Village officials want to continue 'Made in Mundelein' campaign

A marketing campaign launched to help boost Mundelein businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic could get a boost of its own moving forward.

Following a presentation Monday night from representatives of a5 Inc., the Chicago-based branding agency that designed the "Made In Mundelein. Made For You" campaign, Mayor Steve Lentz and the village trustees informally voiced support for keeping the project going and expanding it with new elements.

Several officials especially liked a proposal dubbed "Takeout 25" that would ask participating residents to pledge to spend $25 each week on takeout food from local restaurants. That program started in Oak Park and has spread to other communities.

A reward program for people who shop at local stores was discussed, too. Such an effort is in place in Oak Park and has become successful over time, a5 president and co-founder John Harris said during the board's committee-of-the-whole meeting at village hall.

Although no final decisions were made, most board members supported setting aside $138,000 in the next fiscal year's budget for the project. Two trustees supported budgeting unspecified lesser amounts.

The 2023 fiscal year begins May 1.

The "Made In Mundelein. Made For You" campaign launched in late 2020. It showcases Mundelein as a place where things - meals, artwork, fashion items or other products - are created.

The campaign has a dedicated website, madeinmundelein.com, that features a local business directory and other elements. In addition, the campaign was promoted on social media, through radio ads and on a billboard in town, said Lizzie Kreindler, an account manager and content specialist with a5.

Although the effort focused on encouraging Mundelein residents to support local businesses, Harris told the village board it can be tweaked to lure new businesses to town and to encourage residents to be entrepreneurs.

"This campaign does have legs," Harris said. "We know we can take this out there and really bring business in that are creative makers."

That could include businesses making everything from doughnuts to pharmaceuticals, Harris said.

If the board wants to continue working with a5, a new contract with the firm will be needed, Village Administrator Eric Guenther said.