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Not your average ad agency.

5.0
2 reviews

Metal Creative has been a virtual agency since before virtual agencies were a thing. Established in 2001 by Marile Borden (the “M” in M.et al), we are a group of former-agency, freelance professionals dedicated to using creative ideas to solve business challenges. For nearly two decades, our model has allowed us to deliver the same product as the big agencies, without the big retainers and in half the time.

Whatever the scope of the project, Metal can assemble exactly—and only—the people you need to get it done. You need a team of 20 to create an integrated brand campaign with a less-than-ideal budget? You got it. You need a copywriter to punch up the back of a postcard by tomorrow? We’re on it. But rest assured that each and every project has a seasoned Creative Director (Marile) and a brilliant Marketing Strategiest (Marty) at the helm ensuring that your unique objectives are met. With clients ranging from global Fortune 1000 companies to bootstrapping startups to local coffee shops, Metal has the experience and expertise to deftly tackle just about any marketing project you can throw at us. Go ahead, give it a try.

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$5,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2001
Show all +
Northborough, MA
headquarters
  • 63 Little Pond Rd
    Northborough, MA 01532
    United States
    508.498.4474

Reviews

5.0
2 reviews
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Creative Branding & Copywriting for B2B Software Company

"Metal Creative Services ensures everything is on track."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Dec. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

After helping with an advertising campaign, the team at Metal Creative Services assists with copywriting and other brand-related services. 

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Naples, Florida
Brand & Creative Director, B2B Software Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Their work exceeded expectations. The campaign performed very well, and the materials were used in other aspects of the company. The team at Metal Creative Services is skilled, timely, and proactive. Customers can expect a transparent engagement with a creative partner. 

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 lead the brand and creative team at a B2B software company. I have a group of designers and copywriters that handle all of the in-house creative work for our marketing team. I also manage our relationships with external third-party vendors that support us.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Metal Creative Services?

For more significant initiatives, we tend to outsource. We were looking at doing a brand campaign, and we historically haven’t done a lot of advertising. We wanted to come up with a fresh and new campaign that would be appropriate for our target audience.

We looked to a few different agencies to pitch us, and we ultimately decided to work with Metal Creative Services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In addition to the copy, design, and overall approach for the advertising campaign, Metal Creative Services helps us with additional brand work and copywriting. When one of my team members went on parental leave, they’ve worked on a lot of odds and ends for us.

They have also helped us with strategy, but most of their work has been on the creative side. For copywriting, we generally give them a direction, and they’ve helped with execution.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Marile (Owner, Creative Director) and Marty (Director of Client Services). I’m sure they have others behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Metal Creative Services?

I learned about them from a colleague of mine in marketing. He worked with them previously. Metal Creative Services gave us a range of concepts and evolved them quickly after listening to our feedback. They also gave us ideas that were scalable across different areas of our company, which was important to me.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with Metal Creative Services started in December 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The initial project had very strong results with web traffic. We looked at our advertising and the impact it had. It greatly exceeded our expectations.

The feedback across our team was very positive. A lot of colleagues leveraged the campaign theme and took it for different company settings like trade show booths. My extended team much appreciated that runway.

How did Metal Creative Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very clear and upfront about providing a reasonable estimate for timelines and cost. They’ve never been late; they’re usually early.

Metal Creative Services ensures everything is on track. I’ve been very happy with their project management capabilities. Our campaign had a lot of moving parts, and their team kept me honest in terms of what I needed to pay attention to at any given time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Along with being a pleasure to work with, they’re very nimble and creative. Metal Creative Services can pivot when needed if their initial thoughts aren’t what we’re looking for. They strive to meet our needs. They’re also cost-effective. They’ve minimized their overhead, which gives us a bang for our buck.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’ve been very happy with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more upfront you are in the beginning, the more they’re going to execute effectively. Metal Creative Services has done a great job of learning and understanding a pretty complex business. That’s not always easy for creative partners to do.

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

Marketing, Digital, & PR Strategy for Biotech Organization

"The team has their finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the marketing world."

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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
 
June 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Metal Creative Services provided web design and development services to a professional association. In addition, they continue to assist with marketing and social media strategy.  

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Boston, Massachusetts
Caren Jenkins
Marketing & Communications Chair, ISPE Boston
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Metal Creative Services provided the necessary expertise and engagement to elevate the client’s brand. The team is flexible, intelligent, and intuitive. They understand the latest trends in marketing and can tailor them to fit the client’s needs. 

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

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

For this project, I was working on behalf of the Boston chapter of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE). It’s a professional association with about 400 members in the Boston area. I sit on the board of directors and I’m the chair of the marketing communications committee.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Metal Creative Services?

We hired Metal Creative Services to help update our marketing plan, website, and blog.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had them take a look at everything we were doing. Based off that background, they developed a plan for how to improve our marketing strategy. From there, we engaged them to redesign our website. They helped us take information from the old site and transform it into a modern, more updated version. They also added new features to the website. 

Their team also helped create a separate website for an annual event that we hold: The ISPE Boston Product Show. It’s a large event that we hold in the Gillette Stadium, and it attracts over 3,000 visitors each year. 

In addition to website design and development, they also helped revamp our social media strategy. The team helped us identify what platforms would be best for us to focus on based on our target audience. We wanted to increase engagement and get more members involved in our work.  

What is the team composition?

Our main points of contact are Merilee and Marty. There are additional team members behind the scenes that can assist with all our marketing and PR needs. 

How did you come to work with Metal Creative Services?

When I was brought onto the communications committee as a co-chair, they had already been hired. My predecessor found them Metal Creative Services was selected out of several vendors because of their flexibility, creativity, and patience. 

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve invested at least $70,000–$80,000 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2016, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve identified that LinkedIn is the best platform for communicating with our target audience. The team at Metal Creative Services was great at guiding us based on our needs. Since ISPE is a professional association for engineers, having their expertise in marketing was helpful. 

They’ve worked well with a variety of personalities and helped us stay on brand. They’re also helping us run promotional campaigns to increase membership and involvement. 

How did Metal Creative Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They worked with us outside of regular business hours because most of our association members, including myself, have full-time jobs and work with ISPE on the side. 

We have monthly phone meetings with them. We communicate a lot through email, and they’re very responsive. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very intelligent and intuitive. The team has their finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the marketing world. I highly recommend working with them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not at this time. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring forward the ideas that you have and tell them where you want to go. Be open-minded because sometimes they’ll come up with solutions that are better than you would’ve expected. 

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