Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/267166
26 | I nsIgh t • M a r c h 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m hats to employees on the floor to show the organization's gratitude. "at's a memory I'll always treasure … seeing him down there and thanking employees for what they did." Ray Murray, vice president of creative services for nautica, has worked with Burgess and her company since 2002. he says Elevate97 is a partner his company can depend on – something that's crucial in the competitive retail industry. "You've got to be able to move with a company," he says. "You've got to be able to evolve with a company, because they have to deliver the way you work creatively. Companies like Elevate97 are committed to doing this; they are committed to changing with you. It's a relationship that we can continue to build over time." Innovation is one of the company's hallmarks. For example, Elevate97 was working with a company with several different brands that was shipping its marketing materials separately to stores such as Younkers. "It was an 'ah-ha moment,'" Burgess says. "Instead of shipping eight boxes to one store, why not combine them all and ship just one box? You're saving the customer money, which they liked. We use technology to help companies with their product ordering – they can go online, order what they need and it gets sent. It's more efficient." Burgess says the company's "secret sauce" is taking one opportunity with a client and growing it into additional business. For example, the purchase of Firehouse graphics, a long-time, frequent collaborator, has enabled Elevate97 to offer large-format printing. such a product is in high demand by customers such as nautica, which uses it on the walls of their stores. "We can do everything from shipping a sample or box of marketing materials for a company to developing an entire environment and shipping it on their behalf," Burgess says. With Pandora, Elevate97 has everything in its green Bay warehouse that's involved with a purchase – except the jewelry. ey have the small jewelry boxes where the charms are placed, the tissue paper used in the Pandora bags, the bags themselves, handouts that go with the jewelry and marketing materials that are placed around the store promoting the brand. With many companies owning multiple brands, Elevate97 has been able to take success with one line and translate that into additional business with a company. For example, Elevate97 began working with the Vince Camuto group in 2004 by sending out an invitation launching the Jessica simpson Collection. By successfully completing that project and showing initiative, Elevate97's work with the new York company grew to include additional brands, including Vince Camuto, BCBg and Lucky Brand Jeans. Leah Roberts, vice president of marketing for the Vince Camuto group, says excellent customer service sets Elevate97 apart. "e trust started at the very beginning in the commitment, the constant follow-up, the clear communication the open communication," Roberts says. "I think all of those different elements contributed to the trust. From the very first project we worked on together, I thought there was a level of customer care and client management there that you don't necessarily have with other partners in the field." going that extra mile is paying dividends for the company, which added 20 employees in 2013. But it's not "all work and no play" at Elevate97. "We like to have fun," Burgess says as she shows a visitor around the comfortable, open-concept offices. she and Coe have their desks in the middle of the space, which also features several living room areas with comfortable couches and tables so employees can easily collaborate. two small rooms called "phone booths" each include a phone and a "You've got to be able to move with a company. You've got to be able to evolve with a company, because they have to deliver the way you work creatively. Companies like Elevate97 are committed to doing this; they are committed to changing with you." – Ray Murray, vice president of creative services for Nautica