Pollard turns around Springfield's Best

Pollard has added 11 new members to the 47 that the group had Dec. 27 when she took her post as executive director. She’s also convinced two exiting members to stick around and encouraged eight more to increase their membership price levels.

Pollard said the turnaround is the result of refocusing the group’s resources on advertising – its sole purpose when Pollard helped form it in 1994 with founder Jackie Taylor Johnson.

“We’re not a breakfast club and were not the chamber of commerce,” Pollard said. “We’re a cooperative marketing group.”

For several years, Springfield’s Best branched into charitable and social arenas. That, coupled with complaints from members that they weren’t getting enough exposure, led to infighting and crumbling membership commitments.

Co-founder Johnson said she hasn’t spoken with Pollard for years, but feels that she will effectively steer Springfield’s Best back onto its original course.

“If anyone can turn this thing back, it’s her,” said Johnson, who recently launched a new venture, Fleet Watch Online.

Pollard’s main thrust is consolidating three membership packages that she said led to imbalance and unhappiness.

Previously, Springfield’s Best offered a $100 basic membership, which entitled members to a window sticker and inclusion in a list of members in print ads; a $250 membership, which gave members advertising through either print or broadcast media based on a rotation; or a $400 membership, which entitled members to both broadcast and print advertising.

The group will now only offer a modified $250 membership that entitles businesses to inclusion in all forms of advertising on a rotating basis, though it will offer double rotation exposure for $400 per month.

No new $100 memberships will be offered. Members already at the $100 level may stay there, though Pollard has been actively courting them to upgrade.

Two companies that planned to leave in January – Springfield Pool & Spa and Sunshine Eye Clinic – have decided to stay on board. Springfield Pool & Spa owner Ed Faxon said he feels good about Pollard’s vision, which includes new ads at Springfield Cardinals games, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and Springfield Little Theatre. Pollard also is switching from Mediacom TV ads to radio spots.

“We’ll give her a chance,” Faxon said.

On Board

Since Theresa Pollard took over Springfield’s Best Locally Owned Companies two months ago, 11 new members have signed on.

• Body FX

• Comforts of Home Lighting & Décor

• Fox Grape Family Dentistry

• G&M Office Products

• Karl’s Tuxedo & Bridal

• Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance

• OakStar Bank

• Oasis Inn & Convention Center

• Pampered Paws Pet Resort & Salon

• Sharp Signs

• Wand’s Jewelry[[In-content Ad]]