Referent

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Partner & COO of Alloy Fundraising

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Alloy Fundraising offers grant research and writing, event planning, and strategic fundraising for nonprofit organizations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Referent to accomplish?

• Rename a firm that was the product of two merging firms
• Develop a logo and visual language for the new business
• Develop and launch a new website
• Develop a content management system for the website

SOLUTION

How did you find Referent?

Referral

Why did you select Referent over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Aaron and the Referent team started from scratch with our small business and led us through a successful rebranding journey! Referent listened intently. They quickly learned about our company and our sector. The first phase was a new company name and logo. We also worked together on a visual library to get us started with marketing (icons, backgrounds, and a simple style guide). Finally, we worked on a new website on a content management platform so our internal team could manage ongoing updates. The website is on WordPress and has exceeded our expectations!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

1) Rapid growth as a result of renaming, rebranding, and marketing a company that was previously reliant on word of mouth.

2) Increased community interest in Alloy's work as a result of the new brand.

3) Opportunities for thought leadership in our sector as a result of a new polished and engaging brand.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, the project management made sense. We were able to work with one primary contact, which was very helpful. They are responsive, professional, and wonderful to work with!

What was your primary form of communication with Referent?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Referent took on a complex project for an expanding small business. Renaming and developing an entirely new look and feel can get complicated, but Referent's expertise streamlined the process for us. The result is a new brand that everyone on our team feels connected to and is proud of, setting us up for success in our next stage!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Referent could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of Go HQ

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Go HQ provides Back Office Support services for transportation busineses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Referent to accomplish?

• Brand Porfolio Architecture
• New Visual Identity
• Communication Guide
• New Websites

SOLUTION

How did you find Referent?

Referral

Why did you select Referent over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Comprehensive Approach to Project

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We were regularly presented with names, designs, website dev previews, copywriting for approval, etc. Each week significant progress was made on the next deliverable - and if any delays were faced, we would add a call to review within a few business days 

We recently went through an acquisition of a well-known brand in our industry. We were uncertain on the strategy of presenting two alike, but distinctly different brands to showcase cohesion but maintain brand equity. Aaron completed the following:

1.      Stakeholder Interviews

2.      Customer Surveys

3.      Competitive Research

4.      Audience Segmentation

5.      Portfolio Architecture and Strategy

6.      Holding Company Brand Strategy

7.      Subcompany Brand Strategies

8.      New Visual Identities Across Family of Brands (Logo Redesigns)

9.      Website Builds (x3)

10.    Development to Communication Guide

11.    Development of Extensive Brand Family Guide

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

To start Referent provided us with a project overview by week that gave us a clear picture of what should be completed when.

Each week Referent had a (1) hours touchpoint to showcase progress, provide options for approval and outline next steps. They did an incredible job of synthesizing information and providing very informed recommendation, making next step decisions simple to make.

We were regularly presented with design concepts, copywriting for approval and website dev previews to discuss or approve. It was impressive the work that was completed on a week-to-week basis with nearly all deadlines being met. In the off chance there was a delay, we would add a call within a few business days to get the project back on schedule.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

As stated, there was a clear Project Overview by Week presented on the front end. We threw in quite a few curve balls as our business evolved during the tenure of the project and the Referent team took them in stride. Over the course of a yearlong project we were able to close everything out within 4 week of the projected deadline, many delays related to us (client) in getting approvals or information back timely.

What was your primary form of communication with Referent?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We have a complicated business in a niche market. Referent’s uncanny ability to understand our business model and our ideal customers so quickly stood out early, and a major reason we chose to move forward with their firm. They would conduct read-backs on what they have learned and how they interpreted that from a marketing perspective. At times it was a learning opportunity for our executive team to understand ourselves in greater detail than we had previously. That understand only grew deeper over the course of the project. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Referent could have done differently?

Referent exceeded my expectations on nearly all fronts. Thorough work on the front end to build a road map was robust, their designs work was crisp and innovative, their attention to the smallest detail really made them feel like part of our team vs an outsourced agent. They have really felt like a true partner throughout the process. Would not have done anything differently.