Interlex makes the Inc. 500
NEW YORK – Interlex Communications has earned a position on the 2010 Inc. 500, Inc. magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
According to Jane Berentson, Editor of Inc. Magazine, “For more than 30 years, Inc.’s list has served as evidence of the significant accomplishments of [entrepreneurial] enterprises. And, more than ever, this year’s list is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and tenacity of America’s top entrepreneurs. As an Inc. 500 honoree, Interlex Communications shares a prestigious pedigree with such notable alumni as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Jamba Juice, Timberland, Visa, Clif Bar, Patagonia, Oracle and scores of other powerhouses.”
Interlex Communications is one of the few agencies nationwide exclusively dedicated to socially conscientious communications. The firm – in its 15th year – is consistently ranked among the Top Agency Brands by Ad Age magazine. The agency’s CEO and Chief Creative Officer Rudy Ruiz attributes the company’s continued rapid growth to a balance of current client retention and expansion as well as new client activities. Interlex’s clients include a groundbreaking cell phone subsidized by the federal government that’s free for low-income families, SafeLink Wireless, as well as American Express OPEN, Wyndham Worldwide, various federal, state and municipal government agencies, and the Pan American Development Foundation. New clients added to the roster in 2010 include the City of San Antonio Metro Health, WellMed, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI.)
“It’s a testament to the compelling nature of our agency’s unique advocacy mission that we’ve been able to achieve continued growth during an economic recession,” said Ruiz.
“Growth has come across all of our disciplines,” said Rudy Ruiz. “Research, strategic planning, branding, creative and production, media buying, and public relations. It’s also been very balanced between General and Multicultural markets, and traditional and digital media.”
Thus far in 2010, Interlex’s research department conducted an unprecedented survey of undocumented Latino immigrants that made national news as well as in-depth surveys, focus groups and ethnographies regarding obesity as well as senior health. The agency’s strategic planning, branding and creative departments have been highly engaged in the development of research-based behavior branding and awareness campaigns to help battle America’s obesity epidemic for both a CDC-funded initiative focusing on nutrition and physical activity as well as CSPI’s efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on obesity. Earlier in the year, Interlex developed and launched hemispheric, multilingual earthquake relief campaigns for the Pan American Development Foundation in response to the tragic natural disasters in Haiti and Chile. More recently, the agency rolled out a new SafeLink Wireless campaign across all media, announcing the company’s increase of free airtime from 68 monthly minutes to up to 250 monthly minutes. And the PR department spearheaded initiatives not only for SafeLink but also for American Express and Care Improvement Plus (a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.) The Interlex PR team also continued to demonstrate thought leadership and a growing sphere of influence as agency CEO Rudy Ruiz became a frequent contributor to CNN.com and was named one of the “Top Guys in Social Media” by the Hispanic Public Relations Society of America.
“Honors such as the Inc. 500 are definitely rewarding,” concluded Ruiz. “But what’s most rewarding is that they are a reflection of the great work we’re doing for our clients and ultimately – given our unique social advocacy mission – the positive impact we’re helping our clients make in diverse and traditionally underserved communities.”
About Interlex
Interlex is a leading advocacy, cause-related and corporate social marketing firm with offices in San Antonio, New York, Washington, DC, Tampa and Los Angeles. Its mission is to help clients make a positive impact in the lives of diverse audiences. It is one of the largest Hispanic-owned agencies in the nation and provides a range of global and national clients seamless General and Multicultural Marketing services within an integrated full-service agency model.