Marketing @ Work, a Frederick-based marketing and public relations firm, announced recently that they have acquired three area businesses as clients.

Marketing @ Work is working on a number of projects with Fenestra Technologies, an IT company in downtown Frederick; Real Comfort Systems, an HVAC company in Jefferson; and Reed & Son, a Mt. Airy plumbing company.

Founded in 2004 by Diane DeMarco, Marketing @ Work provides a full range of services to small and medium-sized businesses in the greater Frederick and Washington DC area.  Their services include comprehensive marketing plans, along with logos, websites, news releases, ads, direct mail, e-marketing, social media and more.

Fenestra invents creative IT solutions to complex business problems. They have been a prime contractor to the United States Census Bureau, and a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin and IBM on programs for the Census Bureau and the National Archives and Records Administration.  In recognition of their achievements as a government subcontractor, The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded Fenestra a 2010 Administrator’s Award for Excellence.

Real Comfort Systems is a 12-year-old family owned HVAC company in Jefferson that provides commercial and residential heating, cooling, duct cleaning and air quality services.  Owner Carl Harris is one of a handful of technicians in the nation who are Building Performance Institute certified, and their knowledgeable technicians have an average of 14 years of experience each.

Reed & Son is a family owned plumbing company in Mt. Airy.  A second generation plumber, Patrick Reed is a Master Plumber, Master Gas Fitter, and a licensed home improvement contractor with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

Ms. DeMarco is active in the local community and serves as an Ambassador for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Habitat for Humanity Frederick County Marketing Committee.

For more information, call 301-696-8886 or contact us at ddemarco2@comcast.net

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 Situation: Fenestra Technologies Corporation, a highly successful IT company that had recently relocated from Germantown to Frederick, was interested in increasing its profile in the community.  Although most of their potential clients are in the greater Washington DC area, Fenestra’s goals for increasing their visibility included attracting highly skilled employees, forming beneficial relationships with the local business community, and contributing to Frederick’s nonprofit and arts community.

Founded in 1996, Fenestra invents creative IT solutions to complex business problems. Most of their clients are large corporations such at Lockheed Martin and Westat, or governmental agencies such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Archives.

Fenestra originally hired Marketing @ Work to create a public relations program that would provide the desired visibility, and position Fenestra as an attractive workplace for creative IT professionals seeking an entrepreneurial environment.  However, it soon became apparent that the increased visibility would drive more visitors to their website, and the one-page “placeholder” site didn’t showcase Fenestra’s unique selling proposition (who they are and what they offer) to either potential clients or potential employees.

The Solution:

First, Marketing @ Work held several meetings with owner Rick Rogers and his staff to thoroughly understand their unique approach to IT challenges, and how they differ from their competitors. Then, Marketing @ Work laid out a plan for an updated logo, slogan and website that would position Fenestra to meet the above-stated goals. Marketing @ Work then created:

• An updated logo that retains elements of the original logo, but also communicates the strength and success of the company.
• A new tagline that reflects Fenestra’s unique selling proposition:  An inspired approach to your toughest IT challenges.
• A fully-optimized website featuring content that speaks directly to the concerns and issues of potential clients, and describes why Fenestra is a desirable employer.  Instead of nondescript “high tech” images, we used beautiful illustrations of iconic Frederick themes by local artist Ellen Bryne to connect Frederick’s vibrant IT and arts community, with the creativity of Fenestra’s work.
• Colorful banners for Fenestra’s office.  Located at 47 E. South St. in downtown Frederick, it’s is a beautiful facility built to blend with surrounding historic buildings.  The banners utilized the same artwork as the website.
• Currently we are working on creating a blog, along with a complete Marketing Plan that will include a targeted public relations program, and an action plan/timetable for on-going activities.

“Our website definitely exceeded our expectations! Working with Diane has been easy and fun. She has been very perceptive in collaborating with us to update our marketing strategy, has wonderful contacts throughout Frederick, and has been both persistent and creative in building out our image. I highly recommend Marketing @ Work to other small business owners in our community.”

Rick Roger, President, Fenestra Technologies

A side note:  On Friday, March 24, 2012, the Frederick News Post featured Fenestra Technologies’ President, Rick Rogers, in an article entitled “Middletown Man Patents System to Preserve Historical Digital Files.” http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=133496

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CORVUS Business Solutions helps businesses create or update business plans to make them bank-ready.  They also help locate funding sources, assist businesses in improving cash flow and provide businesses with an honest, unbiased business reality check.

Alexander Rossulek, founder of CORVUS, knew that he needed an updated logo and business card that reflected the sophistication of his business model, along with a website.  Marketing @ Work created these projects, as well as a new business news release that gave CORVUS additional visibility in the community.

The website  was very affordable, and Alexander has received many compliments on his new business image.

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Situation: Fellini’s Italian Kitchen was planning to open in Frederick on Thomas Johnson Dr., in a location where several other restaurants had struggled and ultimately closed. Just weeks before their planned opening, Fellini’s called Marketing @ Work to create a marketing program to launch the restaurant.

Solution: Marketing @ Work met with Fellini’s management and created a marketing program that first created the language to describe Fellini’s, wrote copy for the website and coordinated the design with the web developer.  At the same time, we created an integrated marketing program that included TV, print, mailers and on-line advertising, and coordinated a customer loyalty program and other marketing elements.  The restaurant is still very new, but traffic is brisk.

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Situation: Firestone’s Restaurant, a 10-year-old restaurant in downtown Frederick’s historic district, was changing its name to Firestone’s Culinary Tavern.  The restaurant was seeking media exposure around the name change, as well as recognition for their outstanding cuisine and their next door Market on Market.

Solution: Marketing @ Work met with owner Kim Firestone and the staff to understand their goals and the attributes of Firestone’s that make them a popular and respected part of downtown Frederick.

We created a media relations plan that included a series of news releases, individualized follow-up to targeted media, and creating a travel package in conjunction with the Marriott Frederick Fairfield Inn. We also worked with Firestone’s to increase the content of their website, and to add a blog, which allows for robust and continually updated content.  This drives traffic to the website and provides on-going information for media.

Firestone’s has received several major feature print articles in 2010, and sections of the news releases have been published on dozens of food, drink and travel blogs.

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Situation: John Beck was re-positioning his business, and needed a logo and promotional materials to attract clients that fit his new target client profile.

Solution: Marketing @ Work created a new logo, along with the language that described KCH’s unique selling proposition, plus a series of attention-grabbing postcards.  John mailed the series of postcards to a targeted client list, and acquired five new clients – which put his business on a new and profitable track!

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“This is very exciting!  We have already gotten quite a few calls and e-mails from people who have read our article in the paper and want to come to our warehouse. We had 3 new customers come out this afternoon. The timing could not be better. Our warehouse is overflowing with all the new pottery we received last week.
“…we could not have spent our money more wisely then to have you do this PR for us. I greatly appreciate all the time that you are putting into this.”

Holly Trevino
Co-owner
Twins Polish Pottery
www.twinspolishpottery.com

“Diane has provided the creative spark to translate our competitive advantages into easily identifiable marketing concepts. Whether we are talking print, radio, web or sponsorships, Marketing @ Work can be counted on for sound advice and expert guidance.”

 Jim Young, Vice President                                                                                                   AFC Asset Management Services, Inc.   http://www.afcassetmanagement.com/

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Situation: AFC Asset Management, a 25-year-old Gaithersburg-based investment advisory firm, planned to grow their business, expand beyond their immediate community, and add new staff and services.  They did not have an advertising or marketing program in place, and needed assistance in identifying the best media outlets, along with ads that reflect their unique selling proposition and help them stand out from their competition.

Solution: Marketing @ Work met with AFC staff to understand their goals, and then identified cost-effective advertising and marketing opportunities.  We also created eye-catching ads that simply and clearly communicate their unique selling proposition. In addition, Marketing @ Work continues to advise AFC’s senior staff on additional networking opportunities.

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Situation: Amber Hill’s marketing materials did not have a consistent look or message, and did not reflect their expertise or the warm, caring environment they offer clients.

Solution: Marketing @ Work updated the logo, and created a consistent look in terms of typefaces, logo and colors.  Working with staff, we held a SWOT Analysis (looking at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).  Using this information, we created the language that describes their unique selling proposition and patient-centered philosophy, along with a slogan: Our Knowledge & Experience Get You Back to Enjoying Life!

Marketing @ Work also created a Facebook Fan page and blogs for  Amber Hill’s adult physical therapy services, and for their Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic.

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Here’s a video of a recent presentation Diane DeMarco did at the Maryland Women’s Conference on “Social Media + Traditional Marketing = Top Results!” http://bit.ly/tfGmzK

Visit http://marketingatwork.wordpress.com for updated information on marketing and community events!

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