Mainebiz Special Editions

P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e 145 three Maine business leaders who demonstrate their leadership and business acumen are selected for the annual award. Nominees are considered from three categories: a large company of 50 or more employees, a small company of fewer than 50 employees, and a nonprofit organization. Each year Mainebiz honors exceptional executives selected from a pool of nominations for the Women to Watch recognition. Honorees are business own- ers, CEOs, presidents and top executives who have a proven track record of success, who are trailblazers and mentors. Another signature recognition is The Next List, which identifies 10 future leaders of Maine's business community. Nexters have demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurship, positive relationships within the community, business savvy, and are key to the state's economic future. In addition, Mainebiz also produces several supple- ments and directories for the Maine business com- munity. Supplemental publications include The Fact Book, data and statistics collected from many sources that provide the business community with a clear pic- ture of the Maine marketplace. It answers questions such as, "Where are the growth areas in Maine?," and, "How competitive are the municipal tax rates?" Mainebiz researches companies, executives and transactions in many industries and ranks them by various factors in its annual Book of Lists. The Book of Lists data is in high demand, and can also be pur- chased as Excel files online. Mainebiz is honored to be the recipient of multiple national, regional and local awards for its journalis- tic excellence and outstanding design and graphics. Mainebiz belongs to the national Alliance of Area Busi- ness Publications and has won the AABP "Best Paper" award from 2004-2009, and has earned a "Best Overall Design" award every year since 2004. The company has also won awards from the New England Press As- sociation, including first place for General Excellence in 2007. Most recently, Mainebiz received a Best of Busi- ness award from the Society of Business Editors and Writers. Mainebiz demonstrates its commitment to the com- munity by consistently supporting the arts, charities and business organizations as a company and as indi- viduals, through in-kind donations, monetary dona- tions and volunteer hours. In addition, the company established the Mainebiz Next List Alumni Scholarship Fund via the Maine Community Foundation to benefit a Maine college student who is majoring in business. "There is never a lack of interesting stories to tell about the business community of Maine, " says Pub- lisher Donna Brassard. "Businesses in Maine are cre- ative, adaptable and proactive. There is a pervasive sense of entrepreneurship here that complements the state's unique resources, and a deep commitment to preserving the excellent quality of life we all share." "Our quality products, dedication to customer service and ability to be flexible, innovative and proactive has helped us to be a profitable media business that is, in fact, growing," says Donna Brassard. Members of the Mainebiz advertising, marketing and audience development departments discuss customer service. From left are Donna Brassard, publisher; Betsy VanderPloeg, senior accounts manager; Jenna Grant, events/marketing manager; Julianna Myers, audience development marketing specialist; Leila Musacchio, advertising director; and Ken Hanson, senior accounts manager.

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