Bolt PR

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Principal/Creative Strategist of Farinella LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a branding and marketing agency. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Actual Agency to accomplish?

• Create brand awareness for our client.
• Offer thought leadership guidance.

SOLUTION

How did you find Actual Agency?

Referral

Why did you select Actual Agency over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Actual Agency were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We've relied on Actual as a strategic partner based on their expertise in strategic PR, corporate communications, media relations, and thought leadership.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw an uptick in our clients' brand awareness, increased media coverage, and website traffic.

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

Always communicating, always on time, always responsive. We couldn't have asked for a more professional team to work with us.

What was your primary form of communication with Actual Agency?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their team's strategic guidance is top-notch, and their follow-through is strong. 

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

No, they delivered exactly what they promised when it was promised.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the Global VP of Marketing 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Actual Agency?

We needed support to provide financial press coverage in addition to traditional bitcoin coverage.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Actual Agency provided global media coverage for Bitfarms. They arranged interviews with the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, among others. Actual Agency also secured TV coverage and delivered articles for Forbes, The Block, Yahoo Finance, and Financial Post.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three teammates from Actual Agency.

How did you come to work with Actual Agency?

I worked with one of Actual Agency's partner agencies, so I found them through a referral. I respected Erin (CEO) and her team and knew that anyone under her would be able to get the job done.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2022–2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Actual Agency delivered excellent media coverage results for us.

How did Actual Agency perform from a project management standpoint?

We had weekly meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most unique aspect of working with Actual Agency was the true sense of partnership. They didn't feel like an external agency but an extension of our team — they were proactive, responsive, and always invested in our success.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Actual Agency could have managed team turnover better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Founder & Principal of an advertising & marketing company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Full-service communication firm with specialization in crisis and issues management. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Provide messaging and positioning development
• Provide logo and image design
• Provide communication support

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Other

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

• Referred to me
• Other

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Bolt partnered to develop initial positioning and messaging as well as logo design for a new museum. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Client approval of branding and positioning and logo. 

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

Project management was very professional and prompt. 

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

Virtual Meeting

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

Hardworking earnest team that delivered. 

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

Bolt PR is wonderful to work with. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Director of Marketing of a restaurant 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Ours is a breakfast and brunch restaurant franchise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Link building campaign
• public notoriety
• franchisee support

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Online Search

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

From the start, Bolt PR was tasked with helping us to communicate its founding story, menu innovation, and local market presence to select DMA's throughout the Southwest.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measured success in terms of secured media placements, the quality of those placements, and ability to support specific markets in their PR endeavors.

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

Bolt PR was extremely communicative, collaborative, and willing to assist or lend insight on any matter - be it within the scope of the current campaigns we were running, or otherwise.

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

I found their professionalism and flexibility to shift focus and direction at a moments notice to be the most impressive quality.

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

The cost for services was slightly out of line with what our organization was in a position to take on, but that's a matter that stemmed from our team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of a wellness and fitness company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Wellness studio franchise specializing in float therapy, contrast therapy, and red light therapy. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Drive more customers
• Build brand awareness
• Launch our franchise system

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Online Search

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Our scope included local media outreach and local influencer partnerships. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did your relationship with your partner evolve?

After my initial review, Bolt PR reached out in response to my feedback. While not all of my concerns were addressed, they were able to alleviate one of the issues I had, and for that reason, I’m updating my review.

In what ways can they improve?

While they were able to alleviate one of the issues, there are still significant areas that need improvement, particularly in leadership and communication. These aspects impacted my overall experience, and I hope they take the necessary steps to address them moving forward. I'm updating my review to reflect the partial resolution, but there is still room for growth.

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

For businesses like mine, I strongly recommend making sure that deliverables and expectations are clearly outlined from the start. It's also important to have the ability to opt out if these deliverables are not met.

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was originally posted on 8/22/2024
Founder, Wellness Studio
Wellness & Fitness
Dallas, Texas
1-10 Employees
Mar 2024 - Jun 2024
Less than $10,000
Verified
Project summary
A wellness studio hired Bolt PR to provide PR services. The team was responsible for local media outreach and local influencer partnerships, aiming to build brand awareness and launch the client's franchise.

Feedback summary
Although Bolt PR reached out to influencers and local media, they didn't deliver the expected results. The team's media outreach lacked creativity, and the influencer campaign didn't yield results. Bolt PR was unwilling to change strategies and didn't appropriately respond to the client's concerns.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of a wellness & fitness company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Wellness studio franchise specializing in float therapy, contrast therapy, and red light therapy. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Drive more customers
• Build brand awareness
• Launch our franchise system

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Online Search

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Our scope included local media outreach and local influencer partnerships. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bolt did manage to get us started with influencers and got us in a few local media print/online outlets. Overall we felt this was not money well spent and regret moving forward with this company.

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

Bolt did do a good job of meeting on a regular cadence and providing reporting of what they were working on. Unfortunatly, we spent most of these meetings conveying our needs which were not being met. We felt the media outreach was lacking creativity and asked them to pivot multiple times but only received pushback. 

The influencer strategy wasn't working and it took us begging them to try something different to come up with a different strategy. In the end, it was clear the contacts and strategy they put forward were very basic and severely lacking. Once we left bolt and spent a couple hours a week reaching out to media and influencers ourselves we saw a higher response than the entire time we worked with bolt. 

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

We did not find anything impressive or unique.

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

They need more experience, more strategy and a willingness to meet the customers needs. Their only response when we shared our needs was 'PR takes time'. Well month after month of staying at zero doesn't even show the needle was moved. We had ONE redemption from 4 months of influencers and the response was 'we are elated to hear that'.

Something was severly wrong. We reached out many times expressing our concerns and asking someone to reach out to us and no one ever picked up the phone to try to make things right. We originally signed on because Caroline ran this company. It is clear that this company is not what it was when she was there. This was the worst experience we've ever had with a marketing vendor and a complete waste of our budget.
STAR RATINGS
Overall rating: 0
Quality: 0
Cost: 0
Schedule: 3
Willing to refer: 0

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Business Owner of an elementary school 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a private educational institution that provides educational excellence to elementary school children. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Establish clear and effective messaging
• Create effective marketing materials to clearly communicate our value proposition
• Provide expertise, insight and recommendations on marketing and communications

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Referral

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

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

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Scope of Work:

• Strategic Communications Plan
• Key Messaging and Narrative Development
• Proactive/Reactive Media Relations
• Strategic Creative Partner

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• On-brand messaging and strategic direction from Bolt PR ensured our message was effectively communicated and resonated with our audiences, mitigating risk of confusion or issues.
• The marketing and PR materials created by their team, including press releases, social media posts and talking points, accurately captured the messaging and supported the overall strategic direction.
• Ultimately, the messaging was well-received and used long-term across a variety of mediums for clear communications as it related to the business. 

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

Bolt PR did not miss a deadline and kept us updated as needs evolved. They were also quick to act should a new resource be needed or additional messaging required. They kept us updated with daily communication via phone, email or in-person, so our team felt fully supported. 

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The level of care, attention to detail and thought that they put it into everything is most impressive. When you work with Bolt PR, you are truly getting a strategic marketing partner. They will openly communicate with you about what will and won't make an impact and are always able to pivot to a more impactful strategy. We knew immediately from their efforts that they would take care of our brand and craft a campaign that would resonate with our audiences. 

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

None. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Product marketing manager of Seraf

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Builds an AI chatbot for workplace search

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• Source speaking engagements

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Referral

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Sourcing speaking engagements for our CEO and founder. The total number of engagements identified and pursued by Bolt PR is eight. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bolt PR has successfully identified speaking engagements for our founder and CEO. 

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

The team is highly responsive and consistently on top of their work.

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

Virtual Meeting

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

Communication, organization, achieving results.

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

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Customer Service of Steri-Clean of Southwest Florida

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are an extreme cleaning company that does hoarding, unattended death, suicide, crime scene, rodent/bird droppings, and animal waste and odor clean up.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Bolt PR to accomplish?

• To do our grand opening party and to identify companies in our territory that could use our services.

SOLUTION

How did you find Bolt PR?

Referral

Why did you select Bolt PR over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from Bolt PR were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

They helped us book a location for our party. They helped us with the details of what was needed for the party. They outlined a timeline for the day of the party. They emailed out invitations and followed up with RSVP's. They provided us with the names and emails of all the companies in our territory that were invited so we would have all that data to follow up with or set meetings up with to let them know we are available to assist them if the need arises.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Each week during on Zoom meetings we set goals of what needed to be completed before the next week's meeting and each of us followed through with the tasks assigned. We had a good turn out for our grand opening party and meet a lot of great contacts there.

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

Yes, they delivered items on time. They responded to our needs by listening to what we wanted and helping us figure out what we needed to do to make our ideas come to life.

What was your primary form of communication with Bolt PR?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable about our area of Florida and what would work and what wouldn't work for the clientele we were targeting for our event. They made what could have been a stressful experience a non stressful experience and we enjoyed ourselves very much at the grand opening party.

Are there any areas for improvement or something {provider_name} could have done differently?

I do not think so. Everything went as planned.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Seraph

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Operations consulting for industrial companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Warner Communications to accomplish?

• Appear in more tier 1 publications
• Create new relationships with high-quality reporters

SOLUTION

How did you find Warner Communications?

Online Search

Why did you select Warner Communications over others?

• Pricing fits our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Warner Communications were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

They helped us craft a PR strategy that fit with our business. This involved both using reports we already made as catalysts for calls with reporters and supporting a new op-ed process that allowed us to package our ideas in an easy way for reporters to engage. This was all managed through bi-monthly status update meeting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We landed features at 5 top tier publications, and appeared in dozens of articles at varying levels throughout our 2.5 year engagement.

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

They delivered on time and were very responsive accommodating to our working style, especially for our senior executives. They made it easy that surface key opportunities via text message.

What was your primary form of communication with Warner Communications?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their tenacity and energy were impressive.

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

Keep focus on top-tier publications, for us fewer hits, but at top-tier publications is a worthy trade off.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Roambee Corporation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Real time visibility and monitoring for enterprises who ship products

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Warner Communications to accomplish?

• Brand awareness
• Category creation
• Thought leadership

SOLUTION

How did you find Warner Communications?

Referral

Why did you select Warner Communications over others?

High ratings, Close to my geographic location, Pricing first our budget, Great culture fit, Good value for cost, Company values aligned

What was the size of Warner Communications’s team?

6-10 Employees

What was your primary form of communication with Warner Communications?

In-Person Meeting, Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

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

Positioning as a leader Brand awareness for our product and services Public relations to amplify our messaging Product positioning to develop traction

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Position as #1 in real time visibility category

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

Agile project management DNA with discipline to meeting timelines

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

They learned to understand our business, our competitive landscape and developed an iterative strategy.

Are there any areas for improvement or something {provider_name} could have done differently?

No work as is