Topolewski just brought back some respectable hardware to Ferndale and hopes to top it off with a few jobs in the near future.
The advertising firm, based in downtown Ferndale, just won a Mobius Award for its work with USA Credit Union in Auburn Hills. The Mobius Awards is the oldest, independent, international advertising awards competition, dating back to 1971. An international jury judges the effectiveness and creativity of the applicants, so it's no small feat bringing one of these puppies home.
Topolewski is also bringing home enough bacon to expand. The almost 2-year-old firm went from five people at its start to seven today with the occasional intern. It started out handling $6 million worth of advertising. Today that number is up to $70 million.
"We've been reaching out to a variety of clients," says John Van Osdol, partner with Topolewski. "We feel we offer a high value of high-concept creativity without all of the bureaucracy of the big agencies."
Van Osdol also counts Topolewski's small size as an advantage in a tough economy. That works well for the customers that are looking for efficiencies so they can make every dollar count, a sentiment that pervades today's business climate.
However the company doesn't plan to remain so modest for much longer. Van Osdol expects his firm to hire another 5-10 people this year as it takes on more work. Those people will be working out of their offices in downtown Ferndale, a place the Topolewski people think is more than just special.
"We look at Ferndale as sort of Detroit's answer to Venice Beach," Van Osdol says. "There is an atmosphere and energy here you can't find anywhere else."
Source: John Van Osdol, partner with Topolewski
Writer: Jon Zemke
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.