Swerve

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

During the time I worked with Swerve, I was the marketing director for a robotic toy manufacturing firm, and its two wholly owned subsidiaries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We worked with Swerve to head up consumer PR in Canada. We also worked with them in the US every year to help drum up awareness and buzz around their subsidiary's robotics championship event.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Andrew and I met as industry contacts in the toy industry, and his company quickly proved it had a good grasp on both the Canadian and US Toy and Education markets.

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

Swerve began by completing any market research necessary and then pitching a scope of work / PR strategy. They did everything from media relations, to student background interviews, to media tours. They drafted press releases and leveraged social media to spread awareness and engagement. They provided follow up measurement reports and always had excellent customer service.

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

Andrew and at least two other members from the Swerve team worked with me.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we first launched our robotics championship event, nobody knew what it was. Now it is the largest and most prestigious global robotics competition. Swerve's expertise and work also helped ensure that our subsidiary company remained top of mind in Canada.

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

Swerve was very detailed with recap reports and would track things in excel as well as google docs, depending on our preference and the level of detail needed.

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

The company has a lot of heart and truly cares about it's customers/clients. They were one of the sharpest and most well-connected individuals in the industry, and he truly hires people that share his same passion.

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

Not that I can think of!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of global communications and PR at a Bluetooth tracking company. We develop hardware and software customers can use to keep track of their belongings. Our hardware has different shapes and sizes that users can attach to their keys, wallets, remote controls, and more. Additionally, our software can be embedded into other products, such as Fitbit devices, laptops, and earbuds.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Swerve?

We needed help with our communications and PR to launch and build a presence in Canada.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Swerve handled all of our communications and PR efforts in Canada. Their involvement included supporting our product launches, which added up to 10 total launches in the time we worked together. Additionally, they created thought leadership programs and got us key B2B media outlets across the country. Swerve also helped us with our PR program, developing and distributing press releases, and they secured a lot of media coverage for our company in different verticals.

What is the team composition?

We worked with around 3–5 people from Swerve, including Andrew (President & CEO) and an account director, who was our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Swerve?

I don’t know how we found them because they started working with my company before I joined.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Swerve for six years, from 2014–2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In the time that we worked together, Swerve secured around 120 media stories and achieved 150–200 million impressions per year.

How did Swerve perform from a project management standpoint?

Swerve’s performance was great. At one point after our collaboration ended, I was looking to bring them back because I had heard from my predecessor nothing but good things about their work and customer service. Their deliveries and overall communication were great. To manage the project, we had a template for monthly reporting, and we had a regular cadence of weekly or biweekly calls to share results.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Swerve has a very knowledgeable team, and they know the Canadian market really well. Still, their expertise goes beyond that, and they offer programs for the US as well. Moreover, their customer service was outstanding; they were constantly on top of things, and I felt I could trust their advice.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear with your communication, set your goals from the beginning, and ensure you can provide the resources and tools to set them up for success. If you can do that, they’ll do a great job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and owner of a toy distribution company in Toronto, Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Swerve?

We needed assistance with PR awareness campaigns around a brand and product line we distributed.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We engaged Swerve and had an introductory meeting to discuss the project and brand services we needed. We provided a virtual and written brief, and their team came to us to review the product and understand what we were looking to get from their services.

They worked with the brief we provided and honed it to ensure they understood our needs. Then, they started to engage the press and other services to navigate the marketing and promotion of our product line. They used all the typical PR and marketing channels, including social media, radio, and television.

What is the team composition?

We worked with five people that ranged from senior directors to account managers. We interacted with each one depending on the stage of the engagement.

How did you come to work with Swerve?

I had a personal relationship with Andrew (President & CEO), so I knew about his services. We chose them because they were well-versed in kids' play, PR around school programs, and other ways to reach children and adults besides typical PR campaigns.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $125,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from March 2019–March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to Swerve, we saw direct results on the sales side and an indirect impact on the PR side. The coverage around the brand was higher, and we definitely increased sales. Also, they added a charitable component that helped us get a bit more awareness. Overall, they executed well and exceeded expectations.

How did Swerve perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was excellent. They were on time and within budget; they created incremental awareness at no extra cost. We usually communicated through Google Meet.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were subject experts within the kids category. Their communication skills and understanding of the market were strong. Moreover, they were creative, innovative, and attentive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, their work was solid. They understood the product and linked it to the customer base. I wouldn’t change anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Create a strong brief beforehand to explain what you’re looking for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of Alfred Inc. We’re a smart lock manufacturer for the residential and multifamily market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Swerve?

We needed a company that could handle our PR initiatives.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were a new launch. We hired Swerve to help build our brand recognition by handling all of our PR needs. We also used them to vet all of the requests for samples that we received to make sure that whoever was going to test our product was legitimate and would do a good job.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three people from Swerve.

How did you come to work with Swerve?

We found Swerve through our retail representatives who had worked with Swerve on prior campaigns.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $250,000 CAD (Approximately $190,000 USD) on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January 2020–December 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Swerve got us on numerous morning shows. They got us on some HGTV shows, and they also helped us get a bunch of magazine and influencer coverage. We started out with a series of KPIs that we agreed on before we hired Swerve, and they were substantially over every marker that we had agreed upon. In the end, we were running just slightly more than a million clicks and a million impressions each day.

How did Swerve perform from a project management standpoint?

Swerve performed well in terms of project management. They provided us with monthly reports that showed every sample request and documented the validity of the influencers who were using the product and their reach with HGTV and some of the morning news channels. We also had a weekly review with Swerve’s team. They did a great job of documenting and reporting everything and leveraging that information to produce results.

We had a shared drive, and we typically communicated through Zoom and Google Meet.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Swerve did exactly what they said they would do and more every single time. They were a great vendor. We knew exactly what we would get and when we would get it. All of their people were very good, too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If they could find a way to make it cheaper, that would be great. But we do believe that we got value out of the engagement — Swerve gave us more than they promised on every line.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to talk to them regularly. They were great at driving us to make sure that we were meeting with them and that we were focused on the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Manager of Tineco

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Floor care (vacuums, floor washers, carpet cleaners) manufacturer and seller

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• PR help
• strategic planning
• creative campaigns

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

Referral

Why did you select Swerve over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Swerve were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Swerve is our partner for PR, digital marketing planning and strategies, campaign planning, and influencer marketing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For PR is a a continuous growth of SOV and media placements. For digital marketing it is impressions, clicks, etc. 

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

They always deliver projects on time and are very responsive. They are a very easy company to work with. 

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

Virtual Meeting

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

The Swerve PR team has been an incredible partner-strategic, responsive, and always a few steps ahead. Their ability to craft compelling narratives and drive meaningful coverage has elevated our brand in ways we couldn’t have imagined. They don’t just amplify the Tineco message, they help shape it with insight, creativity, and precision. 

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

Nope! It has been a great relationship and we will continue to increase the scope of work

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Associate Marketing Manager of MGA Entertainment

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Toy & entertainment company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Retainer PR

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

Other

Why did you select Swerve over others?

Other

What was the size of Swerve’s team?

2-5 Employees

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

Become the ongoing PR agency to manage and handle influencer marketing, experiential marketing & events, and top tier media outlets.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Continued successful retainer programs over the years, including experiential events, ongoing influencer partnerships & successful ROI.

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

Everything was delivered in a timely fashion, Swerve is able to pivot and adapt to our ever-changing needs with ease, providing a great partnership over the years.

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

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

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

Their perspective and reach within the industry are invaluable!

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

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Marketing of (a/an) eCommerce

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Crowdfunding campaigns for content creators to launch physical merchandise for their fans.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Brand Awareness
• Storytelling
• Impressions

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Swerve over others?

Good value for cost

What was the size of Swerve’s team?

2-5 Employees

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

Have worked with Swerve PR many times over the years. They conducted themselves professionally and garnered fantastic results. Highly recommend their services. Work was done to promote our young company to increase brand awareness amongst our client base, by promoting our services within publications ready by content creators we hope to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Media Stories/Publications
• Impressions

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

Response was via email, sometimes via online calls. No issues with on time delivery.

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

• Email
• Messaging App

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

Niche focus on our industry (toys, collectibles).

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP of ttpm/FamFluence Talent Management

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

TTPM is a consumer website publishing reviews, videos, and live price updates for toys, baby gear, and all things play

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• advertise in tfe
• participate in media event
• contribute article

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

Referral, Other

Why did you select Swerve over others?

Pricing first our budget, Great culture fit, Good value for cost

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

clients purchasing an ad for our upcoming B2B issue

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• clients had ad in b2b
• generate business for clients

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

always on time and very response, made all deadlines

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

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

They're very hands-on and work hard to provide us with the best results.

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

none

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP, Global Brand Marketing

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Toy manufacturer

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Increase company’s profile in Canada
• Secure coverage for company’s brand portfolio
• Create marketing campaigns to drive brand awareness

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

Other

Why did you select Swerve over others?

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

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

The company has retained Swerve for over 10 years as the agency of choice in Canada. They have secured both industry and consumer press and have created the strategy and overseen the influencer/social strategy as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Increased POS at retail as a result of influencer and social collaborations
• Increased POS as a result of product placement across national & local morning news shows

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

They have always prioritized the client and have done whatever is needed to bring the client’s wants to life. We communicated weekly with them as well as had bi-weekly video calls to make sure our campaigns were progressing.

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

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

Every single person on their team is strategic and a pleasure to work with.

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

I don’t have any complaints for Swerve!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Principal of Uncommon Sense

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Uncommon Sense, a strategic consultancy that brings together brand and digital strategy, research, innovation and behavioural science in order to deliver an uncommon perspective that make awfully good sense.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Develop a positioning strategy for In Store Water Systems

SOLUTION

How did you find Swerve?

• Online Search
• Other

Why did you select Swerve over others?

High ratings

What was the size of Swerve’s team?

2-5 Employees

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

brand strategy for In-Store Water Systems which includes insights, recommendations, and examples of how In-Store Water Systems can position itself as it kick-starts its digital marketing efforts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Brand strategy platform towards social media strategy development

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

Swerve delivered clear timings, roles & responsibilities. Next steps were always clearly laid out. Everything was delivered on time and met or exceeded expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with Swerve?

Virtual Meeting

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

There are many agencies that can sufficiently do what many marketers require, but few that will go above and beyond. Oftentimes that comes down to the people and Swerve certainly has an advantage in this regard.

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

Not that I can think of.