DECATUR, IL—Provident Financial Group, a new financial services company serving clients in central Illinois, selected Jones and Thomas Marketing Communications to brand the company and launch it in the market. In addition, Jones and Thomas created a new identity and is executing a marketing effort for the adult accelerated learning program for Springfield College/Benedictine University.

"Both Provident and the adult education program were relatively unknown in their respective markets, for different reasons," said Bill Lehmann, President of Jones and Thomas. "Creating this brand awareness and brand image will help them both grow and expand."

The effort for Provident began with the development of the name and identity for the company. Once this was established, Jones and Thomas created and launched an integrated branding campaign using both traditional and electronic media. Additional marketing efforts are being planned to ensure that the momentum generated by the launch of the brand continues. These elements go beyond traditional marketing efforts and include a variety of sales support elements.

For Springfield College/Benedictine University, there was no brand identity for the adult accelerated learning program, which was compounded by the fact that it is a joint offering by these two institutions. The branding effort, based on a series of focus groups, began with a name for the program: A.B.L.E. (Accelerated Benedictine Learning Experience). Marketing communications efforts not only communicate the existence and advantages of this program but also address objections (as identified in the focus groups) that adults have to continuing their education.

Jones and Thomas, a full service marketing communications company based in Decatur Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, trade show management, and trade and public relations.

DECATUR, IL—Heartland Dental Care, a dental practice management group based in Effingham, Illinois, selected Jones and Thomas Marketing Communications to develop and execute a more modern layout for their magazine, Smiling. Published quarterly, this 50,000-circulation publication enables Heartland and its members to share their stories not only with each other but also with their patients and other professionals in the dental industry.

"Smiling needed enhancements to make its image reflect the personal attention and professional excellence Heartland Dental Care provides its practices," said Russ Proch, Vice President of Jones and Thomas. "Our expertise has helped to strengthen that image and will continue to do so in future issues."

Jones and Thomas began the process of updating the magazine by identifying Heartland Dental's key objectives. "Our knowledge and understanding combined with their insights has provided a successful end product for Heartland Dental Care," added Proch.

In addition to Smiling, Jones and Thomas will also be developing a new branding campaign for Heartland Dental Care.

Jones and Thomas, a full service marketing communications company based in Decatur Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, trade show management, and trade and public relations.

DECATUR, IL—Jones and Thomas recently launched an enhanced version of www.dickey-john.com, the web site for one of their full-service clients, DICKEY-john Corporation. This site builds upon the success of the original site, also designed by Jones and Thomas.

"After the original build, we closely monitored user activity on the site," said Nick Lane, Associate Creative Director, Interactive, who directed the project. "By conducting a thorough analysis prior to the redevelopment, we were able to determine that potential customers were spending the vast majority of their time on specific products. The new site highlights these products and is structured in a way that enables users to access this information quickly and easily."

The site also features a sophisticated distributor locator that lets potential customers search by product and product category. In the near future the site will also include short video features on key products. "We want to ensure that the site effectively communicates all unique benefits of DICKEY-john products," added Russ Proch, Vice President of Jones and Thomas and Account Supervisor for DICKEY-john. "This site is much more than just an electronic catalog. It will be a dynamic marketing tool for DICKEY-john."

Jones and Thomas regularly creates web sites for a variety of clients. Recent sites developed include www.christieclinic.com, www.floragems.com, and www.independentseeds.com.

Jones and Thomas, a full service marketing communications company based in Decatur Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, trade show management, and trade and public relations.

Jones and Thomas Makes Managerial Changes

Jones and Thomas Marketing Communications, Inc. has promoted Bill Lehmann to President. Lehmann's duties involve corporate leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, and overall supervision of client services and creative development. He also serves as President of JTnet, an affiliated company which provides a broad range of Internet and IT support services to clients throughout Central Illinois.

Lehmann, a Central Illinois native, graduated from Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, with a degree in marketing and has served in a variety of assignments with Jones and Thomas for the past eleven years, including Director of Media and Research, as well as Vice President of Strategic Planning, and most recently as Senior Vice President.

Lehmann's experience encompasses numerous corporate management functions, including account supervision, market research and analysis, marketing strategy development and client-related services, such as supervision of the Archer Daniels Midland Company account. Most recently, he provided a keynote address to a national seed trade group. Lehmann was raised on an Iroquois County farm and was active in FFA and 4-H.

Jones and Thomas, a full service marketing communications company based in Decatur Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, trade show management, and trade and public relations.

DECATUR, IL—Jones and Thomas Marketing Communications has developed a new web site that showcases its work with healthcare organizations: healthcare.jonesthomas.com. Targeted to healthcare providers, the site illustrates Jones and Thomas' vast experience through case studies and work samples.

"As Jones and Thomas continues to evolve as a marketing communications firm, we are discovering areas in which we excel for our clients. Healthcare is one of those areas," President Bill Lehmann explained. "However, we don't just specialize in healthcare. We serve a diversified client base, which keeps our ideas fresh and our strategies sound."

At healthcare.jonesthomas.com, visitors can learn more about Jones and Thomas' services and experience in the healthcare field and view the agency's healthcare client roster.

Jones and Thomas, a full service marketing communications company based in Decatur Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, trade show management, and trade and public relations.

DECATUR, IL—Jones and Thomas has been tapped to develop and manage an integrated public relations and marketing strategy for leading energy provider PPM Energy.

Part of a world-leading energy generation family, PPM Energy is expanding its U.S. presence and is seeking government approval to build a large wind farm in northern Illinois.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to put our talents to work for PPM Energy," said Julie Toohill, Account Executive. "Our experience will serve well in helping PPM Energy successfully increase public support, navigate the approval process and maximize their status as a global leader to effectively position themselves for future growth."

To facilitate the process, Jones and Thomas worked with PPM staff to develop a public relations and marketing plan that includes open houses, print and radio advertising and media placement, press releases, large-scale posters and signage, and collateral. In addition, Jones and Thomas helps manage landowner relations, personally contacting PPM leaseholders, coordinating open houses, and handling media relations throughout the approval process.

Jones and Thomas, a full-service marketing-communications company based in Decatur, Illinois, was founded in 1980. The full range of services provided includes market research, strategic marketing planning, creative development and execution, media planning and buying, interactive media development, trade show management, and trade and public relations. For more information about Jones and Thomas, visit the web site at www.jonesthomas.com.