Flipp Advertising Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're an agricultural technology company focused on innovative hemp processing and product creation. It is one of the only commercial-scale hemp processors in North America able to manufacture high-value hemp products. Our products are made from industrial hemp grown sustainably in Southern Alberta and processed using a state-of-the-art plant at our production facility in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Company is led by passionate advocates for industrial hemp who have years of operations, manufacturing, marketing, consumer packaged goods and retail sales experience. We work with progressive farmers and world-recognized researchers with unparalleled expertise. CEO

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Flipp Advertising Inc., and what were your goals?

We acquired this company and required a complete overhaul of the brand and two marquee products.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have worked with Flipp before on a different company.

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

Complete rebrand of our company including brand guidelines, new logo, fonts, etc. Complete rebrand and naming of our cat litter product including logo, brand guidelines & packaging. Complete rebrand and naming of another product including logo, brand guidelines & packaging.

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

Approximately 5-8 from junior positions all the way to senior.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very happy with the end deliverables. All can be seen on our website and resulting products.

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

The communication overall was good. Timelines were generally met.

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

Flipp is very creative and gets the job done. I would say quality is their top attribute.

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

We were disappointed that the team we started with changed and we ended up having a new project manager who was not in the initial meetings or discussions. I thought she ended up being the weak link and is one of the reasons that we stopped working with them and would really set boundaries going forward on this if we were to work with them again. The initial team had energy, was senior and on top of it and we were blindsided a month in with this change.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a managing partner at a professional services company that specializes in Oracle ERP products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We wanted to achieve market differentiation, as well as reach into new markets to increase our brand recognition.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

One of their services was a brand audit that investigated what works for us, what hasn’t worked in the past, and what our competitors are doing. Flipp then put together recommendations that we went around implementing in our messaging and how we talk about ourselves.

Their work took place right in the middle of COVID, including a small relaunch of ourselves, including a new logo and a small story behind the logo.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with various teams over the course of the multiple projects we’ve done with them, but I would say there were 5–6 people on this effort: Rebecca (Account Manager), Craig (Owner), and Brian (Senior Digital Media Strategist) and Leah (Creative Director), who were the digital and creative heads respectively.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

When I took over as creative director, I’d already maxed out my previous go-to vendor’s capabilities and wanted someone with a full suite of offerings. I did my own research through reading reviews and word of mouth, and Flipp Advertising was one of four firms that I contacted. The choice came down to how responsive they were.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $150,000–$200,000 with them over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The work garnered some real interest and excitement in our existing customers and enabled us to go after some new ones.

Sales went down 20% during COVID because trade shows weren’t happening, but we were back up 25% the next year after beginning to work with Flipp again. They’ve also been instrumental in rolling out our digital strategy this year, and we’re going to be up another 20%. This will be our best year on record.

How did Flipp Advertising Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a dedicated account manager who basically acts as a project manager, and she’s great. I’m not a micromanager, so she tracks their team and provides all the data I need for reporting and budgeting. Everything has stayed on track.

We communicated over Zoom early on and had some in-person meetings for strategy and design kick-off, but we tranferred over to weekly phone calls and email check-ins .

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with them brings you all the benefits of working with a large agency regarding skills and bandwidth, but they also bring you a real personal relationship. I’m not a number when I’m dealing with Flipp Advertising. I’m always dealing with the same people, and they know me very well. We’re easily able to pivot and adapt together.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were a few areas that weren’t in the portfolio initially, like email marketing, but they’ve adapted and have since become a full-blown email marketing practice.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let them focus on what they’re really good at and then take their advice. Be open and straightforward when you meet them so they can have time to understand your underlying needs and challenges. They’re experts.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the VP of Marketing and Sales for Curbie Cars. We are Canada's first fully licensed online vehicle retailer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Flipp Advertising Inc., and what were your goals?

Our goal was to refresh our brand by becoming more relevant to our target audience, more legitimate as an online business and modernize our appearance.

SOLUTION

How did you select Flipp Advertising Inc.?

After researching many agencies across Canada, Flipp was chosen based on their design expertise and having a skilled digital component to their agency that would help us consider the full spectrum of our marketing efforts.

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

Vision fest kick-off and planning, Logo and brand story book, A digital brand book (online), Campaign creatives, Website UI design, Social media look-book, Digital media strategy and set up, Digital media management and reporting, and Digital media spend

How many people from the Flipp Advertising Inc. team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Managing Partner, Craig Senior Account Manager, Danielle Designer, Emily Creative Director, Leah Senior Digital Strategist, Brian

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The result was a very modern, creative and inspiring new logo, website design, collateral, social media and voice. We had constant feedback from customers that they loved our new branding and our employees felt that it made us look more like a legitimate business.

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

Our senior account manager was fantastic! She was always well organized, clear and could help build consensus around ideas. The managing director had a profound way of getting to the root of the issue and suggesting a clear and concise path forward.

The senior digital strategist was very straight forward and never used vanity metrics to make a point. The creative director was full of such great energy, providing an immensely important viewpoint of our business. Our designer was incredibly gifted, delivering beautiful results.

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

I appreciated that Flipp was so multi talented. That along with their exceptional creative Team they had a fantastic digital marketing Team, web designers, developers, social media and media buying experts. Their timing, coordination, and expectations were all perfect.

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

I just wish we had more budget to work on more great projects with the Flipp Team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Brewster’s Brewing Company; we’re a restaurant and brewery company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We needed help with design work and branding strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Flipp Advertising Inc. has been providing marketing and design services — we’ve used them for a dozen projects. They interview us, gather information, and design something that goes with the concept we want to do.

What is the team composition?

We mainly work with their principal, an account manager, and 3–4 designers.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We found them through a Google search.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve worked on several assignments, but we invested CAD $40,000–$50,000 (approximately $31,900–$39,100 USD) in our last project with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2014, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The feedback on their work has always been positive from our customer base and our team — they always help reach our branding goals.

How did Flipp Advertising Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is fantastic; they’re punctual, organized, and keep us on track. In terms of communication, we use phone calls, Google Meet, email, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their personal attention is outstanding; they’ve developed a personal relationship with us, which keeps the relationship working.

Are there any areas they could improve?

At first, their project management wasn’t as detailed as now in terms of progression updates. But other than that, they’ve been excellent.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the food and beverage manager as well as the marketing and communications manager at a country golf club. We have about 850 shareholders and 1,200 members.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising?

We had a bit of a slowdown in membership, so our main longterm focus was on finding a way to bring that up. Our media needed to tell a better story to attract and retain members.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Flipp Advertising designed and developed a website for us, as well as taking over our digital and social media marketing. We began by having meetings with their team to discuss our end goals and how they could best get us there. Their team gave us a few different options for our budget and we came up with a firm plan.

After launching our public-facing website. They began working on an email campaign through our club software. Flipp Advertising also helped us create photo and video assets for our site, including drone footage. Their team also helped with our branding and complied a brand book for us. 

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Danielle (Account Manager, Flipp Advertising), but we worked with about five members of their team. Leah (Creative Director, Flipp Advertising) helped us with our drone shoot, and we also worked with Craig  (Managing Partner, Flipp Advertising).

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising?

One of our members met Leah through a mutual contact. He mentioned some of our challenges and how he wanted to get on the board of directors to grow club membership and increase share value. They got to talking about it further, and she told him about Flipp Advertising. He brought the information to me and our general manager who decided it would be a good idea to meet with their team. That’s how it all started.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested between $40,000–$45,000 CAD (approximately $30,000–$33,800 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Flipp Advertising began in April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our share price has increased since we started working with Flipp Advertising, and this work has definitely been part of that. We’re very happy with the design and layout of the website. We’ve received positive comments about our website as well as an increased in traffic. The winter is when one of the main membership drives occurs, so we will know more after that. 

Our social media posts get more likes than before. This has all occurred after our rebranding once we had Flipp Advertising’s guidance on our social media channels. Our social media playbook is easy to understand. The brand book gives us a more polished appealing look for our current members to be proud of and potential new members to be impressed by. Their team has been fantastic and the quality of the work is excellent. The photographer captured amazing footage and was fantastic to work with. 

How did Flipp Advertising perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team has been very consistent in terms of lettings us know when things are happening so we can plan for them. Everything has been within our budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of our conversations really stands out. Throughout the process, our teams have communicated really well. They figured out what makes our club unique and produced work that aligned perfectly with that vision. It’s really cool to work with a company that gets that right, even after only working with us for a short amount of time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I think overall they’re great. Sometimes communication wouldn’t happen as quickly as we would like, but some of that is on our end as well. The delivery of the product was efficient which matters most.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend as much time upfront making sure both teams are on the same page. Once they get to know you and figure out what your business is after, they can deliver. Flipp Advertising has the talent and the team to produce a great product. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of The Happiest Collection, an e-commerce store selling Canadian apparel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

I hired Flipp Advertising to create a new logo and brand guide. The business needed a fresh look to revamp the company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I touched base with Flipp Advertising and explained what I needed in more depth. I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, so I trusted their judgment. They came up with ideas for the deliverables by looking at my website and researching my business.

They provided several options for the logo. I chose one main design and their team created variations to use for my social media and advertising needs. Overall, they put together a style tile that included colors, fonts, lettering, and other designs to create a cohesive look for my business.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Emily (Managing Partner & Founder, Flipp Advertising Inc.). There was a team working to support the project, but she primarily communicated with them on my behalf.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

I had heard of Flipp Advertising through word of mouth from shared connections. Once I had the opportunity to work with them, I reached out to the team for the project.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent under $10,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January–February 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s too early in the process to see any quantitative metrics, but I'm ecstatic with the work they produced. I’ve rolled out the new logo on Instagram and received incredible feedback. I got exactly what I needed from their team—I fully believe I’m on the right track with the new brand they created for me.

How did Flipp Advertising Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Everything went perfectly. All communication was fast and concise; we primarily spoke through email. I really enjoyed working with them because they were professional and easygoing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The final deliverables Flipp Advertising produced were spot-on with what I envisioned. I didn’t have to make any big changes to the options they gave me, which was impressive. They fully understood what I wanted and how to create it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I had such a positive experience, there’s nothing they could have improved.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Allow Flipp Advertising to use their creativity to produce something innovative. If you try to control the project too much, you may end up stifling their talent.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of development in Alberta for Macdonald Development Corporation. We’re a real estate developer that is active in both Canada and the US.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising?

Our community needed a rebranding. Our initial brand has become outdated and overused, so we wanted an entirely new set of branding materials.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Flipp Advertising began by creating a new website for us and started the digital campaign. They provide SEO for our site across different platforms, such as Google. Their team manages our social media presence, including on Facebook and Instagram. They’ve done print advertising for us, and created hardcopy brochures, handouts, and maps for our offices. As a team, they continue to provide marketing collateral and ongoing maintenance.

What is the team composition?

They provide a dedicated account manager, who communicates with the rest of their team on our behalf. We’ve interacted with a few of the people behind the scenes, including the social media manager, the creative director, and the manager of digital content.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising?

We followed a referral and interviewed 3–4 different firms. We moved forward with Flipp Advertising after speaking with their current and past clients, and we had a generally positive feeling about them.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent around $150,000 CAN (approximately $113,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2017, and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since starting the project, we’ve seen a significant jump in users and conversions on the site. Thanks in part to Flipp Advertising’s work, all of our measurable analytics have increased substantially. They revitalized our online campaigns and performed a total overhaul that we're delighted with.

How did Flipp Advertising perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great at keeping us informed. At the beginning of the year, they provided us with a budget tracker to ensure we’d stay on track throughout the project. If there is a chance of falling behind the schedule, they give us notice and send continuous updates on their progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The special attention they give our project makes it feel like we’re one team. We’re a smaller operation, so we depend very heavily on having a tight-knit group working together. They never hesitate to go above and beyond—we appreciate that they’re invested in the collaboration.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Researching sales and marketing strategies before the engagement could help manage expectations for the project. Additionally, clearly explain your needs and goals to Flipp Advertising, so there are no misunderstandings.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m executive director for KidSport Calgary, a local not-for-profit organization. It provides low-income families with registration fee assistance so their kids can participate in sports.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We needed to find a partner for our 25th anniversary, which will be taking place in 2020. The key for us was to find a partner that understood our business, goals, and history.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Flipp Advertising Inc. is working with us to create an anniversary program for 2020. We're in the initial planning stages now. They've done a strategy session with us to identify the core ideas that will be the central focus of the celebration.

They’ve also worked with us on another project. They built a simple website and integrated donation platform for our Calgary Flames Ambassador program called Goals for Kids. They did everything from top to bottom on the design. They're also supporting the digital campaign strategy and social media in terms of messaging and graphics.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with several members of their team, including designers and social media strategists.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We selected them from a group of 12 different agencies that we interviewed.

How much have you invested with them?

I think the retail cost is around $30,000. That's not what we paid because they’re donating some of their time. As a small not-for-profit, spending money on outside resources is not something we typically do.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've definitely seen results on the Goals for Kids program. The web platform is outstanding. Our partners love it. It’s generating traffic and new donations. They’ve created a platform that can grow with us and amplify our impact.

How did Flipp Advertising Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

We have no complaints. We're digging in now on the 25th-anniversary project and learning more about how to work together. So far they’ve been responsive and timely in terms of delivering on their commitments. We mostly communicate through email. They’re good about coming to us with any questions and getting the information that they need. It's a really great partnership.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Starting from the co-founders, their entire team has a positive attitude and approach to the work. Everyone there recognizes that we're not just a customer or a client. They understand who we are and what we're trying to accomplish. They’re all about trying to help us achieve our goals. They also push us to look at things a little differently sometimes. They’re willing to work hand in hand with us to use our 25th anniversary as a platform that will set us up for success for the next 25 years.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not at this point. Everything's gone well to date.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend the time to meet with them so they can understand what you looking for. They'll ask smart questions because they have a very knowledgeable team with great experience. If they're the right fit for you as a partner, they’ll help you accomplish your goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing for an advertising co-op.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

We needed a new partner to manage all of our out-of-home advertising.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Flipp Advertising Inc. does all of our billboards, radio, transit, and Canadian Traffic Network advertising. They provided the initial creative and then we chose the best campaign they pitched. They set all of the formats and created all the collateral, and then our internal team took over.

What is the team composition?

We have two main points of contact.

How did you come to work with Flipp Advertising Inc.?

I interviewed a few agencies and asked some to pitch campaign ideas. I wanted a small and local firm that would be able to have face-to-face meetings. I looked up references, read reviews, and chose Flipp Advertising because I liked what they came up with.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since January 2018, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Out-of-home advertising isn’t really quantifiable, but it works in conjunction with our other advertising to drive awareness.

How did Flipp Advertising Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

The senior account manager does a good job of keeping our project on track, but sometimes we need a bit more help. Flipp Advertising is incredibly busy, though, so I understand that they can’t make sure I have everything done when I need to.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like that they’re local.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They need to be more transparent about costs. When we initiated the partnership, I thought I was clear that we would pay Flipp Advertising a percentage of our advertising spend. That’s not what they ended up charging us for, so they need to be more honest and upfront about their fees.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Get all of the costs at the beginning so that there aren’t any surprises.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the Creative Manager for Spiritleaf, a recreational, cannabis retailer franchise. We work with our partner to find them anything from a new location to advertising and supply.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flipp Advertising?

There wasn’t a challenge, per se, but we were starting a new company, so we reached out to them during our initial branding phase.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When we started, our objective was to sell franchises, so they designed our website to cater just to investors and people who wanted to open their own stores. Once we capped out, they redesigned the entire site to cater more to our customers. Since coaching us through our initial branding, they’ve built websites for our holding company and four of our house brands.

They did a full logo design for us as well, both for our brand and our holding company and three of our house brands. They’ve also created a training portal from scratch where our employees can do their training courses. Right now, they're working on the packaging for our house brands and a loyalty program landing page.

What is the team composition?

I mostly work with their Strategic Account Director, who has been my main point of contact. I’ve worked a little bit with their Partner Account Lead, as well as their Art Director. We also worked directly a little with one of their developers.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $210,000 CAD ($161,490 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since May 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're completely sold out of territory, in terms of selling any more franchises, and that was through some of their creative. All of our franchise partners comment on our branding: the logo, the look and feel of it in general - they say that's what stands out in our industry. That's why I feel like we're so successful with selling and how we’ve generated a cult following.

How did Flipp Advertising perform from a project management standpoint?

They always meet deadlines and they work really quickly. If I need something they get back to right away, either over phone or email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were easy to approach and they definitely feed on collaboration. They were much more flexible than another agency we worked with and took the time to know our look and feel. They sat down with us and dedicated time to learning how to reflect our brand and our company culture in their work.

Their Partner Account Lead provided a lot of mentorship, which helped us because, as a new company, we don’t know as much as they do. They’re really good at providing feedback and the right resources to make sure that we’re successful. They never leave us hanging.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would suggest that they let us meet the entire team: the developers, designers, whoever is behind our branding. We do have a main point of contact, but, on a more personal level, we could have a little bit more confidence if we put a face with the artwork.

Any advice for potential customers?

When we joined, we didn’t have much of a breakdown of our personas—who our customers were going to be. It would have a lot of value for them to walk their clients through the process of how they came up with certain designs or elements or colors.