Coherent Marketing has been assisting the Advanced Manufacturing Alliance for the past few months with their branding and helping them establish their communications infrastructure. The alliance's website made a significant leap forward at the end of August, with the addition of most of the content to the site.
The alliance is an ambitious initiative using $18 million in DOL funding to significantly upgrade the quality of training for the advanced manufacturing industry in North Carolina. It comprises 10 community colleges offering a range of certificate, diploma, and associate degrees aimed at producing graduates who can be hired by companies using advanced manufacturing for their products. The website acts as an important bridging tool for the 10 community colleges, which are scattered statewide across North Carolina, as well as a powerful marketing tool for the state and a recruiting site to students interested in a career in advanced manufacturing.

- By: Norman Smit
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A powerful, integrated media, public education campaign I led that cost-effectively reached more than 80% of North Carolina has received a write-up by the NC Department of Commerce. It's being held up as a shining example of a ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment) energy project.
The biofuels education project was accomplished on a relatively tight budget and ran for a year. At the time, I was the Communications Director of the Biofuels Center and I was responsible for concept, budget development and management, and implementation of the campaign.
One example is embedded below.
- By: Norman Smit
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About 1,500 people I know received an email about my planned departure from the Biofuels Center at the end of June.
Four and a half years ago, I helped start up the organization. Earlier this year, I led the search for my replacement and provided transition support and change management assistance to the communications team and the Center. Since its startup, the Center has grown to maturity and strategic communications efforts have resulted in its being widely seen as a credible, technical and economic development agency for biofuels globally.
- By: Norman Smit
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