WinMark Concepts, Inc., the award-winning,full-service marketing and communications firm marked its 20th anniversary this month with a celebratory party for team member's and company friends at a Washington, D.C. eatery this past week (Thursday, January 14th). Staffers toasted the evening led by WinMark's President and CEO, Andrew Isen. WinMarks' clients have included, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Coors Brewing Co., Time Warner, The British Tourist Authority (VisitBritain), Hansen's Natural Beverages, United Airlines, British Airways, Philip Morris, Glaxo SmithKline, and Fannie Mae. "We're proud to celebrate WinMark's 20th anniversary and the over 700 businesses we've worked with over the years." said Isen. "We're also proud to be the first full-service marketing and communications firm to truly recognize the immense power of gay & lesbian consumers and effectuate ways to collaborate with both large and small companies to tap into this influential segment. From our main offices in Washington, DC, and field teams across the country, we've created and executed literally thousands of winning programs in every market of the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Diego, Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Phoenix and everywhere in between."
More after the jump.
WinMark's vast work over the past 20 years has included strategic planning, program development, experiential and field marketing, special events, creation of point-of-sale materials, advertising creative, custom photography, direct marketing, on-line marketing, consumer research and more.
According to marketresearch.com, the buying power of U.S. gays and lesbians is expected to exceed $835 billion by 2011. Additional research shows GLBT Americans are more likely to seek out companies who advertise to them, and are willing to pay higher prices for premium products and services. They also show that twice as many GLBT Americans are to have graduated from college, twice as likely to have an individual income exceeding $60,000, and twice as likely to have a household income of $250,000 or more.
"We discovered in our very first year the tremendous buying power of the GLBT market. Gay and lesbian consumers can be very loyal to specific brands that appeal to them, and they show their support in buying goods and services from these companies," continues Isen. "And we have worked with many Fortune 500 companies that embrace these ideals, and offer for their own employees' domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination policies, and financial support for organizations supporting equality. We're thrilled that more and more companies are joining this roster and offering these benefits to all their employees, and we applaud their efforts."
"We know the market and the economy is always changing," said Isen. "We also know that there is something to be said for real brand quality and loyalty. The GLBT consumer knows about both, and beginning with our early days we have found winning ways to showcase our client's best products and services - and we are still doing so today - and into tomorrow."
Named one of OUT Magazine's "OUT 100" and with nearly 30 years of integrated marketing experience, WinMark's Andrew Isen received both his BBA and MBA from George Washington University. Prior to WinMark, he held marketing positions with Membership Services, Inc., the Navy League of the United States and the Girl Scouts of America.
