In 1999, Ed King and Steven Winokur founded WOWappeal, an interactive media communications company. WOWappeal’s clients included Georgia-Pacific, GE, Federated Department Stores, CompUSA, Macy’s, and other leading organizations. The WOWappeal team focused on improving how businesses communicate with customers and employees. The firm built a strong reputation for creating and redesigning corporate images, producing training programs, and devising innovative ways for companies to “break through” to their audiences.

During that time, clients realized that WOWappeal was different from other design firms.  Ed and Steven understood that communications campaigns had to have a positive impact on the long-term bottom line to be successful.  The “deliverables” had to honestly reflect the values and strengths of the company's culture.

In 2001, an assignment for Michigan-based LASON, Inc. – a major document management company – began the evolution of WOWappeal to Turning Point Strategies. LASON initially engaged WOWappeal to create name, logo, and tag line for a new product. Based on the success of that project, LASON entrusted Ed and Steven to address its most critical problem: LASON had just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and its corporate brand had to be revived. WOWappeal’s strategy included creation of an empowering and differentiated brand for LASON’s 4,000 employees and soon-to-expand customer base.  Along with its tagline “Outsource to the Secure Source,” the “Global Security Force” has its own mascot, worksite décor, and measurable online training program.  Immediately after the launch, LASON had the most profitable month in its history and growth has continued to climb.

Ed and Steven knew that they had a unique approach which could benefit other organizations.  They were passionate about the process they had created and the results they had delivered.  Continuing as WOWappeal, they turned out successful strategy-driven “relaunches” for companies like Big O Tires and Cabot Cheese, while managing the core design business.  All the while, they wanted to focus on helping companies chart a new and better course for success.

In 2005, Turning Point Strategies was launched.