Marketing & PR
Where to start with your marketing solutions?
So many choices—some much better than others.
Start with at least a dash of market research for your business or nonprofit. Learn from others’ best practices, from trends or economic data. Then we’ll build a plan and assemble a custom FlexTeam to craft your own unique solutions from the wide and growing variety of options for marketing and promotion.
An easy and smart first step
Energize your strategy and focus your thinking with our Marketing Snapshot. It examines your current efforts and your competition.
You get custom recommendations and the foundation for an effective marketing plan.
The most impressive part of the Snapshot process is that Randy takes time to listen & understand during the question & interview process. —Paul K., on his Marketing Snapshot
How can we bring success to your business or nonproft?
Take a look at solutions we’ve provided to a variety of business and nonprofit clients. These range from marketing plans to media stories, from branding to video, from direct mail to opening events, and from traditional to Internet marketing, including websites and social media.
A PORTFOLIO of 13 marketing & PR mini-case studies
Including: RESTAURANT | BAKERY | TAVERN | WATER LIMO | BANK | NEIGHBORHOOD | CONTRACTOR | CAPTIONER | VACATION HOME | ART MUSEUM | CHILDREN’S THEATER | JEWELRY STORE | BOUTIQUE HOTEL | LASER MEDI-SPA
1, 2, 3. Launch new restaurant, plus 2 more businesses in a community
We designed and implemented the restaurant launch, from concept and market research to the business plan, from brand identity and media relations to the website and Grand Opening.
Results: great media coverage, a loud “buzz” in the market, more than 550 people at opening events and initial sales that greatly exceeded forecasts.
A few years earlier one of our FlexTeams also helped to launch Priory Fine Pastries. More recently they built an Internet marketing platform for The Park House tavern in the same Deutschtown community. Click on the image below to see the colorful branding posters our talented illustrator created for the Park House.
Randy is a rare find and professional who works at the highest level of integrity and excellence. He assesses information quickly and accurately pushes projects forward, while producing cost effective results painlessly.—Nikki H., on her restaurant launch
4. Welcome Fantasy with media stories
On short notice before the arrival of a new yacht to launch Pittsburgh Luxury Cruises, generated 3 media stories to welcome the boat and announce the new business. Results: coverage in the Post-Gazette, KDKA TV and PopCity online.
5. Grow referral business for bank
Produced a National City (now PNC) customer referral program for loans. Results: $1,015,000 in new business and loans, as well as 3rd generation referrals beyond the initial campaign.
6. Re-brand contractor, then grow and update strategies yearly
In the begining, we focused and updated the brand and identity of this upscale, award-winning contractor, featuring 4 icons that spotlight key marketing messages. The brand refresh translated into signs, literature, print ads, media stories and a trade show booth.
In Phase 2, a new and rebranded website featured multiple awards, a strong portfolio and an innovative icon system for the 4 Key Messages of this upscale remodeling contractor. A new WordPress blog featured tips and industry and company news, plus case studies on award winning projects.
In Phase 3, we completely rebuilt the Master Remodelers website, going for a cleaner look, plus more user- and mobile- friendliness. The lush portfolios feature larger images and easier browsing. Wonderful customer testimonials appeared throughout the website on dozens of pages. The new site also spotlighted the new video created in partnership with Housetrends Pittsburgh magazine. Thanks to Imagebox for their great partnership on this project.
In addition to these online strategies, for several years we produced postcard mailings and print ads for the analog world of marketing. Click on the image below to enlarge samples.
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7. Market TV captioning company with video
Produced a national marketing video for this growing company that captions video for broadcast. Results: company continues to grow and client called it “a fine product… when we want to update it, your phone will be the first to ring.” [see sample on video reel]
You were very creative and attentive to our needs—and innovative, within the budget limitations… It is a fine product. When we want to update it, your phone will be the first to ring.—Jeff H. on a national marketing video
8. Market fractional vacation homes
Developed stronger branding and marketing strategies. For Second Homes at Deep Creek Lake, Randy collaborated with B. James Branding to produce:
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a marketing plan & budget
• a 3-part direct mail series to 3 cities
• a multi-piece, flexible sales kit
• a 3-city media relations campaign
Results: stronger brand, new sales “toolkit,” more targeted marketing… and increased sales.
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9. Produce marketing video for Alabama art museum
Produced a promotional video for visitors to the Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art and for uses in other venues.
Results: very warm reception by client and visitors, plus ongoing use in the Museum.
(more about marketing video capabilities)
10. Grow audience for theater company
Improved design and marketing strategies for a children’s theater company. Included: posters, mailers, flyers, contest, media relations, corporate ticket sales and sponsorships, community relations and strategic planning.
Results: increased attendance by 50%, built new partnerships, strengthened brand.
(more on nonprofit marketing & fund raising)
11. Promote holiday sales for jewelry story
Produced Schiffmann’s Jewelers promotions for 5 years, including: marketing plans, mailers to 13,000 customers, customer events, ads, public and media relations.
Results: cut promotion costs 40%, customers maintained in a competitive market, and media coverage.
12. Refine ads & strategies for boutique hotel
Produced several variations of ads for the hotel, including versions for tourists and for business travelers.
Included: new messages and designs, print marketing collateral, ad liaison with media and a calendar-year marketing strategy. Click on the image here to see flyer sample.
Results: room & event booking consistency improved annually.
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13. Create brand consistency for laser center
Redesigned and created print pieces and ad campaigns. Included: referral card, open house invite, brochure, gift certificate, mailer, magazine ads and radio commercials.
Result: consistent look, branding and messaging synchs with style of a new office design. [branding samples PDF]
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