DBusiness Daily Update: MotorCities Announces Tour Operator Partners for 2023, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
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Belle Isle classic car
One of the Ford Model As from Antique Touring Co. in Detroit pictured on Belle Isle. // Photo courtesy of MotorCities

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

MotorCities Announces Its Tour Operator Partners for 2023

The MotorCities National Heritage Area, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving automotive heritage, is partnering with four Detroit-area and one Lansing-based tour operator to offer public tours about the state’s automotive and labor heritage this tourism season.

The partnerships continue a program that originally launched in 2019 to serve the 16-county National Heritage Area.

Tour experiences available vary from traditional walking tours to riding in a vintage Ford Model A or pedaling a bicycle — all while visiting key automotive historical sites and learning the story of how the region put the world on wheels.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with these companies to offer additional tour options and bring more of our amazing automotive heritage to both metro Detroit residents and out-of-town tourists alike,” says Shawn Pomaville-Size, executive director of MotorCities.

The tour operators selected offer the following experiences:

Antique Touring Co. — MotorCities National Heritage Area Antique Car Tour. Hop in a Ford Model A and explore the “coming-of-age” story of the automobile during the first decades of the 20th Century from the vantage point of Detroit’s Woodward Corridor. Tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday, April through October. Additional information can be found here.

City Institute — MotorCities Auto Heritage New Center and Dearborn Walking Tours. On the New Center walking tour, guests will experience the past, present, and future of the Detroit area, going back in time with a visit to the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant and speak with some of the innovators who now call these neighborhoods home. This tour is offered on July 21 and Aug. 18. The Dearborn walking tours take place on July 7 and Aug. 4 and provide the opportunity to learn how the past and present of this city are interwoven, get to know the people leading some exciting new projects and see the innovations and adaptations of this important city. For more information, visit here.

GLAD Tours — REO Town Walking Tour. Enjoy a walking tour of REO Town with our Lansing MotorCities tour operator partner, GLAD Tours. Tickets are available for $10. Before there was a REO Town, there was REO City. Take a walk down the main drag with GLAD Tours and see where Ransom Eli Olds started the auto industry. Tours are available by appointment by clicking here.

Russell Brothers City Tours — Get on board for a fun-filled tour of automotive landmarks in the city of Detroit. Your guide, Emmy-winning TV and radio personality Greg Russell, takes guests to places they may know and some sites they might not. If guests have particular sites they’d like to see, just let Russell know. The tours are informative, insightful, and fun, according to organizers. Russell Brothers City Tours also offers virtual tours online. Guests can visit via their computers or other devices some of the fun and historical places from Detroit’s automotive history. For more information, visit here.

Wheelhouse Detroit — Auto Heritage Bicycle Tour. On this 15-mile tour, guests will discover how Detroit became the center of industry. The tour takes in the Globe Building, Dequindre Cut, Packard Plant, the GM Factory Zero (formerly Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant), Milwaukee Junction, New Center (old GM Headquarters and Fisher Building), and TechTown, where tourists learn how industry is evolving with advanced technology. Tour dates are May 20, June 25, July 23, Aug. 20, Sept. 24, and Oct. 8. For more information, visit here.

For more information on tours and events, visit motorcities.org.

Bankjoy and Larky Unveil Expanded Partnership to Boost Account Holder Engagement

Larky, the Missouri-based account holder engagement technology provider, and Ann Arbor’s Bankjoy, an end-to-end digital banking provider, are expanding their partnership to provide all Bankjoy clients with the benefits of Larky’s nudge platform.

Through this collaboration, Bankjoy and Larky expect to enhance the digital experience for account holders and empower financial institutions to proactively engage with their audience and offer tailored services.

Larky and Bankjoy are working together to address the growing demand for seamless digital experiences, combining expertise in account holder engagement and cutting-edge banking technology. The Larky nudge platform integrates with Bankjoy’s digital banking platform, which includes mobile and online banking, e-statements, online account opening, and more. Larky’s platform complements Bankjoy’s digital banking suite by prompting account holders to engage with the products and services that fit their unique financial needs, right from their mobile device.

“According to the FDIC, mobile banking is now the primary way consumers access their bank account, highlighting the importance of effective push notification campaigns that give financial institutions a way to meaningfully connect with app users, and guide them to the most relevant products and services,” says Michael Duncan, CEO of Bankjoy. “This partnership is especially timely, as banks and credit unions of all sizes are seeking new ways to grow and maintain depositor relationships. Our partnership with Larky supports this and we look forward to providing our financial institution clients with this valuable technology.”

With Larky’s platform, financial institutions can communicate operational information, account updates, relevant product offerings, and local community news to account holders. Utilizing geolocation technology, nudge push notifications are delivered at the optimal time, place, and setting to maximize engagement and meet the specific needs of the account holders.

VVK PR + Creative Exceeds Growth Projections in its First Year

Detroit-based digital and video production agency VVK PR + Creative has marked its first year in business, exceeding its stated $2 million revenue projections by nearly $400,000, expanding its team to 20 employees, and over doubling its client roster to more than 40 organizations in Detroit, statewide, and nationally.

To pay its growth forward, agency founders Peter Van Dyke, Jamie Kaye Walters, and Michael Sherman, have developed the VVK PR + Creative Student Scholarship at Wayne State University to support diversity within and access for the next generation of PR practitioners, video producers, digital strategists, and graphic designers.

“My partners and I had a strong vision for what a forward-thinking, inclusive, strategic and creative agency could achieve, and have been extremely thankful for the response from our clients and community,” says Van Dyke, CEO of VVK.  “Seeing this vision come to fruition, and experiencing such immense growth, has been met with excitement for what our future holds. It is really a testament to the clients and team members who placed their trust in our company leadership.”

Since its launch last April, VVK has recruited five team members, building its PR team to include Senior Vice President Laura L’Esperance, Senior Account Executive Stephen Jones, Account Executive and Digital Specialist Evann Webb, and PR Coordinators Ciara White and Zakiyyah Wade. The video team also expanded with the hiring of Dyan Bailey as a video editor. The agency is continuing to grow through the active recruitment of PR director and senior video producer.

“We are excited to bring fresh ideas and dedicated talent to our clients and to informing how we run VVK PR + Creative. Diversity of experience brings diversity of thought,” says Walters, COO of VVK. “We are invigorated by those moments when talent and perspectives come together for creative storytelling and strategic public relations solutions. We are excessively selective about our team and thankful to every person who is entrusting this moment of their careers with us.”

VVK officials say the firm already is on track to hit $2.8 million in revenue in 2023, and is looking to expanding its services beyond PR, digital, and video production in the coming year. Additionally, the agency is looking at expansion in key verticals and in markets across the state and nationally. While the agency services a wide range of industries, its primary verticals are in nonprofit and insurance, real estate and hospitality, and corporate and legal.

Telemus Capital in Southfield Honored for U-M Football NIL Deal

Telemus Capital in Southfield was honored at the Financial Communications Society Portfolio Awards 2023 for its first marketing campaign using the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) with players of the University of Michigan football team.

Telemus took bronze in the consumer retail category at the event, which recognizes the outstanding financial services marketing and communications campaigns of leading investment banks, brokerages and exchanges, insurance companies, mutual funds, commercial banks, ETFs and other industry service providers.

Telemus collaborated with five Wolverine offensive linemen including tackles Ryan Hayes and Giovanni El-Hadi, guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and center Olu Oluwatimi. As part of the NIL deal, the five players were part of a marketing campaign on social media that shares how Telemus protects client wealth, just like Michigan’s offensive line protects its quarterback.

“We’re very pleased to be named a winner for this prestigious national award and be recognized in the company of other leading financial institutions like Bank of America, City National Bank and E*TRADE,” says Lyle Wolberg, partner and CEO at Telemus Capital. “This was our first foray into partnering with a sports team, and the award shows that hard work and creativity can pay off in unexpected ways for RIA firms looking to push the line forward.”

Wixom’s Niterra North America Receives Honda Excellence Award

Niterra North America Inc., formerly NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. in Wixom, has received the 2022 Excellence in Delivery and Quality Award from Honda. This award is given to the top OEM suppliers in North America who have demonstrated “exceptional performance in supplying Honda with parts and materials during the previous year.”

Niterra received this award for its performance during 2022 despite facing several challenges, such as supply issues, transportation disruptions, weather impacts, and workforce issues. The award was presented at Honda’s Annual Supplier Conference.

Michael Schwab, president and CEO of Niterra, expressed gratitude for receiving the award.

“In the past few years, suppliers have encountered several challenges due to supply chain disruptions,” Schwab says. “However, despite these unprecedented times, our team continuously strived to fulfill customers’ expectations in terms of quality, value,

Motown Museum Welcomes Community to Rocket Plaza for Founder’s Day

The Motown Museum is welcoming the community to its annual Founder’s Day celebration from 12-5 p.m. on May 21.

Founder’s Day is an annual, public celebration hosted by Motown Museum in honor of its late founder Esther Gordy Edwards, who made commemorating the birthplace of the Motown legacy in Detroit a reality for the world.

The day will include discounted tours of the museum, a display of local retailers and community vendors, food trucks, live entertainment — including performances from Hitsville NEXT participants — and surprise special guests, all offering the community a chance to celebrate Motown magic together on Rocket Plaza, which is phase two of the museum’s $65 million expansion.

The day also will include a program about the inspirational life and legacy of Edwards. The program will feature dignitaries, Motown alumni, and special guests, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow who will celebrate Motown Museum’s $10 million federal designation that she personally championed.

The event will kick off the 2023 inaugural full summer season on Rocket Plaza, which will offer live and free entertainment and a summer-long series of community events that will make the plaza a vibrant and activated community gathering space.

Meade Lexus Partners with Blood Cancer Foundation to Fund Patient Transportation

 The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan (BCFM) in Farmington Hills will have the capacity to reimburse more travel to and from cancer treatment thanks to Meade Lexus, its new official Patient Transportation Partner.

For many blood cancer patients, lack of transportation creates a significant barrier to receiving life-saving treatment, and may contribute to disparities in cancer outcomes. Through its financial commitment, Meade Lexus will ensure BCFM never has to turn away a transportation reimbursement request.

“In the aftermath of the pandemic, it became apparent to us that many people would be receiving delayed diagnoses and would be in need of our services once things opened up,” says Heidi Grix, president and CEO of BCFM. “In response to the anticipated increased need, BCFM launched the Patient Growth Initiative, a plan to provide services for an additional 75 new patients during our 2022-2023 fiscal year. We are grateful to Meade Lexus for stepping up to support the initiative as our Patient Transportation Partner.”

Brett Amesse, general manager of Meade Lexus, says, “It is a great privilege to lend a hand and support those in our community during a time in their life when they need it most. We are excited to begin this new program with the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families, who continually inspire us with their strength, courage and bravery.”

Patients looking for support can visit BloodCancerFoundationMI.org or call 248-530-3000, or visit.

Forgotten Harvest’s 30th Annual Comedy Night Takes Stage Friday

Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park will be hosting its 30th Annual “For the Love of Detroit” Comedy Fundraiser at 8 p.m. Friday at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

Flint native Terry Crews, Sam Rager, Jeff Scheen, and Josh Adams are among the comedians scheduled to participate.

Proceeds from tickets, sponsorships, and auction sales will benefit Forgotten Harvest’s distribution efforts to its network of more than 200 agencies in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Tickets range from $25 to $90 and are available here.

New York’s Hit Band Fleur Seule Coming to New Grosse Pointe Park Cafe

Michael’s B’s, the planned cafe in Grosse Pointe Park to be operated by special young adults, is pulling out all the stops for its June 3 fundraiser featuring Fleur Seule, Manhattan’s retro jazz band.

The members of Fleur Seule will leave their home at the Tavern on the Green in the Big Apple to come to Grosse Pointe Park as the main act for Michael’s B’s “Raise the Roof” event with the slogan, “Dream with Us, Believe with Us.” The fundraiser and performances will take place in the parking lot between the Cabbage Patch Saloon and the future Michael B’s site on Mack Avenue between Maryland and Lakepointe.

“We were very fortunate that the daughter of one of our board members, Patty Sunisloe, is married to a member of Fleur Seule,” says Alicia Carlisle, president of Michael B’s. “When she approached her daughter and son-in-law, they were thrilled by the opportunity to promote a worthy cause.”

Fleur Seule will be preceded by local warm-up bands and a special rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by the Full Circle Singers. Featuring music, dancing, food trucks, Mama Rosa’s pizza, dessert and libations, the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 12:30 a.m.

The newly constructed, two-story Michael B’s Cafe is slated to open in the fall of 2024. The nonprofit’s board of directors is currently conducting a capital campaign to raise the $3 million estimated cost of the project.

Under the supervision of a trained chef and general manager, special young adults — many who are graduates of the Grosse Pointe Public School System and the Full Circle Foundation — help in preparing coffee, doughnuts, soups, salads, and sundry cafe items for the breakfast and lunch-time hours.

“The purpose of Michael B’s is to provide meaningful employment and camaraderie for our special young adults who have exhausted student programs,” Carlisle explains. At age 26, Carlisle’s son Michael is one such young man and inspiration for the cafe named in his and his friends’ honor.

Tickets are $175 in advance and $225 at the door the night of the event. Valet and trolley service will be provided. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to Host Shimmer on the River June 22

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will celebrate 20 years of the Detroit Riverfront during its largest annual fundraiser, Shimmer on the River, June 22 at Robert C. Valade Park.

The event will commemorate this landmark year and the individuals and organizations who have supported the conservancy’s vision over the last two decades. This family affair will be filled with all-ages fun, featuring live music, a festive Riverfront Boardwalk lined with summer activities and giveaways, the Delta Dental Adventure Park filled with games, inflatables, and obstacle courses, a strolling dinner from Detroit’s favorite food trucks, and more.

The conservancy will present its 2023 Shimmer Awards to James B. and Ann V. Nicholson and Mariam C. Noland and James A. Kelly.

Jim and Ann Nicholson have been a joint driving force for philanthropy and community leadership as leading supporters of the conservancy since 2008. Mariam Noland and Jim Kelly have been involved with the conservancy since its inception. Noland served as an inaugural board member whose vision for connecting greenways to the riverfront inspired the Dequindre Cut. Kelly is a national leader in education with a passion for volunteer advocacy.

To inquire about sponsoring the event, visit here. For tickets, visit here.