Rustmedia to focus on social media marketing

Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, is announcing the launch of a business division focused on multimedia marketing for small and medium-sized businesses.

The new division, called rustmedia, specializes in social media marketing via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other sites; business online reputation management; search engine optimization on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.; affordable website development, including mobile optimization; brand management; commercial photography; and corporate and commercial video creation, including maximizing YouTube channels for marketing purposes.

The division is led by Gary Rust II, who previously was director of the company's MediaLab and digital operations.

Creative director for the agency is Steve Turner, an award-winning video producer. Shad Burner, formerly director of alumni services at Southeast Missouri State University and coordinator of its iamsoutheast.com alumni platform, recently joined the company as a marketing and fulfillment executive.

"A lot of businesses know they need to be doing more online or in social media, but they don't have the time or expertise," Rust said. "This new enterprise, rustmedia, will help manage business' digital, print, photo and video marketing for them so business owners can focus their time on managing their businesses. We will do that mainly as a media-fulfillment arm in conjunction with Southeast Missourian advertising representatives, who already have trusted relationships with business owners and managers. But rustmedia also will work directly with those who need specialized solutions. Our consultative process is built on providing the most cost-effective, best results for businesses."

Located at 307 Broadway, rustmedia will have a storefront grand opening in December. The startup enterprise includes 14 employees with specialties in digital and traditional media marketing, commercial photography, video and website services and design.

* On the topic of social media and small business marketing solutions, the Southeast Missourian is hosting social-local-mobile training seminars this week at the Concourse building, 429 Broadview St. Newspaper advertising director Donna Denson said that as of Friday more than 200 businesses were set to participate.

"We're looking forward to seeing everyone there, especially after we were delayed because of Hurricane Sandy" Denson said. "Our guest speaker, Shannon Kinney, who was grounded because of the storm, is a national expert who has consulted with companies as big as Google and

as small as a corner store. Those who are do-it-yourselfers will receive valuable insight into how to exploit social media. Others, who want to understand more about these powerful platforms, will have an opportunity to understand what tools are out there to help them navigate the dizzying choices in front of them."

Attendees will receive an analysis of how their brands -- and their competitors' brands -- appear online. Those who signed-up in advance will receive the analysis at the seminar. "Walk-in attendees are welcomed," Denson said. "But we won't be able to get them the analysis, which is a high-value in itself, until later." Call 573-388-2783 for more information.

* Womens clothing store Stash is now open at 40 N. Main Street in Cape Girardeau. Co-owners Emily and Jill Hoehne are a mother and daughter from Perry County. The store currently features winter coats with a twist offered in bright colors, with ruffles and even polka dots, Emily Hoehne said. Sweaters, dresses and a wide selection of scarves also are available. She previously worked as an associate at an independent clothing store in St. Louis and as a manager/apparel buyer for a boutique on the Delmar Loop. She earned a degree in marketing from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Jill Hoehne previously worked for a not-for-profit organization for 30 years. "My mom and I were both at a crossroads after I had graduate, and the opportunity arose for her to take an early retirement," Emily Hoehne said. "We had talked about opening our own clothing store for some time and it has always been a dream of mine. It was really just the perfect opportunity to take the leap."

With other new stores downtown offering women's fashion, including Philanthropy and Sloan + Themis, Hoehne said the women of Cape Girardeau are excited to have more options to shop locally for items they previously traveled out of town to buy or purchased online.

Stash is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

* A Sikeston, Mo., retailer has opened a medical uniform store in the Lorimont Place development at 260 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. The Scrub Store, owned by David and Georgia McAfee of Sikeston, Mo., is located in a 1,560-square-foot lease space between McAlister's Deli and Simply Swirled Yogurt. The store carries a full line of first-line national label surgical and medical specialty clothing, footwear and accessories for those in the medical and dental fields. The McAfees also own Quilting Fabrics and Crafts at 620 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston and for several years have handled medical type apparel and accessories in that retail store.

Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place Ltd. handled the lease transaction. He said the owners were looking for a convenient location along the South Mount Auburn corridor with easy access from Doctors' Park, Saint Francis Medical Center and SoutheastHEALTH's West Campus complex. Kelsey said the store opened Nov. 5.