3rd Coast PR

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of marketing at Sinomax USA, a consumer products-based bedding and comfort company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 3rd Coast PR?

We had multiple challenges, starting with our corporate PR strategy. We also had a new initiative involving a brand launch and a direct consumer initiative.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

3rd Coast PR handles our corporate PR as well as specific issues-based PR. They take a standardized approach that starts with asking all of the questions that are relevant to the project and its objectives. They undertake an interview process with key executives and sometimes with staff one level below in certain departments to ensure they have all of the pertinent information on which to develop the proper strategy. The deliverables are also standard including a plan that involves different facets of the company, as well as sometimes include a corporate consumer line for questions, and FAQs drawn up for patented standards across corporate responses should we get media calls. When we’ve dealt with scenarios that could have been deemed negative, they’ve expedited their process to turn it around quickly. If the initiative is large enough, they’ll handle media on our behalf. They’ll also issue press releases on the PR Newswire for us.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with the EVP and Managing Director.

How did you come to work with 3rd Coast PR?

A colleague of mine met them at housewares show in Chicago many years ago. We were intrigued with them because they had also worked with Serta, which was a customer of the company I worked for at the time. I knew that if they had worked with Serta in the past, they were a formidable potential partner for us.

I’ve now worked with 3rd Coast PR several times at multiple companies. I’ve brought them in on projects at every company I’ve been at.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ll spend about $50,000 in the first quarter of this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our most recent project started in October 2018 and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They’ve helped us 100% of the time to successfully respond to media inquiries as well as some consumer projects that they had worked on. They have a strong approach and good turnaround time. They consistently respond to either media or consumers within a 24-hour period, which is what you want.

How did 3rd Coast PR perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve been working on a couple of similar projects across different disciplines. They’re creative and great problem solvers. They have a way of keeping everybody on track in terms of project management. They can keep everyone on point, which is especially important when you’re not quite sure how things are going to work out whether it’s a planned project or an urgent situation. They’ve outperformed anybody else. They're the best in class.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The leadership that their president/chief strategy officer brings to the group is a real asset. He previously worked for a large firm at a high level. As a result, he brings massive company experience to a small boutique firm. As a smaller consumer product company, we really benefit from that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not from my perspective. In my experience, they've always been a problem solver for me. They've responded and acted accordingly. They've always achieved their objectives.