Charting a successful course for your early-stage company
In the thrilling journey of early-stage companies, growth flourishes in pivotal areas while brand awareness fuels the momentum. Beyond a strong team, three factors steer these companies and their founders through turbulent times and triumphant courses: Commercialization after IP protection: starting from an idea, you developed a product or service that is unique and took the necessary steps with an attorney to protect your intellectual property, including trademarks and patents. The natural next step includes preparing for investor relations and market entry armed with these assets and...
Read MoreUnlocking market leadership: five proven growth strategies for founders
Being a market leader demands more than just an innovative solution; it requires strategic engagement and lead generation for high-impact visibility, brand building and reputation management. For startups aiming to scale rapidly and effectively, leveraging the right plan with an expert PR partner becomes crucial. First, third party influencers that help tell your story serve as pivotal amplifiers. Their help educating the market about your solution extends reach and credibility. By engaging influencers strategically, you reinforce them as thought leaders and add relevancy to tap...
Read MoreReinforcing America’s first online grocery delivery company as a brand of choice
While the value of the online grocery market doubled from 2016 to 2018 with Amazon/Whole Foods, Walmart and Target entering the delivery space, Peapod needed a brand strategy to differentiate itself. Peapod turned to Ballast Group to help the company stand out in its home market of Chicago, creatively reminding the market that Peapod is a local company and the original player to transform the way people think about grocery shopping, opening 30 years ago. A strategic, integrated campaign by our team placed Peapod in front of millions of existing and new customers and drove hundreds to sign up...
Read MoreIn honor of the 110th Race to Mackinac, see how the Ballast Group connects many similarities between PR & sailing
As an integrated communications firm founded by an avid sailor, the Ballast Group team often finds inspiration in the strategy and tactics of planning, executing and measuring initiatives that have unpredictable forces like Mother Nature does. Like sailing, public relations requires the skilled management of many variables at once to take ideas to the next level. Using a balanced approach, we act as a boat’s ballast for clients, keeping their goals and objectives moving in the right direction. On July 20-21 sailors from across the world will set sail in the 110th Chicago Yacht Club...
Read MorePlanning for the fourth quarter of life
One in five Americans aged 70 and older say they can’t live independently or accomplish daily tasks without assistance. To accommodate this ballooning U.S. population, more than 1.3 million new paid caregivers are needed to meet demand by 2027. With more than 765 home services agencies in Illinois (500 non-medical) how does one company distinguish itself? Open Arms Solutions (OAS), a home care agency based in Chicagoland, turned to Ballast Group to help build its brand. Since 1959, the Publicity Club of Chicago has been recognizing outstanding communications campaigns in the Midwest with...
Read MoreDo valedictorians need a mentor?
Growing up in a single-parent household in the 70s, my twin and I had many mentors whether we called them that or not – teachers, coaches, pastors, mom’s boss, her friends and neighbors. Reaching my early 30s, I finally thought I’d learned a bit about life. It was time to join a board and give back. A nonprofit in Denver focused on higher education for inner city youth approached me about a role. I requested first getting to know one of the students it served. It took awhile to pair me which was confusing. It wasn’t until three months into our formal year-long relationship that the...
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