Phase 3 Marketing and Communications

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of business development and marketing for Benning Construction. We’re a 70-year-old contracting firm in Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in retail, self-storage, educational, cinema, and other types of renovations and building work. I’ve been with the company for 15 years.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We needed help to rebrand our company. We hadn’t changed our brand, logo, or messaging cohesively in 30 years, so we needed a fresh look.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Phase 3 did a complete rebrand. First, we did a brand audit to survey and see our existing brand expression in the marketplace, including what our customers and other people thought of us and their opinion on our brand image and reputation. Based on that soul-searching, Phase 3 developed a brand narrative and expression all the way through our mission statement and core values. They created a theme around that and did a new logo, website, and marketing materials such as letterheads, business cards, envelopes, jackets, hats, and gloves.

They developed our WordPress website from the ground up; we didn’t use anything from our previous site. Additionally, they trained us to edit and update the website internally.

What is the team composition?

We had about 12 team members working on the project. We initially spoke to a business development person; he brought on more resources as the scope progressed.

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

They weren’t a referral; I did some print and media work with Phase 3 before, mostly for print brochures and tri-folds. Considering the scope of the project, getting the firm right was vital for us. We went through an extensive process; we interviewed three other firms and received full-fledged proposals from them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August 2021–August 2022.

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

We don’t have any data on the website yet, but the feedback from our customers has been nothing but positive.

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was great; they were really time-sensitive. They understood how we thought as contractors, so they did an excellent job keeping everything on schedule. We communicated through Microsoft Teams, Zoom, emails, and in-person work sessions. However, we did most of the work through video calls because it was right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creative approach to messaging and branding was a key differentiating factor. Their thought process was outstanding; they were profound thinkers. Construction isn’t exciting or easy to sell, but they were great at tailoring our message to resonate with our core audience while keeping it simple.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Our only constructive criticism would be about turnover. We lost some team members during the project, which caused a few disruptions and was a bit concerning. They were able to stay on schedule, but we understood that setback — since it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world was thrown-off.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Listen to them and let them work independently; don’t micromanage them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive assistant at Cox Enterprises’ corporate people solutions group and business operations team.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We needed help distributing materials to our employees.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our company has a large return-to-office project, and Phase 3 is our partner in kitting and mailing our onboarding materials to approximately 725 employees across our organization.

The package includes notebooks, pens, mugs, badge reels, and other items for our onboarding and reboarding process. Phase 3 works with me in finalizing delivery details. They print our logo on all the materials we send out. We hired 5,500 employees since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all the items we’ve been sending have come from Phase 3. 

Aside from that, we order from Phase 3 items that are used for our weekly cross-divisional orientation. They store and ship items on our behalf. 

What is the team composition?

I work with Sarah (Senior Account Executive) to have the items put together and shipped out. There are other teammates involved in the process, but I don’t interact with them.

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

Phase 3’s relationship with our company was already in place before I joined the team. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Phase 3 has been engaged with our company even before I joined the team in May 2021, and our partnership is ongoing. 

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

I am also a recipient of the item sent by Phase 3, and I can say the packages' marketing, logo, and presentation are well done. 

There are many moving pieces within Cox to get items pulled together, approved, created, and coordinated with Phase 3. Sarah does a great job being available throughout the process — we’ve had late-night calls and last-minute conversations about fixing various issues. Sarah has been great to work with in pulling everything together. 

We didn’t meet the original deadline, but it wasn’t Phase 3’s fault. It was because of issues on our side. If we’ve buttoned up everything on our end, they definitely would have met the original deadline. 

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

Phase 3 is incredible at project management. I wish my experience with other companies were as great as it has been with Phase 3. They are great to work with even as issues arise. We communicate through emails, SMS, and team calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Phase 3’s customer service is impressive. There isn’t anything I need or want that they aren’t willing to try and make happen. They have the right person leading the project and doing everything they can to assist our needs. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve been an executive assistant for a long time and have worked with many companies doing the same thing Phase 3 is doing. I can’t think of anything they could have improved on. Sarah is available after hours and quick to respond. They can source items if what we want isn’t readily available. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Work with Sarah because she’s just awesome. She has a great attitude and is excellent to work with — request for Sarah as your point of contact. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing at a real estate firm. I oversee our marketing, branding, social media, and PR efforts for our property portfolio.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We were looking to define our brand voice and better understand how to speak to our audiences, which includes our residents, prospects, and investment partners.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Phase 3 Marketing and Communications helped us define our brand voice. The team created a guideline deck that serves as a brand book. It has examples of our lexicon and a glossary of terms that we frequently use in our marketing efforts. 

Their team also works with us on a property-specific project. They are currently developing a new brand identity, name, and logo, for that property. 

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Amanda (Vice President of Strategy), but we also worked with Cori (Director of National & Strategic Accounts).

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

I initially found Phase 3 Marketing and Communications through Google, but Cory had also reached out to me letting me know about their branding capabilities.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested between $50,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications began in October 2019.

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

Since the guidelines are being rolled out in various formats, it can be difficult to measure the different ways it has been implemented. We have seen an increase in social media engagement. Our prospects and residents are also reacting positively to the new brand voice. We’ve also seen increased brand recognition.

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

The Phase 3 Marketing and Communications team is great at meeting deadlines. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a really creative team. Phase 3 Marketing and Communications has a way with words. The vocabulary they came up with for us was impressive and was well-received by the leaders in our company. They created a tone that is concise but really resonates. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had a lot of moving parts, so a tracking system or document would have been helpful. However, everything worked out great. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide them with your big picture ideas and goals. They will color in the dots and come up with a creative solution.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Macauley Investments, a real estate development company based here in Atlanta.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

Susan (Senior VP, Corporate Marketing) and her team manage the marketing of all of my communities. Her scope of services has included traditional marketing, branding, positioning, and PR.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Susan’s team has been involved in helping everything from the naming of the community to how it’s positioned in the marketplace. Upon branding the properties, they then lay out a marketing strategy and produce materials to promote the community at hand. Their marketing package includes social media and email marketing, depending on the need of the project.

What is the team composition?

Our primary point of contact is Susan, but her team includes Kirk (Director, Integrated Marketing & Client Strategy) Kendra (VP, Creative), Cherice (Director, Public Relations), and a larger support group.

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

I’ve known Susan for 20 years, and she was the co-founder of a company that was acquired by Phase 3 in 2012. I’ve been confident in Susan’s abilities, so I’ve stayed with her for all these years.

How much have you invested with them?

I have no idea, but I’d estimate that the cost has been somewhere between $250,000 – $1,000,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

My collaboration with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications began in October 2012 and is ongoing. I met with them just yesterday.

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

I have a great deal of confidence in Susan, who’s been executing this kind of work over the course of a very long career. She and her team are exceptionally collaborative and show no signs of arrogance. They’re creative and think outside of the box. In addition to delivering cutting-edge solutions, they always maintain professionalism.

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very good at meeting deadlines and staying communicative. Their biggest challenge is often myself; I’m always changing requirements.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d say that I’m an unusual person, and they put up with me. Susan’s known me for 20 years, so we know each other well. They have a very strong desire to see me succeed, and I highly value their genuine commitment to the realization of my goals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing really comes to mind. When you’ve worked with each other for 20 years, you work through whatever issues you might come across. We have a very smooth relationship at this point.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring them into the process as early as possible, and be trusting of their expertise. They have such expansive experience and have done so many great projects across the southeast.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a graphic design business that works with higher education customers.

For what projects/services did your company hire Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We needed a printing partner that could provide a variety of services, maintain quality and brand cohesiveness, as well as be competitive on smaller runs for a campaign with a lot of moving parts including multiple versions of flyers, posters, mounted signage, banners, table tents, yard signs and post cards with mailing services. We were able to get all those things in one place.

What were your goals for this project?

To produce quality materials to elevate and promote an existing program in a new and more creative way, to increase awareness by featuring the materials in a variety of ways and locations.

How did you select Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

From our previous, more standard print work together, based on trust we built there. We were ready to take advantage of more services and a more turnkey approach to a full campaign.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After providing specifications and quantities for campaign materials, we reviewed a variety of vendor options and made the decision to go with Phase 3 based on quality of work, competitive pricing, and attention to detail.

Using one partner for all materials provided a more simple and efficient way to go. We were also able to do some sample prints on different paper stocks to make decisions on best ways to proceed.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with our account director Adam Clark.

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

Myself and client were very pleased with the results of all materials. All went as planned and expected. They did a great job of making the new creative look amazing! Which makes us look good. There was lots of positive feedback where materials were used or distributed by the users and audience.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

My account director was thorough and detailed and provided updates and communications as needed. The project went very well and smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I like the person service provided, Adam's management of the details and the overall results of the final pieces.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a community relations supervisor with Georgia-based health insurance company.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing?

We had previously been storing all of our inventory at our own physical locations, which was becoming very expensive for us to do.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The primary role that Phase 3 serves is to store all of our inventory and ship it out as purchases are made so that the process is as streamlined as possible. Inventory includes backpacks with school supplies, breast cancer awareness items, hand sanitizers, and other similar items.

Their team also works with us to identify new offerings that we can provide for our members, as well as to print promotional material such as banners and posters that we give out in community groups to advertise our services.

What is the team composition?

Our primary point of communication is Cory Thomas (Director of Strategic Accounts).

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing?

They were brought on to work with us by my predecessors at the company and I simply took over the relationship.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we’ve spent over $50,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them around 2017 and have continued the partnership ever since.

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

We’ve been extremely pleased with the work that they’ve done for us. There have been no complaints whatsoever from our members, which means they’re doing everything that they need to be doing.

How did Phase 3 Marketing perform from a project management standpoint?

I would rate their management of the project at a ten out of ten. They make the partnership incredibly easy for us to manage, and we’ve been completely satisfied with their communication with us about any questions they have or ideas on how to make our services even better.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are simply a phenomenal vendor. I honestly couldn’t think of a single negative thing to say about the experience working with them if I tried.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just come in with a vision of what you want and be direct with your ask from them, and they will be able to deliver.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a university as the director of learner and enterprise engagement.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We hired them to be a full-service marketing company in the Charlotte area. Our main campus isn’t located there, but our campus location had different marketing challenges and opportunities. After working with an individual provider without a full scope of capabilities, we decided to hire a new partner that had the capacity for social media, traditional advertising, and more.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have several different projects in the works together. They support and contribute to our overall marketing efforts. That involves public relations, media outreach, and programming that requires sourcing speakers. 

They’ve also stepped into our paid social media, aiming to help us generate leads on prospective students. Currently, they’re assisting us with Facebook and LinkedIn ads. We’re preparing to do a Youtube ad this fall that will focus on our brand rather than degree programs.

What is the team composition?

We regularly interact with about five people. That’s included a creative director and some members of their senior team. 

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We sent out an RFP and interviewed several companies. After several rounds of interviews, it seemed that their team could best serve as a strategic thought partner to us. 

How much have you invested with them?

Our budget for marketing is $200,000. That figure isn’t all spent on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since November 2019.

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

Lead generation efforts have gone fairly well. We’ve exceeded our benchmarked cost per lead metrics for each of our advertising platforms. Our performance is approaching benchmarks set by the university as well. We’re having good success, and we’ve set high goals. They’ve put together a strong, integrated marketing plan that effectively targets our audience.

They’ve also been critical to developing local relationships through sponsoring events and creating additional assets. That goes far in positioning the university positively within the community.  

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re straightforward and forthcoming about how they intend to solve problems. We appreciate their integrity and willingness to discuss areas for improvement within their own process. We’re not their most significant, but they value our relationships tremendously. They also have a thorough process for understanding the market and client needs. We are benefiting now from the work they put into grasping our market well early on in our relationship.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re experienced professionals who are interested in sharing in our success. We’ve had fun working with them because they’ve shown interest in cultivating a positive relationship. Especially given the pandemic, our industry has been challenged. Because they’re strategic in their approach to the project, they were able to adapt to changes and challenges. We’re confident that we have a firm foundation that can weather difficulties and solve hard problems. I’ve been very pleased with their creativity. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. They delivered on everything we were looking for, even when our requirements changed. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for a true partner, consider them. They have clear processes and procedures that make their services intentional. That structure is always present in our relationship.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director of Bosch Rexroth. We’re an industrial manufacturer that produces components, hydraulic, and motion-control components used in factories and off-highway commercial equipment.

What challenge were you trying to address with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We do an agency review every number of years so we invited Phase 3 to participate in that process. Our team selected them to be our agency of record for a contract period.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Phase 3 did our advertising, PR, and social media. They were also involved in designing digital marketing activities and supporting us on special projects as needed. Their team used modern video production and editing equipment, helped us with graphic design, and handled our web development.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with approximately 15 people including an agency partner, account manager, creative director, digital marking specialist, and copywriter.

How did you come to work with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We selected them from other agencies we were considering. When we were first talking and working with them to compete against other agencies, we asked each agency to give us a sample campaign. The other agencies gave us one example, Phase 3 was the only one who gave us three different options.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $1.2 million a year, this includes their services and media buying.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement was from January 2016–December 2019.

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

Phase 3 did an excellent job. Their team members are smart, hardworking, and creative. The quality was outstanding on every project they worked on. They’re a nice group of intelligent and energetic people.

It was clear that they wanted to do a good job for us. Their team was positive, and we always liked talking to them. Our team knew they were working hard, and they did a good job of communicating. All the results we received were what we expected and then some.

How did Phase 3 Marketing and Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

We had an internal individual who worked directly with the account on a day-to-day basis. So, we were in contact with Phase 3 every day, but also had three formal calls per week on specific topics.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We liked their creative capabilities. They worked hard to make sure we were satisfied. Rather than giving us one option, they provided us with three going in different directions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any issues. We’re a very technical business, and they had all of the right skillsets but industry knowledge was something they needed to come to speed with. Their team put a lot of effort forward to come up to speed as quickly as possible. It took a lot of work, but that’s not a criticism of Phase 3. I give them credit for working hard to learn our business.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s important to meet the account team and know who’s going to work on your account every day. Communicate your expectations and how your business works clearly.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Director of Sales & Marketing for a hospitality group with 15 restaurant locations across the southeast. The group consists of 6 different restaurant concepts.

For what projects/services did your company hire Phase 3 Marketing and Communications?

We needed a crisis management plan that P3 helped us implement for our restaurants. We also needed a "boots on the ground" approach to PR in four markets, as well as national coverage for our Chef-run concepts.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to get more local and national coverage on our various restaurant concepts. Additionally, we wanted to have a local representative that could dine at the restaurants and immerse themselves in our brands, as well as be available for meetings and assist as needed with photo shoots and events. We needed an extension of our own marketing team.

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed several local PR companies and felt that P3 brought the most relevant experience for our brands.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Strategy meetings to discover our brands and needs, followed by frequent dining in the restaurants to meet the staff and familiarize themselves with our concepts. Bi-monthly phone meetings to discuss upcoming events and needs. Provided assets to use for pitching to local media. P3 regularly pitches stories to local and national media. Provides support and assistance for local advertising questions.

What was the team composition?

We typically have two-three people working on our account.

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

We are frequently mentioned in local and national press and feel their efforts show great success.They help us plan and execute events, make introductions/connections, and provide support as needed for various projects. They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective! They're always easy to get ahold of, quick to respond to questions, and provide a great deal of support to our team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are extremely knowledgeable and have several contacts in the media, which has helped us with new store openings and press mentions. They are friendly, down to earth, and fun to work with. I am impressed with each person that's been assigned to our account and appreciate the amount of thought and attention put into our brands.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None! They're great!