Sensis named third fastest growing inner-city company in America by ICIC

May 26, 2009 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES – Interactive agency Sensis, based in Los Angeles, earned a spot at No. 3 on the 2009 Inner City 100, a ranking of the 100 fastest growing businesses in inner city communities nationwide. Now in its 11th year, the Inner City 100 list, compiled by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), provides unmatched original data on the fastest growing inner-city businesses in the United States.

“Sensis has been able to rapidly grow during a period marked by change in the advertising industry by generating clear business results with interactive advertising strategies, providing award-winning creative work and remaining committed to innovative new service offerings in social media and search marketing. From the growth of digital advertising to the increasing importance of social media to the shifting of advertising budgets, Sensis has solidified its position as a forward-looking agency by delivering impact and driving engagement with interactive marketing solutions to reach today’s consumer,” Sensis CEO Jose Villa said. “Everything at Sensis starts with strategy to ensure our clients are well-positioned in the markets they serve now and in the future.”

To qualify for the Inner City 100, companies must have at least 51 percent of their operations located in an economically distressed urban area, have at least 10 full-time employees and have a five-year operating sales history that includes at least $200,000 in revenues in 2003, an increase in year five sales from year four sales and fifth-year sales of at least $1 million.

The 2009 rankings were based on total revenue growth rates from 2003 to 2007. During that time, Sensis recorded 1,323.97 percent sales growth and increased its employee base from four to 21. Sensis’ third-place ranking was bested only by No.1 VisionIT, based in Detroit, and No. 2 Pinnacle Technical Resources from Dallas. The entire list can be found at http://www.icic.org.

“We are delighted to celebrate businesses like Sensis that are playing a critical role to revitalize distressed urban communities throughout America,” said Michael Porter, founder and CEO of ICIC. “By creating jobs, income and wealth for local residents, these high-growth businesses are vivid proof that the most effective way to address economic inequality in America is to equip every community to prosper in the market system. Inner City 100 companies also provide a window into the future where all companies will need to learn to address diverse customers and mobilize diverse workforces.”

For the 2009 list, more than 5,000 nominations were received. The 2009 Inner City 100 winners grew at a compound annual growth rate of 40 percent and an average rate of 324 percent between 2003 and 2007.

About the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter. ICIC’s mission is to promote economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income and wealth creation for local residents. ICIC brings together business and civic leaders to drive innovation and action, transform thinking and accelerate inner city business growth and investment.

About Sensis   
Sensis is a minority-owned, independent full service advertising agency providing digital-centric solutions aligned with the realities of media consumption and technology today. Founded in 1998, Sensis has grown from a one-man shop into one of the fastest growing advertising agencies in the U.S., earning a spot on the prestigious 2008 Inc. 500 ranking of America’s fastest growing private companies. The agency has been at the forefront of the shift away from the old model of advertising, which was based on brand stewardship, awareness, reach and frequency, to a new world of advertising built around insights, impact and engagement. The award-winning agency has made an impact for many of its powerhouse clients, including Sempra Energy, the U.S. Army, the California Lottery, United Healthcare and L.A. Care Health Plan. For more information, visit http://www.SensisAgency.com.

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About Sensis
Sensis is a minority-owned, independent full service advertising agency providing digital-centric solutions aligned with the realities of media consumption and technology today. Founded in 1998, Sensis has grown from a one-man shop into one of the fastest growing advertising agencies in the U.S., earning a spot on the prestigious 2008 Inc. 500 ranking of America’s fastest growing private companies. The agency has been at the forefront of the shift away from the old model of advertising, which was based on brand stewardship, awareness, reach and frequency, to a new world of advertising built around insights, impact and engagement. The award-winning agency has made an impact for many of its powerhouse clients, including Sempra Energy, the U.S. Army, the California Lottery, United Healthcare and L.A. Care Health Plan. For more information, visit http://www.SensisAgency.com.