Kontra

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Head of Communications at F.O. / Group.

For what projects/services did your company hire Kontra?

Kontra manages our (Westgate Shopping City's) advertisement through Google's channels (since April 2019) and advertisement on social media (since May 2020). Advertisement on social media / Google isn't sole campaign, but a leg of broader campaign that is developed by us.

What were your goals for this project?

Key goal is to reach specific goal(s) of the campaign (either to raise awareness of our sales concept / event) or gain website clicks. Since our cooperation is continuous for 15 months, may goals were set and reached.

How did you select Kontra?

I've known Ilija for quite some time. When we took the interim-management role at Westgate Shopping City, Ilija contacted me and we held a meeting in which we discussed the possibilities of joint cooperation. Ilija gave me an offer i can't refuse and I agreed to the 3-months trial period in which they would manage Westgate's advertisement on social media.

After the end of trial period, I continued to work with them and in May 2020, we extended the cooperation to advertisement on social media as well.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

As Westgate previously had experience with agencies that provide the same scope of work, we had the knowledge of "goes and no-goes". In the beginning, Kontra ran a test of different set-ups to set the base for advertisement. How to works today?

We create a campaign and send a brief to Kontra with detailed informations and maximum budget allowance. They give their suggestions on how to apply the campaign to digital channels and how to spend the budget (% between channels, allocation within the time...).

After the campaign starts, we receive reports (daily, weekly, periodically) on the execution and discuss the possibilities of improving the results. Although my decision is final, I have confidence in Kontra's work and therefore in accept most of their suggestions.

What was the team composition?

To the date, I corresponded with the CEO, Head of advertising and managers that were/are executing the campaigns. Although members of the team changed over time, it is a great refreshment that there isn't a link between us and executors (such as key account manager or so), but you can discuss the matter directly.

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

Since the beginning of our cooperation, I believe that we get cheaper but yet better placed ads than before. I am satisfied with this cooperation and that is a reason why I exceeded Kontra's scope of work for us in May, providing them with social media advertisement as well.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communicating with Kontra is on a good level.They are available in off-hours as well as weekends which is a virtue we find extremely important.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have most of the virtues I seek for within the agencies I work with, such as flexibility, availability, humbleness, hard work and knowledge. I admire the efforts they make beside the "regular" job, such as various guidebooks and meet-ups.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is always a possibility to improve but improvement needs both parties. In the following period we will introduce some changes - including the jour-fix cooperation, custom campaigns for social media and digital channels and so.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work in a spirits distribution company as a Group Brand Manager at regional level.

For what projects/services did your company hire Kontra?

We've started our collaboration with Kontra following a pitch for social media and influencers integration in the brand communication plan.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for a fresh perspective and a way to give our brand a boost among our young, digital oriented target.

How did you select this vendor?

We've invited the agency to a pitch together with other two agencies, at the recommendation of a brand manager based in the end-market.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Adaptation of the social media calendar provided by Global Team, development of local content for social media upon specific request and proposal of influencers for certain projects, including the handling of the collaboration details.

What was the team composition?

I've collaborated closely with the Brand Manager and sometimes the CEO

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

We've had a good collaboration so far: the team proved great social media knowledge and skills. They provide a high-quality adaptation work, within the deadlines and with follow up when necessary.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a great collaboration, although we are located in different countries. We use e-mail, Skype and mobile.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their social media knowledge sets them apart.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Too soon to say.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing manager and sales representative at an IT company in Zagreb. We’re the leading regional company for the development of business accounting solutions and services.

For what projects/services did your company hire Kontra?

We needed help to build brand awareness in the market and create brand recognition through creative and interesting content. While we’ve been in business for several years, we don't have an in-house marketing staff to help us.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase the recognition of our brand as well as sell more of our products. We needed a good inbound marketing strategy, which would be simple and accessible to the target audience.

How did you select this vendor?

We had a bad experience with a previous marketing agency. Our colleague from Slovenia met Kontra at a marketing conference. She recommended them to us so we organized a meeting. We liked their way of thinking in regards to inbound marketing, which is our primary marketing strategy. It’s important to us to find a partner that can guide us and give us advice.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Kontra arranged a meeting where we defined our goals, budget, and what we want to achieve. Together we decided to create quality and interesting content—blogs, webinars, manuals—that will attract our target audience. Every month we prepare a marketing plan and give them content that they publish and promote on social networks (Facebook and LinkedIn). They also create visuals for the content if necessary.

What was the team composition?

From the vendor's side is involved about 4 people: copywriter, traffic manager, project manager, and designer. Size of the team didn't change over time.

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

We’ve increased the number of followers and impressions on Facebook since Kontra took over marketing on our social networks. We've also increased the number of followers on LinkedIn. Our Facebook page is more noticeable and interesting to our target audience. We’re very satisfied with the progress, as the results are also visible in our sales.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They use an app called Productive for communication. This tool allows us to describe specific tasks and assign them to a person. It helps us to have all communication in one place. We can also discuss specific tasks by phone or organize a meeting as needed. They send us a monthly report with a detailed analysis, and every task has been up to date so far.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their social media marketing is very creative. Kontra always has new ideas and they completely understand our needs and requirements. Their team is very professional and knowledgeable.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We’re quite satisfied with their work. In the future, we may expand our partnership to include other fields of digital marketing.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a children’s shoe manufacturer. I’m the marketing manager of the company.

What challenge were you trying to address with Kontra?

We needed work on our social media, particularly in terms of our Instagram account. Even though we’re a big company, we have a small marketing department, so we sometimes need outside help.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve managed our Instagram account, produced content for it, and delivered monthly reports to us. We had some goals, which they were tasked with achieving, including to increase our follower count and to focus on some specific markets—the U.K., Germany, and elsewhere. We’re responsible for taking pictures for content and sending them to Kontra.

What is the team composition?

I’ve been in contact with Ilija (CEO, Kontra).

How did you come to work with Kontra?

I’d heard a lot about them, then I attended a conference where Ilija was giving a presentation. I met him later on and we discussed a possible collaboration.

We went on to do some Facebook advertising and remarketing work 2–3 years ago. Due to that, we chose them to work on our Instagram campaign.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost was $10,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from 2015–2018. We took on the work internally 4–5 months ago.

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

We saw an increase in Instagram followers, based on their monthly reports. We didn’t see a direct correlation with sales, but we’re doing a lot of other things in our marketing department.

How did Kontra perform from a project management standpoint?

They did everything well—we only stopped working with them because we hired an in-house person for the work. The communication was perfect. We had meetings at our office, and we also talked a lot on the phone and via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their knowledge was impressive, as it was what we lacked at that moment. We’ve learned a lot from their team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We can always do things better, but they utilized innovations in the industry throughout. Generally, they’re a great agency and they’ve done a lot to improve everything they do.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I don’t have any specific advice. They’re a very good agency, and customers should give them a try. They’re responsive and timely, and did everything within the budget we gave them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Ivan Noa Creative Design.

What challenge were you trying to address with Kontra?

We wanted to develop a website for creatives based in Croatia. We love handmade work and wanted to make something special for others that share our interest.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Because we didn’t have concrete ideas, Kontra had to design and develop our webshop from scratch. We’re outdoorsy people, and we wanted the website to reflect that. Kontra designed our site with a simple white background, embellished with natural product imagery. We photograph each product in an outdoor or wooded setting, bringing out the beauty of our users’ creations. The Kontra team continues to provide support.

What is the team composition?

We mostly interacted with Petar Bogdan (CEO & Co-Founder, Kontra).

How did you come to work with Kontra?

We started our search on the internet. We considered another company, but ultimately the partnership didn’t pan out. Then, we found Kontra and reached out. Shortly after, we met with Petar and agreed to work together.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve invested around 23,000 Croatian Kuna ($3,582 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in May 2018, and it’s an ongoing partnership. We launched the website in September 2018.

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

Our click rates are up, and they’ve implemented a system to track our progress. We can see which of our products are most popular and determine which brands we should promote more. The website is stable—there haven’t been any issues or bugs since the site launched.

How did Kontra perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very kind and helpful. We use ActiveCollab as a project management tool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were overwhelmingly pleased with the end product. We’d waited so long to see it live and the platform was beautiful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. We’ll need them to translate our page to English at some point.

Any advice for potential customers?

Tell them exactly what you want to do. No matter the task, they’ll do it.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a client relationship manager at an investment firm for retail and corporate clients.

For what projects/services did your company hire Kontra?

We contracted with Kontra for social media marketing services on Facebook and LinkedIn.

What were your goals for this project?

We find that education is the biggest challenge in the investment industry. We want to provide useful content to better inform our audience and keep their interest.

How did you select this vendor?

We met with several agencies, but Kontra was prepared with the best ideas and an interesting approach to address our needs.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Kontra manages our Facebook and LinkedIn accounts beyond simple advertising. They provide specific and stimulating copy and images to use across our platforms. They communicate with our clients through these accounts while tracking and analyzing their online behavior.

What was the team composition?

Their team is headed by their CEO.

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

We have experienced a steady growth of followers and connections on both of our social media networks.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They meet our expectations for scheduling and feedback.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Kontra keeps us awake in our everyday life of the financial world. The market never really sleeps, and their organization and care make sure we stay relevant at all times.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is always room to improve because of the dynamic market, but nothing specific comes to mind right now.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and owner of a Croatia-based travel agency. We primarily offer European destination packages.

What challenge were you trying to address with Kontra?

We needed help with social media marketing. We wanted to display our last-minute deals and package discounts to our clients so they would be aware and act quickly.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide Facebook and Instagram assistance. Their team publishes our new ads and writes content for our blog posts, as well.

What is the team composition?

We work primarily with their CEO and traffic manager.

How did you come to work with Kontra?

After hearing the CEO’s digital marketing presentation at a business seminar, I was quickly impressed and interested in working with them.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent around €10,000 each year for this project ($11,600).

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the project in 2016, and the work is ongoing.

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

We’ve had an increase in sales; the site has seen more traffic and customers. We also receive more calls and emails regarding our services.  

How did Kontra perform from a project management standpoint?

We primarily communicate through email and on the phone, depending on the urgency. We occasionally meet at their office to discuss new ideas. They've delivered everything on time and aligned with our plans.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want a creative team that gives solid social media guidance, we recommend working with them.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner and CEO of an online store that sells handmade wedding and party favors, including invites, gifts, decorations, etc.

For what projects/services did your company hire Kontra?

We needed Kontra to manage our digital marketing efforts, including on Google and social media networks.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed brand awareness to increase our sales.

How did you select this vendor?

I attended the CEO’s lecture and found it to be very informative. After that, I decided to contact them for the project.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We had an initial meeting to discuss my products, audience, and ideas about my brand. We laid out my challenges, primary goals, and optimal budget. They tested multiple types of promotion to find what suited our needs best. Now that they’ve implemented the digital marketing strategy, they use Google Analytics to monitor any changes in sales.

What was the team composition?

I primarily work with the account manager.

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

Although difficult to measure, our sales have increased since Kontra began their branding services for us. They’ve been able to improve and maintain our brand awareness.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They are easy to communicate with them; we talk primarily on the phone or through email. Their team provides monthly summary reports on their progress.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Kontra’s professional nature and passion for their work make them stand out. They are knowledgeable about everything in the field of digital marketing.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and CEO of a furniture retailer in Croatia. We have two different brands: a general furniture store and a showroom specializing in sofas.

What challenge were you trying to address with Kontra?

We needed help with social media marketing. We use separate channels for our two brand names.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Currently, Kontra is responsible for all of our advertising and marketing initiatives, including our website and social media accounts. Initially, we provide guidelines and content, including a huge bank of photos and images, and Kontra takes it from there. They design, prepare, and publish our Facebook ads and AdWords campaigns. They propose keywords, analyze the results, and help determine strategy. They also help us with promotions on Instagram and other channels. When customers comment online, we manage and respond to them on our side.

What is the team composition?

We communicate with the owner of Kontra and an account manager.

How did you come to work with Kontra?

We chose Kontra after doing some online research and interviewing a few people who were doing something similar. We also got a few recommendations.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $35,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2016. The work is ongoing, as we decided to extend the scope of our engagement with them.

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

We’re satisfied with their work. They provide monthly reports, and we also do some statistics of our own to see how the business is going. So far, we’re happy with the results.

How did Kontra perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re managing everything quite well. We communicate via email and the occasional phone call. Also, we have monthly meetings to discuss previous results and future direction.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a compact team that’s very professional. They’re dedicated to meeting our expectations. I definitely recommend Kontra.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the head of the IT department for a city’s nonprofit tourist board.

What challenge were you trying to address with Kontra Agency?

We wanted to create a portal for bloggers to describe the city across our informative websites. Furthermore, as an institution, we had a challenge with content for social media networks because, in the beginning, we weren’t creating content.

What was the scope of their involvement?

At first, they created eight monthly blog entries about the city’s offerings. Following that, we wanted to get locals—including foreign transplants—involved with the content. We also wanted to talk to tourists on the streets about their impression of the city. The team created a CMS, which we use to approve their content before publication. To support the blog posts, Kontra Agency created two Google campaigns for Christmas and summer tourism.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Ilija (CEO, Kontra Agency).

How did you come to work with Kontra Agency?

We wanted a company with expertise in writing. A local firm in a small city, Kontra Agency knew us through shared social networks; I already knew Ilija. They contacted us via email to introduce the company and their services.

How much have you invested in them?

We spend around 100,000 Croatian Kuna ($15,770 USD) per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in January 2015 and the relationship is ongoing.

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

The sites now have 360 blog entries that cover our city’s cultural and culinary scenes. The content promotes our hidden gems in a compelling fashion. We want to do more with them, especially advertise the site’s content, but our budget limits the breadth of activity. We’re proud of Kontra Agency’s work and have applied for an award from a leading tourism organization.

How did Kontra Agency perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve completed everything on time. We communicate via phone, email, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

A very creative team, Kontra Agency has found a variety of interesting stories in such a small city—and topics not usually covered in traditional platforms and advertising channels. Overall, creativity keeps this partnership dynamic and I’m satisfied with what we’ve created so far.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Hire them because they like to work and are not afraid of a challenge.