App Promo

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

NYNJA is developing a blockchain-based freelance marketplace where talented professionals can find work and businesses and talent in real-time to reduce the cost and friction associated with hiring talent online.

As marketing director at NYNJA, I am responsible for driving user adoption and retention on the initial application and to drive awareness of NYNJA as a brand in blockchain and freelance circles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire App Promo?

App Promo was hired to assist with our app promotion strategy, to help with user acquisition and retention. Their mandate has broadened over the course of our relationship to include social, email, and content marketing. With a small marketing team internally, App Promo and their founder, Gary Yentin, really helped us build out our capabilities so we could reach more people and identify what channels were effective and where we needed to put more attention. This all happened while they were dramatically improving our user acquisition processes and how we thought about our target market.

What were your goals for this project?

While App Promo's initial mandate was to drive user adoption, following collaboration with industry partners they facilitated we really learned that we needed more fundamental changes in our application and how we tracked user engagement in the application. This would help us to maximize the effectiveness of our marketing spend on both user acquisition and ultimately retention.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed a number of different vendors after having worked with several others found via referral or through online research. App Promo had the most robust and thoughtful proposal that we had seen that actually took the time to delve into what our actual business challenges were instead of providing a cookie cutter approach to brand recognition and ad spend.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The App Promo team effectively became an extension of the NYNJA marketing team. While the broader marketing plan was developed internally, the App Promo team took the lead on developing plans around content and user acquisition and really helped to execute on everything from content to social media planning and content curation, user acquisition via app store optimization and advertising as well as partnership opportunities with the Samsung Galaxy Store.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with the founder, Gary and his team as our requirements grew. He and his team have been incredible with their dedication to our success and extremely patient with us as our requirements changed and their mandate would change in turn.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

While I won't share results here, I would say that I was extremely impressed by App Promo's ability to get up and go quickly. Our downloads are a multiple of what they were when their team began and we continue to see value from their efforts.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Seamless. Gary and his team worked with us like we were their only client, even though I know for a fact that this isn't the case. More agencies should endeavor to provide that level of client service.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Just their overall commitment to our success and the steadfast nature they took to going about it no matter what. Their confidence in us and their ability to succeed really gave us the confidence that we needed to move forward.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not on their end, no.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of a company that developed the app, Zootch, a private platform that allows people to chat with nearby users without sharing their contact information.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with App Promo?

We needed assistance, guidance, direction, and knowledge on how we could enhance and market our app.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They analyzed our data and advised on marketing the app. We ran a promotional campaign in Toronto and the US, and App Promo consulted on that campaign. They also helped prepare a deck to present to investors.

What is the team composition?

I deal directly with App Promo’s president and he delegates tasks to the team.

How did you come to work with App Promo?

I wanted a boutique type of company that would be hands-on with us. I didn’t our app to be lost in a big corporation. I also wanted to work with a local company. It was nice that App Promo is based in the same city as we are, so I was able to interview them in person.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2019 and it is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We saw an increase in the number of downloads in the areas our campaign ran. App Promo was very helpful, and our partnership benefited our app a lot.

How did App Promo perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was excellent. We communicated via email and text but were also able to hold in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They actually care and are passionate about helping their client succeed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they need to improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You need to be open and honest with them—tell them your concerns, goals, and what you want to achieve. They’ll take their experience and help you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior marketing manager of a children’s television network that has over 40 apps in the App Store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with App Promo?

Our digital marketing group was new and needed help with user acquisition, so we reached out to App Promo. We wanted them to help us understand our audience and how we could make our brand stand out against the competition.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started with doing an analysis of different digital apps for children in the App Store to see how their landing pages and designs spoke for their brands. We didn’t have a specific presence at that time, so doing that complete analysis was necessary. The second phase consisted of them providing instructions on how to reach parents and children through both design and content. There was a 30-page deck that elaborated on the different aspects of what each competitor was doing correctly and what they were doing wrong. We used this to determine how we could expand our brand and go above our competitors.

Gary (CEO & Founder, App Promo) also requested creative assets from us to be able to do marketing tests and A/B tests, which were new for us. It was the beginning of we started to grow our audience and evolve the team dynamic to what it is now.

What is the team composition?

Gary and I touched base every morning to discuss progress and see what he needed from my team. He also had a researcher working for him who did the initial deep dive.

How did you come to work with App Promo?

I came in towards the end of the first engagement, so I’m unsure how it started.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August 2016 until May 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We created a full experience on the game landing page as a result of our engagement with App Promo. The phase 2 growth and media channel test started in January 2017 and was completed in May, increasing our new subscribers from 48,000 to 50,000.

How did App Promo perform from a project management standpoint?

Working with Gary was a pleasure. He was very vocal regarding games and how we could acquire new users, as well as what those users would look like. He gave feedback on a third-party report since he had over 20 years of experience in the marketplace. Most companies don’t have the patience to talk you through things and explain what’s going on in the marketing. They can’t estimate what’s going on or what will happen in the future because they haven’t been in the business for a long time, which is necessary to help a business flourish within the digital space. We leveraged Gary’s expertise for campaigns that we still use to this day. The researcher he assigned was also very thorough and informative about what she found and her progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was a new experience for our team and App Promo was very hands-on and detailed in their approach. They were really proactive to show what they were accomplishing throughout every step.

I’m still in contact with Gary and he doesn’t charge me for advice. I value his opinion, oversight, and experience because he’s been in the industry for so long. He’s always there for me.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no suggestions for improvement. They were a great asset and it was a really positive engagement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Listen to what they’re actually saying and the advice they give you. You don’t have to use all of it, but it’s important to listen because their direction will help you in the long run. You’re paying for it, so you should take advantage of that.

BACKGROUND

Please introduce your business and what you do there.

The company I work for is a mobile analytics and engagement platform. I’m Vice President of Content Marketing. I’m in charge of media relations, social media, and content production related to our blog, white papers, and the guest articles we post on other sites.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with App Promo?

We received funding in 2013 from Sequoia Capital India, and have offices in Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale, New York, Los Angeles, and Mumbai. As a startup in the industry coming into the US market, we were looking for a partner that was more of a boutique agency that could give us a personalized service but also had a global approach when it came to social media and content production.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

App Promo is our social media agency of record. They oversee all our social media, which includes Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I collaborate with them on social media posts ranging from general routine corporate posts to posts about special events. We also completed an event in Toronto that they produced for us—a breakfast summit about mobile engagement and analytics.

How did you come to work with App Promo?

I’ve known the CEO for about 12 years. I worked with him previously at another company. I was working on a project with him for Virgin Mobile, and then I was in charge of mobile marketing for Bandai Namco. He was our social media agency there. When I accepted the position here, we didn’t have a social media agency, so I hired him to work with us because I had a positive experience with him in the past.

How much have you invested with App Promo?

We are on a monthly retainer, which comes to about $100,000 a year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work or the impact of the engagement?

What’s unique about App Promo is that because we’re a global company with over 3,000 clients worldwide, it’s really important to produce social media content that’s relevant not only in general terms, but more specific terms based on the markets we’re trying to reach. I was able to work with their team to develop a content strategy that’s relevant and speaks to the mobile analytics and engagement market. We needed to be conscious of producing content that might be more interesting to people in India or Europe.

We found that all of our social media engagement is purely organic. We don’t do any boost of any content. Our profile gets a tremendous number of views—about 7,000 people visit our profile every month. We have gone from zero to about 4,000 followers in less than a year. Because it’s all purely organic, 70% of the people that follow us are mobile developers, mobile marketers, or data scientists. That lets us know that we’re speaking to the audience that we’re actually targeting. App Promo helps us identify who our target audience is and then crafts content that speaks to that audience to keep them engaged. They help us grow organically, which translates into new customers.

How did App Promo perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent. They are hands-on and available anytime. I work primarily with their person in London, which is beneficial to us because she has more of a global perspective. I find App Promo professional, engaging, and easy to work with. They’re available 24/7 if needed.

What did you find most impressive about App Promo?

In my previous job, they did App Store optimization for the mobile games at Bandai Namco, so I would say that their CEO is a very well-respected executive in the industry. He has a tremendous amount of integrity and is very authentic. He is very straightforward and honest about his opinion of what he thinks will work and not work. Sometimes I’ve found that some agencies have been afraid to really be straightforward. I appreciate the fact that he’s honest and will give us options for what we should or shouldn’t be doing.

The fact that App Promo is able to provide a more global perspective is important, especially since we’re producing an app for a global audience. There are agencies that are excellent in North America but wouldn’t have a clue on how to promote an app in Europe or Asia. The staff at App Promo is very diverse, has great relationships all over the world, and is a pleasure to work with.

Are there any areas App Promo could improve?

No. As a startup, we’re always needing to shift quickly, and App Promo is very nimble and accommodating when we want to change strategies or if we have a new idea we want to roll out. I haven’t had a negative experience with them. Their core strengths are App Store optimization, social media, and the press—these are the key areas in which I’ve successfully worked with App Promo.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization. What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m currently the vice president of mobile strategy at 3Q Digital, an independent digital marketing agency. However, I’ve been in multiple mobile strategy lead roles where I’ve partnered with App Promo.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with App Promo?

I’ve worked with App Promo on a number of projects of varying sizes. My first engagement with App Promo was to help me manage a mobile user acquisition campaign. In addition to user acquisition, App Promo helped to implement an App Store optimization strategy to increase our visibility across the app stores.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting App Promo with which to work?

Gary Yentin, the founder of App Promo, and I have had a professional relationship for the past five or six years. Gary and the App Promo team have become one of my trusted mobile strategy advisors, especially when it comes to the mobile landscape and ecosystem. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

App Promo has helped me acquire hundreds of thousands of users for mobile apps that my teams have worked on.

Is there anything unique or special about App Promo that really makes them stand out compared to other business partners?

The App Promo team has a great focus on customer service. They pay attention to detail and execute on the strategy they set. They are extremely knowledgeable, reliable, and dependable. 

What advice would you give to future clients of theirs?

My only suggestion to potential future clients is to ensure the App Promo team fits the scale of your project. The App Promo team is a small shop. If you’re talking about a larger project, you might have questions about scale, and they might need to bring in some of their partners to make sure that they have the bandwidth to cover it.