There is a marketing war going on between the mega-accounting firms Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund and O’Sullivan Creel. Below is a press release from Saltmarsh on its purchase of the Goodyear Blimp. Jeff DeWeese is busy searching eBay for a similar purchase for his firm OSC.
Press Release: Saltmarsh Launches First Ever Lighter Than Air Advertising
IT Leader to Gain Additional Certification
Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund (Saltmarsh), one of Florida’s oldest and largest accounting firms, announced today that it is launching its most ambitious advertising vehicle to date. In an all cash transaction valued at just over $4.3 million, Saltmarsh has acquired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company the oldest of its eponymous airships, the Spirit of Innovation, formerly based in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Ron Jackson, President of Saltmarsh reflected, “We have been thinking about this for some time – you know, to make a good-sized splash. This just seemed natural…..and what an opportunity! Still, you would not believe how difficult it is to get these guys to sell a blimp.”
This is certainly the boldest in a series of recent daring moves by the firm. The dean of Florida accounting firms, once regarded as very cautious and careful to invest, Saltmarsh has achieved a status heretofore unheard of for a professional services firm in the State. Jackson noted that big risks were really now a “part of the firm’s DNA,” citing such moves as: it was one of the first CPA firms in the state to seriously embrace computer technology in the 1970’s; it was one of the first sub-Big 4 firms to adopt a full paperless client service environment; and it was the first professional services firm in the state to sponsor one of its own on the reality TV circuit with any success [likely a reference to the Saltmarsh IT manager’s highly successful Raising Eli and his less well-known early episodes of service on The Apprentice].
Saltmarsh plans to debut its new airship in the month preceding Super Bowl XLIII being held in Tampa on February 1, 2009. While no flight plans have been filed, it is expected that the blimp, to be christened, Ivanesca will then undertake a tour of the major cities of Florida.
Stephen Reyes, the firm’s Information Technology manager and also a multiple-rated pilot, will be training for his certification license to fly blimps in Vermont during Summer and Fall 2008. When asked about the prospect of flying the blimp, Reyes responded, “I mean, I like flying…..although I was pushing for something a bit faster; it’s just a thrill to be up there.”
Reyes also led the team that named the airship. Ultimately, ‘Ivanesca’ was selected as a compromise between the team’s desire to create a tribute to its successful recovery from a recent hurricane that devastated its headquarters in Pensacola and Reyes’ favorite soft drink, Fresca.
The firm plans to deploy the Ivanesca into its Business Advisory Group and lease advertising space during major sporting events and festivals throughout its key markets.