Hawaii PR

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and president of Smart Yields, an ag tech startup focused on making precision agriculture accessible to small and medium sized farms. We bring a mix of software, hardware, and analytics to provide growers actionable insights to increase yields, reduce waste, and ensure sustainability.

For what projects/services did your company hire Hawaii PR, and what were your goals?

As a small tech startup, we engaged Hawaii PR to help us promote our company and the broader ag-tech industry to the local, national, and international marketplace. This was critical to securing clients as well as investors. Hawaii PR was also critical in developing successful applications for accelerator programs, grants, and other funding opportunities.

How did you select this vendor?

Previously worked with principal at an international trade group and appreciated his skill and success in PR and marketing for that organization and several subsequent clients.

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

Hawaii PR was involved at the very early stages of our startup journey, helping us to refine our vision, mission, and value proposition. Market research helped us identify competitors and leaders in the same space, allowing us to distinguish ourselves and find ideal project partners. Hawaii PR generated dozens of press releases, VNRs, and marketing pieces, and was very successful in media placements.

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

One, Hawaii PR founder Ryan.

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

Extensive local media coverage and a number of national industry placements. Several startup and business awards. Frequent speaking opportunities for me and inclusion in tech and agriculture events. Ultimately, our company became synonymous with agricultural technology in the Hawaii market.

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

Friendly, personable over professional, flexible. Prefers texting and email to calls. Delivers on deadline and in a crunch.

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

They had decades of experience in the tech space and working with media, and an ability to translate complex concepts to a mainstream audience. Ability to turn rough notes into a polished piece.

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

Sometimes oversubscribed, requires hard deadlines.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am an independent insurance broker

For what projects/services did your company hire Hawaii PR, and what were your goals?

I was looking to increase my earned media reach as well as organic social media reach

How did you select this vendor?

Ryan has a rock-solid reputation in Hawaii as an honest and reliable PR and social media consultant.

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

I’ve relied on Hawaii PR for several projects, and my expectations have always been exceeded. From earned media placements to the nuts and bolts of social media marketing to setting up websites with strong SEO out of the gate, I’d recommend Ryan and his partners wholeheartedly. Quality work, prompt and thorough communications, solid documentation (so you can DIY, if you want to), and straightforward pricing.

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

Ryan, owner.

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

Ryan made suggestions and advice as to my online and social media presence to stand out among a crowded field of financial professionals. He was also able to secure a spot on a local newscast to discuss insurance options as they relate to seniors.

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

I primarily connected to Ryan and his team through text and email. They were very reachable, and they were very easy to work with and open to feedback from me.

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

Ryan truly cares about your objectives and coming up with an actionable plan. He also is great at connecting you with his other contacts that may be of interest to your goals.

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

If anything, Ryan is busy with his various clients but he is very good at followup and returning communications.