MCLEAN, Va., Aug.12, 2015
/PRNewswire/ -- Capital One Spark Business announced the launch of
an integrated campaign designed to help its small business
customers build awareness, compete and grow their enterprises in
today's increasingly complex and competitive marketplace.
According to a new Spark Business1 survey, one of the
top challenges that small business owners face is marketing – with
only two in five having executed a marketing campaign in the past
six months, despite 70 percent who say they would if they had the
resources and capabilities. The Spark Plug campaign is designed to
address that challenge head-on – by helping small business
customers increase awareness and generate new business throughout
their local communities.
"Small business is a driving force of our national and local
economies and the fabric of the communities we live, work and play
in – yet many businesses struggle to market themselves
effectively," said Keri Gohman, head
of small business banking at Capital One. "That's why we launched
Spark Plug – to recognize and reward small businesses with
resources they need to help them reach new customers and grow
within their local markets."
Throughout the Spark Plug campaign, Spark Business Bank
customers submitted nominations for the chance to receive custom
print, out-of-home, video, and digital advertisements, at no cost
to them. Throughout the Spark Plug campaign, Capital One selected
125 small businesses and produced 150 custom advertising assets.
The assets will be marketed by Capital One in select cities
beginning today and over the course of the next few months on
targeted media channels aimed at driving awareness and reaching new
customers.
"We heard what small businesses are craving most, and we're
taking action to meet their specific needs," said Gohman. "We're
using our own advertising dollars to give our small business
customers a boost and help them gain more customers, and that's
really the most important thing to a business owner. We're
dedicated to helping small businesses succeed, and Spark Plug is
just one proof point of our ongoing commitment in providing
resources business owners need most."
Arts on the Horizon, a professional non-profit theatre company
located in Alexandria, Virginia,
was one of the businesses selected by Capital One to receive an
online video advertisement as part of the campaign.
"When you run a nonprofit organization, you face challenges
every day. That's why Arts on the Horizon is thrilled to have been
selected to receive marketing support through Capital One's Spark
Plug campaign," said Michelle
Kozlak, Producing Artistic Director of Arts on the Horizon.
"We're so excited for our online video to launch and to help raise
widespread awareness and interest for our theatre programs
specifically designed for young children - an impossible feat
without Capital One's deep commitment to their small business
customers like us. Our resources are always stretched thin, to have
this opportunity to reach new audience members is invaluable."
About Spark Business
Capital One® offers a
broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers,
small businesses, and commercial clients. Spark Business from
Capital One comprises a suite of products and services specifically
designed for small business, including credit cards with unlimited
rewards, no-fee checking and savings, and secure and flexible
merchant service offerings. Spark Business provides tips,
resources, and inspiration to help your business thrive at
www.SparkBusinessIQ.com. For more information, visit
www.CapitalOne.com/smallbusiness.
1 The survey was conducted online by Harris
Poll on behalf of Capital One within the
United States between April 1 and 6,
2015, among 505 adults aged 18 and older, who are business
owners with less than $10 million in
annual revenue. Figures for annual revenue were weighted where
necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in
the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for
respondents' propensity to be online.
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SOURCE Capital One