3rd Coast PR

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and founder of Origin Story, a brand and product launch agency.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We enlisted 3rd Coast PR to provide brand launch and PR services for one of our clients.

What was the scope of their involvement?

3rd Coast PR was an integral part of the launch strategy for our client’s baby care brand. They provided us with an overall strategy for media outreach, including a targeted list of appropriate media to reach out to and engage with about the brand launch. Part of this strategy was focused on influencer outreach. In addition to the media strategy, 3rd Coast PR created a press kit for us, and they did the actual outreach to different media agencies.

What is the team composition?

We were in constant communication with three people from 3rd Coast PR throughout the project. Betsi (EVP & Managing Director) was the team lead. Maddie (Senior Account Manager) was our day-to-day contact and the main PR strategist. Finally, Diana (Assistant Account Executive) was the PR assistant.

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

I was looking for a PR agency that could fit with this baby care startup. I found some of 3rd Coast PR’s Clutch reviews, saw some of their past campaigns, and reached out to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2021. We ended up delaying our launch due to the increased global shipping prices, and we launched the brand in September 2021. Our engagement came to an end in October 2021, but we will probably continue working together in 2022.

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

As a result of 3rd Coast PR’s involvement, we got 44 million combined media and influencer impressions; their work was fabulous. They were a very strategic partner for us, helping us a lot with the brand’s storytelling and securing very good placements in important media outlets like magazines and editorial websites. This effort got us on the map for our consumer audience, which ultimately cemented the brand as a new, exciting, and trustworthy brand.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

3rd Coast PR’s project management was excellent. We met weekly to follow up on how their media outreach was going, and they provided us with detailed reporting, following up when the placements were secured. Additionally, they were very cooperative and supportive about adjusting their timelines to the schedule challenges caused by the global shipping crisis. We communicated via Zoom and used a Google spreadsheet.

What did you find most impressive about them?

3rd Coast PR has a great understanding of how to launch a product, a quality that not many PR agencies have — they’re experts in this category. Additionally, I found them incredibly knowledgeable about our particular space, which ultimately led them to come up with a successful strategy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although we were very happy with our placements, it would have been great if 3rd Coast PR were a bit more aggressive on some other placements.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have the correct expectations for what PR can do as a service. Working with 3rd Coast PR is an excellent choice for any startup or established company that wants to launch a brand or product.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the Director of Public Relations for a leading manufacturer and multi-channel retailer of top-quality educational products with a robust web business, multiple learning catalogs, and over 60 stores nationwide.

For what projects/services did your company hire 3rd Coast PR?

We were looking to generate broad brand awareness among our target audiences and build a strategic media relations program to help tell our brand story in a unique and impactful way.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to become a household name within 5 years, positioning the brand as the “go to” for early childhood educational supplies and resources. The goals included creating a strategic PR plan that would target our primary audiences during key selling seasons and build awareness for both our online business and retail storefronts.

How did you select 3rd Coast PR?

We researched and met with several top agencies ranging from large-scale to mid-size to boutique firms that had significant experience with consumer products and established contacts/relationships with top tier media in our space.

We eventually narrowed it down to our top three and brought them in for in-person presentations. We decided on this agency because we felt they really understood the brand, our needs, and would be thoughtful and resourceful in their approach.

The amount of research on the brand, industry competitors, and their strategic thinking was also very apparent throughout their presentation and was a big factor in winning the business.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

SOW involved developing a comprehensive, year-round PR plan that including the following:

• Ongoing media relations program
• Securing press for company events & key initiatives (store openings, product launches, national contests, etc.)
• Support for retail markets with events, activations and media support
• Develop and execute influencer marketing programs

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with the EVP & Managing Director, Director of Client Services and Senior Account Managers.

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

3rd Coast generated large increases in both overall media impressions and placements – including top tier national placements with our target outlets. They were particularly instrumental in developing a strong influencer marketing programs, planning and hosting media events, and supporting new product launches.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their Account Managers are top notch. I was always impressed with their responsiveness, attention to detail, organization and their ability to always think one step ahead. We had weekly calls with our account team which included senior leadership, and ongoing daily communication via email, as needed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

3rd Coast truly cares and is deeply committed to producing results for their clients. They think strategically about all their efforts, always making sure they are aligned with client’s goals. In short, they do not just generate “great ideas.” They have the talent and know-how to execute multiple programs and initiatives (often happening at the same time) and drive awesome results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was always very happy with the quality and outcomes of their work. Further immersing themselves in their clients’ industries/business will continue to enhance their already amazing team.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a part-owner of Epic Gourmet Popcorn.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We’re a new mom-and-pop company, but we’re the first and only NGLCC-certified popcorn company in the country. Because of this certification, a lot of opportunities were available to us. We hired 3rd Coast PR to help us grow our brand and get our name out there. I’d worked with a different PR firm, but they weren’t as successful as we wanted them to be. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

Since we brought them on around the holiday season, we set a 3-month strategy with them geared toward those dates. Their team has worked to get us multiple media placements through their media outreach efforts. For a tradeshow we participated in, they helped with all of the trade show management services. 

What is the team composition?

Around four people support us and Jacquelyne (Account Manager, 3rd Coast PR) is our main point of contact. 

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

I researched top PR firms and ones with the most food experience. After making several calls and reviewing their proposals, I felt most comfortable with 3rd Coast PR. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $15,000 on everything, so far. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve had an ongoing relationship since December 2019. 

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

Seeing what they’ve done has been tremendous. They’ve done an amazing job getting people to talk and write about us. We’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were without them. 

They’ve gotten us several media placements that have resulted in higher click-through-rates (CTRs). Tangibly, we’ve been mentioned in People magazine twice, been profiled about our business partnership, and placed in front of a reputable supermarket retailer for a presentation. All of these placements have led to more hits and opportunities. Since starting the engagement, we went from two PR placements to 15. 

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re just great communicators. We’re all busy, so I love that they’re on top of us and the work. They make sure we’re following through on everything, which is needed and appreciated. Everything is handled via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their wealth of knowledge and food background plays well into what we do. They’ve been very dependable, thorough, and flexible, which is important since we’re a small business. Jacquelyne has every “i” dotted and “t” crossed. 

They truly are a partner for us. Some firms are only out for the revenue, but 3rd Coast PR is in it to make sure we’re successful. Their team works with our budget and has made concessions for us, which is rare in the industry. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing so far. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses on the initial call. If they know your expectations, they’ll have an advantage and will know what you need from them. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and co-founder of Valqari. We offer solutions to various risks associated with drone delivery.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

Drone delivery was a nascent market at that time, so we wanted to educate people about our industry and technology. We were looking for a vendor to help us bring our message to the public.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First,  3rd Coast PR learned about our business, trying to really understand the key differentiators and what made us the best in the business. Then, they helped us craft our key messages and identify the media outlets and social media channels that we needed to target. They've also helped us launch press releases and put together a number of large drone-related trade shows. As we've grown, we've increased our engagement with them.

What is the team composition?

We had one main point of contact, but there were a lot of high-level people engaged in our project.

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

We interviewed a number of top PR firms in Chicago, but 3rd Coast PR seemed to really understand what we were doing. The materials they presented us with were far more than I had seen with any other vendors, so we were impressed with them from the very beginning.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $100,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2017, and the relationship is ongoing.

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

We've had numerous quality publications, both on our website and through the media, which led to great opportunities. Our publications had millions of viewers, and people have been reaching out to us via our website, email, and LinkedIn.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very accessible and return our phone calls and texts immediately. They can track very accurately the number of people that have picked up our publications, so they give us regular reports with all the metrics. Also, they're friendly and easy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very motivated and passionate. We've never had one complaint or issue with them. They almost always anticipate our needs, and they're ready for them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend time with them and give them the materials they need in order to understand the product and the industry. They can take care of the rest.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m currently the senior VP of sales for Freudenberg Household Products and the O-Cedar brand. We provide household cleaning solutions, such as mops, brooms, gloves, and more. While we were working with 3rd Coast PR, I was the director of marketing for our US division.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We hired 3rd Coast PR to strengthen O-Cedar’s awareness within the marketplace, driving more relevancy towards millennials. Our target audience is women between the ages of 25 and 45. We previously had to scale back on media and marketing investments. Our company was turning the page and starting to look at how to get back in the swing of things concerning marketing dollars and support now that we had a new team in place.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our team integrated 3rd Coast PR within our planning process, allotting them full transparency of our objectives and strategies. We challenged them to come up with ideas and concepts that would break the mold within our organization. Our company tends to be conservative, so we needed to balance our internal aspects with being a little more aggressive within the market. Our first project with their team was building PR and awareness surrounding a houseware show event that we hosted during an international houseware showing. Their goal was to gain more exposure surrounding the afterparty we were hosting. We engaged with them for several other campaigns within the spring, summer, and back to school seasons. In 2018, we leveraged them for our EasyWring and ProMist Max campaign launches.

What is the team composition?

Rich (President & CSO, 3rd Coast PR) was upfront with all the planning, and then I worked closely with Betsi (EVP & Managing Director, 3rd Coast PR) for the first half. Eventually, I transitioned to having a more direct relationship with Rachel (Director of Client Services, 3rd Coast PR).

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

We started with a full RFP process. 3rd Coast PR’s attentiveness and concepts felt like the perfect balance for our company. They would be able to understand our needs and internal processes while delivering on consumer expectations. Their company was also the right fit for our brand and provided the right level of account ownership and details. We found that with larger companies, businesses of our size get lost in the shuffle.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $375,000–$500,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our first campaign with them began in February 2016, and the last was in the summer of 2018.

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

In terms of the ProMist Max launch, we did a roommate campaign, going after the younger millennial demographic.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

3rd Coast PR delivers an extraordinary amount of detail. Their team was diligent about providing follow-ups and hitting necessary timelines. We challenged each other in terms of how conservative or aggressive an aspect was, but from a project management standpoint, they were buttoned-up.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The relationship I have with 3rd Coast PR is one of the strongest I’ve had with an agency. They’re like family, compared to other providers. 3rd Coast PR builds relationships quickly, delivering a high level of attentiveness. They make their clients feel special, not just like another client.

Are there any areas they could improve?

3rd Coast PR did an excellent job of hearing our challenges and concerns. There were times where we had to push them to be more aggressive, but that’s the learning curve. We needed to understand each other’s styles and form a healthy balance. Once we did, there was smooth sailing.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was leading the sales and marketing for an Irish-owned pet brand that specializes in the pet vitamin space.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We were introducing an entirely new brand in the US market. The brand was focused on achieving as much editorial coverage as possible to target specific demographics. We hired 3rd Coast PR to align our brand’s outreach.

What was the scope of their involvement?

3rd Coast PR gave our business a great deal of insight into the pet industry. Since we were new, they supplied us with the knowledge we didn’t possess at the time. Along we sharing their expertise with us, they guided our team to the right outreach target that would allow us to receive coverage in short periods. Their team worked with pet bloggers and influencers, found opportunities for coverage in pet publications, and engaged with different social media platforms, crafting posts.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Richard (President & CSO, 3rd Coast PR) and Betsi (EVP & Managing Director, 3rd Coast PR).

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

We searched for local agencies in Chicago online. We entertained a variety of pitches from different firms all over the country. Some agencies had more knowledge in the pet space than others. We chose 3rd Coast PR for their expertise in the industry and proficiency in social media. 3rd Coast PR gave our brand the best opportunity to succeed in the short and long term.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with 3rd Coast PR between October 2015–September 2016.

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

We had an agreement on the number of KPIs related to the coverage that they promised to secure for us. 3rd Coast PR consistently hit those KPIs in terms of editorial hits and their quality. They’re exceptional on the social media side. One of the best agencies I’ve seen in the industry.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management style was excellent. They’re structured in all of their research and approaches to each project. Whether it’s an event or press tour, their team is on top of it all. 3rd Coast PR reported updates regularly. We always knew where we stood.

What did you find most impressive about them?

3rd Coast PR was engaged in the industry. So much in fact, that they educated our team often. Their team took the initiative to help us understand the current trends and how we could exploit those trends. They are thought leaders.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not as far as I’m concerned. The results, communication, and all-around experience were strong.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the VP of marketing at V&V Supremo. We're a Mexican family-owned cheese company.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We needed a vendor to help us build awareness for one of our products.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, they learned everything about our business and what we were trying to accomplish. They even came in and tasted our product. Then, they provided their recommendations on how we could raise awareness outside the Chicago market. All of their suggestions, from media outlets to social media campaigns, were very well thought-out. Our pilot project was completed in December, and we've already put together a much larger plan for 2019.

What is the team composition?

We mostly work with their president, vice president, and a team of five other people.

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

I'm on the board for a non-profit and we needed a company to do pro bono PR work for us. We reached out to five companies and 3rd Coast PR was the only firm that responded and offered us free services for about 10 hours a month for one year. When I got to know them, I realized that they have a lot of experience in the food industry. Also, I was impressed with the work they were doing for a non-profit and their willingness to do it on a pro bono basis, so I hired them for our project at Supremo.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2018 and the relationship is ongoing.

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

Our user engagement on social media, particularly Instagram, has increased significantly.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

They do an excellent job. They're very proactive, so we don’t have to ask them for anything.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're a boutique agency with big agency experience, so they bring their best team to the entire process. They have a lot of senior people working on our project. Their owner was previously a CMO on the client side, so he understands all the marketing challenges, which gives them a competitive edge.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of marketing at Sinomax USA, a consumer products-based bedding and comfort company.

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We had multiple challenges, starting with our corporate PR strategy. We also had a new initiative involving a brand launch and a direct consumer initiative.

What was the scope of their involvement?

3rd Coast PR handles our corporate PR as well as specific issues-based PR. They take a standardized approach that starts with asking all of the questions that are relevant to the project and its objectives. They undertake an interview process with key executives and sometimes with staff one level below in certain departments to ensure they have all of the pertinent information on which to develop the proper strategy. The deliverables are also standard including a plan that involves different facets of the company, as well as sometimes include a corporate consumer line for questions, and FAQs drawn up for patented standards across corporate responses should we get media calls. When we’ve dealt with scenarios that could have been deemed negative, they’ve expedited their process to turn it around quickly. If the initiative is large enough, they’ll handle media on our behalf. They’ll also issue press releases on the PR Newswire for us.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with the EVP and Managing Director.

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

A colleague of mine met them at housewares show in Chicago many years ago. We were intrigued with them because they had also worked with Serta, which was a customer of the company I worked for at the time. I knew that if they had worked with Serta in the past, they were a formidable potential partner for us.

I’ve now worked with 3rd Coast PR several times at multiple companies. I’ve brought them in on projects at every company I’ve been at.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ll spend about $50,000 in the first quarter of this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our most recent project started in October 2018 and it’s ongoing.

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

They’ve helped us 100% of the time to successfully respond to media inquiries as well as some consumer projects that they had worked on. They have a strong approach and good turnaround time. They consistently respond to either media or consumers within a 24-hour period, which is what you want.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve been working on a couple of similar projects across different disciplines. They’re creative and great problem solvers. They have a way of keeping everybody on track in terms of project management. They can keep everyone on point, which is especially important when you’re not quite sure how things are going to work out whether it’s a planned project or an urgent situation. They’ve outperformed anybody else. They're the best in class.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The leadership that their president/chief strategy officer brings to the group is a real asset. He previously worked for a large firm at a high level. As a result, he brings massive company experience to a small boutique firm. As a smaller consumer product company, we really benefit from that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not from my perspective. In my experience, they've always been a problem solver for me. They've responded and acted accordingly. They've always achieved their objectives.