Development Counsellors International
Encyclopedia
Development Counsellors International, also known as DCI, is a place marketing
firm based in New York City
that specializes in economic development and travel marketing, and investment lead generation services. Founded in 1960 by Ted Levine, the company now employs more than 40 people and has regional offices in Denver, Philadelphia, Tucson and Los Angeles
.
As an organization that works directly with places around the world, DCI’s first marketing campaign was developed for the island of Puerto Rico surrounding its Operation Bootstrap
program. Since then, DCI has worked with over 300 places to promote their business and tourism attributes. The firm’s clients include large economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community and visitor’s bureaus with a focus on economic development and tourism marketing.
Every three years since 1996, the firm releases a “Winning Strategies". The report includes the most effective marketing techniques in economic development and executive perceptions of the best business climates in the United States and the world.
According to O’Dwyers, in 2008 DCI ranked 52nd in fees of major independent public relations firms. The company has also won the PR News’ Community Relations award in 2006 for its efforts to help the Baton Rouge community recover from the effects of hurricane Katrina.
and 5th avenue in Manhattan
. As the U.S. director of public relations for Puerto Rico’s Operation Bootstrap
program, Levine created a model economic development
program for other countries wanting to boost tourism or encourage business development. Since then, DCI has worked with more than 300 cities, regions, states and countries, helping them attract both investors and visitors.
Andy Levine, son of Ted Levine, joined DCI in 1991 and has since taken over the day-to-day management responsibilities as the firm’s president.
The company’s use of an open-book management philosophy has led to unique monthly staff meetings, where employees, including administrative staffers, present the company’s financial report for the previous month. For those interested in working at the company, Andy Levine, the firm’s president, requires no less than 12 references from finalists.
DCI had moved its headquarters location eight times since 1960 and most recently relocated to Manhattan's Union Square
neighborhood in 2007.
In July 2010, DCI acquired Mondotels, creating DCI’s meetings and incentive (MICE) division. Founded in 1982, Mondotels specializes in developing meeting and incentive business for destination marketing organizations and convention bureaus.
Place Branding
Place branding is a new umbrella term encompassing nation branding, region branding and city branding. Place branding is the process of image communication to a target market...
firm based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
that specializes in economic development and travel marketing, and investment lead generation services. Founded in 1960 by Ted Levine, the company now employs more than 40 people and has regional offices in Denver, Philadelphia, Tucson and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
As an organization that works directly with places around the world, DCI’s first marketing campaign was developed for the island of Puerto Rico surrounding its Operation Bootstrap
Operation Bootstrap
For other uses, see Bootstrapping and Bootstrapping .Operation Bootstrap is the name given to the ambitious projects which industrialized Puerto Rico in the mid-20th century.-History:...
program. Since then, DCI has worked with over 300 places to promote their business and tourism attributes. The firm’s clients include large economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community and visitor’s bureaus with a focus on economic development and tourism marketing.
Every three years since 1996, the firm releases a “Winning Strategies". The report includes the most effective marketing techniques in economic development and executive perceptions of the best business climates in the United States and the world.
According to O’Dwyers, in 2008 DCI ranked 52nd in fees of major independent public relations firms. The company has also won the PR News’ Community Relations award in 2006 for its efforts to help the Baton Rouge community recover from the effects of hurricane Katrina.
History
According to the company founder, DCI began with just one client and two employees. The company’s first office consisted of two small rooms in a medical supply warehouse on 14th Street (Manhattan)14th Street (Manhattan)
14th Street is a major crosstown street in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The street rivals the size of some of the well-known avenues of the city and is an important business location....
and 5th avenue in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. As the U.S. director of public relations for Puerto Rico’s Operation Bootstrap
Operation Bootstrap
For other uses, see Bootstrapping and Bootstrapping .Operation Bootstrap is the name given to the ambitious projects which industrialized Puerto Rico in the mid-20th century.-History:...
program, Levine created a model economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
program for other countries wanting to boost tourism or encourage business development. Since then, DCI has worked with more than 300 cities, regions, states and countries, helping them attract both investors and visitors.
Andy Levine, son of Ted Levine, joined DCI in 1991 and has since taken over the day-to-day management responsibilities as the firm’s president.
The company’s use of an open-book management philosophy has led to unique monthly staff meetings, where employees, including administrative staffers, present the company’s financial report for the previous month. For those interested in working at the company, Andy Levine, the firm’s president, requires no less than 12 references from finalists.
DCI had moved its headquarters location eight times since 1960 and most recently relocated to Manhattan's Union Square
Union Square
Union Square may refer to:Asia* Union Square * Union Square station on Dubai MetroCanada* Union Square, Nova ScotiaUnited States* Union Square, Baltimore, Maryland* Union Square * Union Square, San Francisco, California...
neighborhood in 2007.
In July 2010, DCI acquired Mondotels, creating DCI’s meetings and incentive (MICE) division. Founded in 1982, Mondotels specializes in developing meeting and incentive business for destination marketing organizations and convention bureaus.