Warren Integrated Marketing Firm Marks 10th Anniversary

WARREN, Ohio – The D5 Group, a minority-owned integrated marketing firm, recently marked its 10th anniversary. 

D5 was established Feb. 12, 2014, by DeShawn Scott. The company’s decennial anniversary aligned with Black History Month and National Entrepreneurship Week.

D5 serves clients across B2C sectors, nonprofits, K-12 institutions, government entities and municipalities, providing strategic and creative marketing solutions.

Scott, D5 managing director, said the company adheres to the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise, the Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity program and the Ohio Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, showcasing its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within its business practices.”

“This underscores our dedication to equity and excellence and has paved the way for us to secure procurement opportunities,” he said.

Scott is reflective about the anniversary.

“Every D5 Group anniversary is a testament to our team’s strength, creativity and dedication,” he said. “It’s also a chance to celebrate the significant role of diverse businesses in our communities and the vital contribution of Black entrepreneurship to our society.”

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, D5 launched multiple initiatives to promote diversity and support young, aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses. This includes an audio series celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week, featuring local business leaders in the Mahoning Valley. 

One initiative is an ongoing celebration of entrepreneurship. The content features a mix of Mahoning Valley entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders who share their experiences and insights. They are published on D5’s podcast studio social profiles – @thesoundu on Instagram and @soundunitedstudio on Facebook. A website is dedicated to the whole series.

Next is the relaunch of Sundown Workshops, a different learning and network series focused on entrepreneurs, small-business owners and nonprofit executives. The workshops combine learning, networking and “chilling” with light food and music. The goal is to get the audience out of their silos for two hours after work. It’s a monthly series that will start in May and run into fall. 

Scott said another initiative is near and dear to him: marketing workshops. They’re targeted to startups and emerging minority- and women-owned businesses. Scott is teaching a marketing workshop for Valley Partners.

Pictured at top: From left are David Winfield, Bobb Reiland, Kimberly Gonzales, DeShawn Scott and Elaine Manusakis.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.