Gumas

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m on the board of directors for Hospice By The Bay.

What challenge were you trying to address with Gumas?

We needed to change our name. We wanted to expand processes, geographies, and business lines. As a result, we had conversations around whether or not our name made sense with our business plans.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Gumas initially involved key stakeholders to discuss our current name. They learned what stakeholders liked about the name and what was important to them. This ensured that their names would resonate with our key stakeholders, which included donors, patients, and staff.

Their team performed research, leading interviews and conducting surveys. They also looked into trademarks. Based on all of their research, they came back to the management team on the board with three choices for names. We decided on one name that we'll announce soon.

Their team continues to help us. They're working to ensure that the name's announced properly as well as that additional marketing practices and initiatives are carried through.

What is the team composition?

We work with John (CEO) and Craig (President) who oversaw the project from beginning to end.

How did you come to work with Gumas?

I knew John through the board of another organization. We became friends. When we needed to leverage an advertising company, we threw Gumas’s hat in the ring. We interviewed two other companies but Gumas stood out based on what they could bring to the organization. They did a good job articulating what the final product would look like.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $250,000–$500,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started around October 2019, and the partnership’s ongoing.

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

Overall, the project's right on track. They articulate timelines well. Their team also ensures that the management team’s on task and that everything's as expected and intended.

How did Gumas perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team has done a fantastic job. On a scale of 1–10, they’ve been a 10.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their overall engagement’s impressive. They bring style and energy to the project. Their team’s excited about what they do. Their passion carries through to everyone involved in the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not really. My only feedback is that their team could’ve done a little more due diligence on the trademarking piece. When we asked questions about the names they recommended, they couldn’t really answer us. We had them go back and do more research into a trademark issue.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Leverage different people in the firm.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I have used Gumas for several projects with several different organizations, including Herschend Entertainment, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and for projects for some of our clients that we were not able to take on the work at GMR Marketing. They have handled projects spanning many different industries.

For what projects/services did your company hire Gumas?

The challenge for all projects that Gumas worked on are around awareness of the specific brand. Gumas is extremely skilled in driving awareness for challenger brands trying to gain market share. They also have a really keen ability to bring the marketing funnel closer to the sales pipeline for all of the projects and that is what I have been most impressed with about the organization. For Herschend Entertainment the brand needed to develop a demand generation campaign that could help to drive awareness to the brand and understand who was interested in the services offered. For the SF Chamber of Commerce, the brand needed support in driving membership within the technology industry and for GMR Marketing, digital marketing solutions has been the largest category in which they have serviced with great results and success. We have also used Gumas to help build websites and landing pages with great success.

What were your goals for this project?

Awareness, Consideration and Conversion were the goals for most projects.

How did you select this vendor?

For the first project I worked with them on at Herschend Entertainment, we went out to bid in the local marketplace with 5 agencies. We conducted phone interviews with all selected agencies and narrowed it down to 3 agencies to interview in-person. We gave the agency a realistic project solution opportunity to work on and present back to us. Gumas absolutely nailed the project and their team was the most personable and creative of all agencies interviewed.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

For all projects the thing that impressed me the most is that they always began with insight and data to help drive a position for a marketing campaign. From there they developed the creative that led into the design of the campaign. I always appreciated that they have a process that delivers results that will resonate with the end user and customer. For Herschend Entertainment it was multi-faceted using experiential marketing, digital marketing, sweepstakes and the content was then placed on social media for extended visibility longer than I expected. For the SF Chamber, it was supporting the brand by targeting tech so we conducted a brand refresh that would speak to the tech industry. We gave our website a facelift including all collateral. Gumas developed a demand generation thought leadership campaign that brought in over a hundred new leads.

What was the team composition?

I worked with John Gumas the owner and founder and Craig Alexander, but also had some cross with other team members and they are an all-around fantastic group of people and professionals.

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

With Herschend Entertainment we had an uptick in sales of over 37% during the campaign. For the SF Chamber of Commerce we increased membership by over 50 organizations and also were able to pick up over 10 Fortune 500 companies in the tech sector. The results around awareness, consideration and conversion were significant with our GMR Marketing leads.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Everything was on-point. We had detailed notes and timelines that were followed and when adjustments were made to either, we had full agreement and communication was very clear.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The creativity was off the charts, but what I liked the best about working with Gumas was their ability to find ways to increase market share through digital marketing. That is a major strength of the agency and they really do a nice job of clearly communicating their strategy. Everything they do has insights and data involved and I think that is what really helps them nail the creative side of any marketing strategy or campaign. They are pros!

Are there any areas for improvement?

No - I believe they really hit the mark on everything. I have worked with a lot of agencies and there is nobody that I have found to be more efficient and nobody that has gotten near the results that Gumas delivered. I can't say enough about them.

Please describe your company and your position there.

VP of Sales, Marketing and R&D

For what projects/services did your company hire Gumas?

Marketing and Advertising Agency - Full TIme

What were your goals for this project?

Develop and implement a complete brand, packaging and digital marketing strategy for Mi Rancho

How did you select this vendor?

Capabilities, resources, experience and track record

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Gumas took the time to understand our history, capabilities, and strategy to develop a very comprehensive marketing plan for Mi Rancho.

What was the team composition?

We had support from CEO, Presdient, Account Manager, PR Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, and Web Development

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

We were able to create and implement a comprehensive marketing plan which included new logo, packaging, website, digital marketing, and PR. It help us to differentiate ourselves from our key competitors. and build our retail and foodservice business

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent. We had a very collaborative working relationship across all levels of both organizations

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their people are first class. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not at all. I will continue to do business with them

Please describe your company and your position there.

Moreau Catholic High School is a compassionate community of caring, dedicated and visionary academic leaders tirelessly committed to transforming our students into game changers. Our inclusive, innovative and personalized approach encourages our students to find their voice and prepares them to confidently take on college and the world. I currently serves as the Director of Advancement

For what projects/services did your company hire Gumas?

We partnered with Gumas on a rebranding program and implementing our first comprehensive digital marketing program.

What were your goals for this project?

Are primary goal was to increase awareness of Moreau Catholic High School through the San Francisco Bay Area. By increasing awareness we also anticipated increasing enrollment.

How did you select this vendor?

I have known John Gumas for over 10 years. I have always admired the work that Gumas has done specifically with companies and organizations that face challenges similar to ours. When I was looking for an Advertising Company that could help us increase our brand awareness and do it within our budget, the first company I thought of was Gumas. They are people I could trust to provide and give me the best advice that lead to positive results.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The project was done in two phases. Phase one included a rebranding of the school logo and tag line. The Gumas Team lead a one-day workshop with school leadership where they facilitated discussions around what made our school unique. Than they interviewed alumni, alumni parents and current parents to gather more information about the school. Once they complied all the information they gathered they designed an updated logo and tag line. The scheduled another day where they shared what they had discover and presented the new logo and tag line. Phase two of the project was the implantation of our new Digital Marketing Program. With a limited budget the Gumas Team highly recommended that we focus primarily on Digital Advertising. They designed a program that would fit our budget and provide the results that we needed to increase brand awareness and enrollment.

What was the team composition?

Even though we were assigned to one account manager, the entire Gumas Team is involved and available. It is truly a team effort.

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

Since the start of the Digital Marketing Program we have experienced a significant increase in traffic to our web site and an increase in application to our school.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manage has always been available and responsive to our needs. But everyone at Gumas has contributed to our success. The workflow has been seamless.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive aspects of Gumas is their attention to detail and how they function as a team. They truly care about their clients and their success. There have been many times that John Gumas himself has reached out to me just to touch base and make sure that all was well. There is a personal connection that is unique to Gumas

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. I have yet to see or experience anything I would do different when working with the Gumas Team.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a contracted website design and developer.

For what projects/services did your company hire Gumas?

We designed and developed a Wordpress site, specifically updating navigation, images, linking, CTA and product pages on the site.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals were to improve the informative and transactional aspects of the products on the site.

How did you select this vendor?

Their staff is highly responsive and works steadily at a solid pace for project completion.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We kicked off with a project creative brief which led to design comps and then the eventual implementation / development of the updates on the staging and then live site.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of 2-4 people at any given time. We communicated via phone and email. As each person took charge of their role we all worked in tandem and fluidity to complete the project.

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

It has led to new projects in a couple of different website platforms- Wordpress and Shopify.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was great.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Clients have access to project managers and the technical team. This gives confidence that all needs are being met and everyone is on the same page.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not in my opinion.