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Last Modified: 3/19/2019

The Valcort Group

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
The Valcort Group	Phone (630) -58-7-6000
214 West River Drive	Fax (630) -58-7-6430
St. Charles, IL 60174-5535	URL www.valcort.com
	Contact Chuck Thomas
	E-mail chuckT@valcort.com

AGENCY OWNERSHIP

Privately Held

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

The Valcort Group is a leading Chicago strategic marketing consultancy focused on helping companies grow. We create strong, consistent, innovative and trusted brands that move your customers quickly from awareness to advocacy.

At The Valcort Group, we exist to help our clients prosper by promoting the truth about themselves and their markets, developing new tools for greater brand insight, and pushing ourselves to create the industry's most innovative, effective, and intelligent communication ideas.

Offices

GLOBAL SERVICE REGIONS

Asia (except China)

Canada

Central America

China

Western Europe

Discretionary Comments:

Extensive work supporting and building brands with headquarters and offices around the world, and reaching over 150 countries worldwide. Expertise in marketing within the BRIC countries.

U.S. OFFICES

CTCreative, Inc.

214 West River Drive,

St. Charles, IL 60174

Phone: (630) 587-6000

Staff

TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Office Employees	0-50
Total US	0-50
Discretionary Comments:
We provide services through three divisions - VALCORT Consulting (Business and brand strategy), Creative MarCom Services (Integrated marketing communications, and Project management), and Strategic Consulting (Values-based business management consulting)

BIOS

Chuck Thomas, President

Chuck Thomas, President and Founder of CTC, a suburban-Chicago based strategic marketing firm focused on helping companies grow their revenues and increase profits. With a passion for creating new and loyal customers for its clients, Thomas and the CTC Group provide clients in the manufacturing, transportation, healthcare and financial services industries with a values-based approach to building trust in the market quickly and efficiently.

Thomas successfully developed the company's trademarked VALCORT® process, which is a marketing tool that helps companies identify and articulate their unique value and align organizations to engage customers at every point of contact. The VALCORT® process consists of seven integrated sequential practices – values, assets, lens of market, creative messaging, outreach, relationships and tracking.

Prior to founding CTC, Thomas worked as an independent creative and brand strategist for the Chicago advertising community, working with top agency clients including McDonalds, United Air Lines, State Farm, Frito-Lay, Toyota, 7-Up, AT&T, Kraft, Anheuser-Busch, Hasbro and General Mills. His work for non-profits is well known, having helped create KidsPeace, the National Center for Kids in Crisis.Through advertising, public relations, licensed properties, direct mail, online technology, music and film, Thomas has generated more than 32 billion audience impressions, helping create hundreds of millions of dollars in sales, funding and contributions, and has driven millions of people to client websites.

From his work with KidsPeace, Thomas received the national "KidsVoice Award" for his extensive public work giving voice to America's children. He has also received many other awards including Telly Awards, Houston International Film Festival Silver Stars, The WebAward, a Chicago Advertising Association Addy, a Golden Trumpet from the Publicity Club of Chicago, and The U.S. International Film and Video Festival Award.With an in-depth knowledge of strategic marketing, product planning and brand management, Thomas is a published author and speaker on creative branding topics.

He is a board member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies and an active member of the American Marketing Association, National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences and the American Federation of Musicians.

Thomas earned a business and music degree from Anderson University and studied jazz composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

Jim Pilcher, New Business Development

Jim Pilcher, Director of VALCORT Client Relations, has more than 20 years experience in sales and marketing. Pilcher has a proven track record promoting services in both technical and non-technical industries and employs a consultative-approach that positions his employer as a strategic partner with its clients.

Pilcher also has extensive knowledge bringing services from concept-to-market while building brands, internal alliances and external relationships.Pilcher’s sales expertise is broad-based across multiple industries. He has led high-performing sales teams focused on major accounts and closed deals with Fortune 500 companies from Continental Airlines to Compaq Computers.

Pilcher spent a good part of his sales career at Verizon where he helped the Airfone division achieve a number one market share position. Pilcher also helped OAG Worldwide move from print to electronic publishing.Pilcher’s marketing expertise covers branding, research, advertising and promotions.

Beginning his career at Leo Burnett, Pilcher has bought, sold or managed advertising programs his entire career. In doing so, Pilcher strives to ensure the right message meets the right audience, and at the right number of times.

Most recently, Pilcher drove the marketing efforts for CheapAir.com where he managed branding, product marketing, search engine marketing and online advertising.Pilcher is the recipient of many industry and company awards ranging from over five Telly Awards to the Verizon Excellence Award.

Jim holds a masters degree in business administration from Loyola University and has an undergraduate degree in marketing from Eastern Illinois University.

Daniel Dowling, Account Manager

Daniel Dowling, Account Manager of VALCORT Client Services, has over 8 years of small business knowledge and warehousing management experience.

Having grown up working in a small family business, Dowling has a personal knowledge of how companies need to manage their growth. His strategic and creative work is integrated through a versatile business practice that emphasizes “best in class”.

Dowling has technical experience managing IT infrastructures, web design, graphic design and strategic web development, which involve an in-depth knowledge of Google Adwords and Analytics integration. He also has a comprehensive understanding of online and direct marketing concepts.

Dowling's enthusiasm is seen through his ambitious pursuit to deliver cutting edge technology enhancement to client services while channeling the highest level of strategy implementation.

Dowling holds a bachelors degree in marketing and sales from Northern Illinois University’s College of Business.

Clients & Brands

Agency Clients And Brands

Client Name:

Awana International - Global Non-profit

Start Date:

4/1/2006

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

Awana Rebranding	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
AwanaKids - Global Funding Platform	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Modern Day Joseph - Activation Platform	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

Fairrington - Direct Marketing Logistics

Start Date:

7/1/2011

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

Fairrington Rebranding	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Full Impact Logistics	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

ZimLar Interactive

Start Date:

6/1/2012

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

BeeBot iPhone Web App

Creative Production-AOR
Digital/Interactive-AOR
Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

Indianapolis Colts - NFL/Sports Entertainment

Start Date:

11/1/2006

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

www.mycolts.com

Digital/Interactive-Project
Strategy/Planning-Project

Client Name:

NAWLA - Global Lumber Trade Association

Start Date:

11/1/2007

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

CrossCut Business Focus Magazine	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Leadership Summit - Global Leadership Conference	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
National Education Foundation-Next Gen Leadership	Creative Production-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
NAWLA Rebranding	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

FONA International - Food Manufacturer

Start Date:

8/1/2005

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

FONA Rebranding

Creative Production-Project
Digital/Interactive-Project
Strategy/Planning-Project

Client Name:

EIIA - Institutional Insurance

Start Date:

9/1/2005

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

Campus Conduct Hotline	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
EIIA Rebranding and Corporate	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Keystone	Creative Production-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Risk Management University	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

Richard Wolf - Medical Surgical Instruments

Start Date:

7/1/2011

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

Richard Wolf Instruments Gmbh, Germany - Global Strategy	Creative Production-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Richard Wolf Surgical Instruments - US	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-Project Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Public Relations-Project Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
Richard Wolf US - Activation Strategy and Platform	Creative Production-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

KidsPeace - Centers for Kids in Crisis

Start Date:

6/1/1998

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

KidsPeace Corporate Rebranding	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
National KidsDay - Activation Platform	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
TeenCentral.net - National Activation Platform and Campaign	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR
You''re Not Alone - National Campaign	Creative Production-AOR Digital/Interactive-AOR Direct Marketing/CRM-AOR Media Buying-AOR Media Planning-AOR Other-AOR Public Relations-AOR Sales Promotion-AOR Strategy/Planning-AOR

Client Name:

ITW - Global F200 Corporation

Start Date:

4/1/2013

Brand(s)/Services Provided:

Global Specialty Products Segment - Engagement Strategy
ITW-Professional Brands/LPS Consolidation Rebranding	Creative Production-Project Digital/Interactive-Project Direct Marketing/CRM-Project Media Buying-Project Media Planning-Project Public Relations-Project Sales Promotion-Project Strategy/Planning-AOR
ITW-Redhead Rebranding	Creative Production-Project Public Relations-Project Sales Promotion-Project Strategy/Planning-AOR
ITW-Valeron - Brand Strategy in Europe, China, USA	Other-Project Strategy/Planning-AOR

Billings & Revenue

BILLING/ REVENUE RANGES
	Number of Clients
Billing less than $1 Million and/or Agency Revenue less than $200 Thousand	7
Billing between $1.1 - $3 Million and/or Agency Revenue between $201 - $600 Thousand	2
Billing between $3.1 - $5 Million and/or Agency Revenue between $601 Thousand- $1 Million	1

MEDIA

Total gross media placed by this office

Under $50 Million

Allocation percent of media placed by this office
Print	40%
Out of Home	10%
Digital (Internet, Mobile, SEM, Viral)	50%

Specialized Services

SERVICE OFFERINGS
Revenue	Specialty	Description
30%	Brand Consulting	VALCORT (sm) Process is 7 disciplines and 35 best practices to identify opportunity and create fast brand adoption and organizational growth based on building trust. VALCORT is based on three core beliefs -- Truth builds trust, Values drive choice, and People seek purpose. Highly developed, easy to implement tools and services

5%	Business-to-Business	Insurance, Manufacturing, Distribution, Medical, Food, Transportation, IT, Financial services,

5%	Design	Creative development based upon Valcort (sm) identified insights that create emotional connection, fast adoption, and peer advocacy. All this is based upon creating, nurturing and harvesting trust within a target market segment and doing it quickly, efficiently, effectively. As a result, design and creative is always spot on.

5%	Digital/Interactive \| Blogging Discussion forums, community building	Award-winning online community branded environments and engagement. Engaged and assisted millions based upon our proprietary interactive i-Solve(sm) model; Identify, inform, inspire, Involve.

5%	Digital/Interactive \| Mobile and Wireless	Smart phone web apps to create brand-oriented communities

2%	Digital/Interactive \| Search Engine Marketing	Critical part of our integrated digital services

5%	Digital/Interactive \| Website development, hosting, monitoring	Creation of online social communities, peer advocacy; Website and digital services, more than we can list here.

5%	Direct Marketing	Time and message segmented mail and digital marketing and advertising; TIght window coordinated direct response outreach to create demand and response.

5%	Event Marketing	Strategic event creation and dramatic trade event support to attract, engage and activate new customers.

5%	Health Care	B2C health care service providers; B2C Health care insurance providers; B2B medical products manufacturers

5%	Industrial Advertising	B2B manufacturing advertising

2%	Media Buying	Part of our integrated media services for our clients;

2%	Media Planning	High expertise in innovative media outreach planning

15%	New Product Development	An award winning history of innovative platform, product and services creation and development. Proprietary 3D Problem/Solution Product/Service Innovation Process. For one client, within 3 months we identified over $20,000,000 in low hanging fruit now in development. New revenues in new markets for existing or modified products;

2%	Public Relations	20 years of expertise on staff; Strategy, messaging, reputation and crisis management for profit, and non-profit deep experience.

2%	Sales Promotion	Sales organization strategy, alignment, messaging plus tools, materials and training to help clients efficiently seize new markets, new opportunities and new revenues quickly.

Industry Experience

INDUSTRIES

Automotive | aftermarket

Automotive | vehicles

Business Services & office products

Consumer Services

Education

Financial services | banking

Financial services | insurance

Financial services | investments

Food & Beverage | food

Government | economic development

Government | military & defense

Healthcare | direct to consumer (DTC)

Healthcare | hospitals, healthcare facilities, medical services

Healthcare | managed care

Healthcare | medical products

Industrial, Manufacturing & chemicals

Media | other

Media | publishing

Non-profit, associations & public services

Professional services (Accountants, consultants, lawyers)

Public Relations

Real Estate | buildings & construction

Recreation & Sports | hobbies

Recreation & Sports | toys & games

Restaurants

Retail

Technology | .com business

Technology | communications

Technology | consumer electronics

Discretionary Comments:

Broad and direct major agency experience building brands from start ups to top F50 global brands, having now built a better strategic mousetrap, we out-execute others creatively generating measurable results in more dollars and margin.