NEW BRIGHTON, MINN. (Nov. 11, 2009) – Forrester Research recently named Risdall Marketing Group (RMG) a finalist in two categories in its prestigious Forrester Groundswell Awards.

The awards, which are named after the bestselling book “Groundswell,” recognize outstanding applications of social technology that result in successful business performance.

RMG was named a finalist in the “B2C Talking” category for its work with GoGirl, a device that enables women to go to the bathroom standing up. In the “B2C Listening” category, RMG was a finalist for its work with McNally Smith College of Music, a contemporary music college located in Saint Paul, Minn.

“These campaigns show the power of social media and how effective strategies and implementation can have a real impact on business results,” said John Risdall, vice chairman and CEO of RMG. “We are proud of our work for our clients and are happy to be recognized in this prestigious competition.”

For GoGirl, RMG not only introduced a new brand to consumers, but also generated category awareness for a product that provided the solution to a problem most women have never even thought about. The campaign used social media to prompt grassroots awareness and generate traditional media attention.

Noteworthy results included:

• Interviews on almost 30 radio stations across the nation as well as features in more than 20 top print publications, more than 100 blogs and on 30 different television programs;
• Selling out inventory that was supposed to last six months in only two and a half months;
• Moving into retail locations six months ahead of schedule; and
• Web traffic topping out at 36,000 page views in one day.

For McNally Smith College of Music, RMG created a social media optimization strategy to distinguish the music college from other large, well known music colleges in the U.S. This involved engaging prospective students in online conversations while they were talking about music colleges or music college alternatives.

As a result:

• Brand mentions of McNally Smith in user-generated content surrounding music college conversations increased from 2.7 percent to 12.1 percent; and
• McNally Smith has gone from not being mentioned in any online conversations to being mentioned alongside top music colleges in the nation in online conversations.

“Companies and organizations that embrace innovative technology strategies are seeing business results,” said Risdall. “Social technologies are indeed changing the face of communications and business.”

About Risdall Marketing Group
Founded in 1972, Risdall Marketing Group has annual capitalized billings of $190 million and more than 80 employees. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minn., Risdall is a full-service agency with 14 specialized divisions and is heralded as one of the oldest and most successful agencies in the Twin Cities. According to the 2008 Twin Cities Business Annual Business Information Guide, RMG is ranked as the largest Web developer, fifth largest PR agency and the seventh largest advertising agency in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.risdall.com.

John Risdall
Risdall Marketing Group
651.286.6702

Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6729