Bob Gold & Associates

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Communications Manager at a software company that serves channel partners and end-customers from around the globe. I am in charge of global communications, including media relations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bob Gold & Associates?

We were looking to enhance our company’s brand awareness in the US market. We have limited internal resources and turned to an international PR network of agencies that connected us with Bob Gold & Associates to support us in the US market.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goals of our cooperation with the agency were to improve customer awareness about our company/its products in the US, position our company as a clear market leader, enhance our thought leadership profile, and to generate an ongoing flow of media mentions.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched for an international PR agency with a strong footprint in the US. We have contacted several agencies featured in various lists or reviews, studied their proposals and selected the one that was strong in our sector and had several partner agencies across the globe, including Bob Gold & Associates.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After having selected the umbrella agency, we had a few workshops so they got familiar with our company, our value propositions and core messages, and agreed on the optimal scope of work. Bob Gold & Associates works tightly together with the umbrella agency as well as our team – we have regular conference calls in order to update each other on new opportunities and align on priorities. We have dedicated daily contact people on each side and maintain an online work-in-progress list.

What was the team composition?

We work closely with Account Coordinator, Vice President as well as the Founder and CEO when there are some major things to discuss. We have a matrix project organization with the agency network.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we started our cooperation with Bob Gold & Associates, our media coverage in the US has increased significantly, reflecting also in improved web traffic and SEO statistics. The agency has also arranged some outstanding speaking opportunities at US industry events.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was ideal for us – there was no “prescribed” way of communication, but we heard from each other when needed, via email or conference calls. The team is ambitious, proactive, and really wants to help our company reach our goals. They are as punctual as a Swiss watch and always highly responsive. We never feel like a mere client, but perceive the agency as a trustworthy partner that is always open to any questions or concerns we may have.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed by the agency’s quick understanding of our rather complex industry and business. They always try to see a larger picture and don’t limit themselves to the scope of work. For example, we can always ask them for their opinion or advice, even though it's not directly related to current projects. They have some great writers, so the content they create hardly needs any edits, which allows us to move forward fast. They also have a strong network of media contacts, making it easy for them to secure great publishing opportunities.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Right now everything seems to be “best practice."

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the VP of Marketing for the leading event cinema company in the US. We distribute more than 150 titles each year in a variety of genres, including classic movies, anime, faith, and live sports.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bob Gold & Associates?

We wanted to increase awareness of our company and broaden coverage in general media outlets.

What were your goals for this project?

We established metrics for the number of tier one interviews and coverage.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had a long-standing awareness of Bob Gold & Associates, as a previous company I worked for hired them to help with its PR initiatives.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Bob Gold & Associates designed our strategy, messaging platform, tactical execution calendar, and measurement objectives.

What was the team composition?

This is a small, hands-on agency that gives the best insights from their most experienced team members. The senior people we work with are the ones delivering the results.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have seen a dramatic increase in awareness and press coverage in the four months since we started the project.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I work closely with them daily, and we meet every week. For Bob Gold and Associates, tracking and reporting are key components of the workflow. They provide detailed weekly status reports that drive action on all of our deliverables.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I’m impressed with the depth of industry knowledge and their understanding of our business. They constantly generate new ways to increase our press appeal.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of Global Net Solutions. We manufacture smart security and business intelligence solutions. Our primary solution is the S-Badge, which is a secure, smart, and safe access control badge.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bob Gold & Associates?

We needed help to start marketing the product, and spreading the word about our company as a whole.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bob Gold & Associates started by meeting with us to understand the business and what differentiates us from the competition. They advise on key messaging and help us highlight the key factors of our product. They also identified the markets we need to target. We decided to target CES 2018 in Las Vegas as part of a strategy to achieve maximum exposure.

In terms of content, they refined the information about the company and our leadership bios. They also created bylined articles. Using their contacts, they led the engagement and outreach to various media outlets.

What is the team composition?

I work with several members of their team, including the director of marketing and the director of PR. I also work directly with Bob (principal, Bob Gold & Associates) on the high-level design and strategy.

How did you come to work with Bob Gold & Associates?

I happened to drive by their office in Redondo Beach during the time I was looking to hire a PR firm. I stopped in and met Bob. We clicked right away and set up a formal meeting. He sounded very interested in the product, and he had excellent media contacts. I felt he was interested on a personal level and not just as a business relationship.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $15,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses.

What is the status of this engagement?

The main project took place between October 2017–January 2018. We’re still working on and off on various projects for Global Net Solutions, and I’m talking to them about doing work for another company that I own.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did a great job introducing our company to the world. The amount of exposure they were able to get us in three months’ time was excellent. The exposure at CES alone was more than 150,000 people in just one day. They also set up a lot of interviews at the event, which introduced us to a variety of news agencies and reporters. We were featured in a number of articles, including the CES magazine. They did a wonderful job crafting a successful PR campaign and launch. In particular, Bob's experience and guidance were very valuable.

How did Bob Gold & Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is on top of everything. We had a weekly meeting leading up to CES. They focused on what needed to be done and streamlining the approval process. Given the short time frame, they quickly got the project going in the right direction. They were very professional and focused on success.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really appreciate their dedication. They have a very good relationship with their clients. The way they got to know us on a personal level definitely made a huge difference. Unlike with a larger firm, I never felt like we got lost amongst their clients. Their focused attention has a huge impact not only on the value they offer but also in the message that is sent to the end customer. Their caring is reflected in their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We haven't done any digital marketing yet, which is where I think we need to focus next. I’m not sure why we didn't discuss digital marketing in our initial meeting. I don't know if it’s something they offer. It would make them really stand out if they did offer digital marketing alongside the traditional PR.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the executive director and founder of the Media Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA). We're a trade group that communicates with content creators and represents the vendor point of view in software evolutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bob Gold & Associates?

We wanted to expand our reach across the industry and make sure that we  communicated our products and our offerings effectively.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bob Gold & Associates distribute our press releases to a broader audience. From a practical perspective, they get people engaged and involved in what we're doing. Since they’re a good representative of my brand outside of my sphere, we rely on them to drive people to our events. They broaden our reach, and engage people in what we do.

What is the team composition?

Being the founder, I tend to work more with Bob (Founder and CEO, Bob Gold & Associates), but his team works directly with my team. Bob and I will conceptualize something that he will then pass along to his team, and my team will facilitate.

How did you come to work with Bob Gold & Associates?

We knew each other through our events, and also through him turning clients on to what we do.

What is the status of this engagement?

We have worked with them for almost five years, and are still currently working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Whether it's social media, e-mail, or driving traffic to our site, Bob's been very effective in achieving results. We’ve seen increases in subscribers, clicks, and likes, because of his social media work.

How did Bob Gold & Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

Part of his team interacting with my team is making sure deliverables are on track. They’re very project management-oriented. Bob’s done a wonderful job in terms of keeping me on schedule and keeping the pieces in place even when things are incredibly hectic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bob’s an incredibly personable talent in the industry. I only rely on a few people to represent my brand on stage. I call them my champions, and Bob is a champion. When moderating a session, he allows people the opportunity to speak their mind and is engaged without being overbearing. At the same time he pushes people to stay invested, keep connected, and keep things moving forward.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't have much advice in terms of how he should run it any differently, and I certainly don't have any issues. He provides a good product, a good profit, and good process management.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Vendors will sometimes use a trade association as their PR company. It is nice to have Bob as a professional and trusted partner to offload some work if my team ever gets in over their heads in terms of PR need.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Penthera is a technology company specializing in the mobile video viewing experience. Our software improves video streaming and download processes and resolves buffering and network overload issues. As chief revenue officer, I’m in charge of all sales and marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bob Gold & Associates?

We want to be seen in the marketplace as the go-to experts in our field, fueled by strong PR and marketing campaigns. They provide those outsourced services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have meaningful weekly calls where we discuss our marketing and PR initiatives. They keep a very detailed spreadsheet of the different topics we discuss and the initiatives that come from those discussions. They ask what we hope to accomplish and help with research studies. Once we complete the research, they help us turn those findings into good stories for press releases. They constantly follow up and bring new ideas and suggestions to us on a regular basis. I recently hired a new head of marketing who will take the lead on our side of the relationship with them.

They’re also involved in our outward-facing communication and our conference and event scheduling. They help create sales collateral materials, including PowerPoint decks, sell sheets, and video content.

What is the team composition?

I work with Bob (Principal, Bob Gold & Associates), Roxanne (Account Director, Bob Gold & Associates), and Linda (Senior Account Executive, Bob Gold & Associates). There is another gentleman in the background who runs numbers and analytics.

How did you come to work with Bob Gold & Associates?

Our CEO has a long-term working relationship with Bob. When I joined the company in October, I inherited the partnership. I met with members of the team and really like them. I decided to move forward with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

The relationship began before I joined the company and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The process works really well, but we’re not measuring statistics yet. I’ve been with the company for a few months and am building out our upper sales funnel analytics. Anecdotally, Bob and his team fielded a research study that we published. Partly thanks to their contributions, I’m in the contract stage of a huge deal that will pay for the past couple years of their involvement. That’s just one deal and we expect more. They’re absolutely beneficial.

How did Bob Gold & Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

I give them delivery dates and they push me to meet deadlines. They make sure I stay on task and on schedule. They do a wonderful job.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re all about the relationship, they don’t feel like a vendor. They act as an extension of our marketing department and are genuine partners. I really appreciate that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m still trying to feel out their strengths. Their heritage is in the cable media space, while I have a digital media marketing background. I’d love to see them grow their expertise in that field.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company produces electronics: remote controls, sensor technology for security devices, and more. We build our products mostly for OEM companies and one of our primary markets is cable and satellite television. I'm a marketing director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bob Gold & Associates?

Our brand does not always appear on the products that we produce and the solutions that we create for customers. We wanted to raise awareness about what we do and the depth of our involvement with our customers within specific industries, so we were looking for a public relations company to help us with that. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've been working with them to raise our brand awareness within the cable television industry and we have expanded that role. They help refine messaging and marketing strategies, create press releases/articles/and social media posts, and do media outreach to targeted industry segments.

What is the team composition? 

We have a primary point of contact, but we work with their whole team – they have a very team-oriented environment.

How did you come to work with them?

We used public relations agencies in the past. At that time, we were looking for a company that could address the specific marketplace we were targeting, so we got some referrals from the media. Bob Gold & Associates got good feedback from the media and other clients, so we thought they'd be a good fit for us.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working with them in October 2016 and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've definitely had positive results based on the parameters we set for our yearly and quarterly objectives. They've done very good work in terms of expanding our outreach beyond what we originally engaged them for. They increased our brand awareness within our target market, so we started looking at other areas we wanted them to focus on. 

How did they perform from a project management standpoint? 

They're great at following up with the project and have excellent attention to detail. We have regular meetings and phone calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They care about our well-being and genuinely want to see us succeed. They're like an extension of our marketing department, listening to us and executing what they've promised. We always feel like we're their number one client and I appreciate that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I'm very happy with them, so there are not a lot of areas I'd want them to improve. I'd like them to continue keeping up with us in terms of volume, which they're doing. In fact, we would like them to be more involved in our day-to-day business and I think they'll be receptive to this idea. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the PR of NEC X

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

NEC X is the Silicon Valley-based innovation venture studio backed by Japanese technology powerhouse NEC

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bob Gold & Associates to accomplish?

• Securing media coverage

SOLUTION

How did you find Bob Gold & Associates?

Online Search

Why did you select Bob Gold & Associates over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Bob Gold & Associates were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Strategic PR & Industry Counsel   
  •  Using our expertise and depth of contacts, help ideate and guide how to maximize PR & NEC X communications.  
• Owned Media   
  •  Executive Bios, NEC X & Portfolio Factsheet
  • Blog Article
•  Earned Media   
  • News Releases 
  • Original Earned Stories
  • Executive Byline Articles
  • Proactive Pitching & Newsjacking
• Events  
  • Submit for Awards
  • Submit for Speaking Ops
•  Newsletter   
  • Draft quarterly newsletter
• Social Media  
  • LinkedIn Company Page Optimization  
    
    
    

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Writing and distributing an average of two press releases per month
• Drafting and applying for awards
• Providing PR support for the portfolio
• Writing at least one blog post per month
• Securing media coverage 
  • Achieving 280% of original coverage prior to the contract
•  Clear and transparent reporting

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

The project moves at a very fast pace, with deliverables completed approximately a week ahead of schedule.

What was your primary form of communication with Bob Gold & Associates?

Virtual Meeting

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

• The team's commitment and expertise 
  • fast-paced project management, providing not only requested tasks but also strategic advice
•  Outstanding deliverables 
  • high-quality deliverables and dedication to achieving the goal of securing coverage
• Transparent Reporting 
  • Their actions and deliverables are reported in great detail, providing a strong sense of confidence and clarity.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bob Gold & Associates could have done differently?

We cannot think of any areas for improvement. Their commitment, expertise, and the quality of deliverables have been exceptional. We are more than satisfied

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP of Marketing of Curacao

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A chain of retail stores in California, Arizona and Nevada

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bob Gold & Associates to accomplish?

• Building Brand Awareness
• Managing PR Communication

SOLUTION

How did you find Bob Gold & Associates?

Referral

Why did you select Bob Gold & Associates over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Bob Gold & Associates were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Strategic media relations, reputation management, brand awareness campaigns, and targeted communication to amplify our brand's presence and impact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Measurable goals such as increased website traffic, improved social media engagement, higher brand mentions, or more positive media coverage, and consistently measuring and analyzing results to refine strategies.

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

Consistently meets deadlines with remarkable punctuality, showcasing their responsiveness through swift communication and proactive approach in addressing client needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Bob Gold & Associates?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What sets Bob Gold PR Agency apart is their proactive approach—they are quick to adapt to changing trends and market landscapes, ensuring our brand stays relevant and visible. Their communication is top-notch, always keeping us informed and involved in the process.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Bob Gold & Associates could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We design line marking robots for sports field painting. I am the marketing manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bob Gold & Associates, and what were your goals?

Outreach to industry publications to secure coverage in relevant outlets.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were referred by our European PR consultant.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

BGA helped us with two separate campaigns; one for announcing a new investor and one focused more on product marketing and the technology behind our robots.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I have worked with 4-5 people who I believe were account managers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The initial campaign secured more than 50+ news articles, some of these were on highly relevant publication websites at the core of our industry. This campaign also allowed us to participate in a well-renowned industry podcast which was not in scope from the beginning. The BGA network within the media industry is definitely worth a lot!

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Regular follow-ups in live meetings as well as detailed reporting of news coverage allowed us to always know how the campaigns were performing. Changes were implemented quickly by BGA.

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

BGA has attention to detail and are creative in their media approach, and work in a structured way to deliver results.

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

I can't think of anything right now.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We provide a new bundle of front-end smart home services for consumers, and intelligent back-end support tools and data insights for broadband service providers that bring massive operational benefits. My role is Director of Product Marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bob Gold & Associates?

• Drive engagement with trade media and analyst community.
• Support and plan events.
• Press announcements and outreach.
• Content writing.

What were your goals for this project?

• Increase our share of voice amongst trade media and analyst community.
• Position our company as a thought leader in the smart home services space and commentator on smart home 2.0.
• Increase our overall media and analyst reach.

SOLUTION

How did you select Bob Gold & Associates?

Previous experience. Known Bob for 15 years. The previous collaboration was very successful.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

• Media event planning for CES 2019.
• Press announcement outreach.
• Writing and placing Exec bylines.
• Writing blog posts.
• Coverage monitoring and reporting.
• PR and event strategy.

What was the team composition?

1. Bob - strategy.
2. Andrew - account management.
3. Chris - content.
4. Kaitlyn - general support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

1. Secured over 80 media attendees at a press event.
2. Dramatically increased the number of inbound press requests.
3. Massively increased reach of press announcements, beating KPIs set.
4. Successfully placing Exec. bylines.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Solid. Biweekly project reviews.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their work ethic and results were impressive. They also have good media relationships and industry contacts.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing jumps to mind.