When a company has made it to the top of the playing field, there is usually an internal marketing and communications department. However, there are still many issues the internal departments face: There never seems to be enough time in the day and enough staff to fulfill all of the marketing needs, nor is it usually cost-effective or most efficient to have all functions in-house.

At AboutFace Marketing, we’ve been you. We understand the issues, as well as the internal politics that most agencies do not, because they’ve never lived full-time inside your large corporate walls, as we have. In our past lives, we’ve been in your shoes and have had to make the decisions you have to make – what to insource, and what to outsource – and we know what type of challenges you face.

We also know – as do you – that it’s sometimes important to get an outside, objective opinion and a fresh, creative perspective on your marketing strategy and implementation, but you just hate the time and effort it takes to find the right marketing partner who will take the time to understand not only your internal challenges, but also your industry, your target market(s), and your company without having to continually hold their hand.

When we partner with you, we commit to taking the time to understand the full picture, so we can provide you with a fresh and relevant perspective that helps to optimize your efforts and maximize your results.

• Market analysis and strategy

In the world of business, one of most self-defeating and least effective approaches to marketing is the “tactic in search of a strategy,” which actually happens more often than not. This tends to occur as a result of someone seeing a certain marketing approach to a product or service at a different company (and/or industry) and saying, “Hey, that’s neat! We should do that!” – all without considering whether that approach is appropriate and effective for their product, service, and/or industry.

As frustrating as this can be, sometimes the best strategies can be more accepted internally when the information comes from an outside source. We can look at the full picture, take your findings, and consolidate them with ours to provide you with a creative, out-of-the-box plan that will be solid and effective – and possibly better accepted by your internal clients.

• Direct marketing and promotional campaigns

Do you have a marketing strategy that requires a fresh and exciting promotional campaign to encourage new and/or repeat business? We will listen to your goals and vision and translate them into the creation of an effective but out-of-the-box and exciting campaign to gain the attention of your targets, which may include any/all of the following: direct mail/e-mail; Website search engine optimization, link, and social networking strategy; advertising (both print and electronic); events; public relations; relevant listings; and anything else you might imagine.  
• Branding and rebranding

Has it been a long time since company evaluated its current brand(s) and determined if the brand is (still) perceived in the way that is expected by its target market(s)? Has the competitive landscape changed, providing the need to update the brand to compete effectively? Have you expanded your capabilities (whether through product enhancements/additions or a merger or acquisition), and feel that your “old” brand has now become outdated or or irrelevant? It’s really the meaning behind the face of the company – or the brand – that you create with any representation you make to your customers and prospects. We have extensive experience in naming, renaming (such as in a merger) and evolving that vision in a way that will help you stand out from the crowd, including target market perception research, logo and color palette development, tagline development, standards and collateral development, and anything related.
• Event and tradeshow management and logistics

One of the biggest challenges in any business is the time-consuming task of planning and implementing an event or tradeshow, regardless of the size and number of attendees. We can help you plan and manage all of the details for your event to make it something your target market(s) will remember, and can manage the endless amount of details involved, including venue research and negotiation; creation of media partnerships for events; celebrity event participation and recruitment; sponsorship feasibility and recruitment; virtual meetings and presentations; event management, logistics, and promotion; tradeshow booth development; and banner/graphics development.
• Website management and evolution

Today, a Website has become a large part of the “face” of any company, no matter how large or small, and therefore is very important in terms of how accurately that is conveyed. Using best practices in readability and usability, we can take a look at what you have (or we can start from scratch, if you don’t already have a Website), get you started or create your next version, from the site’s graphic design and layout to content development, adding online shopping capabilities, search engine optimization and marketing, and traffic analysis. 
• Interactive marketing strategy and implementation

Today’s world of interactivity makes marketing more exciting while addressing the short attention spans and high demands of our society. Our marketing strategy naturally involves interactive marketing strategy and tactics to make your efforts more relative and most efficient, including Webcasts, Webconferences, blogs, multimedia presentations, electronic newsletters, and online tool development.
• Social networking strategy and implementation

Have you heard the terms “Web 2.0,” “blogging,” “social internet,” “wiki,” “message boards,” and “social networking sites,” but don’t know if they apply to you and your business? We can take a look at your business, your product(s), and/or your services(s), look at your industry, the competitive landscape, and determine if and what would be a good social networking strategy for you, as well as what tactical approach to take – plus, we can help you with the implementation, as well.
• Copywriting and design

Is your marketing department running on overload? We can be your outsourcing partner for a variety of tactical needs, including writing and design of brochures, fact or sales sheets, flyers, postcards, direct mail/e-mail pieces, advertisements, blogs, news releases, or anything related.
• Promotional items

Do you need to put your business name on a shirt, pen, sports container, hat, or paper maché duck? We can provide you with out-of-the-box ideas that fit your budget, as well as some classy and high-end items that you may use for employee or client gifts.
• Corporate and internal communication

Sometimes you may need the objective, outside perspective of a third party to create and present the facts in a compelling yet acceptable and comprehensible way. We can assist you with your many corporate and internal communications, including Intranet layout, design, and implementation; media training; crisis management; press conferences and media events; and message strategy and development.

From a public relations perspective, often you may need some visibility with the media but don’t have the time or staff to dedicate to the effort. We can be an extension to your staff that can take the time to write and submit news releases to relevant publications and Websites, pitch for article placement in relevant trade journals, and work to gain media coverage for your company events.