Matter Communications

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Director of New England Venture Capital Association

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

NEVCA is the trade association representing the Venture Capital industry in New England.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Full spectrum video production of a live-screed, pre-recoded awards show for the startup and venture capital industry in New England.
• Web design and and development for the awards show.
• Marketing material design for the awards show.

SOLUTION

How did you find Matter Communications?

referral

Why did you select Matter Communications over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

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

6-10 Employees

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

The New England Venture Capital Association is planning to improve their annual NEVYs Awards event, which has been successful for over a decade. The event will feature awards presentations for 19 categories and will include members of the Greater Boston venture capital community, NEVCA leadership, and Board of Directors.

To provide the necessary content deliverables, Matter will conduct the following services:

• Brand Identity System: This includes the creation of a 2022 logo, thematic graphic, and character design. The team will also design and develop the thenevys.com landing page, as well as provide digital design for promotion on social channels and emails, and physical design for promotional collateral.
• Motion graphics for virtual event: Matter will create transitions, sponsor vignettes, lower-thirds name/title graphics, social bugs, and more.
• Video Production: The team will create two "Teaser" Promotional Videos, one "Hot Start" video, and one "Board of Directors" Segment. Additionally, there will be 19 Category Segments for presentation, animation, and winner acceptance speeches. There will also be four "Community" Themed 60-second Segments, one for each main category, and user-generated content via Cinebody with motion graphics and stock video. Lastly, there will be four "Cameo" appearances, one to two "Bloopers" Segment, and an approx. 60-second recap video post-event.

Matter will also provide creative direction and project management for the Brand Identity System, including logo and character graphic design and asset management, motion graphics design and animation, digital and print design, landing page design and development.

For Video Production, Matter will conduct two days of back-to-back in-studio video production with simple backdrops/set design to record all presenters. This includes staff, teleprompter, lighting, audio, and video equipment. While the preference would be at Matter's Newburyport Studio location, this could also be conducted at NEVCA HQ or a Peerspace that's within budget. Lastly, Matter will provide motion graphics animation and post-production editing of the full NEVYs program, as well as on-site production for post-event recap with two staff and equipment.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• High attendance at event High attendee satisfaction scores On time and budget delivery

What was your primary form of communication with Matter Communications?

Virtual Meeting

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

Matter is generally on time and communicative when timelines shift). Matter Communications is very responsive to customer feedback and needs.

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

The passion their team displays for the work, their ability to adapt to our unique needs, and their diligence in understanding our complex audience.

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

N/A

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a marketing manager at a specialty pharmacy integrator.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Matter Communications?

We hired them for a variety of PR projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We keep Matter Communications on retainer to help us with any press releases, articles, and external communications.  They've created articles based on our interviews and press releases. 

We also engage with them on video content; Matter Communications has recorded and produced interview-style and scripted animated videos that we use to educate the market and prospective partners about our services. The videos are posted on our website and YouTube channel.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

We acquired another company whose communications had been managed by Matter Communications. The employees who’d been working with them recommended them, so we decided to continue the relationship. 

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent under $200,000 on videos for two years, which cost about $80,000 per year. We also typically spend an additional $10,000 per month — or $120,000 per year — on their retainer.

What is the status of this engagement? 

Matter Communications had a previous relationship with the other company, but the relationship with us started in January 2020, and it’s an ongoing collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve had great success working with Matter Communications. Their videos have always turned out really amazing and are of great quality. We typically only get internal feedback, but the videos have done exactly what we want; we’re very happy.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They're amazing in that regard; they provide great timelines and also have a great follow-up. If we’re going slowly, Matter Communications always keeps us on the ball and makes sure they’re not missing anything.

We communicate mostly via email and video calls or phone calls using Microsoft Teams.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Matter Communications is very professional and very well-versed in what they do; they have great expertise that they share. Our team hadn’t been familiar with working with a video production company, but they’ve made the process very simple. Their account management, accountability, communication, expertise, and willingness to meet us halfway are impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Sometimes, the first draft of projects is not very impactful, and we have to push them a bit more to meet our needs. However, our business is very niche and hard to understand, so it requires some back and forth to get where we want.

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

When you provide Matter Communications with the right information about why you’re doing things, who you’re trying to reach, and other big takeaways, they have a better understanding of what you’re looking for; this helps us get on the same page sooner. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Sr. Director of Partnerships and Community of Monotype

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We design and distribute the world's largest collection of typefaces to the creative and brand community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Elevate the value of creative work and typeface design in branding.

SOLUTION

How did you find Matter Communications?

Referral

Why did you select Matter Communications over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Referred to me

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

2-5 Employees

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

We hired the Gusto / Matter team to help us interview a global set of partners to explore and explain the craft within their design work. The team helped us to storyboard the project, then traveled around to myriad of on-location filming places including Florence, Berlin, Minneapolis, and Santa Barbara. They then edited the footage a number of ways, helping to tell an amazing story for our partner community.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team delivered a number of cuts of our video for use in key distribution channels such as our site, live events, and social spaces. This project elevated our ability to promote our partnerships to new and existing communities and represented a new approach to how we market these relationships.

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

Matter is an incredible collaborator. They pick up the story and goals quickly, they move exceptionally fast and always deliver compelling quality. I've used them for a long time and they are always my go-to production team when I'm in a pinch and need high-performing creative done efficiently. The team is also very nice and creative and represents an extension of our own team. I'd recommend their production capabilities to anyone.

What was your primary form of communication with Matter Communications?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their ability to adapt and to achieve such high quality so quickly - the team is so responsive and willing to try new ways of doing things. It seems they have an enormous set of tools in their toolbox.

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

N/A. They're great!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the global PR manager for Unit4, an enterprise software company. We have operations in about 26 countries, and I coordinate our PR and external communications in roughly 10 of them.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

We’ve always struggled in our North American market because we don’t have a huge brand there. We needed to build our brand and reach influencers who’d be interested in what we have to offer.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have an ongoing monthly relationship with Matter. They provide consultancy work for our North American region. They conduct everyday PR work, generate media coverage, and contact influencers.

What is the team composition?

We have multiple points of contact, including our account director and one of Matter’s founders.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

My boss had worked with them at a different agency and put me in touch with them. We met, went over a few pitch ideas, and decided to partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $120,000 a year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since January 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Not long after partnering with Matter, we acquired a new education software company that gave us a modern product in higher education. We’ve had so much education coverage from that point, and I honestly believe Matter’s work has driven business sales in that sector.

We also have a special monthly report that every country adheres. It provides a score based on quality and quantity of coverage: how positive an article is, how good the publication is, how many pieces of coverage were achieved that month, etc. Each country is expected to increase their annual overall score by at least 10% every year, and Matter consistently accomplishes that. In their first year, they achieved 180% of their full year target.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is one of their strong suits. I don’t have a team around me, so when a project requires a high level of input and logistics-handling, I turn to them. They meet deadlines and make sure I stick to the schedule, as well. They have direct contact with many of our executives, who they’re not afraid to reach out to.

What did you find most impressive about them?

If they think something won’t work, they tell us. They’re honest and provide actual consultancy rather than just doing everything we ask for. If they don’t think it’s a good idea, they’ll come up with suggestions to improve our content for that market. I’m confident in their skills.

They understand us as a business and what media outlets we need to reach with what stories. I’ve worked with quite a few different agencies, and none of them have been as successful as Matter.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like more coverage. They managed to get a lot of traction in higher education and AI, but that’s slowed down now. Our presence isn’t very strong in North America, so that awareness can be hard to foster, but they do a good job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a health IT/software company. We create specific health electronics, medical records systems, practice management systems, and run analytics for specialty physicians. I'm the senior business manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Matter Communications?

We have a challenging marketplace and a unique product. We wanted to improve brand awareness in our target market and increase brand equity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They have been our PR agency of record for a few years now. They help us with press releases, contributed content, editorial pitches, awards, etc. They meet with our senior leadership and internal thought leaders to discuss trends and what’s new in the marketplace. They meet with clients to learn their points of view and help us differentiate our brand from our competitors.

What is the team composition?

We have a team of at least three. We have a primary account manager, a senior member, and a few others.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

Our previous VP of marketing worked with them at a previous company and brought them in.

How much have you invested with them?

The range is between $250,000–$500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around September 2014 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We get a quarterly report of impressions, press releases, and contributed content. They provide a monthly list of all the placements and the impressions they generate.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They do very well. We have weekly calls and an update tracker. We determine who is responsible for each part of the project and they do their part.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a great team to work with. They’re very responsive and always available when I need them. They are happy to update our clients or our leadership.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We would like them to showcase more of the brand elements that are difficult to place.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of corporate communications of JDA Software, a supply chain provider. My role encompasses global PR and includes media relations, press releases, any external communication, and global social media programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Matter Communications?

Our former agent relationship was becoming stagnant. We’d gotten to the point where we needed a more fresh and creative approach in order to reach the next level of media coverage (i.e., beyond the typical trade coverage to business press).

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They manage a monthly and quarterly measurement global report for us. They do the North American portion along with others in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America. They combine all of these into one report that includes PR and social media metrics. We condense these into one KPI goal that goes into a deck which our CMO gives to the board every quarter. We track against that number every month and quarter in order to share a snapshot of media coverage and highlights to the leadership team on a monthly basis.

They’ve done some ad hoc work on other projects as well. They execute some surveys on their side via a survey tool. They put together a little package that includes the cost, some additional above-and-beyond analysis, and writing involved. We did two surveys like that the first year, three last year, and plan on doing three this year as well.

What is the team composition?

The VP and managing director is our overall lead on the team. We also have an account director, two account managers, two senior account executives, another account executive, and an assistant account executive. There’s also an account coordinator.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

We did an agent key review. We selected Matter because they knew what we needed in terms of thought leadership, demonstrated and understood our goal around the relationship to business press, and had the right balance of creativity and content.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2015 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Prominent media coverage has increased by about 200% over the last couple of years. Our CMO recently had this in a deck that he used for our regional sales kickoff. We’ve never had that kind of coverage before at a business-press level. We’ve been in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC Broadcast, and Business Press. We now have a lot of really strong relationships at the business-press level that we never had before. They come to us for questions on different stories that they’re writing.

The increase has been pretty phenomenal from a thought leadership perspective. We have a metric that we call a “signature story”, which is a big KPI that goes into the deck that my CMO uses to report back to his leadership and board. Last year, our goal was 120 global signature stories between the U.S. and Europe, and we actually reached 150. We had big increases even with a stretched goal. The year before our goal was 80, but we hit 100.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always five steps ahead of me and I never have to follow up on their work. If I bring something up, they’ve already thought of it or are pitching it. I don’t have to micromanage them at all because they really have it together.

We work with demand generation content and product marketing on any deliverables we do from a project standpoint that require team collaboration (e.g., surveys) and tie back to the surveys. They’re really good at making sure they get us what we need in time to execute the other pieces. I’ve never had any issues with that.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I worked at an agency for almost nine years, so I knew what we were and weren’t looking for in an agency when we did the review. I picked Matter because they were not a typical agency and had a flat-budget model. They were immediately willing to work with me on scalability in order to build the team out more than initially proposed. Their team is comprised of really good people. I said I would never go back to an agency because I worked at one for so long, but if I did, it would be there’s.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I do a lot of reference calls for them for new business. They’ve been fantastic and a huge partner for us. All the people here see that and know that they’re a really good agency.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior vice president of marketing for an organization that produces medical waste remediation equipment. We have 35 employees and are about five years old. The commercializing of our machine started about 16 months ago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Matter Communications?

We were trying to quickly build our company's credibility and visibility with a disruptive technology, competing against an embedded base yet has a method of disposal that has been the same for decades. We wanted Matter to position our company within the marketplace as the disruptive innovative solution in a very complacent environment.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Matter Communications built out an entire PR and social plan based on targeting national storylines, key vertical categories, and disruptive product news. They spent the first month doing their due diligence with our advisory board, sales team and key market participants. They handle all of this space and do almost all of the writing that includes editorial pieces.

What is the team composition?

Our point person is Tim Hurley, the executive vice president. The team is comprised of four other members.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

I found Matter Communications while looking for a local vendor based in the Boston area. An ad agency contact I knew recommended using them. I reached out to Scott Signore, who is their principal. We started a dialogue, and he invited me out to the facility. Ultimately, we chose them out of five other agencies we were considering at the time.

What is the status of this engagement?

We officially started this engagement at the beginning of February 2017. We're still working with them, and are currently finalizing our plans for 2018. Overall, we're moving forward based on the foundation set from last year's plan.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This relationship worked out very well for us. The final deliverables they produced included 49 unique published articles. These received 41 million impressions and generated between 50-80 sales inquiries. We won two awards as a result and had multiple investor inquiries. There was a post on our business every month of the year.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very diligent and excel at project management. All five team members participate in our weekly phone meeting, where we review our project sheet. Beyond that meeting, I talk to each of those individuals a couple times a week. They're completely engaged in what we do. Even though I know they work with other clients, it never feels like they do.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We're a small company, but I never feel like a minor client of theirs. I always feel confident they're working on my behalf. When I'm in the building, they welcome me with open arms. Everybody participates and looks forward to coming up with the next idea.

I've never heard them say the word "can't." I like that they're always in a positive, "let's go forward" mode. When considering an idea, they think hard about their response. They won’t say that anything is outside the scope of their ability. Rather, they’ll convey a better approach using a compelling argument with facts and strong rationale.

Are there any areas they could improve?

My reservation as a small firm working with a larger agency was always that we would become invisible. With Matter Communications, that's never been the case. I really can't say I've ever had a confrontation with them or wished they'd done anything differently.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I manage PR, AR, events and social media for a learning platform that helps sales teams learn to sell better.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Matter Communications?

We’re a fairly new company and sales learning is a new and emerging market. We wanted to find an agency to help us create the market and raise awareness of our company as the dominant player in that space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

A big piece of the scope of work is creating thought leadership for our executives. Matter built visibility for the company by establishing our two co-founders as visionaries. Tactics include placing bylined articles and securing speaking opportunities. They helped us secure an article with the Harvard Business Review to publish a joint article about the importance of sales learning between our CEO and one of their contributing writers. Matter now handles all of our media relations including press releases and scheduling interviews with vertical media (e.g., financial services, life sciences) and business publications. They also write blogs for our website.

What is the team composition?

Our account lead is Tim Hurley [Executive Vice President, Matter Communications] and three other people work on the team.

How did you come to work with Matter Communications?

We initially heard of them from one of my colleagues. They pitched us when we launched but we ended up going with a different agency. It wasn’t a great fit so we decided to switch after just a few months. Matter really stood out to us from the original session so we asked them to come back and pitch us again. We liked their ideas and felt that they really understood our business.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in January 2016 and they’re currently on a monthly retainer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Tim has great media relationships and uses them successfully. He secured an interview for our CEO in The New York Times’ Corner Office feature. He's also gotten us coverage in Forbes and The Huffington Post and we were listed on the Inc. 500 in 2017 as one of the fastest growing software companies in the country. The Harvard Business Review article has been really successful for us. We've been able to use it as a marketing piece to help people understand the need for changing the way they're training their employees.

How did Matter Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They are phenomenal and very responsive. I trust them to be my PR team because of their ability to just jump into projects and work independently. I fully trust them to meet directly with our executives or run a project with one of my colleagues in a different department. They're responsive to my needs. They report back to me and ask questions when necessary. They also deliver according to the deadlines we set.

What did you find most impressive about them?

A lot of agencies come in and wow you with big ideas but don't deliver as promised. Matter is different because they’re truly committed to our business. Everyone on the team is incredibly easy to work with. There’s a constant drive to do their best for us that is evident in the results.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.