MCLEAN, Va., Aug.12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital One Spark Business announced the launch of an integrated campaign designed to help its small business customers build awareness, compete and grow their enterprises in today's increasingly complex and competitive marketplace.
According to a new Spark Business1 survey, one of the top challenges that small business owners face is marketing – with only two in five having executed a marketing campaign in the past six months, despite 70 percent who say they would if they had the resources and capabilities. The Spark Plug campaign is designed to address that challenge head-on – by helping small business customers increase awareness and generate new business throughout their local communities.
"Small business is a driving force of our national and local economies and the fabric of the communities we live, work and play in – yet many businesses struggle to market themselves effectively," said Keri Gohman, head of small business banking at Capital One. "That's why we launched Spark Plug – to recognize and reward small businesses with resources they need to help them reach new customers and grow within their local markets."
Throughout the Spark Plug campaign, Spark Business Bank customers submitted nominations for the chance to receive custom print, out-of-home, video, and digital advertisements, at no cost to them. Throughout the Spark Plug campaign, Capital One selected 125 small businesses and produced 150 custom advertising assets. The assets will be marketed by Capital One in select cities beginning today and over the course of the next few months on targeted media channels aimed at driving awareness and reaching new customers.
"We heard what small businesses are craving most, and we're taking action to meet their specific needs," said Gohman. "We're using our own advertising dollars to give our small business customers a boost and help them gain more customers, and that's really the most important thing to a business owner. We're dedicated to helping small businesses succeed, and Spark Plug is just one proof point of our ongoing commitment in providing resources business owners need most."
Arts on the Horizon, a professional non-profit theatre company located in Alexandria, Virginia, was one of the businesses selected by Capital One to receive an online video advertisement as part of the campaign.
"When you run a nonprofit organization, you face challenges every day. That's why Arts on the Horizon is thrilled to have been selected to receive marketing support through Capital One's Spark Plug campaign," said Michelle Kozlak, Producing Artistic Director of Arts on the Horizon. "We're so excited for our online video to launch and to help raise widespread awareness and interest for our theatre programs specifically designed for young children - an impossible feat without Capital One's deep commitment to their small business customers like us. Our resources are always stretched thin, to have this opportunity to reach new audience members is invaluable."
About Spark Business
Capital One® offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients. Spark Business from Capital One comprises a suite of products and services specifically designed for small business, including credit cards with unlimited rewards, no-fee checking and savings, and secure and flexible merchant service offerings. Spark Business provides tips, resources, and inspiration to help your business thrive at www.SparkBusinessIQ.com. For more information, visit www.CapitalOne.com/smallbusiness.
1 The survey was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Capital One within the United States between April 1 and 6, 2015, among 505 adults aged 18 and older, who are business owners with less than $10 million in annual revenue. Figures for annual revenue were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
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SOURCE Capital One