Brave Bear Marketing Ltd

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Within our group, we have three trading brands with a different target market. We have a website for each brand, selling different products across them. My role is commercial manager, so I oversee the product and marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

In their work with our company, they developed and maintained our websites.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Each of the websites is largely image-based, containing information about our products and business. Customers are able to log in to the site, place orders for samples, and obtain technical information. At this point, there’s no e-commerce functionality.

The sites are more for people to get an understanding of who we are and how we can help them. Their team originally developed and the sites, working with our creative agency to formulate the designs. Now, they update the sites on a monthly basis as well as run SEO management and PPC campaigns. 

What is the team composition?

We liaise directly with Jon (Managing Director, Brave Bear Marketing Ltd). Our team also has an account manager. 

How did you come to work with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

Brave Bear Marketing Ltd has an established relationship with my company as I started here. I continued the partnership with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we’ve spent between £100,000–£200,000 (approximately $133,000–£266,000).

What is the status of this engagement?

The relationship predates my tenure here, but the engagement started around 2015 and is currently ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They sent us a monthly report with various statistics, suggesting changes to the site if needed. We’re satisfied with their work and interested in running a big overhaul in the next six months.  

How did Brave Bear Marketing Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

Our team typically works through Jon. We communicate through text, calls, and emails. Occasionally, we’ll also have a face-to-face meeting. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their enthusiasm and ability to provide a different perspective on the customer journey have been crucial.   

Are there any areas they could improve?

Using project management software may be helpful for streamlining communications.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow a clear discovery process to ensure that they understand the requirements and problems at hand. That should be followed by a step-by-step plan to achieve those necessary requirements.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the director of a company that supplies electrical, communications, hydraulic, and pneumatic products for vehicles. We operate in a niche market—the leisure vehicle, commercial vehicle, and special vehicle sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

We hired them to redesign and build our company website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to have an e-commerce solution that would allow us to efficiently manage our content.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We met through a government-funded training initiative

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Brave Bear Marketing Ltd’s team was responsible for all aspects of the design and build, implementing custom features and functionality. For example, they made it possible for us to upload a high volume of content about our products

What was the team composition?

The project team was relatively small, with key specialists taking part when required. While we worked directly with the technical team, Brave Bear Marketing Ltd gave us access to project managers and the wider team if necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

We are happy with the result. The site works effectively as an e-commerce solution and product catalog

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We were happy with the management of the project, as they delivered within the timeframe. They handled changes and additions efficiently.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Brave Bear Marketing Ltd provided unique solutions in an effective manner.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I could have done with knowing about responsive websites for desktop and mobile users. However, this technology was in its early days when the project was initiated.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of marketing and business intelligence at an aircraft tire manufacturer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

We wanted to refresh and redevelop our website to enhance user search capabilities. Our SEO position also needed to be improved. The site just needed to me more appropriate to major vendors in the aviation market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Brave Bear Marketing Ltd built and improved database search mechanism and installed an Umbraco ASP.NET CMS to make changing pages easier. The design was a collaborative effort between myself and their designer. I also worked on them with the development.

For SEO purposes, they did not provide any backlinking to the site. We wrote all content and Brave Bear Marketing Ltd’s team implemented that with the website.

What is the team composition?

We work with two members of Brave Bear Marketing Ltd. One is our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

I’ve known the managing director for many years. He’s done a number of projects for us in the past. We benchmarked them against other agencies, but Brave Bear Marketling Ltd came out as a much better fit for the web project.

What is the status of this engagement?

It started in July 2012 and is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Yes, there is increased traffic and a massive improvement in our search engine position. We’ve moved from not appearing for certain keywords to now being on the first page. The website looks great; we have the best search mechanism for our parts database of anyone else in our industry. The management is very happy with it and it works well.

How did Brave Bear Marketing Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They were perfect. I knew what was happening, and it happened when they said it would happen. They did exactly what was promised. Communication was done in English via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Brave Bear Marketing Ltd had a deep understanding of the brief. They had a better technical plan and more credibility in their actions than other firms. We knew we were getting a site that was carefully put together by people who care. They don’t just do what they need to do, they’ll do something that is more intense and do a better job.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they were flawless.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let them lead the project because it’s their specialty. The advice is to hire them and then don’t think about it anymore. They don’t necessarily need a client who understands a lot because they will help you through digital development.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and founder of an online fashion jewelry business, which has been operating for about a year. We retail high-end products to a millennial market purely online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

From the outset of the business, we had an idea of what we wanted to achieve but didn’t have a marketing plan in place. We needed a partner to define an initial strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Brave Bear Marketing Ltd created a marketing strategy, which they then executed end-to-end. They continue to manage efforts including social media channels, influence and e-mail marketing. Their team performs micro-targeting to limit waste since our budget is limited. They’ve implemented and run PPC, Google Ads, and Facebook Ads campaigns.

Their team also built a Shopify-based website for us, which Brave Bear Marketing Ltd updates quarterly. Since we wanted to use numerous apps, they customized the platform. Their team integrated the platform with MailChimp. They’ve performed substantial database segmentation. This enables us to send personalized messages at different times featuring products for a specific user.

What is the team composition?

I work with the head of social media, the head of influencer marketing as well as an account manager.

How did you come to work with Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

A colleague recommended Brave Bear Marketing Ltd, telling us we had to speak with their team. We spoke to John (Founder, Brave Bear Marketing Ltd) who knew marketing inside and out. He understood exactly what our team wanted to achieve. Meeting with the rest of their team and exploring their portfolio instilled confidence in our collaboration. Given their consumer marketing experience, I wasn’t worried about their abilities to find the right kind of influencers for our brand.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $4,000 a month with them. We invested about $24,000 on the initial work including the website, product photography, and brand strategy.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began collaborating in January 2018, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re able to reach our target audience due to Brave Bear Marketing Ltd’s efforts. From our initially lean budget, they’ve been able to create massive awareness and gotten us worn by celebrities, which has helped us grow. Their team has used social media to not only get our brand attention but also sales. Ultimately, every sale I would attribute to them. There are two factors that result in our success: customer acquisition and retention. Our returning customer rate is high: about 50% of all clients buy more than one item from us. Every sale is a result of product sourcing and Brave Bear Marketing Ltd’s work. Our content wouldn’t be found without marketing such as PPC and Facebook Ads.

How did Brave Bear Marketing Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve used Basecamp to manage the project. It’s been really useful because I’m able to stay up-to-date with the project. I’ll sometimes communicate at silly times of the day and night, which their team will respond to after-hours too. We also hold weekly calls when I’ll catch-up with the project manager. Normally other teammates will also participate to talk about their focus areas such as PPC, e-mail and influence marketing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is proactive. They use Google Alerts to find upcoming fashion trends, which their team integrates into the marketing strategy. Brave Bear Marketing Ltd will send a plan to address a change before I’ll even know about it. While guiding me all the way, they’ve also always made me feel like I’m in control. Since they’ve learned about the business, they now have more autonomy and freedom to execute. Their team is agile, lovely, and friendly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I think they’re fantastic. Every client will say they’d like something cheap, but honestly, their team provides fantastic value.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Explore everything they do. They may offer unexpected solutions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the customer relations manager at Pastel Solutions, a telecommunications company that provides mobile, fixed line, broadband, and energy solutions for business in the United Kingdom.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

We engaged with Brave Bear to design a product page on our website.

What were your goals for this project?

We hoped to have a page on our site that promoted our new product while reflecting our existing theme and logo design. We expected the page to focus on this product and be a landing page for new inquiries.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Brave Bear’s team designed our original website and has maintained it since then.

Describe the project in detail.

We tasked them with creating a new product page for our site. We wanted a page that was eye-catching for a new product. That involved designing a new logo and a layout that was informative and simple to read.

What was the team composition?

I communicated primarily with Phil (Digital Project Manager, Brave Bear). He had a team of 3–4 designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project has only just been completed, but we expect increased traffic to the website and more inquiries to our dedicated email address going forward.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our communication was flawless. Brave Bear updated me with every adjustment, and they presented several options for each roadblock we encountered.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They clearly take pride in their work, and they’re happy to make sure everything is perfect for the customer. Overall, they were a friendly group of people to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. I would work with Brave Bear again with no hesitation.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for a family business that offers temporary and permanent recruitment solutions to clients in Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

Our company website had not been updated in a long time. Since we did not have in-house designers, we hired Brave Bear to do this task. They continue to manage our web site and provide an excellent service.

What were your goals for this project?

Our ultimate goal was to increase our website traffic and leads, which required having fresh branding, an attractive design, and a mobile-friendly UI. We wanted to have a website that would be both informative and personable. We also wanted the ability to update it ourselves with new information and vacancies.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We’ve known them for many years. Brave Bear designed our original website. Our managing director (MD) contacted them directly to discuss our new requirements for this web design project.

Describe the project in detail.

Brave Bear provided initial designs for the new logo and branding. Choosing the logo was the tricky part, as Brave Bear gave us some great choices. Our MD was initially in control of all decisions, but our team gradually became more involved in the process and moved the design forward. We also asked them to add new features to the website, which were done quickly. Key features include a curriculum vitae (CV) submission page and an updated team page. We also added a chat feature that has increased our inquiries.

What was the team composition?

We worked with Brave Bear’s web and design teams.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new website has received great feedback and has proven quite beneficial for our company. After its launch, we immediately noticed an increase in our website traffic and CV submissions from candidates. Not only that, we also kept our Google ranking as one of the top recruitment agencies in the area. We continue to promote the site to our candidates and clients

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We were very happy with the process, as it went quite smoothly. The schedule started to flow once we got the design part underway. A specialized portal allowed us to access each change, suggest improvements, and approve design work. Not only did they complete the project in good time, but Brave Bear was also accommodating and always available to answer any queries.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their personal approach was a real joy. They were patient with a small company and made us feel that our project was important to them. Everyone at Brave Bear seemed to understand our goals, which allowed them to deliver with very few setbacks. We continue to have a great relationship, as their continued support for any queries has been an advantage for our company.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We don't feel as though they have any areas for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the UK country manager responsible for marketing a revolutionary healthcare product set to disrupt women's reproductive health.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire TAMBA?

We engaged TAMBA with a clear focus on influencer marketing. Their task was to engage influencers who were actively trying to conceive. The influencers had to have a genuine interest in the product, see its relevance and position, and use it prior to review. The type of influencer to engage - or more specifically their audience - was broadly briefed. We left the rest up to TAMBA’s interpretation.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals for the project were to create quality content, engage with a relevant audience, and ultimately generate sales as the validator of the first two KPIs. The impact this had on the business would determine the level of investment made in channel moving forward.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I shortlisted the top 10 agencies in the UK as per my requirements and held conversations with each of them. I had a specific list of questions to ask each vendor, but also let the answers per contact lead the discussion. I was impressed with TAMBA’s quality of thinking. They took short, medium- and long-term brand goals into account. I was fully responsible for the selection, so making a good choice would reflect on me internally. The quality responses and follow up from TAMBA showed they were a good decision.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After selecting TAMBA, we had a series of meetings to ensure their team understood both the campaign brief and product since healthcare is a regulated industry. TAMBA then proceeded to develop a media pack. Eventually, they compiled a recommended list of influencers to engage. I was impressed by the range of influencers they proposed. It was an eclectic mix of national celebrities, journalists and Mommy bloggers, and all of them fell within our budget.
 
Once we agreed, TAMBA executed the influencer campaign end to end. They shared only the final content (most of which they wrote) for approval and confirmed we had the rights to use images in our advertising. Everything was included at the same price.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with the CEO and managing director of the firm. I also came into contact with individuals who support the agency to drive successful campaigns.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

TAMBA generated excellent content including assets that can be re-used for subsequent marketing. There was a very high level of engagement from each influencer’s audience, which validated the relevance of the recommended list. Finally, more traffic came to our site, and we achieved direct sales from the campaign.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project lead was easy to reach and communicate with. Our exchanges were always professional. They answered all the questions we posed expertly. On the occasion that I was late to reply, TAMBA made sure to follow up. They even touched base on weekends to meet tight deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by the practical knowledge TAMBA demonstrated about influencer marketing and the realities of a brand investing in this new channel. The team is very ROI driven. They appreciate that branding is “nice,” but that ultimately every dollar must be accounted for in a digital world. They understood that the value adds of each activity should be clearly apparent.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We’re pleased with both the quality of influencers they proposed and the end campaign result. It's also such a pleasure work with TAMBA. They leveraged their extensive influencer network to quickly produce excellent work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My company is Midwife and Life, I'm the CEO. It's a blog and brand.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brave Bear Marketing Ltd?

To work together on exposure

What were your goals for this project?

To increase exposure

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Narrowed down from competitors

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Digital marketing and PR

What was the team composition?

I worked with one team member

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Achieved the required outcome.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They're effective communicators.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing director for an international manufacturer of high-end beauty and skincare products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire TAMBA?

We hired TAMBA to help us reach new audiences in the U.K., specifically through a new product launch. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create greater brand awareness and establish trust with consumers through influencer marketing.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We discovered them during our online research.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After discussing our goals and the options within our budget, TAMBA proposed cooperation with several potential social media influencers they felt best fit our brand and would achieve the widest possible reach. TAMBA contacted them and provided instruction for posts about our company.

What was the team composition?

I worked primarily with two team members, who also served as my main contacts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In addition to exceeding our established goals, we received genuine, positive feedback on our products.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective. We could email them any time and they were immediately available.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their flexibility and ability to handle changes quickly as needed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Although there is always room for improvement, our company gained the most we could have from this project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing director for CareerBuilder. We have the website jobmedic.co.uk, which is the leader in online healthcare and nursing recruitment advertising in the U.K. We boast the largest database of healthcare professionals including a large pool of nursing vacancies across the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire TAMBA?

We needed to launch and manage our social media platforms, mainly Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase our brand awareness for the selected audience and attract more relevant traffic.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended to us by a trusted creative agency.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The website used to be staffnurse.com and we rebranded it to jobmedic.co.uk in March 2018. We needed a new social media strategy aimed at increasing our brand awareness for the niche audience of healthcare professionals. TAMBA suggested to run an online competition to drive interest and manages all our social media content, which includes creating a content calendar, posting, and engaging with our audience.

What was the team composition?

Their team includes an account director, an account manager, and several account executives.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our number of followers has increased on all our social media platforms. We’ve also gathered a significant amount of competition entrants.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The collaboration has been seamless. The account director is always available for us, and her knowledge and experience are second to none. We’ve had great support from everyone on their team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They excel at communication and flexibility. They’re great at listening to the client's feedback and very quick to readjust based on the recommendations.