Integrated direct marketing for banks
BKM Marketing Associates, Inc. offers strategy, creative and turn-key program implementation primarily to banks and other verticals that value data-driven marketing. An industry leader in banking and financial services marketing solutions, BKM leverages insightful analytics to develop and execute informed marketing strategies. We also offer a specialty practice focused on M&A and conversion communications.
Since our founding in 2002, BKM Marketing's growth is the result of four founding principles.
- Clients expect and deserve to work with project leaders that understand their business and growth objectives. At BKM Marketing, one of our 7 successful industry veterans with 15+ years of relevant experience will orchestrate the day-to-day elements of your project.
- Clients expect and deserve to pay only for the services they need. BKM Marketing in-house professionals lead programs using vetted, best-of-breed creative, digital, and print-production partners. This maximizes value and availability by ensuring your goals will be met using the most appropriate talent and technology--customized to your specific requirements--without overpaying for agency overhead your project does not use.
- Clients expect and deserve to partner with an agency that focuses on both your short- and long-term success. You can trust every recommendation is grounded in strategy and practical expertise each step of the way, We are honored to have over a dozen clients that have relied on BKM Marketing for a decade or longer.
- Clients expect and deserve to work with multiple agencies and service partners. With few exceptions, clients use BKM Marketing in addition to their existing portfolio of agencies to fill gaps, add perspective, and/or control costs.
headquarters
Focus
Portfolio
Arvest, Bangor Savings Bank, First National Bank of Omana, Brookline Bank, Bredin, Cambridge Trust, CapitalOne, Eastern Bank, Investors Bank, Lawn Doctor (corporate and franchisees), Mosquito Hunter, North Easton Savings Bank, North Shore Bank, Salem Five, Rockland Trust, South Shore Bank, Staples, Union Savings Bank, UnionBank (CA), Wells Fargo
Multichannel Customer Engagement Strategy
Leveraging a multichannel strategy to inform and engage customers about an online banking platform update.
Leveraging Multichannel to Drive Sales
Multichannel campaign drives 11%-44% lift in sales when targeted digital display ads are added to direct mail.
Successful Bank Merger Marketing Strategies
BKM Marketing has partnered with banking clients to advise on and execute over 50 bank merger communications. Putting bank customers and employees first, we think not only about the regulatory aspect of the merger but about what the experience is going to be with the new bank long before the conversion weekend.
Experts in Direct Mail Marketing
BKM Marketing partners with clients to develop direct marketing communications leveraging the latest best practices, channel recommendations, and data/analytics to inform targeting.
Experts in Bank Marketing
With over 20 years of direct industry experience, BKM Marketing leverages three principles: Grow, Differentiate, Analyze to develop highly successful bank marketing programs and communications to drive growth for banks.
Marketing Strategies for Client Success
[Video] BKM works with clients to develop a deep understanding of their needs and business/marketing objectives and develop marketing communications to yield response and set our clients up for success and business growth.
Reviews
the project
HubSpot Web Dev, Google Ads & SMM for Travel Company
"They always delivered on time."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner of Old Sod Travel. We’re destination specialists.
What challenge were you trying to address with BKM Marketing?
We wanted a marketing presence and to clarify our messaging. We also wanted to do some online advertising.
What was the scope of their involvement?
BKM Marketing mainly did PPC on Google with some social media marketing. They built our website on HubSpot and helped fine-tune our messaging on our website, social media, and ads.
What is the team composition?
I primarily worked with one teammate, and we also interacted with the owner.
How did you come to work with BKM Marketing?
I already knew their owner.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent about $100,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began working with them three years ago, and we finished working with them about a year and a half ago.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We were doing well with Google Ads when we were working with BKM Marketing and we had a lot of sales. Once we stopped working with them, the number of our leads went down.
How did BKM Marketing perform from a project management standpoint?
They performed very well. They always delivered on time and kept us on time. They were great at keeping us on track and not losing sight of what we were trying to accomplish.
What did you find most impressive about them?
BKM Marketing was able to point out some misconceptions that I had about my website and marketing. There were some things that I thought were factual in terms of how we promoted ourselves, but the team was able to point out the flaws.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, not that I can think of. We had a great relationship, and we will probably work with them again in the future.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Remember that you’re working with them because you trust them. Let go of your preconceived notions and let them do their work because they know what they’re doing.
the project
Direct Marketing & Communications Strategy for Bank
"They were true partners and showed a lot of proactivity."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m VP director of grants and sponsorships at an investment bank with branches in New York and New Jersey. We have over 150 branches in our footprint, serving the commercial and consumer spaces.
What challenge were you trying to address with BKM Marketing Associates, Inc.?
They helped us with the communications surrounding the acquisition of a bank in Long Island.
What was the scope of their involvement?
They helped us devise a communication plan aimed at retaining customers from the acquired back. The strategy involved getting them familiar with our bank while making sure we met all regulatory requirements.
To handle this, they created a hub site to serve as a central location for information about the merger as well as a mail campaign. They managed the site and were responsible for all of the content.
What is the team composition?
We worked with about three people directly: an account manager, a data specialist, and a production director.
How did you come to work with BKM Marketing Associates, Inc.?
They worked with the bank on a previous series of mergers before I started here. We did an RFP and included them because of their past successes with us. Our team ended up selecting them because they were familiar with us and brought a lot of merger communications knowledge to the table.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in October 2019, and the work wrapped up in March 2020.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
They did an exceptional job getting communications out and meeting regulatory requirements. We relied on them for insights in managing data and translating information to communications content. They were patient and responsive in that process, rolling with every punch.
How did BKM Marketing Associates, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?
They were proactive and insightful, guiding us along the way. There were many moving parts that they kept track of without letting anything fall through the cracks. They were on top of the schedule. We communicated through routine weekly status calls, email, and tracking progress through spreadsheets.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They really understood our industry, so they were able to lend good insights. It felt like they had a stake in the outcome. They were true partners and showed a lot of proactivity.
Are there any areas they could improve?
We have a good relationship, and they were always reachable.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Involve them with the rest of the team because they’re very good partners that know how to manage difficult situations.
the project
Direct Marketing Campaign for Maintenance Company
“They’re flexible, handling the pressure we put on them to make changes, sometimes at the last minute.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Respondent 1: I’m the marketing communications coordinator for Lawn Doctor Hanson. We have been in business over 30 years and have six locations. We’re a local, family-owned franchise that does lawncare, including fertilizing, weed control, and pest control.
Respondent 2: I’m the general manager, in charge of sales and marketing.
What challenge were you trying to address with BKM Marketing Associates, Inc.?
R1: We needed help with our direct marketing campaigns
What was the scope of their involvement?
R2: They help us find our targeted audience—single-family homeowners—and estimate the size of their lawns in order to market with accurate pricing.
This year, they tested different strategies, such as postcards, letters, and content, to determine the best avenue to market to our consumers. They separated data and provided feedback on which letter packages, and timing of mailing, were best.
R1: They advise and help us with the copy, pre-printing, envelopes, stationary, and more. They also help with data. Once the data is organized, they print it. We provide the list of dates for mailing, along with any specific areas we want to target, and then they handle the mail out our collateral.
What is the team composition?
R2: We interact primarily with Sam (Managing Director), and Tina (Direct Marketing Account Manager), who is the data expert.
How did you come to work with BKM Marketing Associates, Inc.?
R2: Our owner’s son had worked with Sam at a different company.
How much have you invested with them?
R2: We spend up to $250,000 annually (approximately $4.5 million in total).
What is the status of this engagement?
R2: We began working together around January 2002, and it is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
R2: In 2009, they pushed us to make a more compelling offer by giving away a free service. Our sales increased by 40–50% in one year. This year, they took things to a new level with their analytical feedback on the testing they did. Overall, it has been very successful.
How did BKM Marketing Associates, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?
R2: Sam builds a schedule for the project and walks through each step of the process with us. He pushes us to turn things in on time to ensure mail dates are met. They’re flexible, handling the pressure we put on them to make changes, sometimes at the last minute. Between fall and spring when the campaign takes place, we are in constant communication via email and phone.
What did you find most impressive about them?
R1: Their knowledge about direct marketing in our specific industry makes me think that no other partner could compare.
Are there any areas they could improve?
R2: Not really. We would always like more ways to measure data, whether it’s geographical or demographical, for even more effective campaigns in the future.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
R2: Draw from their experience. Nobody knows your business better than you, but they have solid ideas that can be applied.
BKM Marketing’s efforts had a significant impact on the business’ leads and sales. They managed the project very well, making sure that all constituents adhered to the timeline, and the team leveraged their expertise to advise the internal staff on best practices.