NinetyEight

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of development and communications at artworxLA. We are a 30-year-old nonprofit organization that provides multidisciplinary arts education to roughly 30 alternative high school students throughout L.A. County. We aim to keep students engaged, lead them to graduate high school, and introduce them to creative career opportunities. I oversee the fundraising, development, events, and communications efforts for the organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NinetyEight?

Our digital media content producer left the organization, and we wanted to fill that void, so we brought NinetyEight on to assist us with our communications, advertising, and social media efforts.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NinetyEight strategizes with us on all of our social media efforts. They’ve helped us develop a cadence for how often we should produce our content. They also assist us with biweekly email marketing blasts and newsletters. They help us create posts for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter based on the marketing content. Additionally, they make minor changes to our website, consistently update the site with new blog posts, and edit our personnel page as needed. They have also provided us with strategies behind social media comments.

Aside from managing our social media strategy, they’ve helped us produce our annual galas in person and virtually. We’ve also worked with their graphic designer to create content and merge visuals into presentations for the galas.

What is the team composition?

We work with three team members at NinetyEight. Our main point is our account manager, Truman. 

How did you come to work with NinetyEight?

One of our longstanding board members referred NinetyEight to us. They gave an excellent presentation and showed us they could deliver strategies and produce social media assets, so we decided to partner with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested roughly $60,000 in the partnership with NinetyEight.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with NinetyEight in February 2021, and the partnership is ongoing. We initially planned to end the contract in June 2021, but we’ve kept them on as consultants through June 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

NinetyEight tracks our monthly engagement metrics and reviews the numbers for all our social media handles, website, and email blasts. Since working with them, we have seen 200% growth in our engagement. Our social media following has also grown by 65%, and the open rate for our email blasts has grown exponentially. We have consistently seen open rates greater than 30% this year.

Their comments strategy has helped us determine how we can engage with other brands or public figures. They’ve advised us to interact with other artists within our community who have access to larger audiences, which has been great. 

How did NinetyEight perform from a project management standpoint?

The NinetyEight team meets deadlines and delivers within budget. We meet for an hour every Monday and Thursday via Zoom to review the content calendar and go over metrics for the previous week. We manage the project in the Google Suite; we use the calendar to plan content, Sheets to measure metrics, and they deliver presentations via Slides.

We have asked the NinetyEight team to stretch their limits to help us achieve our goals, and they always say yes to projects and do their best. Aside from managing our social media, they also go above and beyond to help us create content and presentations for live events, which we appreciate. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve worked with other partners who are web development geniuses, but that means nothing if they don’t listen to our challenges and work with us to resolve them. Their insight is valuable, and their willingness to learn is impressive. The team is always open to learning new platforms to help us with fundraising efforts or auctions. Their attitude has been instrumental in helping us reach our goals.

Truman is amazing to work with, and it feels like the whole team is invested in the partnership, and they want us to succeed, which sets them apart from competitors. They came to us with the idea of meeting twice weekly; we cross off a lot of tasks during those two hours. They’re productive, and the meetings are a great use of our time.  

With other vendors, we’ve felt our questions are treated as inconveniences; we’ve had an opposite experience with NinetyEight. They go the extra mile to listen to us, understand what we do, and they are willing to work with us on anything. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be great if NinetyEight could continue finding innovative ways to grow our engagement, increase our audience reach, and engage with other brands. They’ve started to find creative ways to fundraise through social media, but if they could continue down that path to help us identify more corporate partnerships, that would be nice.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would recommend NinetyEight to those considering working with them. Make sure you know what you want from your social media, and communicate your priorities and intentions to get the most out of the partnership.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our company helps companies utilize influencer marketing at scale. We help companies from 15k-200k+ per month develop a strategy and utilize influencer marketing. I am a campaign strategist, I help design the strategy for the clients while my team assists in completing the project leveraging 5-100+ influencers per campaign.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight?

We wanted to create an organic content strategy for one of our clients that specifically hit the Gen Z audience. They helped design the scripts, strategy, and helped with production of the content.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We selected them because they were extremely knowledgeable in the Gen Z and TikTok space. They have a deep understanding of the platform, and continue to better themselves every day, using their learnings from prior campaigns to optimize ours.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

After the kickoff meeting 98 LA helped us present a strategy for the client's organic TikTok page. They designed content pillars, described the strategy behind each and then talked about the types of influencers they felt best represented the product. Once this happened the brand approved these they then wrote scripts for our influencers to follow.

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

We worked with two people from 98 LA team. I believe they were both Co Founders.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client grew their TikTok page from 0 - over 8,000 followers! They were extremely happy with the results.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was seamless. Everytime we had any updates we would update them through slack and vice versa.

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

I found their initial proposals extremely thorough. I was extremely impressed at the amount of time and energy they took to research our client beforehand.

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

I really don't think there was anything to do differently or better. We both defined the scope extremely well beforehand so there were no questions or gaps in workflow.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

At OLASTEO (our lives as seen through each other), our mission is to create experiences that empower students to serve as catalysts for social impact. We do this by curating a roster of influential speakers, interactive workshops, and immersive trips, exposing our scholars to a broad range of perspectives and possibilities.

With expanded mindsets, OLASTEO alumni are better prepared to take on the world and give back to their communities. Our work is centered in and around the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, where we provide diverse and unique opportunities within and beyond LA. My role is that of Executive Director and OLASTEO's only full-time volunteer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight?

With no employees, OLASTEO has employed a strategy of partnering with specialized consultants and experts to accelerate the organization's growth and impact. We brought in NinetyEight to help us pilot a digital marketing strategy associated with our nonprofit's first-ever attempt at a fundraising event.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goals were associated with the fundraising event's objectives as a whole: - Develop a fundraising event implementation process - Develop a marketing content calendar template - Double OLASTEO's overall donor base - Raise $20,000 total

SOLUTION

How did you select NinetyEight?

Our connections with the prestigious M-School within Loyola Marymount's Business School run deep. A long-time Board Member of ours graduated from LMU's EMBA program. Via his friendship with Professor Andy Rohm, we got hooked up with Andy's former LMU undergrad M-School students, the co-founders of NinetyEight.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

OLASTEO Dough Day Marketing Plan: Posting Calendar (Social Media/4 Weeks)

Three Phases:

• Pre-OLASTEO Dough Day - Social Media Roll-Out Strategy (Organic & Paid) + Paid Search Strategy
• OLASTEO Dough Day - Social Media Strategy (Organic & Paid) + Paid Search Strategy
• Post-OLASTEO Dough Day

Social Media Strategy (Organic) 2. Weekly Check-Ins *PROJECT TIMELINE:

• 10/20 – OLASTEO Dough Day Project Brief Meeting
• 10/22 – Social Media + Paid Search Marketing Plan Meeting
• 10/27 – Weekly Check-In
• 11/3 – Weekly Check-In
• 11/10 – Weekly Check-In
• 11/17– Weekly Check-In
• 11/20 – OLASTEO Dough Day
• 11/24 – Project Recap

What was the team composition?

We worked closely with both Eduardo (Account Manager and Virtual Event Planning Lead) and Gia, who masterminded our marketing content calendar. We also partnered with Bryant who helped lead search marketing efforts for our fundraising event.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We gained 107 new donors, more than doubling our total donor database. And, we raised over $32,000. We also have used NinetyEight's marketing content calendar templates and associated processes to build our own 2021 Marketing Plan.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was a seamless relationship from the jump. Mutual respect and a shared mission go a long, long way.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were dedicated to their craft and were aware of the strengths that they could bring to the table. They are young, hungry, and supremely capable, but most importantly, they are a cohesive and complementary unit as a whole.

NinetyEight offers a broad spectrum of services, but with significant depth of knowledge, making them a true full-service marketing agency.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They are at the beginning, so improvement is their focus at the moment. I cannot wait to see the NinetyEight rocketship continue to be refined before being launched...it will happen soon enough.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Corporate Etiquette Coach and Owner of Please Pass The Manners, an etiquette company that pivoted during the pandemic to offer virtual classes for job transitional skills, camera awareness, as well as traditional table manners classes, etc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight, and what were your goals?

To create an up to date Word Press website and to help with E blasts and converting my database to Mail Chimp.

SOLUTION

How did you select NinetyEight and what were the deciding factors?

A professor friend of mind recommended them. I loved the fact that they were recent Loyola Marymount Grads since I have hired lots of interns from there over the years. From our first Zoom the team was so professional and thorough. Their pricing was very fair.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The team literally built the entire new website. They did all the migration from my old site; SEO; photo selection; new logo and colors; and so many more required details. They also helped with google analytics and Google My Business.

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

At least 3 people helped. Their positions were: Project Manager and Client Services Creative Director Graphic Director Business Development and Operations Director

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We just launched the new website with a great eblast created by Ninety-Eight!

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

We had regular Zooms to keep everyone on the same page. Always there was a prepared agenda and fantastic follow up. Email communication was ongoing and always a quick turn around.

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

They were SO organized! SO easy to work with. They understood my vision and created a beautiful, modern website geared to Millennials and Gen Z which is what I asked for. They asked great questions along the way. We set a price and that was it....never any nickel or diming. In fact they went above and beyond what I originally envisioned.

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

I can't wait to spread the word to my colleagues!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Management Professor at Loyola Marymount University and expert on mentoring. I teach classes to undergraduate and graduate students on topics related to HR, OB, and Learning and Development. I also am a LinkedIn Learning instructor and help organizations develop mentoring programs and their training.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight?

I hired the team to help me market my LinkedIn courses on the topics of mentoring and management.

What were your goals for this project?

My goals were to increase my audience size and purchases of my four LinkedIn classes and increase my brand visibility.

SOLUTION

How did you select NinetyEight?

I selected the team as I am an LMU professor and they were highly recommended to me by colleagues.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The team produced 4 teaser videos for my four LinkedIn classes. The team also produced 10 tiktok videos on the topic of being professional online.

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with the team

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Increased sales and visibility. Increase visits to my website, views and ultimately increase in royalties.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was highly effective. 98 was always on-time or early for deliverables and had boundless energy, creativity and good sense. Highly professional and a joy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I found the high level of professionalism, creativity and joy for their work most impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I do not see any areas for improvement. I will say to anyone contemplating working with them is do it now

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Global Marketing Manager of Futurity Brands

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Futurity Brands is an end to end lifestyle brand management company focused on serving brands that can create a better tomorrow.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Build a thriving Tiktok community that connects with the Paul Frank brand values

SOLUTION

How did you find NinetyEight?

Online Search

Why did you select NinetyEight over others?

Best fit for strategy

How many teammates from NinetyEight were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

98 developed a social media strategy to build fandom for Paul Frank on Tiktok and Instagram. They have also been responsible for executing that strategy through content creation, community management and regular reporting of analytics.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There has been consistent growth of reach and engagement on our Tiktok channel, with clear evidence that the brand is resonating with its target Gen Z audience.

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

NinetyEight is refreshingly responsive. They come to us with ideas and actionable solutions. They operate with easy to use systems and processes for efficient work flow.

What was your primary form of communication with NinetyEight?

Virtual Meeting

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

We needed an agency that understood our strategy, with the ability to bring it to life in an authentic way. 98 are effortless in their ability to respond quickly to new consumer dynamics. It makes our partnership exciting and valuable.

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

We have had only good experiences with NinetyEight.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Director of Marketing - New Platforms at food and beverage company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight, and what were your goals?

We engaged 98 with a goal of finding a new Trademark for an unnamed brand. We wanted something unique, tapped into the current cultural pulse, and appealing to a younger generation

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

98 was referred to us for their speed and robust capabilities, tapping into a GenZ audience.

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

We landed several sprint rounds for naming, worked with our trademark team between each and worked in different naming territories to develop creative launch pads.

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

We worked with about 6 people but they tapped into their 'Koi Pond' as well

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We landed about 10 names out of ~200 that the team aligned on and hurdled Trademark knockouts with many of them.

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

The team was super communicative and we had important meetings on the calendar well in advance. They also were flexible given that we were working with cross functional team son our end.

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

Loved the Koi Pond - a broader, younger-audience resource that they leverage to get additional feedback on their work.

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

n/a

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work as the UA Associate coming onto my second year. I head most of the influencer program as well as producing creative, and data analysis. TWe are a metaverse based tech company, we have 2 gaming titles and 1 crypto title we are excited to share with the world!

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight, and what were your goals?

We hired NinetyEight to help us develop and test our influencer campaigns for both organic and paid. Our main goals were to drive NPU's and Registrations while also driving brand awareness to those who might not know us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I had heard about NinetyEight through a mutual friend, after taking a look at previous work we decided they would be a great fit for the brand. Especially with their expertise on Gen.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

We had about 3 or 4 campaigns that were all themed differently but has the same process. We would discuss, in detail, about the project details and about what kind of influencers we were looking for, as well as the type of content that we wanted. NinetyEight was able to go above and beyond with influencer management, outreach, and sourcing. We would be in constant contact with them reaching out to us for video approvals and account setup assistance. They would handle communication with the influencer as well as working within the budget we had set.

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

We worked with an account manager, influencer specialists, and creative writing specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

due to company policy, I cannot share specific numbers, but the content we received from NinetyEight was top quality. They were excellent at finding influencers that suited our needs as well as blended in well with our audience.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our workflow was great! They had set up a slack channel and were incredibly responsive to messages and emails.

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

I love seeing a group of young entrepreneurs going after their goals, and doing so incredibly professionally. They are experts in their crafts and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone trying to market to Gen Z. Their communication was great and easy, and they really understood the assignment.

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

Although I firmly believe there is room for growth in all aspects - they did their job perfectly & I can't wait to see how they grow.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founding Partner of KAA Design -an architecture company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight?

Social Media content creation and management

What were your goals for this project?

to increase our audience

SOLUTION

How did you select NinetyEight?

Reference from KAA Client

What was the team composition?

Celine and Fran managed most of the work

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Professional Creative Responsive

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent workflow

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their communication style is top notch

Are there any areas for improvement?

nope

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Owner of Deb DeVries Voice Over - Providing professional voice over services for commercials, e-learning, and corporate & medical narration.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire NinetyEight?

I hired NinetyEight to train me in the effective use of social media to reinforce my brand and grow my client base.

What were your goals for this project?

Increased understanding of the effective use of the major social media platforms and how to construct consistent brand campaigns.

SOLUTION

How did you select NinetyEight?

I attended a Zoom conference on social media marketing and was impressed with their knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Designed, developed, & delivered a 5 part course covering the major social media platforms and included branding guidelines, design programs to enhance esthetic of posts, and the similarities and differences between the platforms.

What was the team composition?

1 initial sales point of contact and then 2 individuals for content delivery.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Increased efficiency with post creation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

All members of the NinteyEight Team were extremely professional and responsive. Every correspondence was addressed quickly and completely.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The thoroughness and professionalism of the content and course materials were truly impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Depending on the needs of the client - it would be great if the course could include a screen share component which would permit the client to create and apply the techniques covered in the course with real-time guidance from the NinetyEight instructor.