CHICAGO - Today, Mayor Emanuel visited 300 W. Adams, a building that houses a number of the fastest growing technology companies in the Chicago area. The three companies that the Mayor visited – Vibes Media, Ifbyphone, and Emmi Solutions – will create between 150 and 200 jobs in the coming years as they grow alongside the Chicago technology community.

“These companies are a great example of the best of the Chicago technology community,” said Mayor Emanuel. “They are providing cutting-edge solutions to 21st century problems, and they are attracting and hiring the best and brightest that Chicago has to offer. I am 100 percent focused on building an environment in Chicago that attracts young talent and offers them the ability to find high-paying, exciting work, so they can make their lives in the city.”

Founded in 1998, Vibes Media is a mobile marketing and technology company that has been pioneering its industry for the past 14 years. Vibes helps some of the world’s biggest brands acquire, engage and deepen relationships throughout the customer lifecycle via mobile. Vibes’ Catapult technology platform enables brands, agencies and media companies to launch a wide range of mobile solutions. Far beyond simple messaging, Vibes has evolved to deliver solutions that bring consumers closer to the products and brands they love, and empower businesses to elevate their marketing efforts like never before.

“The single most important issue facing any growing company is finding and hiring people with the skills and values to fit its unique needs,” said Alex Campbell, co-founder and chief innovation officer of Vibes Media. “As a technology company that builds software, we always need strong developers and mobile industry talent that will continue to position Vibes as a market leader, and ultimately, Chicago as a technology and innovation hub.”

Ifbyphone is the leading voice-based marketing automation platform that manages, measures and automates sales and service calls — including ad tracking, lead distribution, hosted IVR, and voice broadcasting. The Ifbyphone suite is a set of software-as-a-service applications implemented easily across an organization to drive sales and improve customer interactions. Companies of all sizes and across all industries use the Ifbyphone platform, including direct response, health care, real estate, home services, and a variety of marketing applications.

"I am thrilled that Ifbyphone is a part of the thriving Chicago tech community," said Irv Shapiro, CEO of Ifbyphone. "I have built three national businesses in Chicago which has consistently provided me with a rich business environment and access to superior talent. I look forward to a continued strong relationship with the city."

Emmi Solutions creates interactive platforms that deliver actionable health information to patients via multiple modalities at key moments across the continuum of care. Emmi’s patented technology has been demonstrated to help healthcare providers reduce costs, increase revenue and improve outcomes. The company recently signed agreements with several new clients, reinforcing its lead among the patient engagement technology market.  

“Healthcare reform and shifting models of reimbursement are putting increased pressure on providers to engage patients to self-manage and be an integral part of their care team. Our proven ability to effectively do this has accelerated our recent growth,” said Devin Gross, Emmi Solutions CEO. “We are proud of the impact we’re having on Chicago’s economy. In addition, we’re proud of the work we’re doing with Chicago providers to engage Chicagoans to take a more active role in their own healthcare.”  

In addition to creating jobs and growing Chicago’s economy, each of the three companies at 300 W. Adams are participating in other corporate citizenship endeavors alongside the Mayor’s office. In October, the companies will participate in ThinkChicago, offering the students who come to Chicago an opportunity to see what they do and interact directly with their leadership. Additionally, each of the three companies has agreed to be a part of City Colleges of Chicago’s College to Careers program, and will advise on the development of course work and curriculum to support graduates finding jobs in crucial technology sectors.

During his administration, Mayor Emanuel has made more than 35 jobs announcements, heralding the creation of more than 20,000 jobs in Chicago. In recent weeks, Mayor Emanuel has made a number of crucial announcements in the technology sector, beginning with the announcement that Motorola Mobility will move its entire headquarters operation from Libertyville to Chicago. Mayor Emanuel additionally recently visited with Braintree Payment Solutions, a growing payments company that is adding jobs on the western side of downtown.

Fostering the technology economy -- particularly with small businesses -- is a crucial part of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, produced by World Business Chicago at Mayor Emanuel’s request earlier this year. The companies at 300 W. Adams have benefited from particular attention from World Business Chicago, including assistance in finding talented engineers and developers. 

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