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We direct response.

4.9
8 reviews

Sixteen years and a billion of pieces of mail later, we’re still focused solely on direct marketing. It’s what we do, and we love it. As a result, we’re one of the nation’s most experienced and trusted direct marketing agencies.

Time and time again, we have developed direct mail packages that surpass our clients’ current control packages and exceed their KPIs. If you’re going to mail, mail with confidence, WE DELIVER!

 
$50,000+
 
$200 - $300 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2001
Show all +
Hayward, CA
headquarters
  • 1275 A Street
    Hayward, CA 94541
    United States
    5107490054

Portfolio

Key clients: 
ZipRecruiter, Wells Fargo, Square, One Medical, LendingClub, AAA, Personal Capital, Robinhood, Metromile, Union Bank, The Motley Fool, Opendoor, Oscar, LendingTree, SoFi, Dish Network, Ooma, Postmates, Zenreach
Direct Marketing Solutions for ZipRecruiter Image

Direct Marketing Solutions for ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is a job posting, placement and recruitment marketplace. They take part in a significant amount of marketing to attract employers to post jobs on their site, so they wanted a partner to help with their direct mail program. Gunderson Direct worked alongside ZipRecruiter setting up cost-efficient formats and direct mail best practices. The result was that Gunderson Direct helped grow ZipRecruiter’s marketing spend

…
from about $50,000 a month to millions a month, increased growth and showed a high ROI in return.
Read more...
Direct Marketing Solutions for One Medical Image

Direct Marketing Solutions for One Medical

One Medical is a health care service company based in San Francisco. The challenge for Gunderson Direct was to increase response rates and reduce costs. The Gunderson Direct team built new direct mailing strategies for the medical practice. Within six months, the team saved One Medical $2 million in marketing expenditures and increased responses from 0.05 percent to 1 percent.

Direct Marketing Solution for Personal Capital Image

Direct Marketing Solution for Personal Capital

 

Person Capital is a financial services firm in California, USA that was looking for new ways to reach their target audience through direct mail services. To address the problem, Gunderson Direct provided direct mail services, including strategy and production of creative assets. They handled several million pieces of mail per quarter for the company. Gunderson’s efforts have continued to add value to the company over

…
the years through efficient, hands-on, and responsive collaboration. Personal Capital still uses their services to this day.
Read more...
ZipRecruiter Image

ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter Image

ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter Image

ZipRecruiter

Zenreach Image

Zenreach

Wells Fargo Image

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Image

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Image

Wells Fargo

Wave Image

Wave

Union Bank Image

Union Bank

Swift Capital Image

Swift Capital

Swift Capital Image

Swift Capital

Swift Capital Image

Swift Capital

Swift Capital Image

Swift Capital

Square Image

Square

Square Image

Square

SoFi Image

SoFi

SoFi Image

SoFi

SelectQuote Image

SelectQuote

Restless Bandit Image

Restless Bandit

RateSetter Image

RateSetter

RateSetter Image

RateSetter

Postmates Image

Postmates

Postmates Image

Postmates

Personal Capital Image

Personal Capital

Oscar Image

Oscar

Oscar Image

Oscar

Opendoor Image

Opendoor

Opendoor Image

Opendoor

Ooma Image

Ooma

One Medical Image

One Medical

Netspend Image

Netspend

Metromile Image

Metromile

Madison Reed Image

Madison Reed

Madison Reed Image

Madison Reed

LendUp Image

LendUp

Lending Tree Image

Lending Tree

Lending Tree Image

Lending Tree

LendingClub Image

LendingClub

LendingClub Image

LendingClub

HomeSmart Image

HomeSmart

Headsets.com Image

Headsets.com

Globe University Image

Globe University

Freedom Financial Image

Freedom Financial

FlipKey Image

FlipKey

Dish Network Image

Dish Network

BorrowersFirst Image

BorrowersFirst

Bench Image

Bench

Antimite Image

Antimite

AAG Image

AAG

AAA Image

AAA

Direct mail aquisition for AAA car insurance.

Reviews

4.9
8 reviews
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Direct Marketing for Auto Insurance Company

“They ensured flawless campaigns and always delivered on time.”

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4.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
3.5
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
July - Sept. 2019
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct spearheaded an auto insurance company’s mail outreach campaigns and made sure that their communications were all in line. The team used a complex mail sorting device to sort mail accurately.

The Reviewer
 
201-500 employees
 
San Francisco, California
Director of Growth, Auto Insurance Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

In the absence of the internal resources, the client found Gunderson Direct to be a reliable and effective partner. They ensured flawless campaigns and always delivered on time. They proved to be an excellent resource as they were great at project management on top of having a specialized skill set.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of growth at an auto insurance company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

We were looking for help in building our direct-mail acquisition program.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Gunderson Direct was responsible for organizing our mail outreach strategy. They spearheaded our communications campaigns and made sure they were executed without error. The team used OPEX Mail Matrix, a mixed mail sorting system, to manage our mail speedily and accurately.

What is the team composition?

My point of contact was our account manager. There were 3–4 people who worked on the project that I didn’t interact with as often.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

Having been in the marketing industry myself, I’d heard of them before. We decided to go with them because they had good references, and we liked the fact that they were local.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted between July to December 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They ensured flawless campaigns and always delivered on time. They’re a great direct-mail resource for companies that don’t have the internal capacity or necessary skills.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

I was very satisfied on this front. We had weekly meetings but were in constant communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by their proficiency in project management.

Are there any areas they could improve?

While we didn’t hire them to do creative design and content, I feel that they could improve in this area.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re the agency of choice for companies that don’t have the internal resources, because they offer a specialized skill set. In the long-term, companies should aim to develop those skills internally so they don’t have to rely on external service providers.

4.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 3.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Direct Mail for Various Companies and Startups

"I was lucky to meet the team and would happily engage them again."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
2006 - 2017
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct completed a series of direct mail campaigns. They did market research and demographic analysis to target specific audiences. Other services included A/B testing and creative concepts.

The Reviewer
 
San Francisco, California
Matthew Stark
Marketing Manager
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They executed compelling campaigns in a thoughtful manner; results varied by size and scope. Prices increased over time, but justifiably reflected the team’s expertise, resources, and cost-effective approach. They built mutually beneficial relationships in a transparent environment.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior integrated marketing manager at CreativeLive, an online education platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address Gunderson Direct?

I’ve worked with Mike, the president, at several different companies. Primarily, he led direct mail campaigns. Mike also provided supplemental services for paid advertising and creative services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For one project, they did market research for a startup’s insurance product, which protected homeowners against real estate market devaluation. We wanted interstate demographic data to target specific audiences. We also targeted affinity groups, including food, lifestyle, and travel. Next, we collaborated with Mike to brainstorm creative concepts.

Direct also did staggered A/B testing to incorporate changes during multi-month campaigns. The slow nature of direct mail made this approach necessary for implementing modifications and successful techniques.

What is the team composition?

Mike was my primary point of contact for each project.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

Mike already worked for my employer when I joined that company.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we have spent between $200,000–$1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in 2006 and the most recent project ended in 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Mike’s undertaking for one campaign experienced positive ROI every month. Campaigns for two different startups didn’t get a positive ROI. However, I don’t fault them because we believed in direct mail channels for both projects. At another company, we realized direct mail wasn’t the best fit.

Overall, he assembled compelling mail packages that resonated well. His A/B testing matrixes were thoughtful. They advanced our programs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

Mike was responsive, accessible, and highly creative. His team set realistic expectations to build long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships. They didn’t accept work if they couldn’t make the project successful. We communicate primarily via email, but also phone and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Overall, Mike delivered on his promises. He was one of the few local vendors that truly understood the direct mail space. He knew segmentation and marketing.

Rates have increased since the first engagement, but their performance justified the costs. Gunderson Direct limited services to their most effective channels. They were transparent and honest; Mike cared more about relationships than making money.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything. I loved working with Mike. As a vendor, they skillfully under-promised and over-delivered. I was lucky to meet them and would happily engage them again.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Direct mail has become more popular. Lean on Mike’s experience to understand if his services match the scope requirements. The project will be successful if they accept the work, but trust them if they decline.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Direct Mail Campaign for Financial Technology Company

“I consider them a part of our own team—they're always willing to help us in any capacity.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Oct. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Gunderson provides direct mail services, including strategy and production of creative assets. They handle several million pieces of mail per quarter for the company.

The Reviewer
 
501-1000 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Director of Marketing, Financial Technology Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Gunderson's efforts have continued to add value to the company over the years. Efficient, hands-on, and responsive, collaborating with their team is seamless. With the best interests of their clients at heart, they're flexible and transparent in their approach to managing projects and pricing. 

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of marketing for a financial technology company that offers wealth management and software tools for individual investors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

We were looking for new ways to reach our target audience through direct mail services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Gunderson provided several services. Initially, they consulted us and made recommendations on how we could best get started with a direct mail campaign. They then connected us to a list broker and helped with the creative assets, from production to printing and mailing. We've progressed from mailing a couple hundred thousand to several million pieces of mail per quarter.

What is the team composition?

We primarily work with an account manager, as well as Mike (President, Gunderson Direct) and a few others.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

Our company was working with them before I came onboard, but I was told my predecessor researched a few different companies and ultimately felt Gunderson was the best option.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested under $200,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with Gunderson since the fall of 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've been very pleased with the results of the program, which is why we continue to increase the work we do with them.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

They're highly efficient and thorough in their work. I'm confident in their project management capabilities.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very hands-on, responsive, and collaborative. I consider them a part of our own team—they're always willing to help us in any capacity. I also find them to be transparent and fair in their prices.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I don't have any complaints.

5.0
Overall Score We've been quite happy with their work.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They always meet mailing schedules.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    We get great service for what we pay.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Direct Mail for Medical Practice

“We tested lots of other mailing options, but none was as good as Gunderson.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Sept. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct built new direct mailing strategies for a medical practice. They met regularly to discuss creative and strategic plans to improve response rates and reduce overall costs.

The Reviewer
 
501-1000 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Barbara Kelly
Former Director of Direct Marketing, One Medical
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They helped save $2,000,000 in marketing expenditures and increased responses from .05% to 1%. They managed the project well, documenting every conversation and responding quickly to questions or urgent requests.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former senior marketing manager for One Medical. I was responsible for direct mail, field marketing, and partnerships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

We were spending an absurd amount of money on direct mailings. We had a very poor response rate and knew we could do better. We wanted a company to help improve our rates and reduce our costs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We reviewed our prior direct mail pieces and built a testing strategy. They put together a bunch of options that we vetted. We came up with a metrics dashboard and segments to target. Every time we went through a test, the Gunderson piece was always the winner. The “Gunderson Package” was the one to beat. We tested lots of other mailing options, but none was as good as Gunderson.

What is the team composition?

I took the lead on my side, and worked hand-in-hand with Mike (President, Gunderson Direct) and their account manager. Mike came in once a week and the account manager was there for me on a daily basis. Their forte is creative, but they also partnered with me in strategy.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

I heard about Gunderson at a prior company. They had rave reviews, so we included them when we sent out the RFP. We chose them for their budget and their prior work. We knew they could take us to the levels we needed.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent at least $1,100,000 on their services and printing costs.

What is the status of this engagement?

We engaged them in September 2016. One Medical still maintains a relationship with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They had a huge impact. When we started, we were spending $4,000,000 with a .05% response rate. Within six months, we cut our spending by half and increased the response rate to 1%. They were instrumental in that.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

They were outstanding. We might have been a difficult client, but they made us successful. Their management was one of their best skills. They were always on top of emails and they documented every text or conversation. They responded quickly in every conversation and were absolutely stellar.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I liked how involved Mike was. He didn’t try to pawn me off to a project manager and had a vested interest in my success. They never tried to expedite things or trap us in a sales ploy. Everything was on my terms and they were really good partners.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be nice to have them visit more often for face-to-face meetings. We had telecom meetings via Zoom, but meeting in person is always a positive.

5.0
Overall Score They were great partners and gave me what I needed.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were always ready.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    We got a huge cost benefit from their rates and the amount of work they did.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They were excellent project managers and had a vested interest.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Direct Mail Program for Small Business Credit Platform

“They have a lot of integrity and take pride in the quality of their work.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct leads market research and list cleansing for a small business credit platform. They improved responses, incorporate branding into new materials, and act as a full-service direct mailing shop.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Burrlingame, California
Sean Cummings
VP of Marketing, Nav
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They greatly reduced the bounce rate for mailings and their focused abilities are all very strong. They’ve honed tracking capabilities and continue to improve results. They stand out among their competitors for their willingness to follow through.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Nav is a small business platform that makes business credit profiles more transparent. Many business owners are unaware of their business credit scores and how they affect their ability to get funding or hire the best workers. We give them free access to that information.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

It’s difficult to target small business owners specifically. Whenever we sent a direct mailing, we would waste money on hundreds of undeliverable pieces. We have databases, but needed a firm with market expertise to cleanse our lists and appeal to our audience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped with market research and list targeting. They verified our list against theirs to eliminate dead leads. They provided us with a lot of information, including who the best responders were. They worked within our style guidelines to incorporate our existing branding into new materials. Based on our specifications, they did creative work for us, as well as all of our mailings. They act as our full-service shop.

What is the team composition?

We work with three people directly, though the total team may be closer to six people.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

I researched companies who performed well with a small business audience. We reached out for a consultation call with them and they checked all the boxes. They had all the right answers, so we gave them a test project. They performed really well and the relationship grew from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent under $200,000 for their services. The total cost of our campaigns was more.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2016. Work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their list cleansing is phenomenal, now we barely get any pieces back. They did a great job with the test project and continued to improve on that success. We’re able to track some of our customers through a matching service. Our results keep getting better, with no glitches so far. They go through which pieces are performing well and which ones can be strengthened.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

They do really well. We’re a demanding client, but they turn projects around as fast as we can get graphics to them. We set up a Slack channel between our offices so we could communicate with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a lot of integrity and take pride in the quality of their work. One of the first pieces we mailed had an error on it that we missed. They resent the whole batch at their own expense. That established the relationship right away. Not every company can follow through the way they do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. As far as direct mail goes, they’re really good. We’re augmenting their work with PebblePost for programmatic direct mail. They don’t dilute their skillset by going into areas they’re not good at.

5.0
Overall Score In marketing, a company lives and dies at the hands of its vendors. They make our whole group look better.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They’ve never missed a deadline.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I was surprised by how low their fees are, especially considering their creativity and expertise.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Even when we give them very little direction, they come back with expert solutions and constantly exceed our expectations.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

Advertising for Insurance Group

“They’ve made a lot of miracles happen very quickly… [and are] committed to direct mail in a way very few agencies are.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
2012 - Jan. 2018
Project summary: 

Gunderson assisted an insurance group with a wide variety of initiatives. They provided strategy and creative resources for several campaigns over seven years, primarily supporting direct mail and email.

The Reviewer
 
1,001 - 10,000 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Former Marketing Manager, Insurance Group
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They helped reduce print costs by 30–50% and increased response rates by 20–30%. They were instrumental in campaign success and improved a broad swath of protocols. They took an integrated approach to ensure good ROI and were easy to work with.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I worked for a marketing group that serves the Western United States. I was the marketing manager and was responsible for new sales.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

I was looking for ways to increase our sales.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Gunderson Direct worked to understand our segmentation scheme and our pain points in driving new sales. I outlined our value proposition and they crafted messages that would resonate with the specific segments of our audience. They also helped with our cross-sales initiatives and promotions.

We offered broad-reaching promotions and they helped to integrate that messaging into direct mail, email and print. We collaborated on marketing strategy and they provided creative resources on 80 plus marketing campaigns. Throughout the seven years we worked together, we built a large volume of unique campaigns. We had developed a collaborative partnership to determine the best ways to reach our audiences through direct mail, offers, and other means.

What is the team composition?

One account manager, who was on point. His boss, the VP, Account Services, Gunderson Direct and Mike Gunderson (President, Gunderson Direct). I was very pleased with the attentive, quality service they provided.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

They were the agency of record at the time I joined the company.

What is the status of this engagement?

I joined the company in 2011 and finished working with them in 2018. I worked with them for my entire tenure.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Gunderson Direct helped reduce my print cost from 30% to 50%, increased performance and response rates on mail between 20–30%, all with their help. They fine-tuned our creative, messaging, and test strategy. They were instrumental in making us the success we are. Everything they did, from membership acquisition to cross-sales, beat everything we tested before. I have nothing but kudos for Mike and his team. They’re talented, absolutely fabulous people.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re on top of everything. Anytime I needed something quickly, they delivered it. They’ve made a lot of miracles happen very quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are committed to direct mail in a way very few agencies are. They’re great at a lot of other things, but DM is at the core of their business. They think outside the box and tie new technologies into direct mail.

They drive for the best return on your investment. They are committed to the business and are easily accessible when you need something. They’re great people to work with, smart and easygoing. They make things happen and drive results. They also provide a great cost structure at an amazing value. I’m very pleased.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. We have a lot of demands on the marketing side and they helped prioritize and deliver them for us. Some of that can be challenging, but they’ve done an amazing job to help us.

5.0
Overall Score They’ve been great. Their agency has grown and is a team of really talented people. They’re easy to work with and the core mentality of customer service is there.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We throw a lot at them. They’re able to deliver against really tight timelines and are very nimble.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    His prices are unbelievable, significantly less than other agencies and the quality is even better.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They've come through for me every time I've asked for something. They're great at understanding and clarifying what we need.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I already have. They are the go-to company for direct mail campaigns.

Branding and Marketing for Residential Treatment Center

"We are grateful that Gunderson Direct has helped us tell our story."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Sept. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct revamped a marketing and branding strategy, including the establishment of their brand guidelines a total redesign of their print materials.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Sonoma, California
Christy Kenyon
Director of Marketing & Communications, Hanna Boys Center
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

As a result of their attentive communication style and a willingness to adapt to their collaborators’ working preferences, Gunderson Direct was able to establish an effective working rapport and consistently produce high-quality end products. They have become an integral part of the team.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the marketing and communications director for Hanna Boys Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and residential treatment center for at-risk teenage boys.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

I have been at the Center for about a year now, but when I first came in, we had significant challenges regarding our marketing and branding. Our materials were pretty dated and inconsistent, and there was no continuous brand strategy or guidelines. We needed to establish a consistent voice for our materials, since the then-current ones did not present a professional image to our constituents. By engaging Gunderson Direct, I knew we would get a full-service agency that had the talent we needed to round out our approach quickly and effectively, and that they would provide us with the tools necessary to better reach out to stakeholders.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a strong need for complete brand guidelines, so that was their first task. Then they helped us with all of our print materials, including ads, folders, fliers, case studies, brochures, and our annual report, among other necessities. Gunderson did a lot of design work for us, as well as the execution of our marketing strategy. One of their most important responsibilities was to understand our vision, our model, and how our organization works, which they did very well. They have become very integrated with our operation, and we have a strong ongoing partnership.

What is the team composition?

All of our work is funneled through the account manager, with whom I work very closely. Larger projects go through a bigger team, and can include designers, copywriters, and art directors, among other roles. Occasionally, our most complex projects have even involved Mike Gunderson [President, Gunderson Direct] himself.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

I have worked with Gunderson Direct at other organizations for between fifteen to twenty years now. Although we did look at a few other companies during the initial hiring process, I felt very strongly that Gunderson was an extension of me as a marketing person. Through my past experiences with them, I knew that their turnaround time, quality of work, honesty, and professionalism made them the right partner for us. Despite having had occasional challenges with other ad agencies, I have never had a problem with Mike or any of his employees.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our first collaboration began around September of 2016, and the engagement is ongoing, with Gunderson Direct now working for us on a monthly retainer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After beginning our work with the Gunderson team, our newsletter went from being a loss leader to actually producing revenue. We overhauled its design and execution with a direct mail outlook, and since then, it has gone from costing the Center US$10,000 after every production to actually making about US$25,000 per mailing, despite the volume of issues having stayed the same. Thanks to Gunderson’s work on the redesign, producing the newsletter costs the same amount, but its response rate has gone up and we are earning revenue in the long run, and this growth continues to increase with every issue.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is very fluid, with ongoing regular communication primarily done through email. I prefer to work using email, and they were happy to adapt to my preferred style of collaboration. Additionally, they have visited our facility in person as well as conducted regular phone calls when necessary. I channel all of our work through the account manager, from bouncing brand ideas off of them to simply checking on the status of an individual project. Together, we determine whether or not we need a bigger strategy session for something or if it should just go through the regular pipeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Gunderson Direct has a very well organized team, and this teamwork allows them to produce great results. They are veterans of the direct mail industry, so they hit the ground running and produce quality output right away. We do not stop until we have the best end product, and they have excellent service. In fact, we submitted their work on our previous year’s annual report for an award, because we think that their efforts deserve broader recognition. We are grateful that Gunderson Direct has helped us tell our story.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We get their work at a very affordable rate, so although we do occasionally wish that we received projects from them somewhat faster, I’m not sure how reasonable it would be to expect that.

5.0
Overall Score I am an advocate of their services, and we happily showcase their work on our website.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Whenever I gave them a deadline, they took it very seriously.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They are very affordable when compared to other companies we researched.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Their deliverables are top notch.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have already referred them.

Direct Mail Campaign for Recruiting Company

“Their years of experience add a layer of strategic direction to our campaigns.”

See More

5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$1,000,000 - $9,999,999
 
2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Gunderson Direct manages a complex direct mail campaign, coordinating with numerous stakeholders. They don’t have their own mail shop or data brokerage, allowing them to find the best deals.

The Reviewer
 
501-1000 Employees
 
Los Angeles, California
Esmaeel Paryavi
Marketing Manager, ZipRecruiter
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The team is friendly and personable. Their work has increased growth and has a high ROI. They are a flexible team and bring in experts for all areas of our program when needed. This allows them to stay competitive while adding huge value as a direct mail agency lead.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing manager for ZipRecruiter, a job board and distribution platform that thousands of businesses post on daily.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Gunderson Direct?

We do a significant amount of marketing to attract employers to post jobs on our site. it's mainly B2B marketing, and we wanted a partner to help with our direct mail program.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Gunderson Direct provides strategic consulting as well as operational work for the direct mail campaigns. They set up the campaigns, work with numerous companies, and organize all of the moving parts. They provided winning creative until we were able to build our own internal team, now they work alongside our team, serving up cost-efficient formats and direct mail best practices.

Because Gunderson Direct doesn’t have their own mail shop or data brokerage, it's an advantage; they’re able to shop around for specific services in different segments, which can be quite cost effective. They don’t rely on an internal machine that only operates in one specific way, but they find the best deals and partners for production, data, and other services.

How did you come to work with Gunderson Direct?

We heard great things within the marketing community, and our CMO at the time brought them in.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent millions of dollars over the past four years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in 2014, and it’s still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They helped grow our marketing spend from about $50,000 a month to millions a month, which shows how they’ve been able to drive growth. The ROI matches our expectations compared to other channels we market with.

How did Gunderson Direct perform from a project management standpoint?

 

They're great at project management, which is their real strength. They expertly manage the different elements of a direct mail campaign and all the stakeholders involved. They always have a monthly plan, and they lay out all the timelines and deadlines for all the different vendors. Their years of experience add a layer of strategic direction to our campaigns.

What did you find most impressive about them?

All the people that work at Gunderson are great. We know Mike [President, Gunderson Direct] personally, and we enjoy every time we’re able to talk. The whole team is great to work with; they’re pleasant, and we enjoy the relationship we’ve built over the years.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They outsource a lot of elements, so bringing some of those disciplines in-house could make them more efficient. However, they do get us in contact with the right people, even if they haven’t developed a strong internal understanding of some of those specific areas.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They not only satisfy, but they go beyond expectations.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    We pay a price for not working with a vertically integrated agency, but we get other great values out of them.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They're great at managing and delivering campaigns.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They're wonderful to work with and provide exceptional service.