Count 10 and Chute

10 Worldwide (Columbus, Ohio), a marketing services firm offering marketing communications, brand strategy, advertising, and digital design services through a collaborative community of marketing specialists, has added retail design firm and Columbus neighbor Chute Gerdeman to its network. The addition, said 10 Worldwide chairman and ceo Martin Beck, “expands the range of [our] holistic marketing services to include expertise in retail design.”

Chute Gerdeman will retain its name and current offices. Principals and co-founders Elle Chute and Denny Gerdeman will serve as managing partners in the new relationship. “We're delighted to add Chute Gerdeman's expertise in developing consumer environments to the holistic brand consulting we provide to our clients,” said Beck said. “Elle and Denny share 10 Worldwide's passion for building consistent, compelling brand experiences for consumers at all points of customer contact.”

“This kind of 'networked'company is the wave of the future,” said Gerdeman. “The collaboration will allow us to better assist our clients with multi-channel marketing services. 10 Worldwide clients will be able to extend their brands into stores and, in turn, Chute Gerdeman clients can more easily move into new brand channels.” Those clients have included Blockbuster, Macy's, Wal-Mart, Target, Bank One, The Limited, Nationwide Arena, LensCrafters, CompUSA, Eckerd Drugstores, Stride Rite, Sara Lee, Red Lobster, NCR, Donatos Pizza and Eddie Bauer.

Gerdeman began his career in 1976 as a designer with The Limited. Chute began her career in 1978 with the Alton Doody Co. (now RPA). She joined Nexus in 1982 as senior designer. Nexus later merged with RichardsonSmith and was then acquired by Fitch Inc. Chute Gerdeman, Inc. was formed in 1989, in Columbus. It now has additional offices in Chicago and Dallas. 10 Worldwide's Beck is the former ceo of Fitch in Columbus.