AIMCLEAR, a seven-time Inc. 5000 honoree and renowned integrated marketing agency, established its Detroit office in 2021.
What began as a base for our expanding Detroit team soon evolved into a mission: A new chapter in our commitment to drive business growth and community development. It makes sense. Throughout AIMCLEAR’s 18 years in Minnesota, we’ve challenged ourselves to serve as community partners.
Why Detroit?
Initially, AIMCLEAR’s entry into Detroit was as simple as talent finding us. We hired one, two and then three staffers from the metro Detroit area. Then, nature took its course. Why? Because it’s easy to love Detroit. With its history of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, Detroit is the perfect complement to AIMCLEAR for growth, innovation and community service.
AIMCLEAR Chief Marketing Officer Amanda Farley, a proud Detroit native, recognized business opportunities as well as the need for a new voice of marketing expertise in her hometown. So our agency championed the Mission Detroit initiative and began making an impact in the Motor City.
Mission Detroit: Bridging innovation, community and commerce
Mission Detroit is built on these pillars:
- Community and economic growth: We support initiatives that drive positive changes in the community and strengthen Detroit’s economy. AIMCLEAR is committed to helping create jobs, support small businesses and address critical community needs to foster a thriving Detroit.
- Strategic partnerships: Building relationships with local organizations and businesses enables us to pool resources and expertise. By working with trusted partners, AIMCLEAR extends its reach and makes a more significant impact.
- Education: We prioritize educational programs that empower Detroit’s youth. Through initiatives such as STEAM education, including science, technology, engineering, arts and math, AIMCLEAR helps equip students with skills and knowledge for success.
- Innovation: AIMCLEAR helps lead marketing and communications thinking around the world. We’ve won nine consecutive Best Small Integrated Agency US Search Awards and 29 others. Citations include best use of data, campaign integration, B2B, B2C, SEO, psychographic media and AI. Our Marketing AI Lab outputs tools and techniques used by other marketers globally. We bring all of this and more to Detroit.
- Networking and collaboration: Creating opportunities for Detroit’s community members, business leaders and organizations to connect and collaborate fosters a stronger network of support and innovation. Connecting people drives progress and opportunity for all.
“What gets me up every morning is the opportunity to help others and make an impact,” CMO Farley says. “In marketing, we often talk about the 1 percent change. If we can increase conversion rates by even 1 percent, it doubles results. In the community, we apply the same principle to human uplift. Even incremental actions can lead to significant impact.”
Where it began: The Ralph J. Bunche Preparatory Academy
Our community involvement began when we learned about hardships faced by students at Ralph J. Bunche Preparatory Academy. Many students arrived at school without proper winter clothing. AIMCLEAR’s support has grown from providing outerwear to supplying books, clothing racks and even essential appliances.
This included the donation of a washer and dryer to the school, thanks to a generous collaboration with Huntington Ridge Farm in Oxford, Michigan, and Best Buy. This initiative arose when AIMCLEAR’s team discovered that 17% of students didn’t have chronic absenteeism. You read that right: 83% of students were not attending school regularly.
While obvious reasons such as a lack of transportation play a part, we were surprised to learn how many students missed school simply because they didn’t have clean clothes. AIMCLEAR, now a member of the school’s Advisory Council, has committed to addressing these needs with appliances that can help students with this basic need.
Collaborating with InnovatED313: A commitment to STEAM education
AIMCLEAR has partnered with InnovatED313, a nonprofit led by June Teisan, that brings STEAM education to Detroit schoolchildren. InnovatED313 focuses on project-based learning, encouraging students to solve real-world issues through innovative thinking.
From designing a new website to producing literature that helps spread the word, AIMCLEAR has amplified InnovatED313’s mission. Our team also facilitated InnovatED313’s nomination for the Go 4 It Award, a recognition sponsored by WDIV-TV (Channel 4) and the Gilbert Family Foundation. This award highlights Teisan’s dedication to transforming the educational experiences of Detroit’s elementary-school students.
Supporting Fisher Magnet School and more
AIMCLEAR has extended its support to Fisher Magnet School on Detroit’s east side. Through Amazon Wish List fulfillment and book donations, we help students access resources to succeed in school.
What’s next?
AIMCLEAR has an ambitious vision for Mission Detroit:
- Continue philanthropy work supporting students. By understanding and supporting the unique requirements of different classrooms and grades, AIMCLEAR will help create tailored and impactful contributions to student success.
- Partner with companies and organizations for student transportation. Safe and reliable transportation is critical for student attendance. We plan to collaborate with local businesses to secure solutions. This initiative aims to reduce absenteeism by removing transportation barriers to help students attend school consistently.
- Surface more education opportunities. AIMCLEAR’s goal is to expand learning opportunities through programs and partnerships focused on Detroit’s youth. By introducing new educational resources and experiences, we seek to empower students with skills and knowledge that opens doors to success.
Collaborating for change
Through partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, AIMCLEAR intends to support and enhance the community.
“When we do good for others, the rest usually figures itself out,” Farley says.
With Mission Detroit, AIMCLEAR is not only shaping the future of integrated marketing but also investing in Detroit’s future leaders. We’re grateful for the welcome we’ve received and for more opportunities to support Detroit’s future.
