DESIGN 446 CELEBRATES 40 YEARS CREATING EXPERIENCES, BUILDING BRANDS & INSPIRING ACTIONS

MANASQUAN, NJ – Design 446, Inc., a full-service marketing firm based in Manasquan, New Jersey, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this October 7th. Since its founding in 1974, Design 446 has evolved from a small, family-owned and operated company that relied on a close-knit group of suppliers to deliver a quality product to one of the best-known marketing and advertising companies in the industry.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 40 years,” said Tom Villane, President of Design 446. “Being flexible and innovative while continually delivering the highest quality services without compromise has been the key to our success.”

In the ever-changing business world, a company can’t survive by standing still and there is no finer example of business evolution than Design 446. And perhaps no one knows this better than Design 446’s current Vice President Ann Marie Baker, who started her Design 446 career as Ann Marie Russo, a college intern 27 years ago.

“Our tools have changed from drafting tables, rapidograph pens, stat cameras and air brushes, to sophisticated computer programs, high quality wide format and digital presses to an entire arsenal of online and social media marketing options,” said Baker. “Twenty-five years ago, we relied on several different outside specialists to create our displays, signage and printed material. Today, we handle most of our own creative and production, giving us incredible control over our schedules and enabling us to deliver the finest quality graphic material almost instantly.”’

While Design 446 may look different 40 years later, some things remain the same. “Our culture has always been customer-centric,” said Villane. “Most of the company’s growth has come out of the need to better serve clients with cutting edge technology and ever-improving results. The need to produce more effective and innovative interior environments has led to the inclusion of a full time interior design department that today is also responsible for the interior merchandising of model homes and clubhouses. Electronic touch screen sales and leasing environments have also pushed the company toward web development, where we now have an entire department of coders, designers and programmers.”

Today, Design 446 occupies nearly 20,000 square feet of office and production space and is home to eight distinct departments with over 30 employees. The client base has shifted as well. “While the company is still an active partner with many national, regional and local home builders and their associates, Design 446 is now a much more diversified, full service marketing and advertising company working in a myriad of industries both locally and throughout the country,” Villane added.

Design 446 has received countless accolades over the years, including garnering awards from the National Sales & Marketing Association, the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA), the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey (SBACNJ), the Jersey Shore Public Relations & Advertising Association (JSPRAA), Graphic Design USA and HarperCollins Publishers. Design 446 also has featured work in the following publications: “The Big Book of Green Design,” “The Big Book of Self Promotions,” “Go USA, Design Annual,” “Really Good Logos Explained,” “Creativity 36,” and “Creativity 37.”

Design 446, Inc. is a full-service marketing company based in Manasquan, NJ. The firm creates sales environments, signage and brand development, in addition to interactive presentations, digital/traditional advertising, website development, e-marketing, social media/public relations, graphic design, on-site printing, interior merchandising and installation.

For more information about Design 446, visit Design446.com or to subscribe to its blog, visit Design446blog.com.

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Photo caption: Design 446 President Tom Villane with Design 446 Vice President Ann Marie Baker at a new home community sales center in Delaware.