Ad agency ranks third and is the only Los Angeles-based company in the top 50
(May 25, 2010) LOS ANGELES — Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Bloomberg BusinessWeek released the 2010 Inner City 100 list of the fastest-growing inner city companies in the U.S., Sensis, an independent, full-service advertising agency focused on using digital media as the center for building brands that connect with diverse audiences, ranked third on this year’s list. The Inner City 100 program recognizes successful inner city companies and their CEO’s as role models for entrepreneurship, innovative business practices and job creation in America’s urban communities.

“Owning a business is part of the American dream and it is humbling to accept such an honor during these unprecedented times when many businesses in inner cities are closing their doors,” said Sensis CEO Jose Villa. “This award proves, regardless of economic fluctuations, the spirit of entrepreneurship remains alive in the U.S. and companies like Sensis will continue to search for opportunities that make a positive impact on their organization and their community.”

The rankings for each company were recently announced at the Inner City 100 Awards Dinner Boston, MA. Winners attended a two-day event featuring seminars for Inner City 100 owners and managers at Harvard Business School, a reception at the Boston Public Library and an Awards Gala that drew more than 800 guests.

The Inner City 100 list provides unmatched original data on the fastest growing inner-city businesses in the U.S. In the last 12 years, 607 different companies have earned positions on the Inner City 100, collectively generating more than $27.2 billion in revenues and creating nearly 72,000 new jobs.

For the 2010 list, a record number of nominations were received. Winners represent a wide span of geography, operating in 58 cities and 34 states. The 2010 Inner City 100 winners grew at a compound annual growth rate of 37 percent and an average standard growth rate of 340 percent between 2003 and 2008. Collectively, the top 100 inner city businesses employ 10,700 employees and have created more than 6,300 new jobs between 2004 and 2008.

“We are delighted to celebrate businesses like Sensis that are playing a critical role in revitalizing America’s urban communities. Through their achievements, the Inner City 100 winning companies exemplify America’s remarkable potential and the road to future economic recovery,” Mary Kay Leonard, ICIC president and CEO. “These extraordinary companies demonstrate the market possibilities that exist within our inner cities. If we can leverage these possibilities, we can create jobs, income and wealth for local residents and produce the next chapter of American innovation and opportunity.”

Eighty-five percent of companies expect steady growth and 27 percent expect their revenues to grow more than 30 percent. Individually, the median Inner City 100 Company’s revenues were $6.6 million. This year’s winners have a median employee turnover rate of less than 8 percent and 96 percent of them provide health insurance to their workers.

With headquarters in Los Angeles and a second office in Washington D.C., Sensis has been at the forefront of the shift away from the old norms of advertising-based awareness, reach and frequency, to a new world of advertising built around insights, impact and engagement. The award-winning agency has made an impact for many of its powerhouse clients, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Army, Sempra Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Company, United Healthcare and L.A. Care Health Plan.

The list of winners is proof of concept that doing business in an inner city area holds a distinct competitive advantage. ICIC has been studying the economic condition of the largest 100 American cities for more than a decade and is working to revitalize inner cities across the country.

Highlights of the 2010 Inner City 100 list include:

• Inner City 100 companies are 34 percent minority-owned. Nationally, just 8 percent of companies with annual revenues over $1 million are minority-owned.
• 18 percent of the 2010 Inner City 100 are women-owned. Nationally, only 10 percent of companies with over $1 million in annual revenues are women-owned.
• The 2010 Inner City 100 boasts an average workforce that is comprised of 45 percent minority employees and 40 percent inner city residents.

About Sensis:
Sensis is an independent full service advertising agency that is establishing a new ad agency model where digital media is at the center of building brands that connect with diverse audiences. Founded in 1998, Sensis has grown into one of the fastest growing advertising agencies in the U.S. The agency has been at the forefront of the shift away from the old norms of advertising-based awareness, reach and frequency, to a new world of advertising built around insights, impact and engagement. The award-winning agency has made an impact for many of its powerhouse clients, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Army, Sempra Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Company, United Healthcare and L.A. Care Health Plan. For more information, visit www.SensisAgency.com.

Notes: To qualify for the Inner City 100 list, companies were required to have at least 51 percent of their operations located in an economically distressed urban area; have at least 10 full-time employees; and a five-year operating sales history that includes at least $200,000 in revenues in the first year of consideration, an increase in year five sales over year four sales, and fifth-year sales of at least $1 million. For the 2010 list, ICIC looked at total revenue growth from 2004 to 2008, and the specific rankings were based on these growth rates. An economically distressed urban area is defined by ICIC as having a 50 percent higher unemployment level, 50 percent higher poverty level, and 50 percent lower median income than the metropolitan statistical area.