MonogramGroup

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of investor relations for Estancia Capital Partners, a private equity firm.

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We had an outdated website, so we hired them to design a new site.

What was the scope of their involvement?

MonogramGroup started with a discovery phase, interviewing a wide variety of stakeholders. They researched to understand our firm and strategy, approaching the project from a brand perspective. The team helped us reimagine our brand’s voice and its look and feel. From there, they created a UX that matched our brand. 

Our website contains information about who we are, what we do, and how. MonogramGroup got to know our team to reflect our values in the content — cohesiveness, collegiality, and an intellectual backdrop. Additionally, they were involved in training us to make changes to the site, such as updates or adding a new team member. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Scott (President), Chip (Partner & Creative Director), and Charlotte (Account Executive), who kept everything going. Other folks were involved with the copy, wordsmithing, and design. 

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

We heard about MonogramGroup and other providers through word of mouth. We did our due diligence, interviewed dozens of providers, and landed on MonogramGroup due to their research-driven approach and consistently excellent previous work. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July–March 2022.

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

MonogramGroup succeeded in creating a substantial website that’s also visually stunning. We’ve gotten excellent feedback on the site’s look and feel and the content. The team didn’t take a cookie-cutter approach; they listened to what was important to us and found creative ways to represent our strategy and team.

Moreover, they were very thorough in their discovery phase. They educated us, and the site is unique as a result. We’re keeping the site live for a few months before putting out a press release to ensure everything is running smoothly. We'll have more metrics when we’re in the market with a new product. Still, if we ever need their services again, MonogramGroup will be my first call. 

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They were excellent at staying on budget, and they were very good at meeting deadlines. We used Basecamp for project management and had regular Zoom calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by how cerebral MonogramGroup was. They took the time to research and understand our goals and who we were, both individually and collectively. Moreover, they did a fantastic job approaching the project from a brand perspective. The team was very helpful regarding how to represent ourselves across marketing content. 

There are a lot of other website designers that might make something really splashy. However, MonogramGroup didn’t just build a fancy site; they used their insight to create a substantial product. Chip was particularly good at combining the substance with a strong visual experience. Overall, MonogramGroup was a true partner, thoughtful and research-driven.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t have any constructive feedback for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as open as you possibly can. MonogramGroup is there to find the best in your product and help you enhance your brand. Listen to them, because they have really good ideas, and they’re very smart people.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the senior VP of business development at Zietlman Partners, a financial services firm that invests in real estate and operating businesses. 

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We wanted to expand our company's reach into the Philadelphia market, but our marketing campaigns fell short and we weren't connecting with consumers. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

MonogramGroup developed a marketing strategy that connected our business to consumers in the Philadelphia market. At the start of the engagement, we provided existing marketing collateral that explained our business and a copy of our website. The MonogramGroup team researched the market and conducted interviews with key company stakeholders. MonogramGroup then started revamping our branding, laying out the company's history, legacy, and achievements. Using that information, we updated our name and MonogramGroup designed a brand new logo and website to tie into the new marketing strategy. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Michael (Account Executive), Scott (President), Chip (Partner and Creative Director), and a web designer. 

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

We hired MonogramGroup because of their expertise working with over 55 other financial service firms. We liked that their group had expertise in our industry and a basis of comparison when creating our brand statement.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $30,000–$35,000 with MonogramGroup. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with MonogramGroup was from March–September 2021. 

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

We launched the website in December 2021, but I haven't been tracking any metrics to measure success yet. However, we've gotten a lot of positive feedback on our new branding from existing investors, operators, and industry colleagues. Everyone we've interacted with loves the new logo and name. 

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

MonogramGroup kept us on track with the deliverables. At the beginning of the project, we used Basecamp to share documents, but we eventually phased it out. They provided us with the information we needed to review ahead of time and were responsive to feedback in those meetings. Besides Zoom meetings, we communicated regularly with MonogramGroup via phone calls and email. MonogramGroup worked quickly and any delays were on our side of the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've worked with many different branding and marketing companies before, and we didn't get to have a lot of input into the project's direction. However, MonogramGroup was extremely open and collaborative during the project. We asked them to take our company's legacy and success and represent it aesthetically and professionally, and MonogramGroup really rose to the occasion. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

MonogramGroup always wanted to ensure that the work they presented was well-polished, but I would've appreciated being involved earlier in the design process. That way, we could've achieved our desired results a little faster because we wouldn't have had to go back when they took our branding in a direction we didn't want to go. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I'd advise customers to provide MonogramGroup with as much information about their company as possible. Also, customers shouldn't hesitate to ask questions, request clarification, or push back on MonogramGroup's work. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of a market research and consulting firm. 

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?  

After a transition of ownership, they helped us with a full rebrand, including creating a new name, logo, website, and marketing materials.

What was the scope of their involvement?

MonogramGroup took three months and came up with hundreds of different designs and color combinations. They were very detailed and delivered 40–50 complete logos and designs. We chose what we felt was marketable and would have good staying power.

We were looking for a monosyllabic or two-syllable name. This was a challenging process, as they had to go through a trademark analysis. The website itself was given a new UX/UI, color scheme, and layout as well. MonogramGroup also developed a two-minute-long video for us to post on the site.

Regarding branding, I delivered referenced material, and they spent nearly one month interviewing both our employees and our clients to gain an understanding of who we are, who the market things we are, and where we want to go in the future. Then, they delivered a brand bible including messaging, font size, and a discussion of our value proposition. Other marketing products included PowerPoint and Word presentation templates.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 5–6 core people, including a project manager and one other point of contact.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

We were referred to them by a mutual client of ours. I asked this party for a group with private equity experience.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $60,000–$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June–December 2021.

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

It’s hard to pinpoint exact ROI in marketing, but we’ve announced the changes to our current clients and other professional colleagues, and their response has been overwhelmingly positive.

We have contacts that do web development for startups and other business, they’ve been very impressed with MonogramGroup’s work. this gave us a lot of validation. They’ve exceeded our expectations.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great, communicating through email, weekly Zoom check-ins, and frequent calls.

There were small extras we asked for that went outside our Scope, and MonogramGroup was upfront about that creep. They were flexible in making changes and reallocating resources to stay within budget as we progressed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Monogram Group excels at the pre-work that goes into rebranding. They spent one month getting to know us with internal interviews, as well as interviews with our clients to understand what the market’s perception of us was. Their team was able to craft a brand and logo that aligned with this information really well. The work never felt like a one-size-fits-all exercise.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The talent lives very much at the top levels of the organization. It’s hard to replicate that all the way down the business, so when interacting with their top two people, they had noticeable prowess that didn’t carry through in the same expertise throughout the lower level.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide them with as much access as you can upfront, allowing them to understand your business and speak to your clients. This will result in the best possible project.

Please describe your company and your position there.

ClearBalance HealthCare works with health systems to offer patients zero-interest financing to pay their out-of-pocket medical costs. I am the SVP of Marketing with oversight for new business lead generation and customer advocacy.

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

Our market has become highly commoditized so it was important to reposition/elevate the value proposition to ensure decision-making changed from a price-based criteria to one of strategic need and worth.

How did you select this vendor?

I found 10 companies via online search and reviews. I conducted phone interviews with all, then whittled down to five for in-depth discussion and presentation. I narrowed the field to three for consideration by my CRO and me.

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

Internal interviews to understand the challenges (executive team, key sales leaders). Market research to understand buyer perception of our company and our competition. Deliverables included new brand identity (logo and brand look-and-feel), new business sales presentation, website overhaul, SEO/digital targeting advertising strategy & execution, collateral assets (fact sheet, case study), tradeshow assets (booth design), select video assets.

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

Project team included Principal, market analyst, graphic design team, copywriter, web development & SEO team, project manager.

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

100% satisfaction by internal teams for new assets and message strategy. Greater reliance on the website for lead referral.

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

Use of several online collaboration tools and Zoom platform to speed sharing and project efficiency. Very down-to-earth, approachable culture.

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

My executive leadership and I were especially impressed with the agency's Principal in his understanding and relevant insights to a company of our size and business requirements. I am heavily reliant on our project manager, who has been tremendous at keeping all deliverables on schedule.

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

Design work is fabulous but also needs to be translated into every day use. For example, the new business PPT presentation was top-notch. However, it wasn't easily replicated as a template for use by our sales team.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of The Saranac Group, a consulting firm.

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

I’d been away from business for four years, working as a global leader at a big company. I wanted to relaunch the entire practice, but the website was ten years old. Therefore, I needed somebody to come in and advise me on how to optimize the site — I wanted a straightforward website with clear, consistent messages and easy navigation.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially gave MonogramGroup detailed feedback, and they started by looking at the old website and hearing my vision for the new one. We were a very hands-on client; we researched competitor websites and sites within the space to give them the most concrete guidance, and we think they appreciated that.

The team was intellectually nimble. As soon as they had a sense of what we thought would be compelling, they took that ball and ran down the field with it. It was the same with the aesthetic — once we gave them concrete parameters, they took over and had the first iteration ready for review.

We requested some features, but they also suggested others, which was really important for us. MonogramGroup developed their own point of view about what we should include, and in more than 50% of the cases, they were spot on and gave us ideas we wouldn’t have thought of on our own. For example, after they learned what we do, they strongly suggested that the website include case studies. If you look at the venture capital and private equity world, the higher quality websites have case studies.

During development, we took a break for almost two full months because I was tied up with board work, so I wanted to be fair to them and put it on the back burner until I could dive back. If we hadn’t taken a break, the website would’ve been up and running by July.

What is the team composition?

Four people were involved in the project. We worked with Charlotte (Account Executive) and Samantha (Graphic Designer), who ran the technology piece. We also had someone on creative, and they had a junior associate helping at one point.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

They were referred by a very successful private equity firm that had used them for their website. I initially considered two firms: one on the East Coast and MonogramGroup. I interviewed them both at length, but when I looked at the sites that MonogramGroup had developed before, it was clear that they understood the space of investors. Since I knew that audience would be visiting my website, MonogramGroup had the right touch and tone in all aspects.

On the other hand, MonogramGroup’s pricing was a bit higher, but I decided it was worth it due to the caliber of people I met. Their staffing included a couple of incredible people on the creative side, and the people on the technology side owned the project and kept it moving.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2021, and we rolled the website in September 2021. However, we’re still in touch in case I need anything.

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

We can’t share metrics, but the reaction from the people who visit the site has been uniformly positive.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They did very well. We had virtual meetings, which were always very productive. We’d arrange them according to the phase of the project at whatever cadence it was needed.

For communication, we emailed on an ongoing basis.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Some of the highest value we derived from the engagement was that they understood our competitive terrain and developed their own perspective. They learned quickly about what we did and the vision we had for the new website.

Also, the project was staffed leanly, so it had the right number of people with the ideal expertise and qualifications. Creative firms can put too many people on the project or rotate people in and out, making it more challenging to get to the finish line. However, MonogramGroup had consistent staffing; they all stuck from beginning to end.

It was equally important how careful they were at listening. The team was smart and perceptive, and they demonstrated they’d paid attention when they came back with suggestions.

Nonetheless, they remained flexible if we said we needed to work in a different direction. Sometimes creative folks can get very dogmatic and lock into their idea, but it was nothing like that in this case. They took or feedback and then took it to another level.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Perhaps they could’ve figured out more quickly what we did, but that didn’t slow down the project at all. Any time MonogramGroup has to ramp up on any business, it takes them a while to know what their client does.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

First, I’d ask them to commit to who will be on the project and what role each person would play. Also, I’d want to know whether any or all of the proposed professionals had worked on similar projects, including my industry or something analogous to it, as well as concrete examples to assess the quality of the work.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Manager for a company that manufactures bandsaw blades.

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

To create a few different videos for Simmons Knife & Saw's brand and 75th anniversary.

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Stumbled across them when looking for marketing agencies that had experience working with manufacturing companies. Their portfolio did a lot of the talking and MonogramGroup backed it up by introducing us to the right folks who were able to help out.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

Started with a kickoff meeting to dive into what each video was about and why it was important that that specific story be told. Then, Adam from ADB put together a production book with a shooting schedule and we all went back and forth until we were happy with the content of the production book and the plan for the two days of shooting.

Shooting went very smoothly. The team made everything easy on us. We had more than a handful of edits for the first few versions of the videos but were overall very happy with how they turned out.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We mostly worked with Adam from ADB when it came to giving feedback on the early versions of the videos. Adam made implemented most the changes we asked for but held firm on some changes that he felt wouldn't make sense or might take away from the video. Overall, the post production process was pretty seamless.

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

Too early for that just yet.

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

MonogramGroup and their video production partner, All Day Breakfast, created three outstanding corporate videos centered around our story, culture and 75th anniversary. Their collaboration, responsiveness, attention to detail and comprehensive production plan resulted in tremendous outcomes and a great working relationship. They exceeded all our expectations and we look forward to producing more great work with them in the future.

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

Compared to other agencies, they were experienced, talented, and creative individuals. They have helped us greatly.

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

We provided some very old marketing collateral/items from Simmons' history to MonogramGroup for the purpose of including them in the videos. All of that content wasn't brought to our location on the two days of shooting, which was disappointing.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of StaffBot, a software company creating and delivering a suite of products catered for the contingent clinical labor market.

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

We were launching a new mobile platform, eRiN Health, and engaged Mongram Group for the branding and marketing strategy. Our goal was to reach 1,500 downloads in the first month and with Monogram Group's help, we well surpassed that goal.

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Mongoram Group is a solution hub. Some of the firms we reviewed were single-solution while Monogram Group owned the outcome; that meant that they coordinated efforts from every requisite influence to ensure we reached our goal. Branding, digital engagement, advertising and delivery... a holistic solution.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

We were launching a new mobile platform, eRiN Health, and engaged Mongram Group for the branding and marketing strategy. Our goal was to reach 1,500 downloads in the first month and with Monogram Group's help, we well surpassed that goal. To accomplish this, Mongram navigated the branding process, provided graphic assets and branding guidelines, composed a marketing plan, then executed on that plan.

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

From the CEO and relationship managers, Monogram Group brought in whomever was necessary for every conversation and initiative.

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Since our engagement, eRiN Health has been downloaded over 1,500 times in only three weeks.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their team is relentless and vigilant about schedules and delivery. Our customer relationship manager stayed on top of us for reviews and approvals, even on weekends.

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

They truly own the outcome, not a piece of the solution.

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

None.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am one of the Partners at our firm

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

Refresh our existing brand, develop new logo and collateral and redesign our website.

How did you select this vendor?

We spoke with a number of peer firms and interviewed several competitiors.

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

They interviewed numerous stakeholders and spent a significant amount of time learning what makes us unique. From there, they developed a new logo and a full collateral package before building a new word press website form the ground up.

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

We worked with 6 people from start to finish. We received a lot of senior attention ranging from the President of the firm to their lead web site builder. We were very impressed with how hands-on the full team remained throughout the life of the project.

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

MonogramGroup collaborated with us to successfully uncover and solidify our brand message. The new visual design system, WordPress website and marketing materials have far exceeded our expectations, elevating our brand to a whole new level. Our firm is now equipped with a best-in-class presentation for sellers, intermediaries and investors, and we are poised to achieve our goals for years to come. We cannot thank MonogramGroup enough!

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

We had weekly meetings, BaseCamp to keep us organized and a dedicated account rep to help us prioritize key action items.

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

We were impressed by how hands-on their team was during the entire process. They also managed the project while staying within their original budget.

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

None.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of a private equity fund that targets industrial family-owned businesses in the Midwest.

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We needed help with branding, a website, a name, and a logo.

What was the scope of their involvement?

MonogramGroup helped us with development, design, messaging, logo design, and selecting the name of our company. The team also helped with our brand image. We started with a lot of educational diligence where we helped them get to know us and what our goals as a company were.

Next, we moved onto the naming stage to determine a name that would encapsulate our image the best. Afterward, we gave that name a logo. Then, we built a PowerPoint presentation so we can help prospects easily learn what our mission is. Lastly, we created a Squarespace website to communicate our vision.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their founders. There were a number of subordinates that also assisted.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

I found them online. They’re a branding agency that focuses on a private equity, which is rare. They had a great value pitch, and we decided to move forward from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2020, and our work is ongoing.

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

MonogramGroup is excellent at determining what part of your message is most salient to your target audience; they distill that message into digestible words that your audience can easily understand.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They did very well. We used Basecamp for project management. We also had regular Zoom calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re able to triangulate the message you’re trying to convey in a way that’s received well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I was pleased with the final product. They were great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow their instructions; they’re the professionals. Listen especially close if they share a strong viewpoint.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Liquid Yacht Wear. We sell uniforms for superyacht crew members.

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We hired them to revise our website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The old website was on a proprietary platform. We hired them to modernize it and give it a new look but also to introduce an e-commerce functionality to it. We didn’t have e-commerce until now. MonogramGroup built the website on WooComerce, utilizing WordPress in the backend.

We had an initial kickoff call to find out more about the scope and work that was needed. They took a look at our current website and some development we had started in order to understand the scope of the work. 

They brought in their technical and development teams then presented a proposal with detailed deliverables, timeframes, and a strict budget. At that point, we eliminated some of the deliverables and made decisions about what’d be done in-house and what they’d handle.

Once we came to an agreement on a work product, we got started. There was a team dedicated to keeping the progress moving forward. We collaborated throughout the process.

What is the team composition?

We had a project manager, web developer, UI designer, general manager, and several QA specialists. There were about 7–8 people working on it.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

They were referred to us as a company that had done good work and understood the type of work we needed to be done. They understood our constraints in terms of timing and budget. Our team felt that they’d get the work done on time.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $17,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from October–December 2020.

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

MonogramGroup delivered on time and within budget. The functionality is there and everything on the site works. We were happy with the final product.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was excellent, and they were extremely prompt about meeting deadlines. Even when we ran into a couple of snags, they were great at communicating with me on what they were running into. They proposed options to move forward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They followed through on commitments and kept with it even when challenges arose. Their team put in the work to do the job correctly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be quick to respond to their questions because they work quickly. Giving them the information they need allows them to move the project along.