Diverse Group of Firms Shares a Fast-Growing Bond

Traditional Companies Employ Up-to-Date Strategies

In the hip branding and marketing space, San Diego-based MiresBall is the elder on the Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. The company started in 1984, the year that former California Gov. Ronald Reagan was reelected as president of the United States and Apple Inc.’s first Macintosh computer went on sale.

“While the mediums have changed—print, to video, to interactive—effective brand strategies have largely remained the same,” said CEO Scott Mires. “We love to learn and grow, so change makes our job that much more interesting.”

The 33-person agency has increased revenues by 53%, to $10.6 million in 2010 from $6.9 million in 2008, thanks to clients who see the recession as a branding opportunity, Mires said. “While many companies have clearly been stung by the recession and continued economic downturn, others are following the old adage of marketing during the down economy,” he said, adding that MiresBall has recently added new clients in the health care, luxury products and technology sectors.