Devin James takes his agency global (with the help of Southwest Airlines) and creates hope in action
Devin James, founder of The Devin James Group
International (BlackNews.com) — Devin James knows the meaning of reinvention. After nearly losing his life in a robbery-related shooting at one of his retail stores seven years ago, James suffered a permanent disability during his senior year in college and was unable to complete his studies or original occupational game plan. James understood the power of his mind and re-branded himself. Today, he’s helping others do the same as he sits at the helm of The Devin James Group, a strategic brand marketing and communications agency that powers a brand with unique programs that incorporate innovative PR, marketing and advertising.
But now the 28-year-old James is reinventing himself again as a global branding expert. Last year during an interview with the Atlanta Post, James predicted that he would win international clients within five years. In January, he accomplished his goal four years ahead of time when The Devin James Group was named global agency of record by Global Products Inc. (GPI), a woman-owned firm that manufactures and distributes Harley-Davidson products worldwide.
The collaboration between GPI and The Devin James Group emerged as a result of a uniquely branded elevator spill on James’ part, as well as a little help from Southwest Airlines. Thanks to a misplaced bag and a no-hassle flight change, James ended up sitting next to GPI CEO, Rebecca Herwick. Their subsequent discussion and his immediate follow-up sealed the deal, as The Devin James Group beat out a number of larger firms to become GPI’s first global agency of record. “There was an overabundance of global agencies bidding for our business but The Devin James Group delivered the most creative and globally appealing approach that clearly established that they understood my vision for the company,” said Rebecca Herwick, Founder and CEO of Global Products Inc.
January also saw James create and execute a re-branding campaign for HavenHouse St. Louis, an organization that provides lodging to families who are suffering from medical crises. As part of the campaign, The Devin James Group developed a social media strategy and executed a sponsorship program that rose over $25,000 in cash and even more in in-kind contributions. The Devin James Group also re-branded HavenHouse’s HopeFest fundraising event and developed the slogan, “Experience Hope in Action.” To better publicize the event, The Devin James Group secured six billboards and developed a series of public service announcements that aired on six Clear Channel stations for a total of 6.7 million impressions/reaches each week. Finally, James secured an autographed football from 2010 NFL Draft First overall pick and Rookie of the Year nominee, Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford and proclamations from both Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley for the event.
“Devin’s creativity and unique understanding of branding helped us to show donors how relevant HavenHouse is,” said Kathy Sindel, MSW, executive director of HavenHouse. “In doing so, we attracted more supporters to help us with the important work that we do.”
James secured the HavenHouse contract on the referral of his client, Liberty Restaurant Group, a 23-restaurant Burger King franchisee in St. Louis.
“I was extremely impressed with Devin’s ability to implement such high level strategic initiatives to effectively reposition the Burger King brand in St. Louis,” said Jay E. Amarosa, president and CEO of Liberty Restaurant Group, which is the title sponsor for HavenHouse’s HopeFest. “I observed first-hand his ability to direct all aspects of our public relations, sponsorship activation, event marketing, social media strategies and Web initiatives and not once did he deliver anything less than an incredible, cutting edge solution that exceeded our needs.”
Devin James has been featured in the Memphis Business Quarterly, the Memphis Regional Chambers’ “Crossroads” magazine, the Memphis Flyer, the cover story of the Commercial Appeal business section, numerous features in the Memphis Business Journal while also appearing on WREG News Channel 3 “Live at 9” with Marybeth Conley and WHBQ MyFox Memphis, “Money Matters” with Mearl Purvis and Scott Maddus and nationally in such publications as Black Enterprise Magazine, The Network Journal, Atlanta Post, Who’s Who of Black St. Louis, the St. Louis American Newspaper, the Dallas Weekly, African American Golfer’s Digest magazine, Hotel & Motel Management Magazine as well as mainstream internet sites NFIB.com, CBSMoneyWatch.com, Yahoo News, Clutch Magazine’s “Black Men to Watch” annual feature, YFS Magazine, BlackNews.com and AOL’s Black Voices.
The Devin James Group is a brand marketing and communications agency that specializes in brand identity, advertising art, cutting-edge web initiatives, brand/public awareness campaigns, out-of-home advertising, event “experiential” marketing, taxi/vehicle advertising and sponsorship activation.
The Devin James Group
901-322-6057 Local Direct
877.905.5300 Toll-Free
pr@devinjamesgroup.com
www.devinjamesgroup.com
www.twitter.com/DevinJamesGroup
www.facebook.com/DevinJamesGroup
www.linkedin.com/companies/devin-james-group
