One is still growing in Ann Arbor as it passes its fifth anniversary; the other barely lasted a year as a marketing partner with the University of Michigan's Athletic Department.

Rise: Pure Visibility

The internet marketing company celebrated its 5th anniversary last week. The milestone comes as the Ann Arbor-based company continues its growth arc in an industry that is growing, too. Over the past five years, co-founders Linda Giraud and Catherine Juon have not only built their own company but also staked its place downtown and their places as experts in the complex field.

Fall: eSports Partners

The Dallas-based online retailer lost its contract with the University of Michigan Athletic Department to sell online and game-day apparel. U-M officials haven’t released the reason, but the move to award the contract to the company in 2009 raised some eyebrows, especially as eSports wasn’t able to fulfill its obligation to open a store near campus. However, the move is a win for Ann Arbor-based M Den, which gets its contract back - a move that we fully support because of the economic benefits to the local company.