CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Muhammad Ali, Nobel Laureate Jim Heckman, JB Pritzker, The Obama Administration, Warren Buffett's son and daughter-in-law, Mayor Bloomberg's latest cultural venture and TED founder Richard Saul Wurman are just some of the clients who have turned to Rachel Bellow and Chicago-native Suzanne Muchin of Mind + Matter Studio to brand their emerging ideas with a social good mandate. This week they will aim that firepower straight at Chicago's entrepreneurs through a new partnership with wgn.fm and WGN Radio.
Best friends and business partners since 1998, Rachel and Suzanne have worked together to create the market positioning for dozens of projects backed by big names, and big hearts. They've clarified the brand identity of an 8- billion-dollar philanthropy, worked for the Who's Who of Chicago's start-up and tech scene, and over the last seven years have founded three consulting agencies with client revenue topping $50 million.
"Suzanne is an unusual combination of charming, whip-smart, and as tenacious as they come," said J.B. Pritzker, managing partner of Pritzker Group. "She and Rachel will be great on WGN picking apart business plans and challenging serious entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial wannabes alike to explain their ideas."
Three years ago, they decided to add "radio hosts" to their titles when they launched "The Dirty Truth," through a partnership with New York-based 2MarketMedia. Aimed at entrepreneurs, the show delivered their signature "truth telling" on the quality of business ideas and the entrepreneurs who were launching them.
Now, the team is ready to target Chicago's growing commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
On August 19, Rachel and Suzanne will launch "The Big Payoff," through a partnership with WGN as part of the media company's commitment to growing a multi-platform brand across radio, television and social.
"The Big Payoff couldn't be more timely, as entrepreneurship is a hot topic in Chicago right now," said Peter Liguori, president and CEO, Tribune Media Co.
"Suzanne is a take-no-prisoners strategist with a level of skill for tackling challenging projects that I have rarely seen," said Jim O'Connor, Jr., Chairman of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) and 1871 Board of Directors. "I couldn't be more thrilled for Suzanne and her partner Rachel to have this opportunity to light up the radio waves in Chicago when The Big Payoff comes to WGN."
"Get ready for The Big Payoff …Two seasoned business and media vets, Rachel Bellow and Suzanne Muchin, tell you like it really is out there in the new business world," said Jimmy de Castro, President and General Manager, WGN Radio. "It's absolutely worth a listen, whether you are a young entrepreneur, existing business looking for funding, or you just want entertainment and to learn something on one of Tribune Broadcasting's new platforms."
Every minute of the show is devoted to giving entrepreneurs the advice and knowledge they need to get their ideas positioned for the big payoff down the road.
"My roots are here, as are so many people and businesses that I want to bet on with my time, expertise and network. Chicago is a special place where money and meaning are both valued, which makes it the perfect hub for us," said Suzanne Muchin. "We've worked with every kind of leader there is, but send us an entrepreneur with a big vision and we're in heaven. Chicago offers the perfect environment for entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. This is the right place and the right time for us to land at WGN," added Rachel Bellow.
In addition to the radio show, Rachel and Suzanne will maintain a small but high profile group of brand strategy clients through their consulting firm Mind + Matter Studio.
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The Big Payoff:
"The Big Payoff," is a show for "entrepreneurs and entrepreneur wannabes," and will air weekly on wgn.fm on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. CST. Segments from the show will also be aired on WGN Radio during Sirott & Murciano's business-focused 12n hour starting September 15. Full podcasts and video footage will be available online at wgn.fm. The show opens with the friends debating Chicago's latest, trending "big idea," and quickly turns to the audience to ensure that you know why this idea matters to you, and therefore what you should do right now to make your business successful. Callers to the show pitch their ideas and/or ask Rachel and Suzanne their most pressing business questions, and the ladies deliver their opinions and feedback without mincing words. Weekly guest entrepreneurs share their secrets, as only Rachel and Suzanne can elicit them.