Company: STIHL® Inc.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Situation: Creating a unified front

In 2005, GWA embraced the opportunity to work with STIHL® Inc., a privately owned company that manufactures and distributes the number one selling brand of chain saws worldwide, as well as other premium power equipment products to thousands of independent STIHL dealers across America. When GWA met STIHL, they wanted to keep their products out of the "big box," unite their dealer base, and increase their brand visibility.

GWA answered the call by blanketing the dealer footprint with media that asked: "Why is America's number one selling brand of chain saw not sold at Lowe's or the Home Depot?" This message resonated with consumers and began driving traffic steadily to local dealers who witnessed customers entering their stores, ad in hand, requesting STIHL products.

Shortly thereafter, GWA helped STIHL introduce the "Marketing Advantage Dealer Advertising Program." The combined strength of dealer, distributor, and corporate advertising dollars, in addition to GWA's media expertise, catapulted the STIHL brand to even greater heights.

Today, through the cooperative efforts of GWA and STIHL Inc., their products are only sold through independent dealers, with over 2,400 dealers are united. Their message is clear and their brand remains one of the strongest in the industry worldwide.