Helping Businesses Find Their Creative Voice
Founded in 2017, Southern Cross Media is dedicated to helping your business flourish through quality digital media content, design, branding, social media marketing, review management, video production and customized advertising.
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Welcome to Southern Cross Media
We’re passionate about helping you find your creative voice.
Founded in 2017, we champion unique brands and bring them into the spotlight.
We leverage your business’ strengths to build strategic road maps, and deliver the right customers to you.
Our team offers unparalleled creative solutions to all of our clients, and is determined to see every job through to its success.
Our co founders, Tom Fritchek and Charles Kiester, spent nearly 30 years in the corporate world until one day they realized, “We can do this better!” They found that small business owners often feel the customer service from large corporate entities is lacking, and that they could create a company that speaks to what businesses want. So, Southern Cross Media was born with an eye toward providing excellent value, quality products, reasonable pricing, attention to detail, and great customer service by a small, locally owned company.
Charles Kiester
We’re passionate about helping you find your creative voice.
Founded in 2017, we champion unique brands and bring them into the spotlight.
We leverage your business’ strengths to build strategic road maps, and deliver the right customers to you.
Our team offers unparalleled creative solutions to all of our clients, and is determined to see every job through to its success.
Our co founders, Tom Fritchek and Charles Kiester, spent nearly 30 years in the corporate world until one day they realized, “We can do this better!” They found that small business owners often feel the customer service from large corporate entities is lacking, and that they could create a company that speaks to what businesses want. So, Southern Cross Media was born with an eye toward providing excellent value, quality products, reasonable pricing, attention to detail, and great customer service by a small, locally owned company.
Tom Fritchek
Reviews
the project
Web Redesign & Digital Mktg for Law Firm
"They’re also efficient and well-organized, enabling them to manage the project very well."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner and attorney of an elder law practice firm.
What challenge were you trying to address with Southern Cross Media LLC?
We hired Southern Cross Media LLC to help us keep our website updated.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Southern Cross Media LLC redesigned our website. I provided them with the blurb for the website. I also gave them written questions of what I wanted to see on the site to ensure that everything was good since we were a legal website. They’re now helping us expand our website traffic.
What is the team composition?
Tom (Partner) is our primary contact, and he’s in charge of scheduling meetings. On top of that, there are 2–3 people involved in helping us with our web design efforts. We’re also working with a technical lead.
How did you come to work with Southern Cross Media LLC?
I knew Southern Cross Media LLC’s owner, and he used to work for a different company. I really liked him, so I reached out to him. Above all, he listened to what we wanted and responded quickly.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent at least $30,000 over the course of three years. Then, we spend an average of $10,000 annually and approximately $800 a month.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began working together in January 2018, and it’s ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The team ensures that we’re getting traction on our website. Thanks to them, we get a lot of traffic through Google. As a result, we receive a lot of calls and comments from external customers. Even though we strongly rely on word-of-mouth referrals, we’ve identified a number of people who’ve seen us through our website. Overall, we can check if their strategy is working through our intake form where we ask our external customers where they first heard about us.
Tom has a really good demeanor and his new recommendations make a lot of sense. I’ve never felt pressured to do anything in our partnership. If I don’t like his idea, he understands and we move forward quickly with other things.
How did Southern Cross Media LLC perform from a project management standpoint?
They regularly reach out to us to schedule meetings in order to discuss our project’s status. They’re also efficient and well-organized, enabling them to manage the project very well. Even if I ask for small changes in the website, they take care of it fairly quickly. Furthermore, they’re very professional and easy to get a hold of even though most of our communications are electronic.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They’re very reasonable, and they offer good pricing. Moreover, they make me feel important even though we’re not a big business. I’ve worked with larger companies before, and they've had a tremendous amount of turnover. With Southern Cross Media LLC, I’ve never felt that way. I may not be their biggest client but I know that if I need anything, I can reach out to them.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I don’t know what areas they can improve because I’m pretty happy with them.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Come prepared and make sure that you clearly communicate your goals. Southern Cross Media LLC will give you advice, but they will also let you run the show. They’re not going to force feed you anything, and they want you to express your business as you see it. Above all, they're interested to know what you want.
the project
PPC Management & Review Solicitation for Law Firm
“They make sure that everything’s getting done and being taken care of."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m an attorney, owner, and managing partner of C.W. Smith Law, P.A.
What challenge were you trying to address with Southern Cross Media?
We needed assistance when it came to doing additional advertising, bringing in more cases, and reaching out to clients to try and get more five-star reviews, so we hired Southern Cross.
What was the scope of their involvement?
I provided Southern Cross with a spreadsheet that contains the names and email addresses of our clients. The team reached out to the people on that list on our behalf, asking for review which could then be added to our ratings on Google. The team makes sure to send requests for reviews in a gradual manner because if we get 50 reviews at once, it raises flags with Google.
The second part involved getting me certified on Google since they already have a process for certifying a thoroughly vetted and checked attorney. I was required to personally do the application but Southern Cross helped me in getting it all set up.
Now, the team is screening all the calls that are coming through our PPC ads. They keep track and follow up on all the individuals who click on the ads, making sure that we’re keeping costs affordable as opposed to spending thousands of dollars on wrong calls each month.
What is the team composition?
Charlie (Partner) is my primary contact. He does the sales and follows up with me once a month to make sure everything's good. I believe there are also two women who email me information and help me get everything set up.
How did you come to work with Southern Cross Media?
Charlie is someone whom I’ve known for years because he used to be my representative for LexisNexis. He has seen me do advertising at the Central Florida Travel Association and reached out to me after seeing that I was part of a seminar.
How much have you invested with them?
The monthly charge for the ongoing PPC work and an upfront charge for their other services have thus far amounted to $3,000–$4,000 in total.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started in June 2021 and we’re still working together to this day.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We just got everything switched over, so any success from Southern Cross’s work is more specific to workers' compensation claims. We now have a higher retention rate; people calling in with complaints get signed up as clients most of the time, whereas people calling in with general civil questions are often just looking for free advice. Southern Cross helped us get more clicks for worker complaints than general civil questions.
I’m not sure how well it’s all going to pan out, but it will at least give me additional exposure. I did get one personal injury case, and hopefully, that turns out to be a good one.
Southern Cross has helped us get six more reviews, so we now have 30 reviews on Google.
How did Southern Cross Media perform from a project management standpoint?
Our arrangement is to have them go through the entire spreadsheet of client names and emails. I simply handed it over to them and they’ve taken care of it from that point on. As far as the follow-up, Southern Cross emails me once a month as to the number of calls and number of challenges they've made to contest certain calls.
We communicate through email. They have an online setup where I can go and check stuff out myself, but I honestly don’t have the time to deal with it.
What did you find most impressive about them?
What sets them apart is their follow-up procedures, how they make sure that everything’s getting done and being taken care of.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Not that I can think of.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
To be successful with Southern Cross, just make sure to get back with them immediately, because if they need something and you don’t respond, the work won’t get done.
the project
Web Dev, SEO, Logo & Content for Law Firm Company
"They’ve been a valuable asset to us. We’re delighted with the Southern Cross team."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a paralegal at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We handle mass tort cases.
What challenge were you trying to address with Southern Cross Media LLC?
We needed someone to overhaul our website.
What was the scope of their involvement?
First, Southern Cross completely revamped our website and our logo. They made the site as informative as possible by detailing all our services. Afterward, the team started helping us write blog posts to improve our SEO. We’re also collaborating on a newsletter.
What is the team composition?
We work with three teammates.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project started in February 2020, and it’s ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The website looks fantastic. We’ve gotten phenomenal feedback from everyone who’s seen the site. Southern Cross has also done a great job with SEO — we’ve generated a lot of new leads thanks to their work.
How did Southern Cross Media LLC perform from a project management standpoint?
The team is very punctual and responsive. Furthermore, they’re receptive to feedback, which we appreciate. We use email, phone calls, and video conferencing to communicate.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The team is extremely helpful, and they’ve been a valuable asset to us. We’re delighted with the Southern Cross team.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, there’s nothing they could do better.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Stay on top of things and be clear with your expectations.
the project
Marketing & Advertising for
"Southern Cross Media LLC has been in the business for years and is very knowledgeable."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the President of Cressman Law Firm, PA. My firm provides legal service throughout Central Florid, primarily focused on personal Injury and debtor bankruptcy representation of individuals and small businesses.
For what projects/services did your company hire Southern Cross Media LLC?
I was looking to increase revenues by implementing a Legal Services Ad through Google and was looking for a company to manage the Legal Services Ad in an attempt to drive new clients to my website and hopefully retaining my firm to represent them.
How did you select this vendor?
I have known Charles Kiester in the past and when he approached me I found him to be very honest and forthright in explaining what the Legal Services Ad could or could not do to help increase my online presence and potentially drive clients to my office.
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
After a thorough discussion with Charles, Southern Cross implemented a program to begin increasing the number of reviews from former clients, which was designed to help with placement of the Legal Services Ad. He and his team have also made suggestions and provided option for me and my firm to increase our presence and expand our service area.
What was the team composition?
Charles and I have worked closely on the ideas and needs for my firm. His team has been there at each step to help implement the ideas he and I have discussed.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We have seen an increase in reviews, which should be helping our Legal Service Ad placement.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Charles and I communicate routinely via email and his team is vey responsive when I have questions about where we have been and where we are going in terms of the advertising for my office.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Charles and his team are very honest when it comes to discussing online advertising. Southern Cross Media LLC has been in the business for years and is very knowledgeable about what works and what does not work to increase a law firm's online presence.
I am and continue to be a great skeptic of SEO voodoo, and Charles knows this and understands my hesitation, but he has earned my respect through his honest approach and not making promises which cannot be upheld as many other companies I have dealt with in the past have.
Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?
Nothing could have been different. Charles and I have worked closely to put a few things in place to try and increase revenue. The only reservation has been my lack of faith in the internet for SEO.
Charles has worked hard at showing me that what he has offered my firm has worked and if anything, it is more me than his firm and South Cross Media that might be holding me back. To be clear, Charles and his team are great, and work hard, for what I have asked them to do.
the project
Web Design & Online Advertising for Law Firm
"They’re hands-on and responsive to my questions and concerns."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m an attorney in Peppler Law P.A. in Oviedo, Florida.
What challenge were you trying to address with Southern Cross Media LLC?
I engaged with Southern Cross Media LLC for my website advertising needs.
What was the scope of their involvement?
The internet is a major source of advertising for law firms, so we asked Southern Cross Media LLC to redesign our website. The team now continues to enhance our web presence.
What is the team composition?
I mainly work with Tom (Partner). They also have 2–3 people on their team, including a person who creates our blogs and another person who answers questions concerning leads and other matters.
How did you come to work with Southern Cross Media LLC?
I had been using a large national company to do my website and emails, and working with them was very expensive. I had known Tom for quite a number of years and he started Southern Cross Media LLC a few years ago. When my contract with my previous provider was coming to an end, I contacted Tom and hired his firm to handle my web presence. More importantly, partnering with them could help us save money.
How much have you invested with them?
We spend $2,000 a month.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together with Southern Cross Media LLC in January 2021, and it’s ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Southern Cross Media LLC has been fairly efficient. We don’t have any metrics, but I would say that the results of my new website and the various other things they’re doing for me on the internet has been good and even better than the large national company that they’ve replaced.
How did Southern Cross Media LLC perform from a project management standpoint?
Their team has been very excellent; they’re hands-on and responsive to my questions and concerns. Since I’m not very good at internet-related matters, Southern Cross Media LLC has basically led me through the whole process. Overall, I’m very happy with their assistance.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The personal attention that they’ve had while we’re going through the process has been fantastic.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I really don’t have any complaints or suggestions regarding their work.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
If you’re in need of a significant internet presence, reach out to Southern Cross Media LLC. They’re capable of designing and setting up websites for professionals such as law firms and similar businesses. Above all, you should be aware of your needs and what you’re offering to the public so that they can create your website properly.
the project
Digital Marketing & Social Media Management for Law Firm
"The results we’ve seen have been the best part about working with them."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner of a law firm. We handle primarily family law and criminal law, with a few other areas, as well.
What challenge were you trying to address with Southern Cross Media?
We hired Southern Cross Media to improve our online marketing efforts and gain more leads.
What was the scope of their involvement?
To start, they revamped my website. They also handle social media marketing efforts through Facebook, publishing various articles and sharing posts that they run by me for approval.
Another effort is they’re encouraging our clients to leave reviews for us to generate more positive content online. The way our system works allows our team to respond to any negative reviews and help the client before they pop up on Google, too. Their team also handles some SEO tactics on Google.
What is the team composition?
For the most part, I have one main point of contact, Tom (Partner, Southern Cross Media), but there are others on the team that support us.
How did you come to work with Southern Cross Media?
We attended the same event and saw a presentation they gave. Someone I knew was also using their services, so I decided to give them a shot.
How much have you invested with them?
Originally, we were spending $1,000 per month, but we now spend around $1,200 per month for the added services.
What is the status of this engagement?
We’ve been working together since 2018.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Since starting our engagement, it definitely seems like we’ve had more online leads coming to our website. I think the reviews have helped our visibility a lot, especially because new leads mention the positive Google reviews they’ve seen.
How did Southern Cross Media perform from a project management standpoint?
Tom comes to our office monthly to check on the efforts and go over any progress. Whenever we add a new service to the project, we go over all the possibilities, strategies, and ideas to move forward with. If something comes up, we communicate through text, email, and phone calls.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The results we’ve seen have been the best part about working with them. Although we can’t quantify them, the online reviews have made a huge difference in how people find us. They have had a noticeable impact on our business.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I’m pretty happy with their services and everything is going well.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Choosing to work with them is a good idea; they’re attentive, knowledgable, and bring results.
Since Southern Cross Media LLC joined the project, the company's site traffic has dramatically increased. They're highly commended for their helpful insights and open-minded approach. Moreover, they offer cost-effective services. Customers can expect an efficient, organized, and professional team.