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Southeastern Wisconsin business people make it happen.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thousands of 'Moose' members descend upon Milwaukee
May 23, 2013 10:00 AM
Nearly 8,000 “Moose” will roam the streets of Milwaukee beginning today as part of the Moose fraternal organization's annual Moose convention.
 
Moose members representing lodges across the country as well as Canadian and British chapters will come together during the week-long convention to discuss business developments within the organization, share emerging trends in the order of fraternal organizations, and celebrate several Moose milestones including 125 years of international conventions.

Moose leadership began organizing this year's convention in 2009 and selected Milwaukee as its destination after Visit Milwaukee's convention staff extended an invite to the group for a formal tour of the city.

The convention staff "really put their best foot forward" in promoting the city as a viable convention location, said Scott Hart, director general and chief executive officer of Moose International, which is based in Mooseheart, Ill.

"I think you've got some very bright and talented people working on attracting conventions to Milwaukee," Hart said. "They sold the city."

The 2013 convention marks a celebratory year for the organization with the 100th anniversary of Mooseheart, a residential childcare community for children living in unsuitable home environments as well as children living without parents. The community is run by the Moose fraternal organization on a 1,000-acre campus near Moose headquarters in Illinois.

Moose representatives will recognize the 100th anniversary of the women of the Moose at this week's convention as well.

Most of their time will be spent meeting at the Delta Center and the Milwaukee Theatre, but convention attendees will also have opportunities to explore downtown restaurants and nightlife.

The organization has secured 18,000 room nights across 20 hotels, and its estimated economic impact for the week is $10 million, according to Hart.

Milwaukee hasn't hosted Moose members since the 1940s, Hart said.

"I think what our members are going to find when they come here is great Midwestern hospitality and a great place to hold a convention," Hart said. "It's a beautiful city on Lake Michigan, similar to Chicago, but I think our members are going to find a much friendlier town ad we're looking forward to holding our convention here."

Moose International comprises 1.1 million members from the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda who build community engagement, support youth through Mooseheart, and support elderly Moose members through a Florida retirement community known as Moosehaven.

The 2013 international Moose convention will run through Wednesday, May 29.

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ArtPlace America grant to fuel 'Creational Trails' program
May 23, 2013 10:00 AM
The Artery, a former rail corridor bridging Milwaukee's Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods, and a 10-block stretch along West Wisconsin Avenue will be enlivened with interactive art in the coming months thanks to a $350,000 grant funded by ArtPlace America.
 
The art is part of a community program titled "Creational Trails," driven forward by the Greater Milwaukee Committee's Innovation in Milwaukee (MiKE) initiative, and seeks to beautify pockets of the city that have been vacated as well as accelerate foot and bike traffic.

ArtPlace America, a national alliance of foundations, banks and federal agencies advocating art as an integral part of economic and community growth, selected "Creational Trails" as one of 54 projects from more than 1,200 applications submitted by organizations across the country.

Earlier this year, ArtPlace America designated Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward as one of the Top 12 Artplaces in the country for incorporating art into its business district.

The evolving "Creational Trails" program received funding dollars for the breadth and depth of the collaboration it will spur among public, private and civic entities, said Jeremy Nowak, interim director of ArtPlace America.

The way the art initiative will "create a connective tissue" among neighborhoods and residents and its incorporation of local artists also added to its appeal.

"There's a certain authenticity to it," Nowak said.

The art at each space will include visual and audio components and will promote public safety among community members.

The art pieces installed at both sites will be temporary, but community organizers hope they spur long-term economic development and stability by highlighting the potential of both locations.

"Creating flourishing places has the potential to generate additional innovation and economic activity, which broadly benefits the entire community," said Mayor Tom Barrett. "This project will be a real catalyst to energize many of the existing initiatives in these two locations."

A public information meeting about "Creational Trails" will be held on July 15 at 6 p.m. at OPEN MiKE in The Shops of Grand Avenue, located in the Plankinton Building at 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 2145, in downtown Milwaukee.

MiKE has not yet finalized the art to be featured within "Creational Trails" but plans to announce its process for completing each site at the July 15 meeting.

For more information about ArtPlace America's grant programs, visit www.artplaceamerica.org.

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Summer trolley back in action
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
The Milwaukee Trolley Loop kicks off its summer “Hop ‘n Shop, Wine ‘n Dine” route today with $1 roundtrip trolley rides throughout downtown.
 
Presented by VISIT Milwaukee, the trolley travels throughout Milwaukee’s East Town, Westown and Historic Third Ward neighborhoods.

Route highlights include the Milwaukee Public Market, Delta Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, Jazz in the Park, farm markets, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, the city’s theater and hotel districts, and a number of shops and restaurants.

The Milwaukee Trolley Loop will run Thursdays – Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Aug. 31. The trolley service is operated by Transit Express with two trolleys in transit for the “Hop ‘n Shop, Wine ‘n Dine” route. Trolleys will offer 20-minute headways at select stops.

For more information about routes and schedules, visit www.milwaukeedowntown.com or call 414-562-RIDE.

Milwaukee’s trolley service is privately funded with support from VISIT Milwaukee; Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21; the East Town Association, Historic Third Ward Association, Milwaukee Art Museum, The Shops of Grand Avenue, Usinger Foundation, and Wisconsin Cheese Mart.

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Fans pick ‘Barrelman’ name for new beer
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
By an overwhelming margin, “Bernie’s Barrelman Ale” was selected as the name for a new beer that celebrates a partnership between the Milwaukee Brewers and Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.
 
The limited-release beer will be available exclusively at Miller Park beginning on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

More than 10,000 votes were received, and 55 percent voted for the winning name.

“With Milwaukee’s heritage of brewing beer, an ale made exclusively for the Brewers was a great opportunity to pursue,” said Brewers chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger. “We appreciate the work that Leinie’s and our partners at MillerCoors put into this initiative and were thrilled with the response of the fans in naming the new beer.”

The new beer is brewed with pale and roasted caramel malts along with cascade, nugget and Willamette hops. It will be available exclusively at Miller Park, and fans will be able to purchase the new brew at locations on the Field Level behind sections 103, 118 and 125; on the Loge Level behind home plate and sections 206 and 213; and on the Terrace Level outside sections 413, 420 and 432.

“A great beer deserves a great name, so we’re thankful for the teamwork from the Brewers and fans,” said Jake Leinenkugel, president of Chippewa Falls-based Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. “We’re sure fans will have many opportunities to raise a glass of Bernie’s Barrelman Ale to toast the Brewers’ success.”

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UW-Madison tops Harvard as most popular business school
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
U.S. News and World Report has ranked UW-Madison School of Business as the most popular business school in the country, placing it ahead of Harvard’s business school, which has held the title of “most popular” for the last two years.
 
U.S. News and World Report, which tracks rankings in higher education and health care among other disciplines, named UW-Madison No. 1 in its “short list” published Tuesday. 
 
The list, first compiled in 2011, orders business schools in terms of conversion rate, or the number of students who enroll in a school compared to the total number accepted. According to figures cited by U.S. News and World Report, the Wisconsin School of Business enrolled 90.4 percent of accepted students last fall while Harvard enrolled 89.3 percent.
 
While the cost of public institutions versus private institution adds to the appeal of enrolling in a school like UW-Madison, Francois Ortalo-Magne, dean of the Wisconsin School of Business, believes a school’s projected return on investment impacts its conversion rate much more than tuition dollars. 
 
Since accepted students are already aware of a school’s tuition costs, their decision to enroll hinges more on the value of its academic programs, Ortalo-Magne said.  
 
“I think the conversion rate is much more about having chosen where to apply, (and) then it’s a question of, ‘Are they convinced that it is a great return on investment?’” he said.
 
The Wisconsin School of Business’ strategic approach to education has also boosted its conversion rate, Ortalo-Magne said. While Harvard is renowned for general business, UW-Madison structures its business school around small learning communities focusing on 10 specializations like brand management, marketing research, supply chain and real estate.
 
“We are not trying to be as big and broad as (Harvard is),” Ortalo-Magne said. “We are trying to be excellent in a few niches.”
 
While 919 students enrolled in Harvard’s business school last fall, 94 enrolled in the Wisconsin School of Business. UW-Madison aims to grow that number to 120, according to Ortalo-Magne.
 
The school relies on staff, alumni and current students to recruit accepted students. In recent years, current business students have met with prospective students on campus and created YouTube videos as a separate outreach tool.
 
“(The ranking) says something about (the staff’s) ability to share their passion for the program and our ability to get our students as well involved in sharing this passion,” Ortalo-Magne said.
 
Other business schools that ranked in the 2013 short list’s top 10 include (in order) Stanford University, Oregon State University, Brigham Young University, University of Kentucky, University of Houston, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Ohio State University, and Pepperdine University.  
 
For more information about U.S. News and World Report’s higher education rankings, visit www.usnews.com.

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Lands’ End celebrates 50 years
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
Dodgeville-based Lands' End celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding on Tuesday.
 
Lands' End got its start in 1963 as a sailing outfitter in Chicago, operating as a mail-order operation filling 15 orders on a good day.

The company immediately set itself apart in the industry when founder Gary Comer instituted the now-famous unconditional return policy: "If you're not satisfied with any item, simply return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price. Guaranteed. Period.”

Since then, Lands' End has been known for its world-class customer service. Its Dodgeville headquarters span more than 1.7 million square feet.

Edgar Huber, current chief executive and president of Lands' End is leading the brand through the half-century milestone with a focus on moving the brand forward while staying true to the company’s core values and roots.

"We are extremely proud of our heritage and are looking forward to giving our customers exceptional quality and value for the next fifty years," said Huber.

Earlier this month, Lands' End partnered with the National Forest Foundation to plant 50 trees on the Dodgeville campus in honor of the company's milestone. This year Lands' End also donated $50,000 to the organization, which funded the planting of roughly 385,000 trees, in an effort to make a larger impact on the environment. 

Lands' End is a member of Sears Holdings Corp.

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BizTimes collects Awards for Excellence in Journalism
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
BizTimes Media LLC received an unprecedented six Awards For Excellence in Journalism at the Milwaukee Press Club's Gridiron Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Milwaukee Friday night.
 
BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler received a gold medal award for his analysis of Obamacare.

Reporter Molly Newman received a gold medal award for her feature story on Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Silver awards went to managing editor Andrew Weiland for his beat coverage on real estate and to the BizTimes staff for best website design. Bronze awards were achieved by "Innovation" columnist Dan Steininger and designers Shelly Tabor and Picara Hay for best magazine design.

The Press Club's Sacred Cat Award was bestowed to ABC News reporter Cokie Roberts.

For a complete list of awards recipients, click here.

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The Couture might include hall for MSO
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is in early stages of considering plans to move its performances to a concert hall that could be built for the MSO in The Couture, the 44-story residential and hotel tower planned by Barrett Visionary Development near the lakefront.
 
Barrett Visionary Development owner Rick Barrett approached the MSO about the idea a few months ago, said MSO president and executive director Mark Niehaus, who emphasized that the discussions are extremely preliminary.

“It’s so early (in the planning process),” Niehaus said. “We have not agreed to anything. We’re simply studying what a project like this would be for us.”

Currently, most MSO performances are held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee. But numerous scheduling conflicts at the Marcus Center force the MSO to play at various other venues for about 16 of its 39-week season, Niehaus said. Scheduling at the Marcus Center is particularly tough during December when the MSO is playing popular Christmas shows, but the Marcus Center is booked for the Milwaukee Ballet’s Nutcracker performances.

The MSO’s revenue drops significantly when it plays at venues other than the Marcus Center, Niehaus said.

“It’s not ideal to have to move your product all over town and expect your audience to follow you,” he said. “I have to pursue every opportunity to allow us to play more concerts for more people.”

Ideally the MSO would have its own venue to maximize its scheduling opportunities, Niehaus said. Other appropriate performances, such as jazz concerts, could also be held in the venue, he said.

“It would solve a major problem for their future,” Barrett said. “For us it would have an allure that is cutting-edge and would be something Milwaukee could be extremely proud of.”

No other existing facility in Milwaukee could be an adequate home for the MSO, Niehaus said. The Milwaukee Theater, for example, has a seating capacity of about 4,000 and is too large of a space for a symphony orchestra performance, he said.

A venue at The Couture likely would not replace the Marcus Center, Neihaus said. It would just become the new site for the MSO’s shows. Other groups would remain at the Marcus Center.

The MSO is the second major Milwaukee cultural institution that Barrett has approached for The Couture project. Barrett is also in talks with the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, currently located at O’Donnell Park, about moving to a larger space in The Couture.

The Couture would be built southwest of Lincoln Memorial Drive and Michigan Street, at the site currently occupied by the Milwaukee County Downtown Transit Center. However, parks advocacy group Preserve Our Parks has objected to those plans saying private development at that site would violate the state’s public trust doctrine. Milwaukee County officials are planning legal action to establish development rights for the site.

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Bubbler Quote of the Week
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM

"Mike Cudahy is a fearless, pot-stirring Irishman with an unquenchable thirst for improving Milwaukee. He is always looking for better ways to utilize the assets of this community so we can compete with the rest of the world and does not suffer small thinkers in the process. We are blessed to have his courage and vision."
~Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Read the entire BizTimes Milwaukee cover story by Steve Jagler: High Impact: Michael Cudahy receives BizTimes Lifetime Achievement Award.
Click here to watch Steve Jagler interview Michael Cudahy at the 2013 BizExpo, held May 16.   

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BizTimes Bubbler Executive of the Week
May 23, 2013 11:00 AM

Betsy Brown Wyatt, EVP, General Manager, Cramer-Krasselt
Company address: 246 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: www.c-k.com
Industry: advertising and public relations
Number of employees: 154
Family: Husband Dave Wyatt. Two sons, Parker, age 8, and Connor, age 5.

What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?

Invested in Analytics. We have built an integrated analytics team that uses a holistic, cross-channel approach to reviewing data and making it easy to digest with tools such as Tableau dashboarding, statistical analysis and modeling, and proprietary data warehousing platforms. We are one of the rare agencies that are fully integrated with Google’s ad serving, search management, rich media and analytics tools, which provides analytic and efficiency advantages that greatly benefit clients. Our analytics team has an ongoing relationship with our media, account management and digital strategy teams, making sure important information is delivered and the data is well communicated, with important insights, implications and actionable recommendation.

In addition, C-K made a commitment to partner with local organizations, offering the agency’s resources and skills to improve Milwaukee. Those relationships not only resulted in globally-recognized and awarded work, they have also greatly help increase exposure and support for organizations like Sojourner Family Peace Center, COA Youth & Family Centers and the Milwaukee Police Department.

What’s new at your company?

Responsive technology. Whether it’s a responsive website, mobile app or social experience, C-K has been on the forefront of creating and implementing brand experiences across multiple screens. We have an informal, cross-functional group who works closely with our account and creative teams to explore emerging media and new technology opportunities to create and grow brand communities.

Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

We will continue to grow and hire in the Digital, Social and Analytics space. We are currently investing in proprietary social media monitoring and analytics products as our clients look more and more to us to help them maximize their marketing efforts and justify ROI.

What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?

Managing big data. Seismic shifts in both technology and consumer behavior during the past decade have produced a granular, virtually infinite record of every action consumers take online and offline. The opportunity to mine this data is clear, but so is the challenge.

What’s the hottest trend in your industry?

Content production. Advertisers increasingly moving into the publishing space, looking like a content company, blurring the conventional distinctions between what constitutes advertising and what constitutes entertainment and information. In many ways it’s a direct reaction to the importance that search engines hold over content and brand discovery.

Do you have a business mantra? 

“Make friends, not ads.” It’s the fundamental idea that drives the way we do business at C-K and is the root of how we’ve structured our company and the way we approach our clients’ business challenges. We’ve long believed that the brand with the most friends wins, so when we help our clients find ways to create truly strategic messaging that gets at fundamental human truths, we are doing so with a focus on the people who want to have relationships with those brands and we do so in the mindset of friend-making.

From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?

I’m drawn to socially conscious companies and brands that make involvement in social issues easier and more aligned with the core needs America faces today (jobs, hunger, healthcare and education).
 
C-K client Panera Bread is a good example of this.  In addition to giving away free food at the end of the night, Panera established Panera Cares Community Cafes. The Cafes are an innovative model of food kitchens where each customer pays what they can for what they eat, eliminating food insecurity.

What was the best advice you ever received? 

Follow your own moral compass. Do what’s right by your clients and employees. You’ll sleep better at night.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career? 

Recently we had Take Your Child to Work Day in the office. I always like to open up the day by talking to the children (and their parents) explaining to them what we do. As I was standing in front of everyone in our conference room thinking how well the parents and children were reacting to what I was presenting, everyone started laughing. I looked down and saw my five-year-old standing behind me mimicking me. Nice to see I’m also respected at home.

What do you like to do in your free time?

When not sitting at a baseball, soccer, or basketball game, we bike as a family. I also volunteer at our sons’ school. I do make time for myself every day by running in the morning, and I squeeze in a yoga class when I can. I’m passionate about cooking and baking when I can find the time and I’m good at getting my boys to help me out in the kitchen so we can make it a family event.

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Bubbler Calendar
May 23, 2013 11:15 AM

*Thursday, May 23, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation will hold a 30th Anniversary Celebration featuring a keynote speech by Bill Rancic, host of “America Now” and former champion of “The Apprentice. Rancic will discuss “how to succeed in business and life.” The celebration will also include the presentation of the Sam Johnson Volunteer of the Year awards to two area honorees. The event is open to the public and will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Racine Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave. in Racine. Cost is $25, and space is limited. Click here to register.

*Thursday, May 23, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Milwaukee chapter will hold a recognition event for its 2013 “Milwaukee’s Finest” campaign. The event will highlight the efforts of young professionals who took part in the campaign the past 10 weeks to raise funds for CFF and support its mission of researching cystic fibrosis and finding a cure. The celebration is open to the public and will start at 7 p.m. at Coast, 931 E. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee. Tickets cost $65 at the door. For more information, visit www.cff.org/Chapters/wisconsin.

*Friday, May 24, Present Music, an area ensemble focused on contemporary music, will hold its season final party, “Multitude.” The “Multitude” concert event will feature new musical compositions, dance performances and art installations. The finale celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Turner Hall Ballroom, 1032 N. 4th St. in Milwaukee, with a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $35, and students are eligible for a 50 percent discount on all ticket prices. For more information about the lineup of performers at “Multitude” or to purchase tickets, visit www.presentmusic.org.

*Thursday, June 6, Target Free First Thursday will grant free admission to visitors at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. in Milwaukee. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the first Thursday of each month, courtesy of Target. For more information, visit http://mam.org/calendar/events/.

*Thursday, June 6, BizTimes Media will partner with the Waukesha County Business Alliance to present the annual Top 10 Businesses of the Year Awards, which recognize regional companies for financial growth, excellence in customer service and employee relations, and a commitment to the community. Award winners will be honored at a luncheon scheduled to run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Rd. in Pewaukee. Cost to attend the luncheon for Alliance members is $45 per person or $450 for a corporate table of 10. Non-members can attend for $65 or $650 for a corporate table of 10. For more information on the awards or to register for the luncheon, visit www.biztimes.com/top10.

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Bubbler Networking Resources

» African American Chamber of Commerce Milwaukee
» American Marketing Association-Milwaukee Chapter
» Association of Management Professionals LLC
» Business Marketing Association-Milwaukee
» Conservative Young Professionals of Milwaukee
» Creative Alliance of Greater Milwaukee
» Executive Women International-Milwaukee Chapter
» Executive Women's Golf Association-Milwaukee Chapter
» FUEL Milwaukee
» Grandville-Brown Deer Chamber of Commerce
» Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce
» Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce
» Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
» National Association of Women Business Owners
» Professional Dimensions
» Public Relations Society of America - Wisconsin Chapter,
» South Suburban Chamber of Commerce
» Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce
» Summit Young Professionals
» Tempo Waukesha
» Tempo Milwaukee » Tempo Washington County
» The Gateway to Milwaukee
» Waukesha County Business Alliance
» West Allis/West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce
» Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
» Women's FOCUS
» Young Professionals of Waukesha County
» YP Impact

Erica Breunlin BizTimes Bubbler Weekly is compiled by BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Erica Breunlin. This bulletin is published every Thursday morning. Send news tips to erica.breunlin@biztimes.com or call her at (414) 336-7121.
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