CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - March 18, 2009. Strategic marketing firm Henry Russell Bruce (HRB) today announced its merger with the Internet Marketing Group, an Internet marketing, search engine optimization and web development company based in Cedar Rapids.

Internet Marketing Group owner, Jeff McEachron, will become a Vice President of Internet Operations for HRB and will be responsible for all Internet marketing, interactive media, email marketing and social networking programs. McEachron will be a member of HRB’s senior management team.

“The addition of Jeff to our team brings a significant new dimension to our Web marketing capabilities,” said HRB President Steve Erickson. “He is Google AdWords qualified and has devoted several years of his life to understanding the best ways to build and optimize Web sites that generate substantial leads and make money for his clients. He is an expert in this area and will take HRB and its clients into social media in a very big way.”

McEachron, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management, computer information systems, is a Web strategist and programmer who has an expert understanding of multiple technologies and how to apply and integrate them for the benefits of clients.

“Jeff brings a much sought after skill set to our full service agency,” said HRB CEO Jim Thebeau. “He is probably the most knowledgeable person in the region on boosting search engine rankings for clients on Google. In fact, he was featured last year in a Google case study for the significant Internet marketing sales he generated for key clients.”

HRB has signed a letter of intent to purchase the Internet Marketing Group.

“This is an exciting time for HRB and Internet Marketing Group clients. They can expect to see the same high level of customer support combined with expanded service offerings as we leverage the strengths of both companies,” said McEachron.

McEachron starts in this newly created position on March 23.

Henry Russell Bruce is a strategic marketing firm that uses research, brand-building, advertising, media, creative, public relations and Web strategies to help clients grow market share, generate new business, create brand loyalty and measure marketing results to build and support its clients’ brands. HRB, founded in 1973, has offices in Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa. For more information, contact HRB at 319.298.0242 or 563.322.0577, or visit www.hrb-ideas.com