New York, NY, Jan. 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2B branding and marketing firm DeSantis Breindel and strategic public relations firm, Rooney & Associates, announced today the launch of the Brand Influence Guide for the Venture Capital Industry (BIG:VC), a groundbreaking research initiative that will provide VC firms with a comprehensive view of the branding landscape and the role of brand in the VC industry.
The research, which will encompass three distinct surveys of key players in the VC industry, including entrepreneurs, limited partners and VC firms themselves, is being led in partnership with the NVCA and Dow Jones VentureSource.
"As power is consolidating in the VC industry, with fewer firms getting a greater share of LP funding, VC firms are beginning to realize the power that branding and marketing can have on dealflow and their ability to raise capital," said Howard Breindel, partner and co-founder of DeSantis Breindel. "The goal of this research project is to help VC marketers make more informed decisions about those activities."
"The VC industry is at a decisive inflection point," said Terry Rooney, founder of Rooney & Associates. "There is a real perception gap between what limited partners and entrepreneurs think about the industry, and what VC firms believe about themselves and their industry. This survey aims to uncover the ways in which VC firms can leverage smart branding, marketing and PR to close that perception gap and make more meaningful connections with these critical audiences."
"The time has never been better for the venture industry to look both outward to their stakeholders and inward to their own firms to understand what will best differentiate themselves from one another and from other alternative asset classes," said Emily Mendell, vice president of communications for the NVCA. "We look forward to working with some of the best minds in the branding and PR space today to explore and share winning strategies for the industry."
BIG:VC will be fielded in the first quarter of 2013, with key findings released during the second quarter. For more information, contact Julie Brodsky at 917-210-0242 or Brodsky@desantisbreindel.com
About DeSantis Breindel
DeSantis Breindel is a B2B branding and marketing firm. At critical inflection points, the firm works with companies to align brand and marketing strategy with business strategy - creating stories and experiences to engage customers, influence prospects, rally employees, inspire investors and build communities. Clients include the Royal Bank of Scotland, Logitech, Kaman, CIT, AES, CIP Capital, Deutsche Bank, Epoch Investment Partners, Stephens, Bond Dealers of America, Cenergistic and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To learn more go to www.desantisbreindel.com
About Rooney & Associates
Rooney & Associates is a highly focused communications consultancy based in New York. The firm offers each client a strategic and customized communications program developed and executed by some of the public relations industry's most experienced talent. Rooney & Associates transforms clients' business challenges into strategic opportunities through high-impact media relations, sound public relations advice, corporate and crisis communications, and public relations branding campaigns. Current and past clients include AllianceBernstein, AdviceIQ, Stephens, Marketocracy, Teton Advisors, Cohen & Steers, RSC Equipment Rental, Epoch Investment Partners, Smart Balance, Hedgeserv, Westwood One, CIFG, FGIC, Riedel Research Group, OpenQ, Sonosite, and global corporations such as Syngenta AG and Nobel Biocare. Please visit www.rooneyco.com for more information.