Interactive Capital of the World… Clayton?

When Media Two Interactive moved its business to the town of Clayton, NC, President Michael Hubbard playfully responded to colleagues questions about his choice of headquarter locations simply by saying: “Obviously, Clayton is the ‘Interactive Capital of the World’”. Four years later, Media Two is adding a little truth to that statement.

In the September issue of Inc. Magazine that hit the newsstands Monday, Media Two has
been honored as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.
“We’re elated” stated Michael. “This award shows that being dedicated to your clients
needs and visions can land you on top regardless of the size of your company.”
Even with recent new additions to the team, Media Two presently employ’s only 13
people. As business continues to grow, Michael anticipates adding another seven people ranging from programmers to flash designers to account coordinators, and all may be added before the year is out -- assuming they can move into their new space that’s being designed in the old Clayton Spinning Mill located directly behind the Post Office in downtown Clayton.

“The people we have here now average over 7 years of experience in the interactive
advertising industry – and in an industry that is barely 14 years old – that’s a lot of people that really know what they’re doing.” This type of employee experience has
propelled Media Two to already surpass last year’s growth by more than 90% (and last
year was the year that landed them on the Inc. 5000 list). Of course, no matter how
tech savvy your business is, you can’t survive without having the right clients.
Two years ago Media Two had over 40 clients on its roster when it decided to make an
executive decision and release more than half of those clients outright. “The clients
we parted ways with were great people and fun to work with, but as a small, client ROI driven company, we felt we were stretching ourselves too thin trying to help everyone. We came up with a new business model that essentially said we would only work with clients that saw the potential of the internet as a crucial piece to their marketing mix. This change allowed us to focus more time and effort on those clients, and in turn, helped them grow as we grew along with them.”

The moved paid off as Media Two not only made the prestigious listing (#569
nationwide), but it finished 52nd overall in the Advertising & Marketing category and
finished 13th overall for the State of North Carolina.

About Media Two Interactive
Media Two Interactive (www.MediaTwointeractive.com) is a full service advertising
agency that specializes in marketing for firms who want an emphasis on their
interactive plans. Media Two works with publicly traded clients such as Microsoft, MF
Global, LasikPlus Vision Centers and more. Media Two is a privately held firm with its corporate offices located approximately 15 miles southeast of Raleigh in the town of Clayton, NC (“the interactive capital of the world”). For more information on Media Two, please contact Michael Hubbard at 919-553-1246 ext 10 or mhubbard@mediatwo.net.

About the Inc. 5000
Inc. Magazine’s 2007 rankings are based on the percentage growth of the businesses
revenue from 2003 through 2006. To be eligible for the 2007 Inc. 5,000, the companies
on the list must be 1) independent and privately held (not a subsidiary or a division
of a larger firm with other revenue-generating operations). 2) have a full four-year
sales history. Sales in 2003 must be for a full 12 months; if your company had less
than 12 months of sales in 2003, it is not eligible for the 2007 Inc. 500/Inc. 5,000.
3) Be based in the United States.

Sisters and their mom open bakery in downtown Clayton

Here's a good story by the Herald on the recently opened Petals and Pastries in downtown Clayton!


CLAYTON -- Erica Creech, Amanda Turner and Holy Strickland are as close as sisters can be.

They grew up in the kitchen, helping their mom, Jen Freeman, bake cakes, cookies and other sweet treats. Of course, the best part was licking the spatulas and beaters after mom was finished with the batter. Now, the sisters, who live just four blocks apart in Selma, are asking their little ones to be the taste-testers for their new bakery, Petals & Pastries. The rest of the story...

Town Square Concert Series – True Spirit August 23

True Spirit will perform at the next Concert on the Square on August 23 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. True Spirit is a group with a unique style of music which appeals to people from all walks of life. True Spirit was once known as “Kingdoms Heir”. The group was formed in 1989 and the group has recorded three projects, “My Father Rich”, “True Spirit” and their current CD “Revelation Times” which is climbing the Southern Gospel market charts. The group is made up of David Montague, Robert Siler, Glenn Frazier, John Cooper and Terrence Todd Dewberry. Together, they create the kind of music that touches your heart and lifts your spirits.

The free concert is sponsored by the Town of Clayton and Downtown Development Association, with major support from Caterpillar, Novo Nordisk and Clayton News Star. Additional support comes from Avent-Permenter Group, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Hudson’s Hardware, Matthews Motors, Morning Glory Inn and True Line Surveying.

The final Town Square Concert of the series will be “Boys from Carolina Bluegrass Band” on September 20.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For more information call (919) 553-1545

Calendar of Events (Downtown)

Remember, it is always best to call the venue or contact number for the latest updates!

Friday, August 17
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Pale Blue Band (Rock/blues/jazz)
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Saturday, August 18
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: T. Rox & the Skankosaurs (ska)
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Thursday, August 23
CONCERT IN THE SQUARE: “TRUE SPIRIT” – 6:00 pm
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Karaoke
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Friday, August 24
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Young Neil & The Damage Done
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Saturday, August 25
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Closed for Lisa & Brian’s Wedding
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

“Dog Wash” to Benefit Johnston County Animal Protection League – SATURDAY!

The Johnston County Animal Protection League is sponsoring a “Dog Wash” this Saturday (tomorrow) at 4002 E Main Street (Robinson Animal Hospital) from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. There is a minimum donation of $5.00. Remember to bring your dog’s RABIES CERTIFICATE! Tags will not suffice. Oh, and they ask that you bring a towel if you can… For more information call 989-7601.

Downtown Space Available

For a more detailed listing with photographs of these properties, please contact Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen at 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org

Retail:
327 E Main 2,400 Sq Ft 524-7349 – New Listing LEASED!
408 E Main Street 1,200 Sq Ft 553-6813 – new listing LEASED!

Office:
106 S. Lombard Street 2,550 Sq Ft 553-5241
442-A E Main Street 2,500 sq ft 669-7542
442-B E Main Street 900 Sq Ft 669-7542

Warehouse Space:
Clayton Spinning Mill 20,000 sq ft 553-1246

Commercial for Sale:
451 E Main Street 1,893 sq ft 550-7355 – New Listing/under contract
459 E Main Street 1,748 sq ft 820-1548 – New Listing

DDA Meets with Town Council & Planning Board

The Clayton Downtown Development Association's regular August 13 meeting was a joint meeting with the Town Council and Planning Board. The purpose was to share some innovative planning and zoning concepts discussed during the keynote presentation at January’s NC Main Street Conference in Morganton, NC. Members of the Town Council, Planning Board, Downtown Development Association and staff attended the presentation and felt there are some concepts that might be considered in Clayton. The keynote speaker was Thomas Hylton, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and chairman of the Pottstown (PA) Planning Commission. He is also the author of the book, Save Our Land, Save Our Towns.” The Pottstown Town Council recently adopted an innovative “user-friendly” zoning ordinance which Hylton wrote. Some follow-up discussion is scheduled on the Town Council Agenda for Monday, August 20. The Town Council meeting begins at 7:30 pm.

SAVE THE DATE: Clayton Branding Forum Planned for Sept 6 at 6:30 pm

Clayton business people, property owners, residents and others with an interest in how Clayton’s image is developed and marketed are invited to the Clayton Branding Forum on Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Clayton Center. This is a followup to the brainstorming session that occurred several weeks ago in which was led by Ben Muldrow, from Arnett Muldrow Associates.

At the Forum, Mr. Muldrow will share a number of concepts to determine the direction, style and images they will develop. Since this affects the whole town, public participation is encouraged and the end product will be something all businesses and companies will be able to use.

For more information, contact at Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen at bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org or 553-1545.

SAVE THE DATE: “Main Street Resource Team” Presentation on August 30

A public presentation on Clayton’s Main Street Program will be held Thursday, August 30 at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers at The Clayton Center. The presentation will be made by the Main Street Resource Team to share with the community their recommendations to help with revitalization efforts downtown. Clayton was selected as a Main Street Community last fall.

“This next step (in the Main Street process) will determine a large part of our work plan in downtown for the next year and a half,” said Joyce Blackley, Chairperson of the Downtown Development Association. “We’ve done quite a bit already,” she said, “but the Resource Team recommendations will help us focus on the immediately important things.”

Resource Teams are a technique that the National Main Street Center developed to quickly assess a Main Street community's downtown problems and opportunities and to provide a variety of ideas and strategies for its downtown revitalization effort. A Resource Team visit is an intense experience and will occur over a period of three days. The visit involves a large number of local people, a great deal of information is absorbed and synthesized, and it results in a series of concise recommendations presented at a public meeting, which will be held on Thursday, August 30.

Although the members work as a team on a comprehensive strategy, the investigation and presentation follows the four points of the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization:
• Organization of broad based local leadership;
• The Design of downtown making it attractive to consumers and investors;
• Promotion to revive excitement and rejuvenate activity downtown; and,
• Economic Restructuring to develop a healthy and profitable commercial area.

Downtown Clayton Business News

Downtown Clayton finally has a bakery! Petals & Pastries opened this week at 505 E Main St. Now there is a place in Clayton to get freshly baked pies, pastries, baked breads, cakes, cookies…Owned and baked by Jennifer Freeman, Erica Creech, Amanda Brown and Holy Strickland, they will also provide special orders for birthday cakes and so on. Give them a call at 359-9222 or better yet, stop by and sample!

While Petals & Pastries are on the left side, The Pink Teacup is back in business on the right side at 505 E Main St. Owner Christy Cogar re-opened at this new location in the former offices of Hill & Associates on August 8 and has turned them into a lovely setting for a luncheon tea room. Christy has changed her menu into something a little more “hearty” to attract a more masculine clientele, but still focuses on the tea parties and special occasions. She also provides catering for weddings, showers and corporate events. Stop by for lunch and give her a call at 359-9222.

Stellar Peer Recovery Center opened July 1 at 446 E Main Street. The center is a program of Feed His Church Ministries, of which Dorothy O’Neal is founder and pastor. The site serves people who have substance abuse issues. Stellar Peer Recovery Center is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The number is 553-2554.

Check Out "Little Shop of Horrors" Tonight at Clayton Center

The first production by the Clayton Youth Theater, "Little Shop of Horrors" is just wonderful! We saw it last night at The Clayton Center and highly recommend that if you have the opportunity to attend the production tonight - do it! Founder/Director Nikki Dyke has done an awesome job of assembling a terrific cast of young and even neophyte actors along with seasoned young actors.

The performance starts at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are just $10.00. Get them at the box office or online www.theclaytoncenter.com. Help support this ensemble so they may continue!

Joint DDA/Town Council/Planning Board Mtg Monday August 13

The Clayton Downtown Development Association 's regular August 13 meeting will be a joint meeting with the Town Council and Planning Board. The meeting will begin at 5:45 pm in the Council Chambers at The Clayton Center, 111 E Second Street.

The purpose will be to share some innovative planning and zoning concepts discussed during the keynote presentation at January’s NC Main Street Conference in Morganton, NC.Members of the Town Council, Planning Board, Downtown Development Association and staff attended the presentation and felt there are some concepts that might be considered in Clayton.
The keynote speaker was Thomas Hylton, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and chairman of the Pottstown (PA) Planning Commission. He is also the author of the book, Save Our Land, Save Our Towns.” The Pottstown Town Council recently adopted an innovative “user-friendly” zoning ordinance which Hylton wrote.

Helicopter Visit Entertains Children During Library Program

Tuesday morning, about 280 children walked from the Hocutt Ellington Memorial Library to the Town Square to see the NC Highway Patrol helicopter. The visit was part of the Library's summer reading program. The helicopter landed at 9:30 am before the children arrived and departed around 11:45 am after the children left. The pilots said it was a tight landing, but look forward to another visit sometime in the future.