Company: MOST Brand Development + Advertising
Company Description: MOST is the wise-sized™, brand development advertising agency that elevates every brand we sink our teeth into. Our focus on people and potential leads us to discover what your brand means. MOST’s proprietary I4 Planning Process is effective in growing businesses and brands by unearthing their innate uniqueness and identifying clear brand positioning.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Fastest-Growing Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees

Nomination Title: MOST Brand Development + Advertising

1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved since January 1 2009 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes. Begin this section with the following two lines: Year over year revenue growth (%): Year over year employee growth (%):

Year over year revenue growth 08/09: 298% vs. 12% industry decline. Year over
year employee growth 08/09: 36%. But that’s not the whole story. 2009 was a
year of expansion, accolades, financial success and employee rewards at MOST.

Recognized for Quality and Growth: In 2009, the OC Business Journal (OCBJ)
ranked MOST as the 4th Fastest Growing Business in OC, up from #20 the year
prior. MOST was named #3 on the OCBJ’s lists of “The Best Places to Work in
OC”. MOST was a top 10 finalist for the 2009 ABAs for Fastest Growing Company,
and ranked on the Inc. 500 List of Fastest Growing Businesses.

Rewarded Our People: In spite of job losses in many companies, the MOST
benefit program includes competitive salaries and bonuses paid in full every
year. The company funds: health care premiums for employees and their families;
401k match; retirement & pension program; gym membership; toll road; spa day
for employees & spouses: family Disney Day and summer parties…and more.

Served our Community: John G. Most serves on the Board of the local National
MS Society and has been a top fundraiser for 20 years. MOST also supports
CASA, the USO, The Susan B. Komen Foundation, The Lung Association, and
others. The organization does pro-bono strategic work for the MS Society.

Won Creative Awards: While we pride ourselves on proven results over trophies,
we were thrilled to receive the following nods. MOST won two 2009 Summit
Marketing Effectiveness Awards (MEAs). The prestigious Best of Category win
in the Consumer Products arena was based upon the campaign’s ability to change,
influence and reinforce the target audience's knowledge, attitudes, and
beliefs. This award is presented to true arbiters of marketing
effectiveness. MOST also won a Bronze Telly for our “Fence Sitters” TV spot,
a premier award honoring outstanding TV commercials represented by the most
respected agencies in the world.

Added New Business: MOST brought on a new client, HouseLogic.com, providing
the traditional and digital media placement, as well as the awareness-building
creative work. MOST was instrumental in the initial concept development and
research. The account will be supported with $5 M in advertising.

Opened a New Division: Recognizing an emerging trend in the industry and a
need on behalf of an existing client, MOST launched an Interactive & New Media
division to deliver cost effective digital services to our clients. Shortly
thereafter, MOST was awarded a $40 million media buying account which nearly
tripled our revenue and greatly enhanced our service offerings.

Expanded a Campaign: We can thank the federal government for this piece of new
business. The home buyer tax credit was expanded and extended, and MOST
proposed a $4 million incremental TV, print, radio and on-line campaign to our
client, the National Association of REALTORS®.MOST took NAR to new levels of
creativity and success through their execution of the message and a media plan
that included high profile placement on the Grammy’s, Super Bowl pre-game, and
NCAAs.

2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

View all press releases at www.mostagency.com

November 22, 2009: MOST guest on ESPN Radio
http://www.mostagency.com/files/MOST_on_ESPN-1162.pdf

October 19, 2009: MOST interview on OnAAir TV.
http://www.onaair.com/2009/10/onaair-episode-12-john-most/

September 28, 2009: MOST named as third “Best Places to Work in Orange County”
by the OC Business Journal.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/OCBJ_BPTW_StorySized-9264.jpg

August 14, 2009: OC Register newspaper covers MOST’s rank on Inc. 500 List of
Fastest Growing Businesses
http://www.mostagency.com/files/OCRegister_Inc500_0809Sized-7498.jpg

August 13, 2009: OC Metro Magazine covers MOST’s rank on Inc. 500 List of
Fastest Growing Businesses.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/OCMetro_Inc500_0809-9425.pdf

August 1, 2009: MOST ranks on the Inc. 500 List of Fastest Growing
businesses.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/IncMag-8641.jpg

June 1, 2009: MOST wins Telly Award.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/Telly_Award_Bronze_09_PR-2848.pdf

May 20, 2009: MOST names as Top Ten Finalist in ABA “Stevie” Awards.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/ABA_Stevie_09_Finalist_PR-3776.pdf

April 24, 2009: MOST wins Summit Creative Awards.
http://www.mostagency.com/files/Summit_Award_09_PR-5001.pdf

3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

John G. Most, President/CEO is a 32 year advertising industry veteran. Starting
his career in New York, John was credited by his clients as the strategic
architect of the brands he built: Coca-Cola USA, Nabisco brands, Grey Poupon,
A.1. Steak Sauce, The Prudential, Campbell’s Soup, General Mills, Bertolli
Olive Oil and AMTRAK.

John is one of the original trailblazers of Account Planning in Orange County.
Today, he is one of only 25 Certified Brand Strategists in the country,
accredited by The Brand Establishment. He is a well known speaker and is an
expert on topics including brand development and advertising.