Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder & CEO of Our Safe House, a nonprofit organization, and BU Fragrances.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.?

I needed a company that could provide me with PR services to help me reach my target audience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I hired Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. to handle my PR initiatives. They spearheaded a lot of events to lead me in the right direction to get the exposure that I needed to promote my new business. They set me up with podcasts, face-to-face interviews, and even a local TV station in my hometown.

Whenever I get emails from people inviting me to speak on a podcast, a phone interview, or a video chat, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. was in charge of letting me know and finding out if I had the availability to accept their invitation. They would also provide me with a background or synopsis of what they wanted to talk about and ask me if there was anything they wanted me to address on my behalf. 

They took the lead as far as letting the person who invited me know what we were going to discuss, how that conversation was going to go, and which direction it would take. Thanks to their support, I didn’t have to guess or worry about how I was going to answer the questions or what questions were going to come up. They made sure I was always prepared for whatever was going to happen, no matter which platform I was going to be speaking on. 

They always made sure that I had my press kit ready to go for each event. They also always had the tone set for me before I got to the interviews, so whoever I was going to be speaking with already knew my background, mission, and projection for the company.

With my schedule, I didn't have the time to figure out how these interviews were supposed to go, so I figured I'd leave it in the hands of the experts, and they delivered every time. I never had to wonder about what the next steps were about anything. They had me feeling the level of comfort that I needed.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Joanna (CEO & Founder) and one other person from Allen Marketing Communications, Inc..

How did you come to work with Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.?

I found Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. through online research.

How much have you invested with them?

I invested around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2021–April 2022. I’m looking forward to retaining their services later this year or early next year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. helped me get the exposure I needed by connecting me with people who could give me a platform to speak about my cause. They made good on everything they said they would be able to do for me. I was brand new to having my own business, and I appreciated how they explained everything in a simple manner. They helped me figure out which direction to go and how to effectively promote my business.

How did Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. performed well in terms of project management. They were very prompt; If they scheduled something, such as a call or a meeting, they never missed it. I was always advised in advance whenever there were delays or issues.

We typically communicated through email and phone calls. We constantly communicated — they were incredibly hands-on and were always available, and they never made me feel like I was doing anything on my own.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.’s strength was their ability to deliver. They outlined everything and walked me through everything I needed to do and look out for to successfully promote my business. They genuinely cared about my business, and I felt extremely comfortable working with them throughout.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to be open to their suggestions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Otaheti Travel curates authentic off the beaten path personalized vacation packages to Jamaica: Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Port Antonio; Cuba and Brazil. Explore Jamaican cuisine, Art & Culture trips.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.?

We wanted to drive awareness of our new company through promotion, traditional press/media exposure and on social media.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

AMC experience, knowledge and success in promotion was known to us. AMC reputation for honesty, hard work and delivering won us over. We looked at three other potential suppliers, and evaluated on the basis of experience, costs, and history of delivering client results.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

AMC handled the launch for Otaheti Travel, Inc. to the U.S. media. Media relations was the primary vehicle to generate brand and consumer awareness for this new tour company offering bespoke, off the beaten path sightseeing tours focusing on art and culture, food, wellness in Jamaica.

What was the team composition?

AMC worked with the executive team:

• CEO
• COO
• CMO
• and CFO.

AMC was an extension of the leadership team and attended weekly leadership meetings.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AMC handled the launch for Otaheti Travel, Inc. to the U.S. media. Media relations was the primary vehicle to generate brand and consumer awareness for this new tour company offering bespoke, off the beaten path sightseeing tours focusing on art and culture, food, wellness in Jamaica. AMC drove exposure in the traditional press, with articles a number of important outlets. AMC helped us grow our social media presence significantly though effective promotion and guidance and contacts within the industry.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

AMC was able to tactfully guide us through building awareness and providing insights on managing our traditional media and Social Media goals. AMC is masterful at collaboration and coordination - insightful, strategic in providing advice and in moving the agenda along.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

AMC CEO is a master collaborator and insightful communicator. Her knowledge and experience are strong and always focused on client objectives and results. Very easy to work with, likeable, and effective.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

Well, having worked with AMC, would recommend empowering them even more to drive team objectives. They are true partners, able to seamlessly be integrated into day-to-day operations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was Associate Director at a bespoke travel operator designing high-quality heritage travel experiences for the UK for the North American market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., and what were your goals?

The business was a start-up and needed to establish a credible presence in New York through travel trade media. Allen Marketing supported our New York launch, facilitating interview opportunities and helping us to navigate unfamiliar territory and present our product in a way that resonated with the US market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Competitive tender process

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

Identify a range of media outlets. Set up interview/presentation opportunities - some formal, some informal. Plan a tight itinerary around these opportunities to maximise the usefulness of the time we spent in New York. Manage a return trip to the UK for interested parties to sample our travel product.

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

I worked directly with the vendor and benefitted from the personal approach.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The launch was recognised as being highly successful. Progress was paused by the pandemic, but we look forward to reigniting bespoke travel opportunities over the next period.

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

We were working across the pond, so used email and teleconferencing most of the time.

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

Their personal touch

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a member of the US Paralympic Curling Team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., and what were your goals?

I hired Joanna to help advertise my book, my personal story, as well as my public speaking to media outlets all over the country. My goal was to get as much exposure leading up to the Paralympics as possible.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Through word of mouth from my publicist.

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

Set up interviews, schedule media requests.

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

1

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because of all the work that Joanna put in for me I have numerous public speaking events scheduled for the rest of this year and I expect many more going forward in the years to come as a result her hard work.

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

They were extremely timely with getting me media requests as they came in from all around the country.

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

Her attention to detail and willingness to work with my extremely busy schedule. I didn't have to worry about much.

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

No