Brand = Value
April 5, 2010 by Maureen Wall Bentley · Leave a Comment
So, you’re thinking about the value of your independent agency. Maybe you’re considering selling it, or merging with another firm, or maybe you just want to know what it’s worth in this marketplace. Now, what if you could increase your agency’s valuation multiple by 100 basis points—say from 5.00x to 6.00x? Would you spend a few hours learning how?
A Brand New Brand
March 31, 2010 by Maureen Wall Bentley · Leave a Comment
For brand geeks like us, there is nothing quite as exciting as the introduction of new brand. Everything is still shiny and clean, with that new-brand smell.
Last week, we got to watch just such an event: At their conference in Nashville, the AMS Users Group rebranded as Network of Vertafore Users, or NetVU. In addition to the new name, the organization now boasts a cool new logo and purposeful tagline, all of which tie into the group’s focus on education, advocacy and networking.
Aartrijk worked with the organization for months on this project, which included a dedicated task force; top leaders Jim Armitage, Carl Schlotman and Brady Polansky; and a hard-working staff in Dallas.
Needless to say we’re very jazzed about the outcome for this 32-year old user group. For more on what this change means for NetVU and its 15,000 independent agency members, check out the story in Rough Notes’ April issue or ads running throughout the trade press.
Congratulations to our friends at NetVU and best wishes for their next 32 years.
Camp Friends
July 21, 2009 by Maureen Wall Bentley · Leave a Comment
Apparently we’re not the only industry organization that thinks social media and Web positioning are really important topics for agents, carriers and associations. Beyond those fine folks who already have registered for Aartrijk Brand Camp, we have lined up some terrific sponsors:
- Trusted Choice, the Big I’s national consumer branding program
- Assurex Global, an international network of really sharp brokers
- American Collectors, a specialty writer of collector car and collectibles insurance
- Insurance Journal, National Underwriter and American Agent & Broker, three leaders of the trade press
- And our partners Orange Element, Rick Morgan Consulting, Channel Harvest, I-Marketing Management and Insurance Is Fun (because it can be!).
Sign up at aartrijk.com/brandcamp. See you there.
– Maureen Wall Bentley
Brand Camp. Yeah, Baby!
July 14, 2009 by Maureen Wall Bentley · Leave a Comment
It seems like only last week that the idea for Aartrijk Brand Camp first bubbled up: “Let’s do our own event focused on web and social media—and let’s invite our friends.”
But in no time at all we’ve gone from idea to reality, and we’re now within three months of the big event. The speakers and panelists are lined up, the videos are in production, the sponsors are coming aboard and the registrations are rolling in.
Our opening night party is in a 10-pin bowling alley, and Pete describes the venue—the über-hip Hotel Sax Chicago—as “high tech meets Austin Powers.” So I don’t think this will be like any other insurance meeting I’ve ever been to.
Hope to see you there.
-Maureen Wall Bentley