Family Inc. showcases Midwestern family-owned companies

Family Inc., a new television series that profiles successful family-owned companies, is set to join the line-up of television shows produced by Discover Mediaworks of Eagle River and Madison. Currently in development, the series will debut in June and air on television stations throughout the Midwest.

Each episode will feature four diverse companies; among the highlights of the first episode will be profiles on Plymouth-based Sargento Foods and Cleary Building Corporation of Verona. Renowned Wisconsin-based, family business consultant Dean R. Fowler, Ph.D., will serve as host of the show.

“Family businesses make for great stories,” says Mark Rose, president and CEO of Discover Mediaworks. “They involve parents, children, siblings — everyone sharing a dream that ultimately shapes their families, their industries and their communities. We’re really excited that Family Inc. will be sharing these stories.”

Rose says that his interest in developing Family Inc. grew from collaborating with some of Wisconsin’s signature family-owned companies — and from running his own family-owned business.

Discover Mediaworks grew from a company founded by Rose’s father, the late Dick Rose, nearly 30 years ago.

Discover Mediaworks is best known for its popular flagship program, Discover Wisconsin, which is the state’s longest-running television show and airs nationwide via network, cable and satellite. In addition to Discover Wisconsin, Discover Mediaworks produces American Snowmobiler TV, ATV Illustrated, and the award-winning children’s nature show, Into the Outdoors.

New Coalition aims to put Wisconsin on the cutting edge of technology

Supporting an environment for innovative technology, high-tech job creation and economic growth are key priorities for Wired Wisconsin — a new, non-profit coalition of concerned individuals, businesses and organizations working together to create a unified path forward in technology development.

“Our coalition recognizes that technological growth depends on drawing ideas and knowledge from many sources,” says Thad Nation, executive director of Wired Wisconsin. “Wired Wisconsin will be the connection to link them together.”

The coalition will work to educate policymakers, consumers and businesses about technology related legislative and regulatory issues that impact the lives of Wisconsin citizens, and advocate for commonsense approaches to spur innovation and grow the economy.

“Wisconsin is in an ideal position to take advantage of the world-class research institutions, innovative businesses and natural and intellectual resources the state offers to drive economic growth,” Nation says. “From wireless technologies and broadband deployment to green technologies to tele-medicine — and everything in between — Wired Wisconsin will advocate for technological development to keep Wisconsin moving forward.”

For more information on Wired Wisconsin, or to find out how to join the coalition, please visit www.wiredwisconsin.org.

Wisconsin rolls out new state brand: Live like you mean it

How should Wisconsinites live? Like they mean it, according to Governor Jim Doyle. In mid-March, the governor rolled out a new logo and theme line for the state brand as the next step in building a unifying, competitive brand and business strategy for the state.

“No matter how people come in contact with Wisconsin, they’ll know precisely what we stand for in this state,” says Governor Doyle. “This is another tool we’ll use to keep loyal visitors coming back, communicate why a business should relocate or expand here, and let talented employees know why they should choose Wisconsin.”

The Department of Tourism will begin applying the identity immediately to its marketing giving the logo mark instant visibility. The color selections for the logo came directly from consumer research conducted last year in Wisconsin and neighboring states.

MOVERS

>> United Heartland has announced the appointment of Tom Vanderbusch as director of Regional Operations for the company’s New Berlin office. He is responsible for the management and oversight of the New Berlin regional office, including underwriting and loss control for Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.

>> Barron’s, the Dow Jones business magazine, has named Lauri Droster, certified financial planner, senior vice president and financial consultant at RBC Wealth management in Madison, to their top adviser list. She is one of two women in Wisconsin and one of 15 financial advisers in the state to achieve the national ranking.

>> Robert A. McNamara, president of F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co. Inc., in Milwaukee, will serve as the president of the National Roofing Contractors Association for 2009-2010.

>> Steven Handrick of Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Co., LLP has been selected to join the Practicewise Advisory Board for 2009.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Milwaukee: C. Coakley Relocations Systems was named Prime Agent of the Month for February by Arpin Van Lines. C. Coakley Relocation Systems, with offices in Milwaukee, Madison and Sheboygan, has been a prime agent with Arpin since February 2002. This is the third time that the company has won the award; C. Coakley was also the recipient of the 2008 Gold Quality Agent Award.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has announced that six metropolitan areas in the region were on the agency’s top 25 list of energy efficient buildings that earned EPA’s Energy Star in 2008, including two Wisconsin cities. Milwaukee ranked 15th on the list with 62 energy efficient buildings; Madison ranked 25th with 33. In total, the 429 buildings included on the Top 25 list have saved their owners $137.1 million in utility bills and prevented carbon dioxide emissions equal to those associated with electricity use from more than 114,000 homes for a year.