Good news: Maryland businesses are doing great. Not only has an entrepreneur from the Free State recently won an international marketing competition, but several other Maryland companies have been recognized for leading transgender equality in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index.
Vance Morris, the founder of Deliver Service Now and Marketing and Entrepreneur Growth Alliance, submitted two ads for his business, Chem-Dry On The Shore, which had to stand out from all other competitors in the market, differentiate themselves from all others, and have generated measurable results. Using the distinct style of marketing he learned through his 25-year career as a manager and trainer at Walt Disney World in a completely different industry, Morris won Dan Kennedy’s — founder of Glazer Kennedy Insiders Circle — internationally held marketing competition.
Nicola Mendelsohn, vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Facebook, recently pointed out how video marketing is really a form of storytelling, thanks in large part to the highly connected nature of people through social media. After all, 69% of North American marketers agree that personalized content, like an online video, is important in terms of web design, as MarketingCharts reports. With his unique, innovative approach to advertising, Morris was a natural recipient for the award.
On November 8, he received his award at the annual international Glazer Kennedy Insiders Circle Info-Summit, where he got to spend time with Kennedy and Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions.
Released earlier this month, the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index revealed that six of eight Maryland companies included in the study earned a perfect score for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. These companies were: Choice Hotels International Inc., DLA Piper, Lockheed Martin Corp., Marriott International Inc., Sodexo Inc., and T. Rowe Price Associates Inc.
“When it comes to LGBT equality, Corporate America is a leader, not a follower,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. “At every turn, from advocating for marriage equality to providing vital support for transgender employees, this country’s leading companies have asked, ‘What more can we do?,’ and they’ve worked tirelessly to achieve new progress. That kind of leadership changes countless lives around this country, and sets an important example to other companies around the globe.”
So it seems that — for now — things are going well for Maryland businesses. That is, of course, no reason to stop improving, though. As good as things are now, why not try to make them great?