LARGO, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2013) – Valpak, a leader in print and digital coupons, has named Firebird CrossFit, of Mesa, Arizona, the winner of its inaugural Dough to Grow Award, The company will receive a $10,000 grand prize to be used to keep their business growing.
The Dough to Grow contest - an online contest for small businesses across North America - employed the power of social media in search of North America’s favorite small business and showed the power of customer loyalty in helping chose the winner.
Chuck Markos is the owner of the successful fitness training business Firebird CrossFit, and a member of a rapidly growing international CrossFit movement. After serving in the military for more than 20 years, Markos, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, started the business with one client in a public park. He now operates a CrossFit gym, or box, with 100 clients. One of those athletes encouraged Markos to enter the Valpak Dough to Grow online contest. After submitting the entry, Firebird CrossFit turned to their Facebook followers for votes. Thanks to their fans and the CrossFit community, the company far exceeded the number of votes required to become a finalist.
“We are very thankful for this award,” says Markos. “The prize money is great, but the recognition is quite an honor. We think this award will get us through the front door of businesses we would like to partner with and onto bigger and better opportunities.”
With the $10,000 prize money, Firebird CrossFit intends to invest in new equipment, train and hire new coaches and balance cash flow for the company’s retail operation. Much like the Dough to Grow Award, Markos believes physical fitness has the power to change lives.
“With almost 45 years of experience in supporting small businesses, Valpak is keenly aware of the obstacles that small business owners must overcome to grow their business,” said Michael Vivio, president of Cox Target Media, provider of Valpak. “The purpose of the Dough to Grow Award contest is to recognize small businesses for their contributions and help a stellar small business that is doing so much good for its community,” he said.
“The Dough to Grow contest truly demonstrated the power of social media and online communities. Firebird CrossFit’s submission stood out because of their story, but their online network really came through for them and made it hard to ignore,” said Vivio.
Each month Valpak works with tens of thousands of businesses to help them reach their business goals. In addition to its flagship Blue Envelope® mailed to more than 40 million households each month, Valpak also offers its business customers an impressive portfolio of digital advertising products including Smartphone apps, which are also integrated into the new Passbook, Valpak Deals®, QR codes, online coupons and SMS/text messaging to reach consumers at home and on-the-go. Building off of the success of the inaugural Dough to Grow Award, Valpak plans to hold the contest for a second time later in 2013.
About Valpak®
Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, along with Savings.com. With nearly 170 franchises across the United States and Canada, the signature Blue Envelope® delivers savings and value to nearly 40 million households each month. Annually, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 500 million envelopes. Valpak also offers digital solutions with http://www.Valpak.com, an online site for free coupons , e-commerce and coupon codes, which has nearly 70 million offer views each month, as well as mobile coupon apps for smartphone platforms. For more information about advertising with Valpak, please contact 1-800-676-6878.
About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Cox Target Media, providers of Valpak, a leading North American direct marketing company and Savings.com, a leading online coupon site and community. With $1.7 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG operates in more than 30 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including 30 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 18 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at http://www.coxmediagroup.com.
Contact
Marsha Strickhouser
Valpak
(727) 399-3175
marsha_strickhouser@valpak.com
Elisabeth Holby
(919)459-8176
eholby@919marketing.com
