels; “Minding Your Own Business: Your Blog Can Make You a Social Media Marketer” and “Social Media Geek: Mobile MultiMedia-Making Media on the Go.”

With years of experience developing social media strategies for some of the world’s biggest brands along with extensive journalism, public relations and blogging backgrounds, Yamamoto and Lion will share their tips and techniques for effectively leveraging social and digital media.  They also will discuss the skills that today’s social media and online self-publishers need to succeed.

“This is the premier event for women who are shaping and pioneering innovations in the communications industry,” said Darcie Meihoff, vice president/managing director of CMD’s earned media group. “It’s an honor for CMD to have the opportunity to speak to an audience that is considered the best in class when it comes to digital influence and social media know-how.”

BlogHer is a community and media company created in partnership with women in social media. Held in San Diego on Aug. 5-6, BlogHer ’11 will bring over 3,000 attendees from all over the world together to share hands-on learning, rich discussions, opportunities to meet with the brands that support them and plentiful networking opportunities.

Airing first in “Soccer City USA,” the Oregon-based window and door manufacturer draws close connection between its brand and some of the sports world’s most reliable fans

PORTLAND, Ore. – For JELD-WEN and Major League Soccer fans everywhere, it’s all about driving toward the ultimate goal.

That passion is captured in a series of new JELD-WEN Windows & Doors television ads that celebrate the company’s involvement in “the beautiful game.” The ads aired for the first time Sunday during the Portland Timbers vs. the Seattle Sounders soccer match and will run throughout the season.

The new spots from JELD-WEN, an official partner of Major League Soccer, the Portland Timbers and the name sponsor of JELD-WEN Field, draw a strong correlation between the inspiration, passion and reliability that soccer fans embody and JELD-WEN’s own brand values as a leading global window and door manufacturer.

“We understand the commitment, the intensity and what it means to be dedicated, because that’s the inspiration behind all of the products we make,” said Bill Hueffner, Director of Development & Professional Relations for JELD-WEN. “Our goal with these ads is to symbolize what it means to be part of something you’re very proud of by celebrating loyal soccer fans everywhere.”

JELD-WEN officials say that the new advertising effort also demonstrates the company’s deep-rooted commitment to its own home state. Created

by CMD, one of Portland’s leading marketing agencies, and shot entirely in Portland using local talent, the new 30-second spots highlight the intense love of the beautiful game. In the ads, that zeal is demonstrated by fans and supporters from all walks of life – from the face painters and flag wavers who storm JELD-WEN Field to cheer on the home team, to the soccer mom who takes to the field to compete herself. For authenticity, CMD cast as many actual Timbers season ticketholders as possible for the commercials.

The ads will air locally during televised Portland Timbers soccer games throughout the 2011 season as well as nationally as part of MLS telecasts including the 2011 All-Star Game in New York when the MLS All-Stars take on world renowned club Manchester United. The new television ads will be accompanied by a series of radio spots airing locally during the season.

According to Hueffner, the partnership with soccer and the stadium allows JELD-WEN to support a historic Oregon icon and important community initiatives as well as help further establish brand awareness among a loyal, international fan base. JELD-WEN has been a longtime supporter of sports that draw a close connection to its brand message of reliability. The company also is the Official Window and Door Provider of the Timbers and Major League Soccer, and is a sponsor of the PGA TOUR and a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS Championship.

Watch the spots now:

1. The Beautiful Game
2. The Beautiful Game #2
3. The Anthem

About JELD-WEN, inc.

JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began in 1960 as a small Oregon millwork plant with 15 employees and today has approximately 2,500 employees in Oregon and nearly 20,000 worldwide. JELD-WEN was named by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy a 2010 and 2003 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. JELD-WEN has been the official window, door and millwork provider to the PGA TOUR since 2003.

About JELD-WEN Field

JELD-WEN Field is an iconic sports and entertainment facility located in the heart of downtown Portland, Ore. at 1844 SW Morrison. JELD-WEN Field plays host to a wide variety of events each year, including Portland Timbers MLS soccer, Portland State University football, college and high school football and soccer, concerts, community events and public and private functions. JELD-WEN Field opened to the public on April 14, 2011, after a significant renovation crafted to create one of the most unique and authentic soccer environments in the country as the Timbers mark their debut season in Major League Soccer. Originally constructed in 1926, JELD-WEN Field is a historic civic gathering place that has played host to some of the region’s most memorable events, including presidential visits, a 1957 concert by Elvis Presley, the National Football League’s first game decided by overtime, Pele’s official last professional game and the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup. For more information, visit www.jeld-wen.com

Media contact: Stefanie Week, CMD on behalf of JELD-WEN, (503) 488-4400 or sweek@cmdagency.com

Bill Fisher, CMD Account Supervisor, Earned Media

PORTLAND, Ore. – CMD, one of the leading integrated marketing agencies on the West Coast, continues to strengthen its award-winning social media and community management team with the hire of Bill Fisher as an account supervisor in its earned media group.

In his new role at CMD, Fisher will help implement community program planning and development along with social media strategy for agency clients.

With more than 10 years of experience, Fisher possesses a unique combination of skills in web technologies and community platforms paired with a background in traditional and digital marketing. Before joining CMD, Fisher worked for Via Training as a community manager for one of Microsoft’s award-winning community programs. Prior to specializing in community programs, he was a marketing and training content manager, copywriter and digital information architect for clients including Hewlett-Packard, Comcast, Microsoft and Best Buy. Fisher holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Film and Video Production.

“Community management continues to grow as an integral part of holistic social media programs, and CMD is dedicated to securing the best talent to meet that need,” said Darcie Meihoff, CMD vice president and managing director/earned media. “Bill will have an immediate impact on all phases of community management, from building and nurturing communities to executing programs and analyzing and reporting community activity.”

About CMD

With an arsenal of specialized disciplines, CMD takes a synergistic approach to tackling the toughest marketing challenges in a new era of communications by using the right blend of powerful solutions—including digital, advertising, social media, PR, promotions, film and video and more. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., and ranked among the nation’s top 20 independent agencies, CMD works with some of the world’s leading brands including Microsoft, JELD-WEN, Intel, McCormick & Schmick’s, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, NW Natural and Timber Products. CMD also has offices in Seattle, San Francisco and New York, and can be found online through the CMD website, Twitter, Facebook or blog.