Red Circle’s Chad Germann Partners with Tribe to Start Howl Fire B-to-B Firm
Milwaukee , WI , June 18, 2007 — The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (PBDC) announced today a partnership with Minneapolis advertising executive Chad Germann, owner of Red Circle Agency, to start a new full-service, minority-owned advertising firm. The new agency Howl Fire, with offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis , will support the PBDC family of companies and target Fortune 1000 business to business assignments.
Germann is principal manager of the new agency and will remain in the same position with Red Circle Agency, one of the world’s only Native-American owned advertising agencies. Germann, a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, founded Red Circle in 2001. Red Circle specializes exclusively i n American Indian Gaming marketing and has worked with both the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin and the Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
“Top to bottom, the Tribe and the PBDC have some of the smartest people in the industry,” Germann said. “The PBDC has a savvy eye for successful companies and they work hard to grow their portfolio of businesses. I can’t think of a better partner for my new agency.”
In less than five years, PBDC’s holdings have reached nearly $40 million. Formed as the diversification engine for the Forest County Potawatomi Community, PBDC companies specialize in architecture and design, technology, logistics and government contracting.
“Howl Fire plays a key role in the growth strategy of PBDC,” said Carol Leese, Potawatomi Business Development Corporation CEO. “Not only will they help market and support the business development efforts of our existing family of companies, but the agency itself is also positioned for successful expansion.”
As a minority-owned advertising agency, Howl Fire will appeal those companies diversifying their supplier base. The agency expects to hire six to eight employees by the end of the year.
