Indianapolis Business Journal

After years of pipeline failures, Eli Lilly and Co. is on a bit of a hot streak. J.K. Wall reports on some needed successes in clinical trials for experimental drugs, and how Lilly’s strategy has changed. Also in this week’s issue, Scott Olson has the latest on the fate of the former General Motors stamping plant site near downtown, dealt a blow by the cancelled deal for a criminal justice center. And the whole staff teams up for our annual “Indiana 100” publication, a look at the state’s top companies.

Add another worry for players in Indy's hyper-competitive TV broadcasting business: Nielsen is planning a big change to how it computes audience numbers. In this week's IBJ, Anthony Schoettle unpacks the potential pitfalls. Also this week, Lou Harry looks at the ambitious plans of arts group Big Car to transform a south-side neighborhood. And Sam Stall has a story you won't want to miss on a Shelby County fix-it man who keeps typewriters clacking.

HHGregg Inc. has tried for four years to reverse sliding sales. Now it’s ready to take drastic measures. In this week’s IBJ, Scott Olson reports that Gregg plans to cut costs by $50 million—and inventory by another $50 million. Also this week, Jared Council takes stock of the new services promising to deliver restaurant meals to your door. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry has high praise for Nourish on the near-south side.

The pace of business has never been faster. A new product or service can lay waste to competitors in a matter of weeks or days. In this week’s special issue, IBJ embraces innovation. Mason King explains how local companies known for liquid thinking accelerate meaningful change. J.K. Wall digs into the days when Indianapolis was known as a hub for innovation, and shows how those early successes point the way forward. The issue also profiles little-known trailblazers at the forefront of their fields, and provides analysis from big thinkers like Scott Jones, Chris Baggott and Justin Christian. Click here to access the whole package online.
 

Even though it's only 7 years old, the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center already appears to be ill-suited for the future of cancer care. In this week’s issue, J.K. Wall reports that the future of the $150 million center is in question. Also this week, Anthony Schoettle has the story of how one member of the Indianapolis Indians’ sales department helped triple sponsorship revenue. And in A&E, Mike Lopresti checks in with the family of injured basketball player Josh Speidel.

Michael Andretti never seemed to show much interest in any aspect of racing beyond the driving part, which makes his quick ascension to the ranks of elite team owners even more surprising. In this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle details Andretti’s burgeoning empire and his intense level of involvement in all facets. Also this week, Greg Andrews examines the latest changes at Angie’s List. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry features Flix Brewhouse in Carmel.

The state tourism campaign “Honest to Goodness” was divisive from the start, but it has taken on even more baggage with the recent fight over Indiana’s religious freedom law. Anthony Schoettle reports that the public relations firm hired to help reform the state’s image will take a close look at the campaign. Also in this week’s issue, J.K. Wall reveals that the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology is in the midst of an exodus of doctors rankled by compensation and privacy issues. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry reviews a pair of new eateries in SoBro.

The $1 billion plan to revamp and recast Methodist Hospital also will have a seismic effect on the surrounding area in downtown's Near North neighborhood. Scott Olson gets a handle on the scope of the projects and what to expect from the next steps. Also in this week’s issue, IBJ details the Midwestern expansion plans of the homegrown Yats chain. And in Focus, we look at how office space is changing to fit the tastes of millenials.

Social-media analytics firm Geofeedia didn’t have a presence in Indianapolis until October, and now it has committed to hiring 300-plus workers for its local office and is contemplating moving its headquarters here from Chicago. Jared Council explains how the firm quickly took root in Indy. Also in this week’s issue, Kathleen McLaughlin reports on the reservoir of cash awaiting use for economic development in downtown’s TIF district. One critic calls it a “slush fund.” And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti visits Brad Stevens in Boston to get a read on the former Butler coach’s success with the Celtics.

Indianapolis officials are dealing with a rash of applications for gas stations in some areas as developers try to beat a looming moratorium on their construction. Scott Olson explains the big rush and reveals where the proposed stations would be located. Also in this week’s issue, Kathleen McLaughlin reveals that the state is eyeing downtown’s Central Canal for a $25 million archives building. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry holds forth on the flock of new plays descending on local theaters.

From Mayor Greg Ballard’s perspective, WMB Heartland Justice Partners didn’t just have the best bid for building the city’s new criminal justice complex. It had the only bid the city could afford. Kathleen McLaughlin reports a key detail not widely advertised when the city received bids from three developers: Only Heartland met the requirement for maximum first-year payment. Also in this week’s issue, Scott Olson spotlights the change in leadership at Browning Investments Inc. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry reviews the new Yard House in Circle Centre.

Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle wasn’t the first business leader to denounce Indiana’s religious freedom law, but he was among the first prominent Indiana Republicans to vocally support gay rights. Jared Council explores his advocacy for gay rights and how he arrived at his decision to protest the law. Also in this issue, Kathleen McLaughlin scrutinizes the “one-bin” process for trash and recyclables that Indianapolis wants to institute. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry tests out Burger Theory by the airport.

Nurses at Indiana University Health’s downtown hospitals are moving quickly to form a union in a bid they say is designed to improve their own working conditions and pay and to improve care for patients. J.K. Wall reports the move could spark nurses at other hospitals to follow suit. Also this week, Lou Harry looks at the tough calculus thespians face when deciding to join the stage actors union. And in Focus, Scott Olson examines online residential brokerage Redfin, which aims to shake up the Indianapolis market.

After wearing the mantle of “emerging neighborhood” for two decades, Fountain Square has finally arrived in a way the business community can easily understand. Scott Olson reports that properties are fetching several multiples of their assessed values, proving the demand to locate in the hot area. Also this week, Jared Council illustrates the blurring lines between CMOs and CIOs in the C-suite. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry browses the new exhibition dedicated to the history of L.S. Ayres.

The IndyCar Series and USA Today have agreed to merge marketing, advertising and news coverage in a deal some observers describe as ethically worrisome. As Anthony Schoettle reports, USA Today will produce stories and special sections about IndyCar in exchange for preferred access to series bigwigs and potential advertisers. Also in this issue, Greg Andrews examines how Simon Property Group might proceed with its proposed $22.4 billion acquisition of Macerich Co. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti looks back on great moments in Indy’s history of hosting the Final Four.

The cost of sponsoring emerging NASCAR star and Type 1 diabetic Ryan Reed may be a drop in the bucket for Eli Lilly & Co., which spends more than $445 million annually on advertising. But the investment in Reed is starting to pay off and could help boost Lilly's market share in diabetes, IBJ's Anthony Schoettle reports. Also this week, Kathleen McLaughlin explains how the owners of 20 polluted industrial sites are hiding behind legal protections of a state-run voluntary cleanup program, and Lindsey Erdody reports that pizza and beer could be the key to a commercial turnaround for the Village of West Clay in Carmel. And in A&E Etc., a caffeinated look at the pour-over coffee craze and Lou Harry reviews the homegrown Icarus Ensemble.

White River State Park officials are working on plans to acquire part of the former GM stamping plant site and build a permanent music venue to replace The Lawn. Kathleen McLaughlin has the scoop.  Also this week, Anthony Schoettle unpacks how middling radio station WRWM-FM 93.9 turned the tables on its competitors, rocketing to first place one month after switching its format to old school hip hop. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry says Bent Rail Brewery will be famous for its sandwiches before its beer, and Mike Lopresti lowers the curtain on a Butler fairy tail.

Back in early 2008, ChaCha Search Inc. seemed like it was poised to become a major player in the digital search market. Voice mail pioneer Scott Jones was the prime mover, and some big names in tech were providing funding. In this week’s issue, Jared Council answers the question, “How did ChaCha lose its mojo?” Also this week, Scott Olson examines the sudden disappearance of thousands of downtown parking lots. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry reviews Tinker Street, the new eatery from restaurant veteran Peter George.