Lynda Keever, Publisher

In December I wrote in this column about how Florida Trend was teaming up with the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation to move the Florida Innovation Economy Initiative ahead. I’m excited that we are now ready to launch a major marketing program to promote Florida as The Innovation State.

The Florida Innovation Initiative is targeted to thought leaders and influentials in business, finance, science and higher education in Florida and throughout the U.S. It incorporates key findings from the “Imagining an Innovative Economy” summit hosted last fall by the Florida Chamber Foundation and Enterprise Florida. It also reflects input from leaders of multiple businesses, agencies and not-for-profits. This initiative will integrate where possible with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Cornerstone Revisited report.

The goal of this ongoing integrated marketing program is to attract talent and motivate major corporations and other partners to invest in and collaborate with Florida universities, research institutes and private sector companies. The program is designed to maximize the impact of investments already made by the Florida Legislature, Centers of Excellence, local government, universities and their partners, and private sector companies.

Gov. Charlie Crist enthusiastically supports the initiative. “Florida is still one of the best places in the world to live, work and play,” Crist says. “We must increase our efforts to tell this story in the face of unprecedented competition. By communicating what we have and what we are planning, we ensure that the best and brightest minds in business find their place in Florida’s innovation economy.”

To tell the story and showcase Florida’s successes and opportunities in a wide range of research, scientific and innovation technology, the program communicates on a regular basis with a targeted list of several thousand businesses and innovation thought leaders.

Major program components include sending these individuals a complimentary one-year subscription to Florida Trend magazine that will include a series of 12 full-page advertorials featuring topics that support the overall communication goals of the initiative.

Another important component is Florida Innovation magazine, a 40-page publication that will report on significant innovation and research initiatives, successes and opportunities at universities, private sector companies and research institutes. It will reach a broad audience as it will be inserted in both Florida Trend and Business Florida magazines. And to reach out to the world’s leading financial and venture capital firms, it will also be inserted in Crain’s New York Business.

More than 100,000 small-business owners, entrepreneurs and emerging company executives will receive a targeted message about the Innovation Initiative in the annual Florida Small Business magazine.

The online component is a new weekly Innovation eNewsletter (created by Florida Trend and the Innovation Caucus) to highlight key innovation successes, related news and events.

The initiative is being funded by a diverse group of key stakeholders and sponsors who understand the value of what Gov. Crist calls “a well-timed investment.” With the support of Florida’s business community, the initiative will send a clear signal that we believe in Florida’s future and expect to play a leading role in it.

The first Florida Innovation publication will appear in June, and deadlines are fast approaching. Please call me at (727) 892-2624 if you are interested in being part of this exciting initiative.

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