Challenge: In October 1998, when Paul Seroka first met with the CEO for Greenwich Technology Partners, the organization was a regional network infrastructure services company with 50 employees about to close its second year with $6 million in annual sales. Senior management wanted to reposition the firm as a leading professional services company in order to attract new Global 1000 clients and investors, raise venture capital to fund long-term growth, increase annual revenue and turn a profit, while hiring talented network consultants and engineers Approach: Our initial marketing communications audit revealed key messages and brand attributes for the company that were constantly refined to meet changing corporate objectives and strategies. Through a team of marketing associates, Paul Seroka implemented a wide range of marketing and corporate communication program activities on a cost-effective basis while building an internal department for the company. Result: Despite an adverse market for technology-related services, Greenwich Technology Partners successfully raised $65 million in venture capital, created over 300 new technology consulting positions and closed FY2001 with $60 million in annual sales, a 7082 percent increase during 1997-2002. In October 2002, Inc. Magazine recognized the technology company as the 9th fastest growing privately-held firm in the United States. Acumen Solutions purchased Greenwich Technology Partners.http://www.serokagroup.com/anyt

Marketing Communications Program for an Inc. 500 Technology Services Company

Success Story: Greenwich Technology Partners          http://www.acumensolutions.com

Approach: An array of marketing materials were created to establish Benfield Control Systems' new identity. This included a new corporate logo, an updated graphic treatment of the division's corporate materials, a first-rate corporate brochure and a marketing and publicity effort.


Approach: The first step involved assessing the exact client requirements by evaluating all previous programs and determining the overall objectives, strategies and key messages before developing a plan.

The thrift's heritage and strong financial standing became the key focal points of a year-long celebration throughout Westchester County. This was reassuring for investors who were besieged by a chorus of bad news from many other savings and loan associations.

"The primary communications objective of the program was to communicate to customers and all area residents that Sound Federal is doing exactly what a good S&L should be doing… running a profitable business and investing in the local community," said Paul Seroka. "Sound Federal had an excellent story to tell, and we wanted the marketing communications program to be more than an anniversary celebration."

The Seroka Group developed a brand awareness and business development plan encompassing a myriad of integrated marketing and promotional activities. Once approved by the association, the agency coordinated a customer, media and community relations effort to establish new business relationships in every market served by the association.

Some of the completed activities for each market included: special events with community leaders in each branch, a professional written and designed historical insert for area newspapers, display advertisements throughout the year featuring customer testimonials, a direct mail campaign featuring new services directed at area residents and customers, a custom videotape, presentations to local civic groups and media interviews.

One immeasurable objective was to establish new customer relationships throughout each community that year laying the foundation for future association growth that has occurred in the years since this campaign was completed.

Results: At the end of the campaign, Sound Federal increased assets under management by approximately 10% or $15 million. "We experienced significant growth in both assets and profitability. It was one of the most successful years our bank has had in quite awhile thanks to the part The Seroka Group played in it," wrote Paul Starck, Sound Federal's President and Chief Executive Officer in a letter after the campaign.

     Marketing Communications Advisor to High Growth Companies Since 1960