Neff

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of operations and marketing at Hightop Real Estate and Development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Neff?

We needed help with a review of our company’s messaging and logo.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Neff is helping us with logo design, message development, and social media. They started by interviewing stakeholders to get a feel for what was important to us. We also talked about what we thought of other companies, their logos, and messaging to see what we were looking for. 

From there, Neff came up with the logo, and we settled on a design after three rounds. Currently, we’re covering the messaging, making sure it matches the direction we want to go in. 

What is the team composition?

We work with David (President) and three of his teammates, including a creative director, strategy director, and an associate on the design side.

How did you come to work with Neff?

I know David personally, and his reputation in this market is very good — he’s worked with many real estate developers. We looked at different vendors to see who we wanted to take on this job for us, and Neff had a different perspective from the get-go that not everybody could offer us. They understood the task, and we knew they could fulfill everything we were looking for. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re very happy with the level of service and expertise that Neff has provided thus far. Since we haven’t launched the rebrand, we don’t have any metrics.

How did Neff perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great at project management; the team is super consistent with their timelines and great at communicating. Also, they’re always open to suggestions and changes. As for communication, we use email, Zoom, and in-office meetings for some important branding stuff. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with Neff’s expertise; they know what they’re doing from a strategy standpoint. Because they’ve had other real estate clients, they get what we’re looking for and understand how to differentiate us. Their knowledge comes through the messaging and what we want our new aesthetic to look like. They’re a key player in not just branding and marketing but also within the real estate category.

Additionally, Neff has many smart people on their team that bring different perspectives to the table. David is very present, attending every call and meeting. Having his leadership focused on our account has been very important to us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There isn’t anything they need to improve; everything’s been great. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the co-founder of B. PHL an innovation festival that happens once a year in Philadelphia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Neff?

We hired Neff to manage all our social media channels and create social media graphics.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals of this project were to spread awareness of the festival, grow our audience, and get people to register for the festival.

SOLUTION

How did you select Neff?

We had spoken to a number of agencies to manage our social media and after comparing them all, we felt Neff connected with us the best, had a great understanding of what we needed and wanted to do, and had all the pieces we would need to have a great social presence.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Neff's scope of work was to manage out social media accounts, build content for each platform, manage our social advertising, create social graphics, manage social contests, and be our social media customer service.

What was the team composition?

Neff had about 7 people that would interact with us in different capacities. David Neff, the owner was on almost every call with us and we had the same people throughout the entire process. We worked with a different company for last year's festival and they had a high turnover rate. With Neff, we had the same people from front to back.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our social campaigns were definitely a success. You can see the numbers below, which are well above our expectations. Our feed looks better than it ever did because of all the work the Neff team put in. 2020 Impressions: +300% to 2019 2020 Engagements: +139% to 2019 2020 Link Clicks: +64% to 2019 Social Media Audience: +81% to 2019

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was great. We had bi-weekly calls and then shifted to weekly calls once the festival got closer. It was extremely easy to get a hold of them whenever we needed them and they were quick to act. We utilized Airtabe to have an easy feed of content and approvals. Airtable is a platform that our teams uses and Neff was extremely flexible to learn how to use it and accommodate for us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They're extremely creative and work well at taking your brand and making it look that much better. They're extremely patient and give multiple options for creative rather than just 1 and done. It honestly felt like working with friends more than a vendor and I think that's extremely important.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There's areas for anyone to improve upon. I honestly can't think of anything right now. Overall it was a great experience their team set us up for even more growth in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am one of the Principals of a full service residential Architecture design firm based in the Philadelphia area. Our design philosophy is based upon the historic traditions of the local architecture.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Neff?

We engaged Neff to update our company brand with a new logo in addition to an updated website design.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an updated brand that spoke to how we approach our design philosophy. The new brand would require a fresh approach while maintaining a classic, timeless, and luxurious feeling. We also wanted to update our website to allow for increased lead generation and exposure both locally and nationally.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Neff based upon an initial google search and positive reviews. We also interviewed several firms in person and had them submit full proposals and case studies. We felt that Neff had the experience and design credentials that fit best with our goals. Since we are in the design industry as well we felt it was important to work with a firm that was strong in this area and understood the design process.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Neff began with providing us with both case studies and mood boards to help us in narrowing down our designs ideas including what we liked and disliked. Mood boards are other firms logos and brands that allow us to pinpoint the feel that we are looking for. After that they presented many initial designs for us to comment on and narrow down.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with the company President and company principal. We were also assigned a logo manager for the branding and web designer manager for the website design. I worked directly with each manager for quick feedback but when we had meetings and presentations, the entire team was present.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This is an ongoing project. Although I feel very confident in where we are headed in the process.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We were in constant contact with the team via slack and email. This was helpful in making quick decisions. When a major presentation was required, they were very accommodating. We would meet either in person, or when necessary, over video conferencing.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed about their ability to adapt their designs based upon our feedback. They also listened to our concerns and provided alternate options that responded to our needs. Flexibility is an important design quality and Neff knows how to be flexible.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I think they have a great diverse team with new, fresh, designers and experienced and thoughtful managers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Harth Builders is a Residential Design-Build firm serving the Greater Philadelphia suburbs. I assist Harth as their Marketing and Social Media Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Neff?

We turned to Neff to help us establish an updated marketing plan and a brand "refresh".

What were your goals for this project?

Harth Builders has been around for almost 25 years now and it was time to bring the brand up to the current times. We wanted to establish specific goals of how to properly market the company, and have a clear direction of how to achieve those goals provided to us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our President, Greg and Neff's President, David have known each other for quite some time so this has been in the works for a bit. However if you check out Neff's website you'll be able to see their list of awards and accreditations for yourself!

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Our process started with a "kick-off" meeting to discuss who Harth is as a company as well as who Neff is and who we would be working with (I personally love that we always have an agenda for every meeting to see what we'll be discussing as well).

The following was discussed: Foundation Messaging, Brand Analysis, Web Competitive Analysis, Our Website Analysis, Social Media Analysis, PR Strategy, Marketing Materials Analysis and Media Recommendations. As the meetings have continued to move forward we have narrowed in a bit on each topic and discussed in detail. Currently we are working on recreating our company's logo and website.

What was the team composition?

We've actually worked with a good amount of their departments so far. I've seen individuals from Creative, PR, Social Media, etc. David always makes sure to hop on the calls as does Adam their Creative Director. I was really impressed by the number of employees that joined the first few calls and which departments they represented.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're still in the early stages of re-branding Harth Builders, however every interaction thus far has been nothing but constructive and positive. Neff has presented ideas that would have never been able to think of. I'm sure working with them will have nothing but a great outcome in the future for us.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

So far we meet with Neff about every other week to discuss new progress and address additional questions. I find our meetings very productive and we typically schedule our next meeting before signing off which is very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Neff has done a great job in understanding who we are as a company and how we'd like to market ourselves to the public.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Currently no, we've really enjoyed our process so far.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of communications for a hospitality trade association and responsible for managing all branding, marketing, social media, website, and internal/external communication.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Neff?

We launched a charitable fund for hospitality employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provides one-time grants to frontline hospitality employees (servers, bartenders, housekeeping, etc.).

We needed branding and a website for the fund. The Neff team worked with us to develop a full logo suite (primary, secondary, seal, icons) and a website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal for this project was to create a logo that represented the fund and a website that was easy to navigate, effectively communicated the purpose of the fund, and looked great.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the hospitality industry especially hard, both nationally and specifically in our state. Neff has a long history with the Philadelphia restaurant community and came to us looking for ways to use their expertise to help our industry.

It just so happened that we had recently established this fund and needed professional help on its branding. After an exploratory call with their creative team and the team behind our fund, we mutually decided working together would be a good fit.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Neff expedited their usual timeline due to urgency on our end to establish a logo and website. The pandemic was devastating the industry and it was critical that we raise awareness of the fund. We also wanted to ensure that the fund branding was consistent with our corporate branding so we provided our current branding guidelines for a frame of reference.

We held an initial Zoom call to discuss our thoughts about how the fund branding should look. Neff's team quickly turned around logo boards to direct our conversation and ideas. Taking our feedback, Neff provided logo mock-ups and website templates for the fund. Since our timeline was significantly condensed, we quickly narrowed the logo boards down to a few options and ran with them to get to the final product.

We identified a Word Press template that we liked after one round of template reviews. We provided most of the content for the website and reviewed everything thoroughly prior to going live. Once the website was live, they provided step-by-step written instructions and video tutorials on how to update the website.

What was the team composition?

The initial call hosted all of the Neff departments, including the owner, creative director, branding, web development, video, and social teams to see which departments would work with us on this project. As the project progressed, we worked directly with the creative director, project manager, and website developers (but all departments were looped in our email conversations).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While the metrics are not available yet, our team is pleased with the results of our collaboration with the Neff team. The logo/branding/website connect the fund back to our corporate brand seamlessly and the finished products exceeded our expectations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management was outstanding, especially considering this project would normally take months to complete and they completed it in weeks. Outside of Zoom, we didn't use tools to manage the workflow because there wasn't time for them. (I'm sure they had their own internal systems in place to stay on track, though.) They listened to our feedback and integrated our ideas into the final project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their team was creative, compassionate, focused, and professional. We felt like they prioritized our project, understood what we wanted to accomplish, and guided us to the final results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They delivered exactly what we wanted and we are 100% satisfied with the results. The only thing they lacked was time to let ideas truly blossom.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and a physician at a mental health center in Philadelphia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Neff?

I wanted to create a new logo and business identity for my practice.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Neff created a brand-new logo and corporate identity from scratch. They created one primary logo and different versions of it for use on business cards, letterheads, envelopes too. From there, they released our new corporate identity on social media.

What is the team composition?

There were six people involved in the process. The owner of Neff was present for most meetings and there were several designers. There were also two project managers.

How did you come to work with Neff?

I found a pool of 3-4 companies online and viewed their portfolios and websites. After meeting with 2-3 of them, I felt that Neff was a good fit. I was comfortable with the owner, and once we discussed pricing and the process, I felt comfortable moving forward.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $10,000­–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in January 2019 and wrapped up in August 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very satisfied and thought they did an excellent job. The other providers are also happy with their work and clients always mention how nice the new branding is.

How did Neff perform from a project management standpoint?          

They were excellent. We had frequent communication, not just in weekly meetings, but anytime. If I ever had a question or sent an email, they’d typically respond in 20 minutes. They did a really great job working with me and were available and responsive.  It was nice to have a local company and it made me feel more comfortable to meet in person every 1-2 weeks. It felt like we were always on the same page.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I liked that they were available and always went out of their way to help with small changes that other companies would have charged more for. I never felt like I was nickel-and-dimed or taken advantage of.

Are there any areas they could improve?      

No, I don’t have any thoughts for improvement. I’m happy with their service and look forward to using them in the future.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would definitely recommend meeting face-to-face. Visits to discuss the project every couple of weeks are very useful and helped me feel very comfortable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an office manager for a nonprofit organization that focuses on public space revitalization, in particular spaces such as playgrounds.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Neff?

We needed a branding partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They set up our WordPress website along with flyer and poster design. They designed our business card and created our logos and our color palette. They actually have a logo reel for any creative production needs that we have, and they’ll use Photoshop to tailor anything as requested.

We had a benefit concert and they shot a promo video for our organization that was played on a large screen.

How did you come to work with Neff?

They were hired before I started, but I'm sure our firm was looking for somebody who could help with marketing materials.

What is the status of this engagement?

They’ve been working with us since at least July 2019 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They have a great team and they always get it right. They work up until the last minute and they're very accommodating. Sometimes I might not have all the information that they need and it's contingent upon somebody else, but as soon as I give it to them, the ball gets rolling.

How did Neff perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very timely. We communicate mostly through email but I can call them if needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They do anything and everything we need and they're really responsive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’re completely satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the executive director of Make the World Better Foundation. We're a nonprofit that works with communities to redesign and rebuild public parks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Neff Associates?

We initially needed a partner to help rebrand our organization, which included building a new website. That has since expanded into other marketing-related projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Neff Associates’s first task was to reinvent our company logo and other branding components, like our company colors. That naturally led to the custom-built website, which they built entirely from scratch. We wanted a site that would speak to various visitors (e.g. funders, community members, and partners) and convey our work and culture in a clear and visual way. They conducted research to see what similar organizations were doing and then suggested what we might replicate or do differently. They developed a guidebook that outlines how to edit the website, which we use to train new team members.

Once the website project was complete, we then engaged Neff Associates to develop supporting brand documents, such as letterhead and other communication materials. They’re currently working on video and still photo collateral along with social media engagement guidelines. They provide ongoing management of our account and have also done some PR work, such as public outreach for our annual benefit concert.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 5–8 people across creative design, account management, and web development. Their creative director is our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Neff Associates?

We’d known the Creative Director for a long time, and he’d helped with some previous tasks. That relationship eventually became more formal, and we now work with a larger team at Neff Associates. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in January 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They created a beautiful website that feels unique to us and is easy to navigate. It’s been nearly two years, and we’re still using the website without any desire to change much about it. They helped us figure out how to properly communicate with our external partners, and the strength of our brand shows through in a number of the visual components they designed.

How did Neff Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re organized and responsive, consistently bringing on the right team members for specific portions of a larger job.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re highly creative and went well above what we were expecting in terms of creative materials and client communications. They ensured we were happy with their work and built a positive working relationship between our teams. We’re comfortable with their entire staff, which is committed to producing high-quality work and providing superb customer service.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

They’re good at helping you determine project goals, but do your best to come prepared with what you want to accomplish. It’ll help the process be more efficient and effective.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a heating and cooling company. I'm the marketing executive assistant.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Neff Associates?

We previously had all of our marketing in different locations. Our website provider and design team were spread out. We wanted to work with a marketing agency who could do our vendor buys, design work, and social media.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We do direct mailing campaigns, and they also handle our accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. As of now, they're not doing our website, but they do everything else, including our marketing on billboards, television, and radio.

We work with them on creative strategy and are discussing some of the best ways to tackle campaigns for all of our services. We know how we want to be presented, so we go back and forth to set the look and make sure everything is in line with our brand guidelines.

They help us with our brand development as well. Our old branding was outdated, and we're currently converting our marketing over to one specific look. Now that everything is under one roof, our image looks the same across all our materials.

They oversee user comments on social media, but we are involved in the responses to those comments. Sometimes, our owner reaches out to commenters directly.

What is the team composition?

We have one main point of contact, and their team works well together. In all, the team includes about nine individuals.

How did you come to work with Neff Associates?

One of our competitors mentioned them. Based upon their recommendation, we met with them to discuss our campaigns. They made suggestions and made us feel more comfortable than the other company we considered for this project. They were a one-stop shop, and we felt they could handle our needs.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent close to $150,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2018, and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our social media has grown, and impressions, comments, and page visitors have all improved significantly. Our newsletter gets us more phone calls, thanks to the look and clarity of their design. We've seen growth across all the campaigns they're involved in.

How did Neff Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

We meet once a month and have a regular phone call between meetings. They're easy to work with. They're always supportive, and they tell us whenever something is working or not working. They turn projects around within a couple of days, which is crucial to our work. We're heavily reliant on the weather, so that speed is necessary to our operations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The whole team is creative and outspoken about their opinions. They give good alternatives when things aren't working, and almost all of our projects turn out well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't have anything negative to say about them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be straightforward and give them your honest opinions. They have a lot of experience in the industry, and they are willing to tell you what isn't working and where they can help. They want their clients to succeed.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and managing partner of Alterra Property Group, LLC, a real estate development, investment, and management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Neff Associates?

My company needed to name and brand an entire city block. We hired Neff Associates to do digital media marketing and website development.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a property name and brand identity that would drive traffic—both physical and digital—to our new property, where we were developing residential and commercial spaces.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My team selected Neff Associates after a thorough interview process with advertising, marketing, and PR firms spanning Washington, D.C., to New York City.

Describe the project in detail.

Neff Associates developed our brand identity, incorporating certain historical aspects of the location. They did social media marketing and PR, created digital and physical marketing materials, and developed our website.

What was the team composition?

My team worked with the owner of Neff Associates and an account executive, creative director, social media director, and PR director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are ahead of pace in a very competitive apartment leasing market, with rents 10% higher than our pro forma.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our teams collaborated effectively and efficiently.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Neff Associates understood how to weave the historical nature of the site and other important contextual information, such as an existing train shed, into the naming and brand identity process.