The S3 Agency

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the SVP of Live Media and RR1 at Robb Report, a luxury lifestyle magazine and media network that showcases high-end products, services, and experiences for ultra-affluent consumers worldwide. We also curated high-end experiences for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The S3 Agency?

I hired The S3 Agency to develop and deliver the full creative and communications campaign for Red Sea Week, an exclusive luxury lifestyle event for 600 attendees, targeting UHNW yacht owners.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The S3 Agency worked as an extension of our team to develop and execute the full marketing and communications program for Red Sea Week, celebrating the grand opening of a luxury island destination in Saudi Arabia.
Their scope included strategy, creative development, and the visual identity of event communications, along with personalized invitations, six months of email campaigns, password-protected websites, executive presentations, event app direction, content, and extensive printed, yacht, and on-island collateral.
The S3 Agency brought together the messaging needs of Robb Report, our sponsors, and the island client, managing copy, design, approvals, and distribution across the guest journey before, during, and after the event. Every touchpoint needed to reflect the caliber of the audience while driving engagement and providing clear, timely information.
More specifically, they managed everything from the look and feel and copywriting to distribution and the approval process, ensuring every touchpoint reflected the caliber of the event and its audience.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 6-10 teammates from The S3 Agency.

How did you come to work with The S3 Agency?

I discovered The S3 Agency more than 20 years ago, and they've been my go-to creative and communications partner ever since. From targeted outreach to lifestyle and automotive media to campaign development, website design, and upscale marketing and event collateral, they consistently deliver thoughtful creative and exceptionally well-written work.
They know how to bring a brand to life for HNW and UHNW audiences while adapting the message and creative for a more accessible market entry point. They understand the standard I expect and bring it to life. Moreover, they were a great culture fit, offered good value for the cost, and had company values aligned with ours.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $200,000 to $999,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May 2024 –September 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We assessed success through guest attendance, email engagement and click-throughs, website activity, and responses to invitations. The S3 Agency's creative and communications helped build engagement and excitement leading up to the event.
Robb Report's main partner in the event was also very pleased with the overall look and feel and the strategy The S3 Agency helped develop, which was an important measure of success.Specifically, we exceeded our guest attendance goal by more than 50%, and our email open rates were well above 40%. Those results reflected the engagement and excitement The S3 Agency helped build through the campaign.

How did The S3 Agency perform from a project management standpoint?

I would give The S3 Agency an A+ for project management. They established clear timelines and a detailed work-back plan, then proactively followed up with every stakeholder to secure the information and approvals needed to deliver on schedule.
They kept everyone accountable and the work moving forward. Their efficiency and persistence made a real difference on a project with so many moving parts.We communicated via in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and emails or messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their hands-on approach and do-whatever-it-takes mentality stood out the most. They never gave up when challenges arose and consistently went above and beyond to get the job done. They shared our pride in the work and took ownership of its success, which made them feel like an extension of our team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing significant comes to mind. It was a complex project with many stakeholders and evolving needs, and The S3 Agency remained responsive, flexible, and focused throughout. When challenges arose, they worked through them with us and kept things moving.