MSI communications Inc.: Laurie Fagnani provides insight worth knowing.

• Author: Kaminis, Markos N.
• Position: TOP WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Laurie Fagnani, owner, founder and president of MSI Communications Inc., spends her days promoting our state, its businesses, its initiatives and good works. MSI, which you may know by its former name, Marketing Solutions Inc., is a homegrown advertising and public relations firm engaging in every aspect of organizational communications. In fact, the company's name change, effective in late April, was initiated to better reflect the expanded tools and capabilities of a modern day communications firm, all of which MSI has embraced.

MANY SERVICES

The agency's suite of services include: branding, issue management & government affairs, campaign strategy, media relations, media placement, online marketing, printed materials, public relations, radio-in-house sound studio and editing suite, technical and creative copywriting, TV/video, Web site development and social media strategy. However, before MSI gets started with creative, the firm's mantra calls for the co-development of a marketing strategy with the client. Fagnani believes MSI's skill in this aspect of its service offering is her firm's core competency, because it prevents wasted effort and produces measurable results.

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HOMEGROWN BUSINESS

When we say MSI Communications is homegrown, we mean it literally. Not only was the company born in Anchorage, but its early beginnings sprouted out of a home business, albeit one run by one of Alaska's most insightful minds. Fagnani's story is intriguing and complex, but follows a logical path set toward success from the start.

Fagnani traveled the world at an early age. She was born in California, but her father's work for Japan Airlines quickly took her family to far away Asia while she was still just a little girl. The experience knitted her family tightly together, and gave her the respect for other cultures that she keeps today. Before she knew it though, her father was transferred to Alaska, and she's been here ever since.

MARKETING ROOTS

Somewhere along the line, Faguani gave up her childhood dream of becoming a park ranger for her true calling. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with an advertising emphasis and minor in marketing, from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her journey to marketing success started early and stayed en route throughout her life.

Fresh out of school, Fagnani's first few jobs in marketing solidified her understanding of the tourism industry. She says her time in hospitality embedded in...