Triangle Businesses Receive Awards
5/21/98
The News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC)

Chamber Recognizes achievements of 30 Triangle companies

The Pinnacle Business Awards honor Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce members throughout the Triangle.

Twenty-five emerging companies will be recognized for significant and sustained growth. Five entrepreneurial businesses will receive awards for staying power, business growth, community involvement and innovation. Each is profiled inside the publication.

These are the companies to be honored:

Small Business
1 to 5 employees - Kenney-Austin Development Company
5 to 10 employees - Long Printing Company
10 to 25 employees - Simpson's Beef and Seafood

Mid-Size
Alphanumeric Systems

Large
Gregory Poole Equipment Company

Emerging Growth
ATI Industrial Automation
Advanced Concepts Business Communications
Advanced Electric Systems, Inc.
Alternate Access
Anthony & Company
Atlantic Documentation Centers
O.F. Barnes Trucking Company
Capital Investment Group
Carolina Vending
Computer Service Partners
Creative Visions
Five Star Staffing
Greer Personnel Consultants
Health Decisions
Metro Telecom
Barbara H. Mulkey Engineering
Orion International Consulting Group
Resource/Solutions, Inc.
Remedy Staffing Services
Service Design Associates
System Operation Solutions
Trademark Properties
Window Gang
Zipcom

Media Research Planning and Placement, Inc.

Media Research Planning and Placement, Inc. is a full service media agency that provides that provides media capability and resources to smaller companies and marketing firms.

Founder Sheila Hale Ogle said investing in quality people and technology, focusing on media advertising, and concentrating on accuracy, timeliness, and integrity have been keys to MRPP's success.

"We can buy more media more cost effectively because we are specialized," she said. "Buying services do not offer the full range of services that we offer."

Ogle started MRPP to fill a hole she saw in the advertising market. "I was a need for a first-class creative media agency to partner with advertising and creative agencies and companies that were ready to 'unbundle' their advertising accounts," she said.

Developing a client base and growing company with a limited business background have been challenges in starting MRPP, according to Ogle. But overcoming these obstacles and critics who said that the market didn't need another media buying service, that MRPP couldn't compete with the "big guys," and that they couldn't find enough capital for the first three to five years has been rewarding for Ogle and her company.

"If you can find a niche for a product or service and then position yourself as best in your field," Ogle said, "no one can stop you."

Ogle cites Jack Howard, former president of Howard, Merrell & Partners, as her inspiration in starting and running a growing and successful business. She and MRPP are reaping the rewards for their perseverance and dedication now.

"We cherish the opportunity to help our clients maximize their advertising dollars," she said.

Bottom Line
Company: Media Research Planning and Placement, Inc.
Principal: Sheila Hale Ogle
Established: 1987
Address: 201 W. Chatham St., Cary
Telephone: (919) 468-1000
Employees: 16
Market Area: National and International