biz-opp.biz (Nov. 2014) – For 43 years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm gifts from neighborhood businesses in a premium gift package. And, thirteen years ago this Friday, when I wrote my first blog post on this website about a franchise, it was about Our Town America. That original post is now long gone, but Our Town America is still around. And this week, I finally got a chance to speak with the CEO Michael Plummer Jr. Hi Michael, thanks for doing this interview. Glad we finally got the chance. So, where did the idea for Our Town America come from? My father started the company in 1972. He discovered the power of welcoming new movers when he was running a pizza shop. He started with sending physical welcoming baskets as a one-time gift welcoming people to the neighborhood. He started to see new faces that would soon become loyal customers and bring in hundreds of dollars a year. How did you bring it to life? My father was the one who brought the company to life. Growing up, I helped where I could. In 2009, when my father passed away unexpectedly, I decided that carrying on his dream was the only choice there was. He did an incredible job running this establishment; I can only hope I do half as great a job as he did. Where do you see Our Town America in five years? Expanding with new relative offerings. Still remaining true to our special niche but expanding into other frontiers. Can’t say much more without spilling the beans. If you were to start again, what would you do differently? Not sure much of anything. After being in the industry as long as we have, our pitfalls, bumps, and bruises along the way were lessons learned that helped build us to whom we are today. While hiccups may not be pleasant, they are valuable learning experiences. Not to mention, what you do during the more difficult times really helps define who you are in getting through them. Read full interview here. Source: Business-opportunities.biz Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Brittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations.
Articles by Brittany N. Johnson:
PRWeb (Nov. 2014) – Our Town America, the nation’s premiere new mover marketing franchise, continues to experience nationwide growth in the direct mail marketing industry by assisting businesses who are interested in acquiring new customers. Since the company started franchising in 2005, Our Town America has consistently been placed in the Franchise Business Review Top 50 list. Today, Our Town America officially announces two unique Minnesota-based franchise owners signed in the past 30 days. Kristen Lundgren of Eden Prairie, Minnesota purchased territory in the Western Suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul after working in sales for 32 years. “I was driven out of the corporate world by politics and the frustration of capped commissions,” says Lundgren. “I love the idea of face-to-face contact with local business owners and am so excited to be a part of the Our Town America family.” Bill Hanson, a seven-year resident of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota opened his Our Town America franchise in South Eastern Minnesota this past month as well. Hanson had been searching for a franchise that would fit his lifestyle for several years. “I feel fortunate to be able to facilitate a quality service to my community,” says Hanson. Read full story here. Source: PRWeb Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Franchise Business Review (November 2014) – Franchise Business Review released the Top Veterans & Franchising Report for 2014 and Our Town America is one of the best of the best named coming in at #31. This report narrows down the vast array of franchise opportunities available to military veterans by highlighting the 100 franchise companies rated highest in franchisee satisfaction by military veterans who were surveyed. Franchise Business Review’s research looked at survey feedback from over 3,500 military veterans who are current franchise owners. The national study included over 350 leading franchise companies, and the resulting list of Top 100 franchises was based exclusively on franchisee satisfaction among veteran franchise owners. Franchise Business Review is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. The firm’s services include commissioned franchise research projects and industry-wide studies of franchisee satisfaction. Access the full Veterans & Franchising 2014 Report. Source: Franchise Business Review Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Our Town America, the country’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, is teaming up with PMQ Pizza Magazine, the leading trade publication serving the pizza industry, at 3PM EST on Wednesday, November 5th 2014 for a webinar entitled “The Niche New Mover Market: The Secret to Establishing Customer Loyalty.” Two of Our Town America’s leading new mover marketing experts, Director of Sales Michael Murphy and Lead National Sales Executive Steven Sgroi, will be featured on the webinar. They will be joining Daniel Parea and Brian Hernandez, the hosts of PMQ Magazine’s recurring webinar series, for a lively discussion about the powerful results targeted new mover marketing programs can generate for any local business. Murphy says this webinar will show local business owners how to reach and influence a brand new set of movers each and every month. “We are excited to be the featured guests in a timely webinar that will bring PMQ Magazine’s loyal audience up to speed on the benefits of new mover marketing,” says Sgroi. “Millions of people move each year and they’re actively seeking new go-to product and service providers, whether they moved across town or across the country. This webinar will show business owners how to welcome those new movers before their competition in a way that inspires long term customer loyalty – an invaluable edge for small business owners in an increasingly competitive American economy.” Interesting in joining the webinar? Register at the following link (http://www.pmq.com/webinar/) and join the hosts and featured guests for a riveting discussion and presentation at 3PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 5th! For more information on PMQ Pizza Magazine’s webinar series, please visit http://www.pmq.com/webinar/ Sources: PMQ Pizza Magazine; IT Business Net; Digital Journal Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Unlike many marketing methods, direct mail marketing allows businesses to reach consumers in an intimate fashion. Digital and print advertisements, such as sidewalk bench ads or billboard ads, oftentimes get overlooked in a sea of advertisements. Direct mail, however, gives the consumer something tangible to hold onto – requiring their attention. When given the opportunity to reach a targeted audience with little to no distraction, most businesses experience rising response rates. The Our Town America new mover direct mail marketing program has functioned as the middleman for numerous businesses both on a local and national level. Heightened sales and an increased customer base are the results – some full-service casual dining restaurants experiencing a 22% response rate! Getting consumers’ attention is just half the battle. The promoted offer and visual design of the mailer along with the timing of the mailer are equally important. The offer must resonate with the consumer and provoke them to complete a call to action. Direct mail marketing with Our Town America takes care of the offer, design, and timing of the mailer. The turnkey direct mail marketing program allows businesses to reach a specialized market known as new movers. In a world where timing is everything, a community Welcome Package arrives in the mailbox of a new mover when they are actively seeking new go-to businesses in their new neighborhood. With 42 years of experience and endless amounts of data showcasing the best offers for various business industries, the national marketing professionals at Our Town America are able to relieve business owners of making blind business decisions. And, fortunately, for those looking to incorporate direct mail in their marketing strategy, direct mail volume is down resulting in a less cluttered mailbox. Interested in direct mail marketing? Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Live in the D (August 2014) – Our Town America metro-Detroit franchise owner, Larry Neal, on WDIV-TV’s ‘Live in the D’ spotlight with Vikki Brown of sponsor business Edible Arrangements and Detroit new mover Mika Dajos. The Our Town America new mover welcome program specializes in helping families that are new to a community connect with reputable local businesses who are searching for new, loyal customers. Interested in welcoming new families to their new area? Contact us to be a sponsor business or open a franchise in your local community! See full ‘Live in the D’ clip by pressing ‘play’ below! Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Money Magazine (August 2014) – Oh, if only six figures landed in your lap tomorrow. Hey, you never know. In case it does – or in the case you’re lucky enough to have 100 grand put away already- you’ll want to have these smart moves in your back pocket. Find out why Money Magazine and Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review, put buying an Our Town America franchise in the top 5 on the list of 13 Things to Do with $100,000 Now. Read full article HERE. Sources: Money Magazine; Franchise Business Review Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
BuzzFeed (August 2014) – Infographic reveals top five stressors for modern day movers and the powerful impact of housewarming gifts. Results drawn from our 2014 National Survey of New Movers. Access infographic on BuzzFeed HERE. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Fox News (August 2014) – CEO Michael Plummer Jr. and Marketing Executive Brittany Johnson on Fox News’ Fox and Friends Sunday, August 17th. Plummer and Johnson discuss Our Town America’s desire for continuous growth and various career opportunities. Interested in working for Our Town America? Check out our Careers section or open your own franchise. View the Fox and Friends segment with CEO Michael Plummer Jr. discussing Our Town America career opportunities. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
WFLA TV (July 2014) – Channel 8’s Gayle Guyardo sits down with Our Town America of Tampa franchise owner, Mike Fisher, and first winner of 2014 Quarterly New Mover Survey Contest on July 10, 2014 segment. Five times each year, Our Town America randomly selects a winner from the thousands of new movers who take time out of their busy schedules to provide feedback on their moving experience by completing our New Mover Survey. This year, Tampa’s very own David and Wendalyn Cooper were selected as the first winner of our 2014 Quarterly New Mover Survey Contest, resulting in their recent prize of a $250 prepaid gift card from Our Town America. The Cooper’s, who provided positive feedback on their experience with the program, were originally welcomed into their new Tampa-area neighborhood by the Our Town America Welcome Package. “We felt extremely blessed because each certificate represented a current need of our family.” With approximately 20,000 moves in the Tampa Bay market area per month, Penske Truck Rental named the Tampa/Sarasota area number two of the top 10 cities people are moving to in the United States 1. Mike Fisher, the Our Town America – Tampa franchise owner, is responsible for filling each Welcome Package with valuable offers and information from each of his Tampa-area’s sponsor businesses. A matchmaker if you will, Fisher’s goal is identical to Our Town America’s 40+ year company mission to connect seeking new movers with local businesses who welcome new residents with open arms. Watch full WFLA TV story here! Read WFLA News story here.. Source: Penske Truck Rental 2013 Top Moving Destinations List Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
