Marketing & PR
Where to start with your Pittsburgh 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 data. Then lets 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. [Marketing Toolkit PDF]
An Easy and Smart First Step
Energize your strategy and focus your thinking with our Marketing Snapshot. It evaluates your current efforts and your competition. You get custom recommendations and the foundation for an effective plan. Businesses give it rave reviews!
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
What can we do for your business or nonproft?
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[ A Marketing & PR PORTFOLIO ]
Here’s what we’ve done for others: from business launches to branding, from media relations to direct mail, from fund raising to marketing videos.
More examples in News, including website projects.
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Launch new restaurant
Designed and implemented the 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 Strothman Associates also helped to launch Priory Fine Pastries and more recently built a web marketing strategy for The Park House in the same Deutschtown community.
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
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.
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.
Rebrand contractor… translate to ads and the web
The Associates have crafted numerous logos and wordmarks and brands for businesses and nonprofits, including startups.
For Master Remodelers a brand refresh of this established company translated into signs, literature, ads media stories and a trade show booth. (read blog post here about phase 1)
Plus a new, rebranded website features a strong portfolio and awards and an innovative icon system for the 4 Key Messages of this upscale remodeling contractor. A new blog features tips and industry news.
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
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:
- 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.
Promote Alabama American art museum
Produced a promotional video for visitors to the Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art and for use in other venues. Results: very warm reception by client and visitors, plus ongoing use in the Museum.
(more about marketing video capabilities)
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.
See more nonprofit marketing & fund raising…
Examples of branding & marketing communities…
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Promote holiday sales for jewelry store
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.
Refine ads & strategies for hotel
Produced several variations of ads for the hotel, including versions for tourists and for business travelers. Included: new messages and designs, ad liaison with media and calendar-year marketing strategy [PDF]. Results: business consistency improved.
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Create brand consistency for MD’s 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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