Strategic Communications Case Studies | Grandone Strategies

Real-world examples of how Grandone Strategies helps clients strengthen reputations, shape public perception, and achieve communication goals.

Marketing Southwestern Illinois: The “East County” Initiative

In the early 1990s, Southwestern Illinois launched a bold marketing effort to reshape how the St. Louis region viewed the Metro East. The campaign, known as “East County… If You Only Knew,” aimed to highlight the region’s economic potential, transportation access, and quality of life.

Conceived and led by Jim Grandone, the initiative became one of the area’s first coordinated attempts to market Southwestern Illinois as a competitive place to live, work, and invest. Though short-lived, it left a lasting impact—changing perceptions, drawing investment, and laying the foundation for stronger collaboration across the Mississippi.

Two perspectives capture this story:

  • A first-hand case study by J. M. Grandone, detailing the campaign’s conception, strategy, and execution.
  • A 25-year retrospective by journalist Dennis Grubaugh, examining the campaign’s legacy and how it influenced Metro East’s development trajectory.
Read the Case Study by J. M. Grandone Read the Article by Dennis Grubaugh
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