TOP
B2B
Shops
2015
LIST
The Top 100 B2B Marketing Agencies
WWW.CHIEFMARKETER.COM » WINTER 2015 » 43
B
2B
TO
P SH
O
PS
LIST
Icon Key
Live!
Specializes in live
events, meetings
or experiential
marketing
Indie
Independent shops
Lead Gen
Specializes in lead
generation/new
customer acquisition
100% B2B
Clients are
100% B2B
Sponsored Case Studies
Read all about one of this
agency’s killer promotions
by turning to the page
number in the red flag.
Content
Specializes in
content marketing
PR
Specializes in
public relations
2015
TOP
Shops
B2B
ACQUIRE B2B INC.
This year Acquire B2B increased its focus beyond outbound lead
generation to include website development, SEO/SEM, content
creation and more. The North Kingston, RI firm also expanded its
range of marketing automation platforms and hired new talent to
support these new capabilities for clients. Their efforts are paying
off: The agency was recently recognized with a Summit Creative
Award for a website it revamped for VirtualWorks that increased
content downloads, time spent on the site and qualified leads.
CORE 1: Lead Generation
CORE 2: Lead Nurturing
CORE 3: Email m arketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: SDL, Fortinet, Histogenics, Scribe,
VirtualWorks
WEB: http://www.acquireb2b.com
RFP CONTACT: M.H. (Mac) McIntosh, mcintosh@acquireb2b.com
AGENCYEA
This Chicago boutique agency may be based in a former baked
goods factory, but their approach is anything but cookie cutter.
AgencyEA’s specialty is crafting distinctive and unique B2B cus-
tomer engagements. For example, the 2014 corporate event it
designed for Hampton Hotels’ general managers incorporated a
museum highlighting the brand’s 30-year history, Tai Chi classes
and customized “pods” in place of traditional booths for vendor
trade show exhibitors.
CORE 1: Experiential marketing
CORE 2: B2B meetings
CORE 3: Internal employee events
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Hilton Worldwide, U.S. Holocaust Memorial
Museum, AOL, EG, Publicis Groupe
WEB: http://www.agencyEA.com
RFP CONTACT: Claire Prendergast, cprendergast@agencyEA.com
ARKETI GROUP
With 16 employees, Arketi is a lean, mean operation. The Atlanta
agency operates like a family, sometimes fighting for their ideas
and talking over one another, but always remaining loyal to each
other—and their clients. The Social Marketing ROAD Map method-
ology—Research, Objectives, Actions and Desires—is at the core
of the firm’s goal to help clients develop a brand-agnostic social
and digital strategy, based on corporate objectives, not social tools.
CORE 1: PR
CORE 2: Lead generation
CORE 3: Content marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: NCR Silver, Xerox Mortgage Services,
Cox Business, Alstom, Aptean
WEB: http://www.arketi.com
RFP CONTACT: Mike Neumeier, mneumeier@arketi.com
BABCOCK & JENKINS INC.
Former Marines, retired rock musicians, engineers, entrepreneurs
and an Alfred Hitchcock scholar are among the ranks of the talent
at this 22-year-old agency. Last year, BNJ opened an office in Lon-
don and is working with Google UK and expanding its presence
in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The firm has also grown its
headcount by 25% in the last year, and has enhanced its data sci-
ence and analytics capabilities with new hires.
CORE 1: Content marketing
CORE 2: Lead generation
CORE 3: Lead nurturing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Xerox, American Express, IBM, Google,
Staples
WEB: http://www.bnj.com
RFP CONTACT: Lauren Goldstein, laureng@bnj.com
BAYSHORE SOLUTIONS
This digital agency has made significant investments this year in its
hosting infrastructure, world-class data center, bandwidth, hard-
ware and intrusion security to support customers’ online assets
and Bayshore’s digital services. In addition to serious perks like
flex time and tuition underwriting, employees are kept happy by
the volunteer organized “Culture Club” events that include chili
cook-offs, Chinese New Year dragon races, luaus and X-box 360
tournaments.
CORE 1: Web Design & Development
CORE 2: Internet Marketing
CORE 3: Content Marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Aspire Financial Services, Huber
Engineered Materials, Carnival Corp. & PLC, Canaveral Port
Authority, HealthPlan Services
WEB: http://www.bayshoresolutions.com
RFP CONTACT: Kimberly McCormick, marketing@bayshoreso-
lutions.com
BIZMARK
Rather than working on retainer, everything this Westport, CT firm
does is project based. Why? You can only manage ROI when
you can measure your investments against a set of well-defined
deliverables, they maintain. Everyone at BizMark has over 20 years
of experience, both on the agency and the brand side. Senior
directors guest lecture for MBA programs and industry groups
such as the Direct Marketing Association.
CORE 1: Content marketing
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Lead nurturing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Broadridge Financial Solutions, CT Corp.,
Daymon Worldwide, Nestlé Waters, Pitney Bowes
WEB: http://www.bizmarkct.com
RFP CONTACT: Ed Gillespie, egillespie@bizmarkct.com
BLUE FLAME THINKING
2014 began with a bang, when two sister agencies Alexander
Marketing and s2 Financial Marketing were rebranded as a new
entity, Blue Flame Thinking. Everyone in the Chicago and Grand
Rapids, MI offices begin Monday mornings with an all company
meeting called “Spark,” where one employee shares an aspect of
their life to inspire colleagues. Digital capabilities have expanded
three-fold in the last two years and include mobile, search, site
design and social.
CORE 1: Content marketing
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Print advertising
CLIENTS INCLUDE: JPMorgan Chase & Co., BMO Financial
Group, Pentair Aquatic Systems, Fairmount Minerals, Janus Capi-
tal Group
WEB: http://www.blueflamethinking.com
RFP CONTACT: Rick Hirsch, rhirsch@blueflamethinking.com
BROADSTREET
Dozens of presentations created for for Pernod Ricard USA’s
company meeting illustrate Broadstreet’s strategic focus on brand
communications that meet a client’s objectives and connect with
their audience. Jameson’s included a performance by an Irish
choir, while several others presented Saturday Night Live style
parodies, such as “Rum in a Box.” Another showcased company
culture with a video showing employees from around the country
singing the classic “Lean on Me.” Clever editing incorporated the
live audience singing and dancing along into the video.
CORE 1: Content Marketing
CORE 2: Print advertising
CORE 3: Trade show marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Pernod Ricard, GSK, Konica Minolta,
REVOLT, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals
WEB: http://www.broadstreet.com
RFP CONTACT: Claudia Tressler, ctressler@broadstreet.com
44 » WINTER 2015 » WWW.CHIEFMARKETER.COM
B
2B
T
O
P
SH
O
PS
LIST
Icon Key
Live!
Specializes in live
events, meetings
or experiential
marketing
Indie
Independent shops
Lead Gen
Specializes in lead
generation/new
customer acquisition
100% B2B
Clients are
100% B2B
Sponsored Case Studies
Read all about one of this
agency’s killer promotions
by turning to the page
number in the red flag.
Content
Specializes in
content marketing
PR
Specializes in
public relations
2015
TOP
Shops
B2B
FLIRT COMMUNICATIONS
It has been a year of change for this Chicago-based agency. FLIRT
doubled the size of its digital department to meet growing client
demand for event apps and other mobile solutions, and expanded
its international production resources and alliances to accommodate
an increased interest in global meetings and events. A new website
and revamped marketing materials also helped better position the
agency’s philosophy, personality and approach.
CORE 1: Meetings/Events
CORE 2: Digital/mobile
CORE 3: Employee engagement
CLIENTS INCLUDE: CDW, W.W. Grainger, American Family Insur-
ance, Cardinal Health, McKinsey
WEB: http://www.flirtcommunications.com
RFP CONTACT: Rick Weber, rweber@flirtcommunications.com
DERSE
Derse is a founding member of the Exhibit Designers & Producers
Association Foundation Grantor Program, dedicated to making
trade show events more vital to the nation’s economy. On exhibit
hall floors, the agency is doing that with displays like a simulated
elevator ride that took Kia dealers through the various financing
options available to customers or the Questcor “Proteinuria Chal-
lenge,” where booth visitors play a game to learn how how the
prescription Acthar helps patients with excess urinary protein.
CORE 1: Trade show marketing
CORE 2: Lead generation
CORE 3: Customer acquisition
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Mazda, Nike, BNY Mellon, AT&T, Moen
WEB: http://www.derse.com
RFP CONTACT: Susan Riese, scriese@derse.com
DESANTIS BREINDEL
Do you want to be in pictures? DeSantis Breindel has a film produc-
tion subsidiary that creates short-form documentaries and animated
shorts for a wide range of B2B clients. Last year, it expanded its
film offerings to include awareness and engagement campaigns
to tap into influencer networks, paid media and digital channels
to increase client visibility. The New York-based agency has also
implemented a new organizational structure based on teams that
combine brand and marketing strategists, to help clients connect
with audiences at all touchpoints.
CORE 1: Brand strategy
CORE 2: Digital marketing
CORE 3: Film
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Verifone, Navigant, Guggenheim Partners,
CarePoint, Tishman Speyer
WEB: http://www.desantisbreindel.com/
RFP CONTACT: Julie Brodsky, Brodsky@desantisbreindel.com
DRURY DESIGN DYNAMICS
Customer engagement tied to live events should happen before,
during and after the meeting, which is why Drury works with clients
to develop meaningful social campaigns for demand generation,
topic and agenda announcements, session previews, and more.
Real-time engagement with attendees, speakers and attendees
is facilitated, so everyone can share original and curated content,
surveys, videos, graphics and more within their social networks—
increasing clients’ reach and ROI.
CORE 1: Meetings/live events
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Email marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: IBM, Kraft, National Geographic, Dish
Networks
WEB: http://www.drurydesign.com
RFP CONTACT: Liza Handman, l.handman@drurydesign.com
ELEVATION MARKETING
This agency is up-to-date on the latest digital technology as
a Hubspot partner but it still knows the value of a well-crafted
traditional B2B promotion. Consider the “Monsters of the Fairway”
campaign Elevation created for client Direct Solutions. The trade
show/print/direct mail effort was designed to educate users about
four key products and help gain traction for high-margin inventory.
Sales of the focused-on products are up 70% quarter-over-quarter
thanks to the ongoing initiative.
CORE 1: Lead nurturing
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: PR
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Advent Technology Solutions, LifeLock
Identity Theft Protection, Chicago Pneumatic, Apache Nitrogen
Products Inc., Control Solutions Inc.
WEB: http://www.elevationb2b.com
RFP CONTACT: Rob Stevenson, rstevenson@elevationb2b.com
FVM STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Engaging customers in a way that is clever and relevant is just
as important in B2B as it is in B2C. Consider two recent
campaigns from the full-service agency. One, for software provider
CommVault, got prospects to interact with a data storage-efficiencies
calculator to see potential savings. Another effort involved creating
an E-zine for pest management product distributor UNIVAR, which
has become an indispensable industry resource.
CORE 1: Web design
CORE 2: Media planning/buying
CORE 3: Video
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Comm Valut, Univar, T and D Corp.,
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education
WEB: http://www.thinkfvm.com
RFP CONTACT: Tom O’Brien, tobrien@thinkfvm.com
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE SOLUTIONS
GES, a subsidiary of Viad Corp., has 62 locations worldwide and
had run shows for leading brands ranging from Warner Bros. and
Disney/Pixar to L’Oreal and Simon Property Group. ExpressoPro
is the agency’s new online exhibit management tool that helps
integrate and streamline all aspects from an event from concept to
completion, ranging from schedules and budgets to asset tracking
and creation, all in real-time.
CORE 1: Event production
CORE 2: Trade show marketing
CORE 3: Email marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Bell Helicopter, Penton Media, Philips
Lighting, Microsoft, IDG World Expo
WEB: http://www.ges.com
RFP CONTACT: Jeff Quade, jquade@ges.com
GODFREY ADVERTISING
Located in the heart of historic downtown Lancaster, PA, God-
frey places a special emphasis on education both, for employees
and clients. In-house, the agency runs “venture teams,” which
focus on knowing the latest on specific areas of trends and tech
B2B marketers need to know. For customers, Godfrey recently
introduced media training workshops to educate marketing pro-
fessionals on PR and how to build positive relationships with
journalists and bloggers.
CORE 1: Customer acquisition
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Customer retention
CLIENTS INCLUDE: JLG Industries, Nora Systems, Johnson
Controls, Bosch Rexroth Corp., Glatfelter
WEB: http://www.godfrey.com
RFP CONTACT: Josh Albert, jalbert@godfrey.com
28
WWW.CHIEFMARKETER.COM » WINTER 2015 » 45
B
2B
TO
P SH
O
PS
LIST
Icon Key
Live!
Specializes in live
events, meetings
or experiential
marketing
Indie
Independent shops
Lead Gen
Specializes in lead
generation/new
customer acquisition
100% B2B
Clients are
100% B2B
Sponsored Case Studies
Read all about one of this
agency’s killer promotions
by turning to the page
number in the red flag.
Content
Specializes in
content marketing
PR
Specializes in
public relations
2015
TOP
Shops
B2B
GYRO
Thirty-three year old gyro has expanded three of its offices in
the past year—Singapore, Chicago and Denver—and business
success means the New York office will soon move into a larger
space. The company culture is founded around the concept of
“UNO,” the concept that nothing comes between the client and an
idea that could transform their business. Each month, CEO/CCO
Christoph Becker personally honors outstanding work within the
agency at a monthly UNO show.
CORE 1: Integrated marketing
CORE 2: Customer retention
CORE 3: Lead generation
CLIENTS INCLUDE: USG, John Deere, Lincoln Financial Group,
Makino, SAP
WEB: http://www.gyro.com
RFP CONTACT: Paul Neal, paul.neal@gyro.com
INVNT
New York-based inVNT has more than doubled the number of
brand experiences it has created for clients in the last three years,
going from 97 programs in 2011 to 196 in 2013. But it isn’t all work
at the agency: A monthly game night builds camaraderie and wel-
comes new employees, and inVNTrs around the world get a free
neck and shoulder massage on Global Massage Day.
CORE 1: Live events/experiences
CORE 2: Creative services
CORE 3: Branding
CLIENTS INCLUDE: PepsiCo, McKesson, ESPN, NBC Universal,
Computer Science Corp.
WEB: http://www.invnt.com
RFP CONTACT: Scott Cullather, scullather@invnt.com
JACKSON MARKETING GROUP
Earlier this year, Jackson Marketing Group and sister company
Jackson Motorsports/Events Group were unified under one mar-
keting umbrella to capitalize on each other’s strengths. The com-
pany has also grown its interactive group by adding additional
user experience designers, programmers, content developers and
coders. Based in Greenville, SC (what they describe as one of the
coolest little cities in the northeast), JMG’s pro bono clients include
Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and the Greenville
Literacy Association.
CORE 1: Web/Digital strategies
CORE 2: Print advertising
CORE 3: PR
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Michelin Truck Tires, BNSF Rainway, Hys-
ter Lift Trucks, Sage Automotive Interiors, Proterra Electric Buses
WEB: http://www.jacksonmg.com
RFP CONTACT: Mike Zeller, mike.zeller@jacksonmg.com
KERN
Woodland Hills, CA-based KERN designed an entirely new
B2B channel for Merck to support a new weight loss product
aimed at health care professionals. An educational microsite was
developed, as was an advanced lead nurturing operation. Every-
thing was created and deployed within four months of approval.
These efforts are supported by enhanced analytics and optimization
services designed to give clients real-time measurement of
campaign performance.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Lead nurturing
CORE 3: Customer acquisition
CLIENTS INCLUDE: DIRECTTV-B2B Division, T-Mobile, MERCK,
Symantec, CFA Institute
WEB: http://www.kernagency.com
RFP CONTACT: Scott Levine, slevine@kernagency.com
LEO BURNETT BUSINESS
Leo Burnett Business describes its approach as S2S—specialist
to specialist. From intermediaries to investors and engineers to
executives, the agency builds connections with anyone who isn’t
everyone, communicating with the large and diverse audiences
that play distinct roles in purchasing B2B products and services.
And if that isn’t enough, Leo Burnett has create its own brand of
coffee with five blends, including the Canoose, the Raccow and
the ‘slow and sneaky’ Snurtle.
CORE 1: Brand building
CORE 2: Integrated campaigns
CORE 3: Audience engagement
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Avis Budget Group, Fifth Third Bank, Options
Industry Council, Shriners Hospital for Children, Stanley Black &
Decker
WEB: http://www.leoburnettbusiness.com
RFP CONTACT: Lisa Abbatiello, lisa.abbatiello@leoburnett.com
LIVE MARKETING
After 10 years as a creative executive with Live, Anne Trompeter
took a natural next step and bought the company. The company
specializes in creating engaging experiences for customers—for
the HP Discover technology showcase in Barcelona, Live Market-
ing produced an interactive tablet tour in the HP Cloud Pavilion
to show how HP is making hybrid cloud real for organizations
around the world.
CORE 1: Trade show marketing
CORE 2: Event marketing
CORE 3: Experiential
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Surescripts, HP, Pearson, JVC Professional,
Wells Fargo, Home Mortgage
WEB: http://www.livemarketing.com
RFP CONTACT: Kristin Veach, kveach@livemarketing.com
MOBIUM INTEGRATED BRANDING LLC
Mobium shifted to an account-service-supported-by-project-
manager model this year to better service the strategic needs
of the client and deliver work in a timely, cost effective manner. A
recent campaign for professional-grade electrical supplier Del City
generated over 12 million impressions, and over 200 new custom-
ers. Mobium created a personality for the brand through “Del,” a
tough, hardworking auto/truck mechanic, and drove awareness
with direct mail, email, video and online web banners.
CORE 1: Brand research/development
CORE 2: Lead generation
CORE 3: Content marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Herff Jones Inc., Moog Inc., Bemis Inc.,
National Restaurant Association, Novation
WEB: http://www.mobium.com
RFP CONTACT: Bob Goranson, bgoranson@mobium.com
MOVÉO
This Oakbrook Terrace, IL-agency has focused almost exclusively
on B2B since 1987. To keep team members up-to-date on the
latest trends, Movéo hosts over 20 “Crave” sessions where thought
leaders are brought in to speak on a variety of topics. This year, the
firm was reorganized to include a data and insights team focused
on measuring, optimizing and quantifying its work, using proprietary
processes and methodologies to optimize its efforts.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Email marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Molex Inc./Koch Industries, Landis+Gyr/
Toshiba, Cardinal Health, Abbott, Westex
WEB: http://www.moveo.com
RFP CONTACT: Robert Murphy, bmurphy@moveo.com
46 » WINTER 2015 » WWW.CHIEFMARKETER.COM
B
2B
T
O
P
SH
O
PS
LIST
Icon Key
Live!
Specializes in live
events, meetings
or experiential
marketing
Indie
Independent shops
Lead Gen
Specializes in lead
generation/new
customer acquisition
100% B2B
Clients are
100% B2B
Sponsored Case Studies
Read all about one of this
agency’s killer promotions
by turning to the page
number in the red flag.
Content
Specializes in
content marketing
PR
Specializes in
public relations
2015
TOP
Shops
B2B
NELSON SCHMIDT INC.
This independent firm creates campaigns both local and global.
Near home, a partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Devel-
opment Corp. helped position the state as a great place to do
business. TV spots focused on testimonials and iconic images of
Wisconsin’s strengths. In the fist two weeks, the TV spots gener-
ated 130+ articles and 117 million impressions. On a global stage, a
campaign for Alliance Laundry Systems targeted worldwide inves-
tors and deliver regional marketing efforts across all five continents.
CORE 1: Content marketing
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Integrated Plan Development
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Alliance Laundry Systems, McKesson,
Polaris, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Honeywell
WEB: http://www.nelsonschmidt.com
RFP CONTACT: Chris Vitrano, marketing411@n-s.com
THE PEDOWITZ GROUP
Revenue marketing is the focus of this Milton, GA firm, which works
to help clients transform their marketing efforts from a cost center
to a revenue center. A focus on employee fulfillment is also cen-
tral to Pedowitz’s focus: Every employee receives two paid days
off annually to devote to community and charity work, and each
month team members are honored with Employee, Innovator and
Team of the Month awards. Quarterly, peers can also nominate
their coworkers for “You Rock” awards.
CORE 1: Managed marketing technology
CORE 2: Outsourced demand generation
CORE 3: Managed inbound marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: American Express, Cisco, GE, Genpact,
CommScope
WEB: http://www.pedowitzgroup.com
RFP CONTACT: Jeff Pedowitz, jeff@pedowitzgroup.com
PROSCENIUM
It isn’t every agency that keeps a clown suit on hand “just in
case of emergency.” But this employee-owned firm is a tight knit
bunch that likes to have fun while committing to their client’s
brands. Proscenium produced Walmart’s annual Year Beginning
Meeting, and was tasked with keeping the event for 7,000
attendees as immersive and intimate as possible. A thrust
seating plan brought the audience close to the action, and every
seat had full views of the action.
CORE 1: Live event production
CORE 2: Content for live events
CORE 3: Meeting logistics
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Walmart, Harley-Davidson, T-Mobile, IBM,
TD Ameritrade
WEB: http://www.proscenium.com
RFP CONTACT: Mark Shearon, mshearon@proscenium.com
RED HOUSE
Despite its name, there are no doors at Red House, save those on
the bathrooms and conference rooms. (Everyone needs a bit of
modesty sometimes.) To keep up with client needs, the Alpharetta,
GA agency added fully outsourced automation solutions this year,
as well as four new employees and a new training program that
allows Red House to ramp up new hires in a shorter period of time.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Lead nurturing
CORE 3: Content marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: AT&T (ForHealth and Mobility, B2B only),
IHS, McKesson Corp., Elsevier, Equifax
WEB: http://www.redhouseusa.com
RFP CONTACT: Dan Hansen, dhansen@redhouseusa.com
RESPONSORY, A JOHNSON DIRECT CO.
While this Brookfield, WI-based agency describes itself as “small
and scrappy,” it has an eye on growth: Staff will be increasing by
30% over the next 12 months, as Responsory (formerly Johnson
Direct) boosts its social media, SEO and digital PR offerings, and
implements SmartZones, a patent pending technology that works
off programmatic advertising. Client successes include Common
Ground HealthCare, which increased their membership by over
27,000 in a recent campaign, going well past the goal of 10,000.
CORE 1: Direct mail
CORE 2: Programmatic digital advertising
CORE 3: PR
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Common Ground Health Care Cooperative,
John Deere Financial, American Society for Quality, Wisconsin
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Badger Meter
WEB: http://www.johnsondirect.com
RFP CONTACT: Rob Trecek, rob.trecek@johnsondirect.com
SANDSTORM DESIGN
To stay informed, Sandstorm has conducted over 1,500 in-depth
user research interviews and usability studies to help build connec-
tions and memorable brand experiences. The Chicago firm was
featured on the CNBC reality show “The Profit” for its company
culture, which offers employee perks like birthdays as paid holidays.
This was likely helpful in attracting new talent this year, including
two new digital strategists, two new creative and an SEM specialist.
CORE 1: User experience
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Content marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Accuity, Congress of Neurological Surgeons,
CareerBuilder, Mathworks, American Medical Association
WEB: http://www.sandstormdesign.com
RFP CONTACT: Sandy Marsico, smarsico@sandstormdesign.com
SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
Creatives Tom Geary and Joseph Newfield founded this agency
with the idea to create a “creative shop with a conscience.” The
principals touch just about every project the 10 person full time
staff creates, such as the 2014 digital campaign for B2B consult-
ing firm Millman, which generated more than half a million video
views in the first six weeks. School of Thought is headquartered
in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Barbary Coast District.
CORE 1: Print advertising
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Lead generation
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Millman, North Lake Tahoe, Impact Hub
Oakland, CA Goldminer Sourdough Bread, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
WEB: http://schoolofthought.com
RFP CONTACT: Brenna Murphy, brenna@schoolofthought.com
SMM ADVERTISING
The founders of Smithtown, NY-based SMM (Sanna Mattson
MacLeod Inc.) can definitely walk the walk when it comes to tech
issues: Both are engineering school grades who held tech posi-
tions before moving on to marcom roles at Fortune 500 firms.
SMM conducted its first proprietary survey earlier this year on the
impact of company policies and attitudes towards social media
in the workplace and employees acting as brand ambassadors.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Corporate and product branding
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Reliance Steel & Aluminum, Mill-Max Man-
ufacturing Corp., Bystronic USA, Advanced Energy Research &
Technology Center, Travelers Insurance
WEB: http://www.smmadvertising.com
RFP CONTACT: Robert Mattson, rmattson@smmadvertising.com
29
WWW.CHIEFMARKETER.COM » WINTER 2015 » 47
B
2B
TO
P SH
O
PS
LIST
Icon Key
Live!
Specializes in live
events, meetings
or experiential
marketing
Indie
Independent shops
Lead Gen
Specializes in lead
generation/new
customer acquisition
100% B2B
Clients are
100% B2B
Sponsored Case Studies
Read all about one of this
agency’s killer promotions
by turning to the page
number in the red flag.
Content
Specializes in
content marketing
PR
Specializes in
public relations
2015
TOP
Shops
B2B
SPEAR MARKETING GROUP
This has been a year of growth for Spear, which saw its total bill-
ings increase by over 60% year over year for the first half of 2014.
The Walnut Creek, CA agency has added more than 20 new high-
tech clients to its roster, and has made significant hires in creative
services, technical production and client services. Spear has also
inked strategic partnerships with InsideView, Leadspace, Ring-
Lead and TechValidate.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Lead nurturing
CORE 3: Email marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Google, Sungard AS, Dropbox, Verizon,
Navicure
WEB: http://www.spearmarketing.com
RFP CONTACT: Howard J. Sewell, howard@spearmarketing.com
STEIN IAS
Stein IAS was founded in 2013 by the merger of New York’s Stein
+ Partners Brand Activation and the U.K.’s IAS B2B Marketing. The
firm maintains a global presence, with offices in New York, London,
Manchester, Paris and Shanghai, and works with partner agencies
through an affiliate network in Germany, Japan, Belgium, Finland
and the Czech Republic. Internally, they describe themselves as
an “Italian family” that is boisterous and opinionated but always
puts each other first.
CORE 1: Customer acquisition
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Brand activation
CLIENTS INCLUDE: CenturyLink Technology Solutions, BP Cas-
trol, Juniper Networks, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Merck
WEB: http://www.steinias.com
RFP CONTACT: Ted Kohnen, ted.kohnen@steinias.com
SUDDEN IMPACT MARKETING INC.
This team is active, both in the office (the interactive marketing and
phone CRM capabilities were enhanced this year) and outside
(employee off-hour activities include running, weightlifting, dancing,
horse riding and cheerleading). The digital realm is it’s playground
too: it partnered with a vendor to create a virtual world to help
client ABB communicate is strategy and demonstrate products
people in 50 countries. The content, split into 250 videos in seven
languages, reached over 4,707 registrants.
CORE 1: Lead generation
CORE 2: Content marketing
CORE 3: Telemarketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Cisco, Logicalis, ABB, Emerson, Verizon
WEB: http://ww.simarketing.net
RFP CONTACT: Craig Conard, craig@simarketing.net
TOCQUIGNY
Tocquigny may have roots in brand development, but that doesn’t
mean it ignores the measurable side of marketing. This year, the
Austin, TX-based agency has expanded its marketing automa-
tion capabilities to include platforms such as Act-On, Pardot and
Infusionsoft. It describes its attitude as “Let’s do this, y’all,” a phi-
losophy no doubt embraced by new VP/executive creative direc-
tor Prentice Howe, new VP of account services Chris Patten and
digital strategist Aaron Orner.
CORE 1: Customer acquisition
CORE 2: Brand strategy & activation
CORE 3: Digital
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Ergon, NFP, InfoSnap, Sente Mortgage,
AntroCare/Smith & Nephew
WEB: http://www.tocquigny.com
RFP CONTACT: Tom Fornoff, tfornoff@tocquigny.com
WALKER SANDS COMMUNICATIONS
B2B tech companies are the focus of this rapidly growing agency,
which launched a digital arm last year to expand its SEO, web
design, digital strategy, pay-per-click and content marketing capa-
bilities. It recently signed a lease for a new larger office in Chicago’s
Loop district to accommodate a expanding staff, and hosts frequent
employee happy hours on its rooftop terrace. A PROI exchange
program encourages employees to visit partner agencies around
the world and share knowledge.
CORE 1: PR
CORE 2: Search
CORE 3: Content marketing
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Cisco, Acquity Group, hybris, CompTIA,
Datacom
WEB: http://www.walkersands.com
RFP CONTACT: Will Barthel, will.barthel@walkersands.com
WINSPER
Winsper has developed Black Ink, a SaaS-based marketing tech
platform to provide business level reporting about sales and mar-
keting performance, enterprise-wide. The agency recently moved
into a new space in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston,
where it created an “Innovation Lab” space in the middle of the
office to function as a think-tank within the agency and fuel creativity.
An open-floor layout facilitates cross-department communication
between managers, creative and data analysts alike.
CORE 1: Strategy
CORE 2: Customer acquisition
CORE 3: Customer retention
CLIENTS INCLUDE: Janome America, STIHL USA, Spencer
Trask, Teradata Corp., Toolsgroup
WEB: http://www.winsper.com
RFP CONTACT: Jeff Winsper, jwinsper@winsper.com