Orlando advertising agency recognized for rapid growth, entrepreneurial roots
321 the Agency announced today it was named one of 50 statewide companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years by economic development group GrowFL.
The award-winning, integrated marketing agency was selected from more than 500 nominees for Florida Companies to Watch, a statewide program managed by GrowFL, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.
321’s management team, competitive market position and strong community involvement were among several factors that put them in contention for the award.
“At 321, we’ve grown exponentially over the past few years, and we have no plans to stop anytime soon,” said 321 Founder and CEO Joe Boutin. “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized for our contributions, both at the community and the state level.”
“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he said.
The 50 companies named the 2018 Florida Companies to Watch generated nearly $1 billion in revenue and added nearly 1,000 jobs between 2014 and 2017. Together, the companies project a 50 percent increase in revenue and 40 percent increase in job growth in 2018 compared to 2017.
“This is a strong group of companies that deserve this special recognition given annually to the state's top second-stage companies,” said Dr. Chris Morton, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board, CEO of NanoPhotonica and a 2015 Florida Companies to Watch honoree.
Second-stage companies are defined as those with 6 to 150 full-time employees and between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. There are many programs and incubators promoting start-up businesses; GrowFL is the only Florida program that focuses exclusively on second-stage companies.
The official event will be held Feb. 9, 2019, at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa, Florida.
About 321 the Agency
321 the Agency is a full-service, integrated marketing agency located in Orlando, Florida. Infusing disruptive creative with data-backed strategy, 321’s mission is to provide results-driven marketing solutions that help brands break through the clutter to create meaningful moments. The agency employs more than 30 team members, with a client roster that includes Dixon Ticonderoga, Space Coast Office of Tourism, Davidoff of Geneva, RIP-IT Sports, and Flippers Pizzeria. For more information, visit 321theagency.com.
About GrowFL
GrowFL provides strategies, resources and support, including strategic research and peer-to-peer CEO mentoring and leadership development, to second-stage Florida companies. Created by the Florida legislature in 2009 and grounded in the philosophy of Economic Gardening® — growing existing businesses in a community, region or state — GrowFL is a critical component of the state’s economic development strategy and Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. GrowFL is certified by the National Center for Economic Gardening through the Edward Lowe Foundation.
About the Edward Lowe Foundation
Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs). The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. In addition, the foundation has a second mission of land stewardship and is committed to preserving the natural resources and historically significant structures at Big Rock Valley, its 2,000-acre home in southwest Michigan.
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