The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber announced the appointment of Chuck Tanowitz as director of its N-Squared Innovation District economic development initiative.

In the newly-established role, Tanowitz will oversee efforts to promote, market and grow the N-Squared Innovation District to innovation economy businesses and employees while also advocating for transportation, housing and amenities improvements to the area.

Tanowitz had been consulting as the acting director since August 2016 and moves into the role full time following the successful completion of a fundraising campaign designed to market and grow the N-Squared project. He joins the N-Squared Innovation District from Eric Mower + Associates, a national branding firm, where he served as vice president in the company’s Boston office. There he helped such brands as Greentown Labs earn coverage from local and national media. He previously founded Fresh Ground, an agency focused on helping to market and promote rising startups. Tanowitz began his career as a broadcast journalist, working for both TV and radio, including a stint writing for nearby WCVB.

“Chuck has been part of this endeavor as a member of our original steering committee since we first undertook this project,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “He comes to us following a long successful career in marketing and has a passion for growing innovation and community building. He is the perfect person to lead this initiative.”

“The Newton and Needham area has all the hallmarks of innovation, including a strong talent pool, world-renowned research institutions and a base of impressive companies. Our goal is to create the right environment for people to come together to create and build something new,” said Tanowitz.

The Chamber raised $336,060 exceeding the expected goal of $325,000 (see other release here). The funding will sustain the effort for the next two years, helping it establish its position as a key destination for innovation.

In addition to the hiring of a director, the N-Squared initiative took the wraps off of a new graphical identity, as well as a new web presence. The new site can be found at http://www.n2innovationdistrict.com/. These are the building blocks of a full branding and marketing program that will be used to drive both attention and business to the area.