Red Letter receives Cape Chamber award

Business Today

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce recently presented its 2003 Small Business of the Year award to Red Letter Communications, a marketing and communications firm employing 19 full-time staff members.

F.R. "Buzz" Sutherland of the Small Business Development Center presented the Small Business of the Year award to Fred Kinder of Red Letter Communications, who also accepted on behalf of founding partner Jim Riley.

In 1980, the company began as a two-person agency serving automotive and medical industries, along with retail and commercial businesses. By 1988, the company developed into a full-service advertising agency, added employees and moved into larger facilities. Major clients included Crader Distributing and Spartech Corp.

In the 1990s, the agency created GardenPower LLC, a separate entity for its gardening and growing television show and print content.

By 2002, the company had become a full service marketing and communications agency with relationships with such clients as AmerenUE, Scotts Miracle Gro and Big River Telephone. Also in 2002, the owner took in a new partner with significant national background with such companies as Verizon, Pizza Hut and Nestle.

By 2003, the agency had made additional investments in five new employees and the physical plant and invested $100,000 in equipment and technology.

The agency has had a long history of participating in civic, educational and religious organizations to benefit the community. Most recently, the agency commissioned a local artist to do an oil painting of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. And through its efforts, more than $11,000 was raised for the bridge's lighting project.

PAST BUSINESS WINNERS

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

1998: BART transportation service

1999: R&M-COCO Designs

2000: Kwik Kopy Printing and Rose Concrete Products Inc. (tie)

2001: Shivelbine's Music Store

2002: Ford & Sons Funeral Home