Stripe Communications

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Communications Director for a health and well-being company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our business was ready to embark upon a publicity drive to engage relevant media and drive awareness of our two subscription-based app products. Media coverage in tier one press was the goal.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After researching agencies that had experience in our space, we shortlisted five to create proposals and choose the one we believed demonstrated that they had great press contacts, an always on approach and previous client success but found later that this wasn’t the case.

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

We started by sharing all of our progress to date, including a number of relevant, seasonal and newsworthy stories, as well as updated the team on our goals and calendar of key dates that are keen to highlight in the press. The strategy was to have proactive monthly newsjacking or calendar moments per month that would be strong enough to convert into media attention and coverage. This didn't happen.

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

An account executive and an account director for the most part. Sometimes the strategy officer jumped in. Once we expressed our disappointment, we had the MD jump in to offer a 50% reduction on the next fee, and express total confidence they can turn this around. That also didn't happen.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The results were very disappointing. We counted one secured media clipping, which was a competition piece.

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

They seemed un-organised, not on the ball, and seemed to miss much of the angles, content and opportunities that we presented.

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

Nothing.

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

It was a very disappointing experience and I would advise that if the agency feels like they can do a job that they promise to do in the pitch stage, or showcased what they have done for other clients, then they should guarantee some outcomes rather than just expect monthly fees with zero results.