Elevate Communication

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of operations at goraw desserts. We make a cashew-cream based mouse, so it’s gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevate Communication?

We’re a small family-owned company that started in the kitchen. We’ve been running successfully for a few years without any major marketing campaigns, but we decided that it was time to step it up. We wanted to get the product out there, but we had no idea how to do that. We tried to contact journalists and local papers ourselves, but we didn’t really get anywhere. So we turned to Elevate Communication for help.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did a six-week PR campaign for us. We wanted to get some media recognition that we could pull quotes from for future ads. We left it to Elevate Communication to tell us what they thought would be effective for our brand.

We sat down and told them about our company, and then they wrote the copy for us and helped us outline the story we wanted to tell. After that, they reached out to several different publications and they ended up placing us on several news stations and radio stations.

One person supported us through our first radio interview. He helped us prepare for questions so we could be confident in what we were going to say when we went live.

After we wrapped up that PR campaign, we began working on a digital campaign with social media influencers.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with about five different people, including a copywriter and radio specialist. Depending on what we’re doing, they bring the right person in.

How did you come to work with Elevate Communication?

I reached out to a few companies and told them what we were looking for. Elevate Communication was prepared, on time, friendly, and clearly knew their stuff. They were smaller, too, and their team members stepped up to the plate whenever we needed help. They were just the right fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $5,000 on the first campaign, and plan to spend about $3,000 on the next campaign.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2020 and just started a new campaign with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re very happy with the advice they’ve given us, which is why we decided to continue working with them. Now we’re comfortable communicating with media going forward and we’re confident in the story we’re telling.

How did Elevate Communication perform from a project management standpoint?

They worked very well with us, even though we all work remotely. I work better communicating via email, but other members of my team need to converse over the phone, and Elevate Communication was very flexible about that. They never dictated how we needed to communicate and, instead, made it work for us. I look forward to continue working with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I would recommend them to anyone. They’re helpful and very knowledgeable. Even though we don’t have a huge budget, they worked with us to make sure we could do what we wanted.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m not sure if there’s anything they could have done differently, but would have loved to seen a bigger impact on our ROI. I think now we just need to keep moving forward to see a bigger change.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust their process. They know the industry and have all the right contacts. The more you give them, the more they can do for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am in charge of the brand and communications for Australia at a global facilities management and catering organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevate Communication?

We have a small team, so we wanted a partner to support our business across many industries. When I came into the business about six years ago, there was only one person in the communications department, so I took on that role.

There was no brand awareness of our organization in Australia, which is unusual because we’re well-known in different parts of the world. I initially worked with a different agency, but then I hired Elevate Communication.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevate Communication serves as a comprehensive digital marketing agency by supporting our brand and communication efforts. They’re helping us build our brand here in Australia, specifically in the catering area.

The team has helped us with a lot of campaigns. For example, we launched a facilities management trends report recently, and they helped us to develop the strategy as well as the final report. 

We’ve also done a series of case studies, social media articles, interviews, and web copy that the team has helped to develop in a strategic way. When our graphic designer is at capacity, Elevate Communication takes over that work too. 

Now, we’re working with them to nail down our social media strategy for the future. For the last year and a half, they’ve also supported a national conference that we were organizing and an acquisition that the organization was a part of.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is Josh (Communication Executive), and I have a personal relationship with Mel (Managing Director). We also worked with Kim (Events & Project Manager), but we’re not working with her anymore because of COVID-19. There are also other teammates working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Elevate Communication?

We went through a long process to choose the right agency. After working with a larger agency for a couple of years, I started to get the feeling that we weren’t big enough to be important to them.

We acquired one of our competitors about three years ago. Elevate Communication had supported in the events space, so I then talked to the team and realized that we should bring them on with us. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent over $200,000 in total. We spend $8,000 per month. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started talking to Elevate Communication towards the end of 2017 and began working with them in 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our conference was incredibly successful. We had the highest satisfaction rate of any leadership conference in the world. Their team meets all of our KPIs. 

How did Elevate Communication perform from a project management standpoint?

My team built the dashboard with the KPIs, but we’ve worked with Elevate Communication to ensure that we’re working as one team towards the same goal. We see them as an extension of our team. 

They have been quick to adapt according to how we also had to adapt due to Coronavirus. The teammate who ran the event set up was absolutely instrumental in making the conference successful. 

Kim and the team managed the conference project fantastically. She dealt with our suppliers to get sponsorship, got our internal stakeholders organized, and made sure that our people were registered for the conference. 

Josh is absolutely brilliant. He understands the business, even though our organization isn’t easy to wrap one’s head around. I’ve never had a bad experience with anyone they’ve assigned to work on our project. 

He manages the PR communications work very well, keeping us informed of where we are at all times. Elevate Communication’s team is very organized, and we meet every fortnight due to COVID-19. Before that, we communicated every week. 

Additionally, they provide us with quarterly reports of what they’ve achieved and that helps inform what I’m looking for in my team’s KPI dashboard.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can rely on Elevate Communication for anything because they’ve got the capabilities. The CEO of our organization’s Australia branch says that Elevate Communication is fantastic. The feedback on them has been brilliant, so we want more. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can think of. Anytime I’ve had feedback, I’ve spoken with Mel directly, and the feedback has been implemented very quickly. The team also listens to us.

If I can’t get a hold of Josh, I know there’s a backup. Elevate Communication has never let me down, so I’m happy that I made the switch from a large agency to a boutique agency because they really do care.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Even if you’re a multinational company, don’t think you have to go to a large agency to get the best PR and communications support. Boutique agencies give you time and dedication, and they invest in understanding your business in a way that larger agencies often do not. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former CEO of Mr. Rental in Australia and New Zealand.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevate Communication?

We were transitioning the business, so there was a management change. We needed help with some communications and PR during the transformation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevate Communication helped organize the annual franchisee event, involving all the franchises in Australia and New Zealand. They organized travel accommodations, timetables, agendas, formats, and domestic arrangements for the 3–4 nights, among other things. 

The team also helped with internal and external communications. They pulled content from various disciplines of the business and distributed it in different parts of the network, each with their requirements for information and software. 

Additionally, Elevate Communication helped us move to the new platforms completely including new technology and cultural aspects. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with 4–5 teammates at different times, depending on the need.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000–200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2012–February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It was a big transformation for the company, and the results they delivered were pretty good. We did satisfaction surveys, and they often exceeded expectations in the feedback given.

How did Elevate Communication perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication was very good and it was reflected in their understanding of what and why we did certain things. We communicated weekly. Elevate Communication met deadlines and stayed within budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their responsiveness and engagement were quite impressive. It made a big difference as we had some very tight deadlines. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, none that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Elevate Communication is good to work with, and they quickly engage. The team understands the issues that need to be addressed and will assist in achieving the desired outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Kinetic Etc. is a full-service activation agency. We cover disciplines such as running major festivals, events, branding creators, marketing strategies, and those types of services. I have been running Kinetic Etc. for 25 years, and I am the founder, director, and current operator of the team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevate Communication?

Our goal is to deliver a full media strategy, with implementation and execution, as well as engaging with those components in the media. Then we go right through to EAV (Equivalent Advertising Value) reports where results are measured, and dollar values are put to what the media exposure would be on a commercial level.

When we need to have specific and dedicated PR campaigns to promote certain activations that we do, we engage Elevate to come in, as they specialize in that area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevate takes on the task of providing us with PR services. For instance, Valley Fiesta is one major campaign they worked on with us. It is Brisbane’s biggest and longest-running street festival, having been around for 23 years. When we got the contract to produce the entire festival turnkey, we engaged Elevate to go over the briefing in terms of the full project, so that they understood the overall objectives and broader scope. From there, we drilled down, and I specifically briefed them on the requirements that we needed from their specialized services.

What is the team composition?

Generally, there are two people on the frontend, and there may be more people working behind the scenes that we don’t see. We usually work with Mel (Managing Director), and she is normally supported by an account manager as a backup for the project.

How did you come to work with Elevate Communication?

I got to know Mel about 10 years ago and, ever since then, we have done some great work together. To be honest, I don’t even ring anyone else. They are easy to work with, and they do a great job.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve probably spent about $500,000 over the period of time. Sometimes, I just refer clients to Elevate, so we don’t know what the value is that they get out of their spend, but then there are the ones where we take the lead.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together about 10 years ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have been happy with the end results and the numbers we see.

How did Elevate Communication perform from a project management standpoint?

We use email and phone for communication. We are not afforded the luxury of missing deadlines, so they always have to be spot on, which they are.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are very easy people to work with. In this day and age, some people can be very difficult, but Mel always has a great demeanor, and she is friendly and fun. I find that we can focus on the results rather than having to clash all the time on things. They are an easy team to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not from our point of view. What we work with them on is pretty much the bread and butter, and there is nothing I can say that I need from them beyond what they already do.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear about your objectives and the results you are looking for. You just want to make sure that everyone is 100% clear about what the expected outcome is going to be.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc, a non-profit organisation that supports and educates Eczema sufferers and carers, along with the wider community, in all aspects of Eczema and its impact. My role with the Association is to liaise with health professionals, pharmaceutical companies and other organisations to find out the most up-to-date information available and to ensure there is adequate funding for providing services to our members and the public.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Elevate Communication?

We hired Elevate Communication to provide us with expertise on logo branding and awareness campaigns, and also to assist us with attracting and managing our many corporate members who help fund our organisation. We only have part time staff at present, none of whom had this type of expertise or the time needed to address these needs. We were struggling to manage our corporate membership on a daily basis and keep up with their requests/membership privileges. We were also having issues regarding logo branding including IP use. Our other lack of expertise was in relation to raising the profile of our organisation in the public arena including utilizing social media. For our organisation it was much more cost effective to hire an outside company who already had staff members with expertise in these areas to work on a retainer basis.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to run campaigns to raise our profile both on social media and in the public generally to increase our family memberships, manage our corporate memberships and attract new corporate members. This would attract more funding via corporate members and enable us to plan and execute more projects such as attending more events, afford more educational information and reach a wider audience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had previously worked with a company in another State and found it very frustrating because we had difficulty having face-to-face meetings on a regular basis plus having services not locally based. Our Committee decided to find a local company so I looked online and contacted Elevate Communication and another two companies - one based locally and another interstate via email. Elevate responded very promptly, the other local company and the interstate company responded after about a week. I was impressed with the promptness of the response so we set up a meeting which I attended with another committee member with Mel Deacon the Managing Director of Elevate. Every decision for our organisation is decided by our Committee, however we were impressed with the Proposal submitted to us by Elevate after our meeting - both with the work proposed and the cost and we decided to engage them for a year.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Elevate Communication were retained to perform the following tasks: - manage and attract corporate members - help increase our family memberships - update our IP contractual obligations and manage IP use - identify areas where we were unknown or needed our profile raised - audit our social media presence and identify needs - look at our previous awareness campaigns and help us run future ones - assist in managing our digital/printed information including our quarterly magazine. The Eczema Association were responsible for providing guidelines for their goals together with existing materials.

What was the team composition?

We had a specific project manager who worked with others on the Elevate team when required. Over time the project manager has changed and some of their team members which resulted in more expertise in different areas on board which was helpful in assisting our needs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our social media platforms have shown increased traffic and the number of corporate members we now have has also increased. This has resulted in more funding for further campaigns and events which has exceeded our goals and expectations. However, our awareness campaigns, although raising our profile, have shown outcomes which are not as high as expected. Also, our family memberships have not been increased. This was as we expected as the majority of people now find most of the information they need online.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Overall we have been very happy with their performance with managing projects, communication and expectations. Every item is presented, agreed upon and scheduled on time. We know exactly what work has been agreed upon and what outcome we may expect. When we have had some negative feedback or disappointment, they have responded positively and swiftly to rectify the problem and are very willing to discuss potential difficult outcomes and try to provide a solution.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We find the Elevate Communication team very easy to work with - professional and friendly. They continue to impress us with new ideas and strategy outcomes which we can consider and implement. We very much like that they are above board with their pricing and we never have any costing surprises which have not been considered and agreed upon.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We always think there is room for improvement both from our end and theirs. However, overall we are very pleased with the service we have received from our association with Elevate Communication.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a co-founder of the 'Indigenous Business Precinct' (IBP). The IBP is a co working facility for Indigenous people to launch and grow their enterprises.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Elevate Communication?

We were undertaking our very first project here at the IBP. The project involved job seekers, volunteers, government agencies and Corporates. We aimed to fix walls and re-paint the entire co-working space. With the help of 'Elevate Communication' we were able to spread our story through various media networks and because of that we have been able to build the IBP profile quicker then we could have imagined.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goal for this project was to get the job seekers (who were interested in painting as a career) a real prospect of employment. Because of the media coverage of the project we several employers make contact and as a result some of the job seekers were offered employment in the painting industry.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We heard of 'Elevate Communication' from 'Supply Aus'. From the time we met with 'Elevate Communication' until the completion of the project we were very happy with the level of professionalism and with the overall outcome of the media coverage.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We initially communicated with 'Elevate Communication' over email, before meeting in person at the IBP. We spent the best part of the day onsite with 'Elevate Communication' speaking about our job seekers, the project in detail and the IBP in general. 'Elevate Communication' took fantastic photos of the project in action, our founders and the volunteers. They also did a fantastic article on the project which was picked up by 'Courier Mail' and 'National Indigenous Times (NIT), just to name a few.

What was the team composition?

We worked closely with Mark Henderson of 'Elevate Communication' in person and via email.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our job seekers obtained employment as a result of the project itself and the fantastic media coverage that was put together by Mark Henderson of 'Elevate Communication'.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We loved meeting with Mark onsite and to discuss the project in detail. Marks follow up communication with us was A+.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We had a very tight schedule to work to and the team at 'Elevate Communication' were able to work quickly and efficiently which meant our project deadlines were met.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We found working with 'Elevate Communication' an absolute pleasure.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am General Manager of Sustenhance

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Elevate Communication?

To move brand from Rural retail to mainstream retail products.

What were your goals for this project?

Ranging in main Pet channel, Petbarn, Petstock, whilst building social media awareness and activation

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched and interviewed agencies and found them authentic and flexible to work within our restricted capabilities and focus area.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After initial selection we commenced an internal working committee with Elevate staff, to develop a measurable and a level of accountability for the project. Elevate was able to assist with developing reporting pipelines back to service our board feedback.

What was the team composition?

It was a mix of senior and management across both businesses, and always felt part of the elevate team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

All goal were achieved within timeframe and budget.,

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The relationship developed has extended to new project and with staff in other businesses.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to deliver on what they plan and promise, I have found Elevate to be the most real PR firm in my 30 years of senior management.

Are there any areas for improvement?

As a driver of Indigenous employment and business it would be great to see Elevate offer a trainee role within their system for an Indigenous person.