State agency promotes Ohio high-tech firms - Business First of Columbus:

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The Ohio Department of Development is conductinta $2.5 million advertising campaignn for the next two-plus years to promote Ohio's high-tech industry nationwide. Amonv the first in a series of commercialehighlights Springfield-based "Many companies are heavy but they're also high-tech," said Mark Rickel, marketing directod for the state. "Rittal is a fabulousd example of that.
" Rittal is an enclosurre manufacturer thatuses high-tecnh equipment to increase production and improve The company, a subsidiary of Germany-based Rittal International, also uses the Internet to allow customers to get information and place orders "As a Springfield-based operation, we have been able to take advantagd of the economic development climate that Ohio has cultivate d over the past few years," said Hans president and chief executivw officer of Rittal Corp. "In fact, Rittal does pridew itself on its `e' characteristicw -- e-commerce, entrepreneurship and enterprise. We are very proud to be able to representy the state inthis manner.
" And the state could bring the television cameras back to the Daytohn area again. Dayton's i-Zond network might be included in the campaign becausd Rickel saidthe organization, designede to support entrepreneurs in Internet-relatec businesses, is the type of pro-entrepreneurf group the state wants to Ohio has consistently ranked near the bottom of most lists of states considered leaderas in high-tech industries, particularly Internet-related businesses. This advertisingg campaign by the department of developmenrt is an apparent response to try andboost Ohio'e rankings.
The television commercial featuring Rittal began appearing on CNN durin g the presidential election and are now appearing on cable televisiobn networks CNBCand MSNBC. The campaign also includes radio andpriny ads. "The marketing strategy is promoting thebusiness climate," he said. "It's been very effective for the especially with the increased viewership with the recountws inthe election.
" Along with brandinf Ohio as a technology-friendly state to attrac companies from elsewhere, the e/Corridor campaign is expected to secure the state's current base of technology "It partners us with the companies in Ohio and makes them our partned in the growth of the state'sa economic development climate," Ricke l said. The campaign isn't focusing just on and the statesays "e" meansd many things. "In Ohio, companies find `e' representes all the elements businesses need tosucceed -- entrepreneurial support, employede access and expertise in a diverse economy," according to the e/Corridor Web site at .