INDIANA PARLEY

The Asher Agency, a Fort Wayne based advertising and public relations firm, is back in the news with reports that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and First Lady Cheri Daniels will be appearing in television ads aimed at reducing child abuse. The advertising will be produced by the Asher Agency.

The South Bend Tribune reports:

The public-service announcements were produced with $250,000 raised from the sale of Kid's First license plates.

In 2005, the Asher Agency was awarded a $10-$12 million dollar contract to handle the placement and planning of statewide media buys for the State of Indiana. From INside Indiana Business:

Agencies for which Asher will be placing media will include the Hoosier Lottery, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Tobacco and Cessation, Indiana Department of Revenue, Family and Social Services Administration, Indiana Department of Insurance, and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, among others. Working with each state agency, Asher will plan and execute media buys that will include broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor and print advertising. Asher’s contract with the state will begin August 8, 2005 and run through August 7, 2006, with an option for a one-year renewal.

Founder Tim Borne was a Democratic candidate for state representative in 1968 and a 1972 candidate for state senator against Phil Gutman.

The agency received substantial State of Indiana business after Evan Bayh became Governor in 1989. Much of that advertising spending was related to Indiana tourism and then new Indiana State Lottery.

The agency has handled political accounts for both Democratic and Republican candidates. Two area Republican candidates whose advertising campaigns have been managed by Asher are Allen County Commissioner Marla Irving and Fort Wayne City Council member John Crawford.
Commissioner Irving's campaign finance report filed Monday showed that she had spent $25,794 with the Asher Agency so far this year.