Kerr Drug Taps 919 Marketing as Branding Agency

Online, November 4, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Kerr Drug, one of the most recognized and respected names in the chain drug industry for providing community based pharmacy care, announced today it has selected 919 Marketing, a nationally recognized marketing, consulting and public relations firm, as its marketing agency of record. The deal expands the partnership between the two North Carolina-based companies; 919 Marketing has been the public relations (PR) partner for Kerr Drug since 2005, and now as agency of record, will also provide strategic planning, branding, media planning and placement, advertising and production services for Kerr Drug.

Kerr Drug chose 919 Marketing because of its strong understanding of the Kerr Drug brand, and its long string of PR successes over the last four and half years. 919 Marketing's work for Kerr Drug was recently showcased in PR Week's Top 100 Case Studies.

"Kerr Drug battles well heeled national players every day, and we need a full service marketing partner with smart, powerful ideas to help us drive sustainable brand growth," said Diane Eliezer, director of marketing for Kerr Drug. "919 Marketing's PR efforts have resulted in more media coverage of Kerr Drug initiatives than ever before. It's a natural transition since the 919 team has always been actively involved with our internal marketing department to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives around our proven community based pharmacy care model."

As agency of record, 919 Marketing's first item of business is to conduct consumer research and strategic planning for a brand positioning campaign that will be launched with an aggressive broadcast and digital ad campaign starting November 2009.

"We have enjoyed working with Kerr Drug over the last four and half years and are excited to expand our relationship," said David Chapman, CEO of 919 Marketing. The upcoming ad campaign is just the start of communicating the Kerr Drug consumer brand experience."

Kerr Drug has 84 drug stores across the state of North Carolina and is headquartered in Raleigh.

For more information on 919 Marketing, visit http://www.919marketing.com.

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About 919 Marketing Company:
919 Marketing is a nationally recognized marketing, consulting and public relations firm with a proven track record of helping underdog companies of all sizes discover their competitive advantage and drive profitable business growth. The firm has received numerous awards in 2009 alone, including being named a Top 100 North Carolina Small Business by Business Leader Media and a Best Place to Work and Top 5 PR Firm by the Triangle Business Journal.

Headquartered just outside of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, 919 was founded over a decade ago by CEO David Chapman. 919 is an unconventional firm with an uncanny ability to develop winning marketing strategies for a roster of companies including The Rosetta Stone, Kerr Drug, Senior Helpers, State Water Heaters and Jersey Mike's Subs.

919 marketing provides strategic planning, public relations, interactive marketing and creative development services - each utilizing proven processes that have been refined and validated over hundreds of client engagements. For more information, visit www.919marketing.com.

About Kerr Drug:
Kerr Drug is one of the most recognized and respected names in the chain drug industry. With its roots in the Carolinas and headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Kerr Drug's strategic direction is founded in its unique ability to provide patients, the medical community, and health plans access to the most comprehensive and convenient health and wellness offering in the industry. With a mission to be the most comprehensive provider of pharmacy and related healthcare services, while continuing to be the most reliable provider of health-related and convenience items, Kerr is currently providing services that far exceed the traditional drug store mix. For more information, please visit www.kerrdrug.com.