180 South Group » Case Studies

Advantage Restaurant Equipment

richzeitz — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:31:20 +0000

Both the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics point to the skyrocketing rate of failing small businesses. Enter Advantage Restaurant Equipment, joining 180 South after three years of difficulties struggling with inflated overhead, shrinking margins, and a muddled brand identity. Upon our initial goal-setting strategy session, the team at 180 South quickly identified the challenges and uncovered three new opportunities to increase brand awareness within the market, including a community outreach campaign and a targeted list of potential customers leveraged against a barrage of business development services. Advantage was rebranded with a new look and feel, weekly benchmarks were set, a sales management and agile system was implemented, and two new marketing initiatives were executed: a call center campaign to local restaurants, and a visual branding campaign near high-turnover commercial real estate. Sales increased 30% and within 6 months, 180 South was able to secure and finance a new warehouse for equipment storage, which ensured that the client did not squander the revenue increase in high rent and electricity. And for added value, 180 South was able to renegotiate a critical vendor contract for Advantage, increasing credit terms at a lower interest rate, and allowing for more cash on hand to purchase additional inventory for the new warehouse. Past and current clients were ecstatic with the new warehouse and selection of merchandise, while Advantage was given access to an untapped customer base. With 180 South, clients receive more than just creative production and expertise; they see results that impact the bottom line.

Meetu Chilana

richzeitz — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:29:21 +0000

In a market saturated with independent artists and original content, one of the most difficult tasks for a new artist is to secure paid licensing opportunities for their creative expressions. This has been increasingly vital to broadcast media, in order for an artist to generate revenue and continue to create. Enter Meetu Chilana, an accomplished performer, singer, and songwriter, coming off a succesful 7-year stint with Broadway’s “Cirque du Soliel: Zarkana”. Meetu engages 180 South in search of new and unique avenues of expression, revenue, and artistic outlets. Through our extensive network of producers, directors, talent coordinators, and production companies, 180 South is first to know of new projects slated for production. Leveraging these long standing relationships, 180 South was able to land Meetu in Love Land, a feature film to be released next year. Additionaly, Meetu’s music was licensed as one of the main theme songs, which fostered an opportunity to parlay her feature into a licensing deal with an L.A. based production company seeking original content for their network series. Through this transaction, 180 South was able to solidify a relationship with a network content distributor, while creating a new avenue of expression for our artist, resulting in revenue for all parties.

Kevin Lyttle

richzeitz — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:26:18 +0000

Due to the high cost of quality video production, music labels generally seek outside partners to finance all or a portion of their artists’ music videos through mediums such as strategic partnerships, sponsorships, endorsments, and product placement opportunities. Enter Kevin Lyttle, from having the former number one song in the world, “Turn Me On”, and selling over two million copies worldwide. 180 South was able to leverage their relationships to bring Kevin together with a multi-million dollar production facility, along with the Borough of Travel and Tourism in Kevin’s home country, to create a mutually beneficial scenario. The government of St. Vincent provided a budget to film Kevin’s video in exchange for the rights to use the music to promote tourism to their country. The artist was compensated for his appearance and performance, along with producing a video of the highest quality to promote his new single, and being named the cultural ambassador and official diplomat of St. Vincent. A true win-win for the artist, clients, fans, and ultimately 180 South.