Things to Consider Before Selecting a Staff Agency

With experiential marketing on the rise, NOW is the time to consider adding a staff agency to power and enhance your team (if you haven’t done so already). The purpose of experiential marketing is to connect with consumers through live interaction to hand deliver brand messaging and potentially obtain new leads.  More importantly, it provides individuals with a better understanding of  a product or service by engaging each of their senses with intentions of influencing their purchasing decisions. Combining face-to-face interactions with branding to your marketing strategies can do wonders and develop a strong ROI.

Whether you are looking to hire a staff agency, or are merely re-evaluating the one you’re currently partnering with, it’s important to know your options and choose wisely.  There are many things to consider before you sign the dotted line and below is a list that should never be overlooked.

1) Retention Rate: how long has the staff agency been working with their clients? Comparatively, it’s a lot easier to secure a new client than it is to maintain and keep them. If the staff agency has been working with a number of clients for several years that is a testament to the quality of their work.

2) Financials: any staff agency worth working with will share their financials and how your contract could impact their bottom line. Preferably, no one client should make up more than 15% of their net income.

3) Return on Investment: can the staff agency demonstrate your ROI? This is at the heart of ALL good experiential marketing campaigns. You do not need an agency that claims its own figures. It should also be able to use independent research to demonstrate the returns of a campaign – which you may also need to contribute to, since you have access to sales results that they may not have.

4) Reporting: the staff agency should be vigilant and timely in their reporting. The agency shouldn’t be “cooking” their figures as this is the same as lying. They should aim to be as accurate as possible in the figures they are presenting. Make sure you question any numbers they give you. Keep in mind that they may need to work with their clients for accurate information (e.g. final sales) since a 3rd party simply wouldn’t have access to this on their own.

5) Transparent Agency Fee: there is nothing worse than a company that quotes one figure and then tries to bill you for another. Of course, there could be added costs if the clients adds or changes the deliverables of the project BUT only in this case. Find a  staff agency that is up front about costs and won’t slip in hidden fees afterwards.

6) Talent Base: an excellent way to gauge a staff agency is by how well they treat their own people. This can be measured by their staff retention. If they have high turnover, this could be a warning sign. Their personnel should be happy, well trained and motivated.

7) Reputation: what do other companies and colleagues have to say about them? This is not all about awards and recognition. Agencies that are too showy with their accolades are often trying to over compensate for areas they are lacking. It is good however to have an agency that quietly acknowledges their achievements and is recognized by other affiliated agencies as a quality industry partner.

8) Consultants: you don’t want a staff agency that will say yes to everything you say. Rather, you need an agency willing to challenge your thoughts and pre-conceptions. You want experts that will come up with concepts that will drive your business FORWARD.

9) Pricing/Rates: Keep in mind that the rates should only be a portion of your assessment. A low rate may be great for your budget but means nothing if your account manager is not available or your talent is sub-par. Also, keep in mind that rates vary depending on the event type and location. Events in smaller towns which require travel from a major market or larger programs where several staff are needed  for an extended period of time may be priced differently than a one-day, one-person event

10) Personality: like any other relationship, you have to like the people you are working with. It’s no good trying to work with an agency that doesn’t inspire you, are difficult to get along with or get a hold of. The foundation of all good business relationships is personality so find one that meshes with yours.

Looking For Information On Our Staff Agency?

To inquire about Tigris Personnel for experiential marketing, events and more, call us at 416-283-9119 for a free no-obligation quote. Services from our staff agency are available all across Canada including top locations Calgary, AB | Toronto, ON | Vancouver, BC.

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Tigris Promo Staff Show What Event Fundraising Is All About!

After raising close to $12,000 last year in only two days, Tigris Personnel was contacted once again by DJ Steaks to assist with their event fundraising initiatives, only this time on SIX special events!

For the last 25 years,  DJ Wiley, founder of DJ Steaks, has been buying and selling the finest quality meats to the finest quality establishments all over the world. Realizing his success, Wiley decided to make these same remarkable cuts of meat available to his friends and family.  DJ Steaks continues to  grow as a well-known online establishment that sells high end certified Angus beef imported from the US and are a firm believer in giving back to the community.

Each year, DJ Steaks executes their event fundraising initiatives at selective private ski-clubs across Blue Mountain in Collingwood. This years fundraisers were held at Devil’s Glen , Osler , Craigleith and Georgian Peaks Ski Clubs.  Two of the six fundraisers were dedicated  to “Women’s Day” that coincided with charities directed at females. The remaining four were  targeted at males in support of “Men’s Day”.

Tigris Personnel Does A Job “Well Done” For DJ Steaks Event Fundraising!

A team of 4-6 events staff were contracted per event and stationed at the ‘DJ Steaks’ booth to help assist with ticket sales. Staff also roamed throughout the venue to encourage guests to participate in DJ Steaks event fundraising. At $20 a ticket, skiers and snowboarders spun the DJ Steaks prize wheel and were entered into a draw for a chance to win one of the several Texas Mickeys . This event fundraising technique ensured every spinner was a winner, taking home either a box of steaks or $20, $30, or $40 off their next purchase.

In total over $25,000 was raised for the charities which included the special Olympics, Osler ski hill safety, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Track 3. The event fundraising was a huge hit and we hope to return to these events in 2014.

For a free quote, call 416.283.9119. Tigris Personnel’s Event Fundraising Services are Available at Top Locations including: Calgary, AB | Vancouver, BC | Toronto, ON.

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Not even a Huge Snow Storm can get in the way of MotionBall’s Fundraising Development!

MotionBall’s fundraising development for 2013 kicked off  with a bash in Toronto. This past weekend, I had the tremendous opportunity to be invited to the 12th annual MotionBall Toronto Gala, with Tigris Personnel’s national account director, Serena Schwab. She was personally invited  to observe the evening for plans to potentially assist motionball with events in the future.

With a mandate of introducing next generation volunteers and donors to the Special Olympics movement, Motionball creates integrated social and sporting events to bring the fun back into giving. The gala is one of many that is executed  nationally to support fundraising for the Special Olympics. And so, on Fri., Feb. 8, Muzik Nightclub was transformed into a black-tie (optional) Winter Wonderland, presented by Air Miles as the title sponsor.  The organizer upgraded our general admission tickets to VIP so we could critique the entire event, from start to finish. This amazing upgrade allowed early access to the night with  sampling priority to the interactive gourmet food stations and exclusive entertainment.

Even being hit with the worst snow storm in 5 years, MotionBall’s fundraising development was bigger and better than ever – with over 2,000 people filling the venue. Guests arrived to the sounds of a 44-piece symphony orchestra performing a Beatles montage along with complimentary champagne. Morning show host Melissa Grelo successfully emceed the evening and detailed the highlights of the gala, magnifying the crowds anticipation.

Fundraising Development That “Pays Off” for a Great Cause!

After taking advantage of the open bar, “All Chocolate” buffet and Iceberg Vodka Lounge, charity supporters rushed to the “ice rink” dance floor to see Crash Dex, DJ’s Skratch Bastid and DJ Efsharp perform.

The fundraising development held not just 1 but 2 silent auctions! Auction items included spa packages, dinner certificates to Toronto’s top restaurants, a Cervelo bike and more. Dozens of guests were happy to participate, including our director who ended up taking home a print of Michael Jordan’s infamous slam dunk from the free-throw line. There were also raffle tickets sold, 3 for $100 or 10 for $250, with a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to New York or Las Vegas.

This year’s 12th Annual Toronto MotionBall Gala raised $260,000 net profit.  A big thank you and congratulations goes out Paul Etherington, Chairman and Co-Owner & Director of Toronto Gala and his team for all their hard work and dedication. We were happy to attend and support such a wonderful cause. We look forward to being involved with future events in Toronto and across the country.

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