THIEL

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Rockwell Automation is the largest company in the world that is dedicated to industrial automation and information. Across the globe, its flagship Allen-Bradley® and Rockwell Software® product brands are recognized for excellence. As for me, I'm the Head of Global Talent Brand and am responsible for our company's recruitment marketing and employer branding.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We asked THIEL to help us create a Year in Review video showcasing my team's work over the past 12 months.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to take pride in and showcase all the great work that's been completed over the past 12 months.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I saw some of THIEL's motion graphics work online on LinkedIn. I reached out and inquired about their services. One meeting led to the next, and then we we hired them to take on this project.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

The video was complex because we had a lot of assets to highlight and needed it to hit the appropriate points of the music track. We also needed to give the viewer context so we included words to describe the project and needed it to be succinct enough so that it didn't irritate the viewer if it moved away too quickly.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

It was great! I knew where things were at every step of the way. They allowed me to weigh-in and make changes mid-way through the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We needed the video done before the end of the month that we initiated the project and it was completed by then. Anecdotally, I've heard nothing but positive reviews of the video from colleagues and people on LinkedIn where i posted it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. We communicated clearly and often. We shared files with no issues. We also reviewed content at all the appropriate phases.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were easy to work with, they listened well, and they executed even better.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, this team was great.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Alegeus is the market leader in consumer directed healthcare solutions, offering the industry’s most comprehensive platform for the administration of healthcare benefit accounts, the industry’s most widely-used benefit debit card, and powerful engagement solutions to help consumers maximize savings and optimize spending for their healthcare. Over 300 clients – including health insurance plans, third party administrators and financial institutions – leverage Alegeus’ deep expertise and proven technology to administer benefit accounts for more than 29 million members and process more than $8.9 billion in consumer healthcare payments annually. As the healthcare and benefit markets continue to evolve, Alegeus delivers solutions that enable clients to advance their service offerings, operate their businesses more efficiently, and focus on their customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

I have personally worked with Thiel for more than 15 years on various projects, and my current firm has worked with them for 5+ years on a variety of content projects - many of them video and multi-media. Most recently, we partnered with Thiel to deliver a general session video for our client conference event.

What were your goals for this project?

At this year's conference, we unveiled a prototype of our "next generation" smart HSA product - which is a major milestone for the company, and the foundation of the next phase of our growth. Leading into the actual unveil, we wanted to create an asset that would foreshadow what was coming and build excitement. We also wanted it to be an asset that could be re-used after the event as we speak to the market about this new innovation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Thiel has been our go-to resource for video creation for almost 5 years... so when we decided we wanted to do this, I didn't think twice about who to call. Ryan and his team are always ready to take on new projects - and work with us to meet our goals, even when timelines are tight. We are always very happy with the output of our work together.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

On video projects, Thiel is typically at the table from the very conception of the project... we typically will explain the context of the project, the goals that we're trying to achieve with the content, how it will be used, key concepts/messages that need to be communicated, tone and style that we are envisioning... and then the brainstorm begins. We've worked together on many video projects where they've written the script, they've suggested the creative style (sometimes even convincing us to go in a different direction than we were initially envisioning - for the betterment of the content), they storyboard the whole video from start to finish (seeking our buy-in along the way), they begin with a few scenes to ensure we're aligned... and then we work through rounds of feedback until we have a finished product.

What was the team composition?

Ryan Robers leads their multimedia team and is our point of content - and we love him. He's been such a great partner to lead us through these initiatives. As issues arise (which inevitably happens over the course of a long term relationship), Ryan is always quick to respond and take action. Behind the scene, he has a team of folks that do amazing work. I have also had occasion to work with some of the principals of the firm over the years, and they are also great strategic partners. And beyond their work, they are all just quality people who are fun to be aroudn.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have had great feedback about the content Thiel has created for us over the years - including this latest conference video. Most of the content we've created together resides on our website, and has received high volumes of clicks and views. And beyond that, our direct sales and account teams make use of this content direction with clients and prospects. They are great tools to reinforce our story, and to generate excitement about our market views, our strategic direction, and our solutions.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I value working with smaller agencies because you really feel the "personal touch" and have the ability to build strong relationships. The team we work with now is the same team we've worked with for years. We know each other well, so we all kind of know what to expect when we take on a new project together. Through a combination of face-to-face, phone and email collaboration... projects flow smoothly and efficiently. If I have a fire drill project with a short fuse, I can always count on Ryan and his team to step up... even if it requires weekend hours (which has happened). They work tirelessly to meet our goals.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I think we enjoy the people that we work with over there the most. It's nice to work with people that share your values, put the client's need first, and overall are just great human beings that you like spending time with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We've had growing pains over the years, like you do in any relationship. There have been times when the initial drafts weren't quite "on message" or what we were expecting... but we operate in a very niche, complex market - and with it's own language. Some of our own people struggle to communicate our messaging sometimes. I think the most important thing is how they respond when those challenges have occurred... they take constructive feedback really well, they are able to reset and get the project back on track. I've worked with other agencies that struggle to receive and apply feedback - that is not the case here.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of an entertainment company that services the Midwest.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We started working with THIEL to develop custom software that would simplify the process of engaging and working with our team.

What were your goals for this project?

Simply put, our goal was to make our clients happy by providing them web applications that made doing business with us easier.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After conducting some initial searches, we had a number of software companies provide us with a proposed statement of work. We selected THIEL because we felt they understood our expectations and the needs of our customers and prospects.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Their team has provided us with a variety of services, including custom application development, social media and digital marketing, database management, voice of customer research, and print advertising material creation.

What was the team composition?

We have a project lead that communicates with us on a regular basis. We’ve worked with a variety of other team members throughout our partnership.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

THIEL’s work has transformed our business. We now have the best digital tools in our industry, and we’ve witnessed our competitors try to duplicate their products. Our clients are pleased with our products, and we're capturing more of the market. Our partnership with THIEL has been an enormous success.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management has been fantastic. Before we started working with them, I was worried about partnering with an agency in a different state. Within the first week, my mind was at ease.

At the outset, our teams frequently communicated through Webex and Asana, and we’ve had multiple in-person meetings. Their team is skilled at providing detailed reasoning for every technical and design decision they make. Also, they're receptive to feedback, and make sure to align their work with the methods and tools that are best for our end users.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I’ve been impressed with their strategic approach. Their team is constantly thinking of ways to grow my business and provide value to my customers and prospects.

Are there any areas for improvement?

THIEL could do a better job of communicating all of the services they provide. We didn't know they could help us with voice of customer research until a year after working with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m an administrator in the athletic department of a private university.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We engaged THIEL to reinvent our athletic identity and assist with fundraising strategizing.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to recruit top talent, secure funding to upgrade facilities, and garner a reputation as leaders of our athletic conference.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

THIEL had an excellent track record rebranding universities and institutions.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

THIEL interviewed administrators and donors. They crafted the strategy and rebrand, handling all creative and implementation.

What was the team composition?

We had a main contact. My team also worked with writers, designers, and production executives throughout the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The results have been fantastic. Our brand has set a new standard within our conference. Facilities updates are occurring at a pace that has exceeded our expectations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

THIEL was tenacious in moving the project forward.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

THIEL made us feel like we were their only client. They were committed and engaged, leading us through the entire process from start to finish.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, there were no areas for improvement.  

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a creative director at a video production, advertising, and live event production company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

Initially, we reached out to THIEL to help with digital strategy and SEO. The relationship expanded to more projects such as revamping our website and helping us learn how to find more opportunities and leads.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goals were to gain more visibility and leads and increase our brand awareness.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

THIEL's balance of strategic and creative thinking was impressive. It was one of the main reasons we selected them as our partner.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

THIEL met with stakeholders and key customers to gather a complete understanding of our business. They then did extensive keyword and demographic research to find additional avenues of opportunity in our industry.

THIEL did an amazing job compiling all research into a digital strategy that was based on data and tailored to our business. Our new digital strategy involved website redevelopment, SEO and PPC work, as well as marketing automation and lead generation.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with a principal and a project manager. Throughout the project, I met other more specialized team members on calls and in meetings.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don't have exact figures on hand, but we've seen tremendous growth in organic visits, direct visits, and leads.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were fantastic in this regard. I could not ask for a better working relationship. It felt like we were talking to our old high school friends during our calls and meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The depths they went to learn the ins and outs of our business was remarkable. Sometimes, I feel like they know more about our industry than we do.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are no areas that they need to improve that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Naiad Physics Corporation. We’re a tech startup in the water industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We needed a logo, a website, a social media presence, an introductory video, and an engaging description of our technology.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to convey the significance of our technology and present ourselves as a serious and viable Silicon Valley startup.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew Keith (Managing Principal, THIEL) and was aware of his passion for business and brand marketing. I asked for advice and was immediately attracted to THIEL’s value.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They produced a logo and intro video, set up social media accounts, and designed and built a website. They also crafted several options to trademark our technology with new language.

What was the team composition?

Keith handled our account and had a team of three capable individuals behind him. Depending on the deliverable, we’d work with different members of his team directly. Keith himself was dedicated and involved throughout, participating in creative discussions. John (Brand Architect, THIEL) gave us his time as well. It felt like the entire company was working with us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had enormous success soliciting investors, landing meetings with 50 of the 80 we made overtures toward. I attribute this in part to the strength of our brand image. Our logo has also received many compliments.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our small size made it easy, but THIEL still treated us like any other client. They were responsive and highly collaborative.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have a deep understanding of branding. THIEL provided insights I never would’ve received from freelancers. I also appreciated their one-stop-shop approach. Being able to tackle everything with them saved me a lot of time, which is a precious commodity for startups. Finally, Keith and John are strongly committed to client outcomes, regardless of project size. They treated us with respect and care.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of any. I could have made some changes on my end, but working with THIEL was the best part of my startup experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We’re a logistics company. We ship and coordinate deliveries through transportation companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We hired them to execute a rebranding and marketing campaign, including work on our voice and image.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a stronger market presence and increased sales.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They have a great reputation in our area. We selected them based on their expertise in our industry. We didn’t need to interview other agencies.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They conducted research and explored our brand positioning and where we wanted to take it. They interviewed stakeholders, customers, and employees to better understand our business, culture, and vision. From there, they developed a brand profile outlining our voice, image and messaging.

They also conducted interviews and competitive benchmarking to develop our marketing plan. This helped them to define our yearly marketing budget and the implementation thereof.

What was the team composition?

They assigned us a project leader and a project manager. They brought on additional experts throughout the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The response from our internal team has been very positive. The new brand has enabled us to tell a more engaging story to our marketplace.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were totally on top of everything. We had some small delays, but most of them were on our side.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I felt confident trusting their expertise and their recommendations. They wanted to go the extra mile for us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re completely satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a senior project manager for a hospital network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL?

We engaged THIEL to provide digital marketing services for the launch of our network’s brand.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase our hospitals' visibility and brand awareness.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We needed help preparing for the launch of a hospital. We chose THIEL as our digital marketing partner.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We established specific post-launch benchmarks that we wanted THIEL to hit; these benchmarks are important to help us create a market position and make room for future iterations. THIEL implemented SEO strategies and awareness campaigns to increase our brand’s visibility. 

What was the team composition?

We work with a principal and a project lead who manages each specific task.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still working on the campaign, but we’ve successfully implemented THIEL’s work so far.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team is always available to help with any element of the campaign. Thanks to their accessibility, the project has proceeded extremely efficiently. We follow a timeline that clearly outlines and details our goals for the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

THIEL has met our expectations. They’re patient and willing to work collaboratively with us. I’m thrilled with our partnership.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm the VP of real estate management for Hendricks Commercial Properties. We’re a commercial real estate developer and management group. I oversee all the operations of our hotels, restaurants, apartments, and condominiums.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with THIEL? 

I first reached out to them years ago to help support the opening of a residential development. We wanted to drive traffic and interest in the new community.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

THIEL led a marketing campaign for the apartment complex. They did everything from developing the website to getting billboard placement to formatting all of our collateral and cut sheets. They also created a couple of email blasts. They developed the website from scratch, but I don't know what technology they used. That’s not my area of expertise. I told them how I wanted it to look and feel, and gave them a few examples of other sites. 

We used them for three months to initiate a social media campaign. They set the tone and set up a schedule for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn posts. Then my team took over, and now they use what THIEL did as an example for our ongoing social media efforts. The team continues to support apartment project as well as other projects.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with Ryan (principal, THIEL). I've had conversations with about four other members of the team.

How did you come to work with THIEL? 

I searched Google for marketing agencies in our area. I interviewed five different firms. I was impressed with Ryan because he took the time to understand our project before putting a proposal together. I also spoke with some of their former clients before making the final decision. 

How much have you invested with them?

I think we've spent around $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working together in January 2016, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For the apartment complex, they did a good job helping us spread the word that we’re open and available. We had a big grand opening event. I was hoping to get maybe 300 people there, and we ended up having over 600 people show up.

The collateral (brochures and pamphlets) that they put together are top notch. Everything that they've done for us is really high-quality, and people respond well to them. Our website is user-friendly. It's easy for potential renters to get an understanding of who we are and what properties are available. They're able to convert web traffic into new leases, which gives me the results that I’m looking for. 

How did THIEL perform from a project management standpoint? 

Their team performs really well. Ryan's great about putting a timeline together for each project. They've never missed a deadline. Our main form of communication with them is email. They're doing a good job at breaking down the terminology into simple terms for me since I don’t have a background in technology.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

I appreciate the time they take to understand our business. Ryan’s come out to visit a couple of our locations to understand our goals. Then he was able to work backward to put together a marketing plan for us.

He makes good suggestions that have an impact. When things haven't worked—such as a billboard campaign that didn’t drive much traffic—he isn’t afraid to admit it. He suggested we pull the billboards and focus on Facebook PPC because we saw more results on social media. They analyze the data and make changes based on the response rate. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

Overall, I've been really satisfied. I have a proposal from them right now that hasn’t totally hit the mark. I plan to talk to Ryan about it, but I feel like it's a one-off. They've been an excellent partner. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Be straightforward and decisive about your goals. Ryan and team are great about offering suggestions and input, but it's ultimately going to be up to you to drive the train. They will take your feedback—positive or negative—and run with it.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I establish strategic partnerships and scale sales efforts for MARS SG, which helps humanity connect through technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire THIEL Design?

We needed help to create a new brand profile.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to position MARS as more than just a technical staffing company. We’re rolling out a beta for a peer-to-peer rewards and recognition application. We also have a SaaS offering integration without any coding.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected THIEL Design based on their continuous history of success.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

THIEL Design created a brand profile by conducting customer, competitor, and employee interviews. They produced a tagline, product positioning, a logo, a landing page, and a marketing home page design.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with Keith and Ryan (principals, THIEL Design).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The brand profile has helped us create great copy for our materials. Our new website and all the other products will be rolling out next month.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management and communication were great. Everything was delivered on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

THIEL Design really knew how to bring out our brand story. I was really impressed by all the interviews they conducted. The customer voice was such an important part of this project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wish we knew more about the process behind the scenes.