• Media

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    Market
    Expansion

    Banks & Credit Unions

    Wealth Management & Financial Planning Firms

  • Healthcare

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    Critical
    Awareness
    Campaigns

  • Regional Food Bank

    You searched for new era cap – Page 15 of 31 – The Martin Group

    Feeding forward momentum.

    Challenge

    In 2023, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York—a not-for-profit focused on alleviating hunger and preventing food waste—tapped The Martin Group to help them address some organizational confusion in the marketplace. With a second location that came across as a separate entity, called Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, they sought to unite both operations under a single, cohesive brand.

    Solution

    The rebrand began with a robust discovery process and subsequent naming exercise. The Food Bank decided to move forward with “Regional Food Bank” for their new name, capitalizing on the strong brand equity retained by the original name and allowing for flexibility to speak to individual regions within their large 23-county footprint. We brainstormed various options to replace their old tagline, “Alleviating Hunger…Together.” Ultimately, Regional Food Bank chose “For every neighbor in need,” answering back to our finding that people want to see their charitable giving help others in their communities and reinforcing the dignity of individuals in need.

    Our team then designed a striking range of logo options, resulting in the Food Bank selecting an ownable mark that pointed to the approachability and friendliness of their staff and volunteers. Our public relations and public affairs teams amplified the new brand through media relations and by supporting their various advocacy efforts. This included helping to secure increased funding for the Nourish NY program, highlighting the county-level partnerships through which they secure funding for local programs and services, and helping to build awareness for their annual Holiday Hunger appeal.

    Results

    The Regional Food Bank was extremely pleased with the launch of their new brand, which touched nearly every corner of their organization, from stationery assets to truck wraps and the painting of their headquarters. Our PR efforts elevated the brand across New York, garnering statewide media attention from television, radio and print news outlets. As a result of our collaboration, the Regional Food Bank is a more unified and engaging brand, positioned well for future growth and impact throughout the communities it serves and beyond.

  • Managing monotony: What we do to battle boredom

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    According to a recent study by Talker Research, more than one in four Americans (27%) attest to being bored with their life.

    These numbers are unfortunate, especially at a time when so many people see a world of opportunity and adventure just waiting to be taken. And from literature to read, film to see, traveling destinations to reach, and exotic entrees to taste, there are seemingly endless things to occupy our time. But still, no matter your age or occupation or general disposition, boredom can creep up on you—and grip pieces of your days and nights, no matter the season.

    So, what can we do about it?

    In honor of National Anti-Boredom Month (yes, this is a real thing), we’ve talked to our team at The Martin Group and asked what they do to manage their (or their children’s) periods of annoying monotony. Now officially in the warm embrace of another New York summer, this is the time of year when parties, plans, and outdoor play should absorb the time when the nag of boredom can scratch at your door. However, there are still those moments of waiting, general malaise, or idling from exhaustion during longer days or hotter afternoons and nights.

    That’s when things can get a bit boring—but never fear.

    Our team is ready for this summer’s gaps between planned activities, and we’d like to share some of our boredom-busting hobbies—and some background on each—with you. Here you go:

    Grace Carra, Social Media Coordinator

    What she does: Antique/flea market shopping

    How it started: According to Grace, she was “born and raised shopaholic,” with a particular affinity for the treasures found at local boutiques, flea markets, and garage sales.

    How it’s going: She’s always been a fan of cute, miniature things, so she now collects little tchotchkes, and adds them to a display shelf. Looking for them is fun, but it also offers the opportunity for something better: the chance to meet interesting salespeople. “I love hearing their stories—how they got into antiquing, the treasures they’ve found, and the history behind the items they collect,” says Grace. “It’s like every booth has its own little world.” 

    Cody Andres, Art Director

    The activity: Fly fishing

    How it started: Cody developed a love of this hobby 15 years ago, fishing various spots across Western New York’s vast landscape of waterways.

    How it’s going: According to Cody, the reasons he loves fly fishing–and how it can fill his idle time—are simple. “Fly fishing allows me to really slow things down in life and just focus on the current moment,” he says. “Every day on the water provides an opportunity to learn and home in on specific casting techniques/setups—and catching a fish is just the icing on the cake.”

    Meghan Fitzpatrick, Senior Account Manager

    What she does: Sailing

    How it started: Meghan began sailing in high school because her school varsity sailing team was one of the few teams that required zero prior experience—and, thankfully, didn’t have tryouts. “I loved it from day one,” says Meghan.

    How it’s going: After a sailing hiatus during college, Meghan got back on the water again once she moved back home to Rochester, and has been engaged in it ever since. “It’s an activity you can do no matter how old or young you are, and brings along with it so many friends from all walks of life,” says Meghan. “But most of all, it’s some dedicated time where I can truly disconnect from the world and not be staring at a screen. There are too many other cool things to be looking at on the water.”

    Jesse Schaller, Art Director

    The activity: Drawing/illustration

    How it started: According to Jesse, he’s enjoyed doodling and creating for as long as he can remember. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved drawing dinosaurs, monsters, wizards, and dragons—and the subject matter has not changed much for me since.”

    How it’s going: With a 10-month-old child now roaming in his realm, Jesse doesn’t have a ton of boredom or spare time these days, but he still draws whenever he can—and appreciates the opportunity inside each creation. “Above all else, a part of yourself gets ingrained in the work along every stage of the process, from sketching to rendering to even preparing for print,” he says. “Drawing and artwork in general can capture time, feeling, emotion, and more that speaks beyond words.”  

    Taylor Sheehan, Senior Public Relations Manager

    What she does: Self-care activities

    How it started: For Taylor, self-care began as a way for some alone time away from her big family; and over the years, it’s included everything from reading a good mystery, listening to an informative podcast, or just laying out for a little sun.

    How it’s going: As time has passed, Taylor has added additional self-care activities like painting her nails or even meditation to alleviate her boredom—but it’s more than that. Along with filling idle time, it’s about infusing her life with activities that boost her state of being. “It lifts my mood and makes me feel better both physically and mentally to know I’m taking time for myself, while staying somewhat productive.”  

    And for the kids …

    Steve Soroka, Project Director

    What (he makes) the kids do: Freeform LEGO construction

    How it started: After years of buying expensive LEGO sets, the Soroka family took to shuffling individual pieces into big bins, mixing them together in a sea of shapes and colors. Then, on a day faced with bored children and nothing to do, Steve suggested building random creations using whatever pieces they could find. The result: a series of original cities, contraptions, and designs, as well as a new go-to activity.

    How it’s going: After initially getting into this a few years ago, the Soroka clan’s interest has faded a bit. But according to Steve, whenever he suggests a return, they embrace the creativity of the activity like they’re discovering it all over again. “What I love about this activity is that there are no instructions or rules. You just dig through the bins and let your imagination lead the way,” he says. “There’s no finish line, and they can keep building endlessly, making it the perfect boredom buster.”

    Kate Chokshi, Senior Vice President – Account Service

    What (she makes) the kids do: Go outside!

    How it started: It’s every parent’s plea; and just like the rest of us, Kate started suggesting this as early as she can remember. Since then, it’s continued throughout every year, with the best chance of it working being throughout our warmer months.

    How it’s going: It continues to be the family answer to boredom with endless benefits, like fresh air, the chance for imaginative activities, and a necessary break from devices and screens. Living in a great neighborhood, Kate’s kids can always find friends for games or to open a lemonade stand—and now’s the time of year to do it. “In a climate that’s cold and gray most months of the year, I encourage them to get outside as much as possible in the summer. Plus, it puts them in a better mood and tires them out,” says Kate. “So, everybody wins.”

    If you want to learn more about our team and what we’re up to inside (and outside) The Martin Group, click here.

  • Enabling good: How public affairs partners can support nonprofits in need

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    Nonprofit organizations are the heartbeat of social progress, working tirelessly to serve the public good, champion meaningful causes, and create lasting impact across areas like education, healthcare, research, animal welfare, and more.

    At The Martin Group, our Public Affairs team is proud to partner with nonprofits that are advocating for the greater good, whether within industry sectors like restaurants or in direct service to the community at large.

    We have collaborated with organizations like the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA), Regional Food BankFeedMore Western New York, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and Catholic Charities, and we understand that each mission is unique. Our team works closely with clients to amplify their purpose, tailor their messaging, and support their goals with strategic precision. 

    Today, many nonprofits are facing an unprecedented funding crisis. While these organizations often survive by being resourceful and resilient, stretching limited budgets to continue serving their mission should not be the norm. Budget cuts at all levels of government are pushing many into crisis mode, affecting the very groups that aim to uplift society’s most vulnerable. 

    The Martin Group takes its role seriously in helping nonprofits rise above these challenges. We listen, strategize, and act as a megaphone for their voices in order to engage decision-makers, shape public narratives, and help pass legislation that supports their missions. In this post, we’ll share proven strategies to empower nonprofit clients to advocate effectively, build visibility, and drive real, lasting change—even in the face of significant challenges. 

    Monitor legislative activity

    By receiving real-time updates and strategic insights from their agency partners, nonprofit organizations can adapt their messaging and advocacy strategies that align with the evolving policy landscape. We closely monitor legislative and policy developments that could impact our clients; and our team tracks relevant bills, regulatory changes, and public policy discussions at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure our clients stay informed and prepared. This proactive approach can empower organizations to communicate effectively with lawmakers, shape public discourse, and drive meaningful change in their communities. 

    Pitch stories to key media and policymakers

    Every nonprofit organization has a story—or hundreds of stories—to tell. To get these details in front of the public, we leverage our strong relationships with the Legislative Correspondents Association (LCA) and other influential media outlets to proactively pitch compelling stories that amplify our clients’ advocacy efforts. By crafting narratives that showcase meaningful initiatives—such as support for food banks, strategic nonprofit partnerships, and contributions to long-term hunger relief—the right public affairs partner can help position nonprofits as leaders in driving social impact. Our targeted outreach ensures these stories reach the audiences that matter most, including legislators, journalists, and thought leaders; and in doing so, we’ve been able to elevate the visibility and credibility of organizations like the Regional Food Bank, placing them at the center of critical policy and public conversations. 

    Strategic stakeholder engagement

    Relationships matter, especially when challenges need to be navigated. And in these times when nonprofits are struggling to operate with far less financial support, relationships can mean the difference between managing or ceasing operations.Over the years, The Martin Group team has been able to leverage our strong connections—specifically within the state Capitol and across the advocacy landscape—to facilitate meaningful engagement with key stakeholders to advance our nonprofit clients’ goals.

    From advising on coalition-building with aligned organizations to coordinating high-impact meetings with policymakers, we ensure that initiatives—such as the Retail-to-Retail bill or the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act—are thoughtfully positioned within the broader dialogue surrounding the health and sustainability of New York’s restaurant and hospitality industry. This approach helps integrate client advocacy into the policymaking process in a way that drives visibility, influence, and tangible results for organizations in need. 

    Thought leadership and public messaging

    Beyond traditional advocacy, clients need to establish themselves as trusted thought leaders in their respective areas of interest. Through the development and placement of op-eds, white papers, and curated speaking opportunities at high-impact events, the right agency partner can elevate their voice as credible advocates for policy solutions. These efforts are designed to align seamlessly with the executive visibility strategy, reinforcing the organization’s leadership and long-term commitment to driving meaningful change—and possibly solicit interest from outside funding sources who could provide continued support of their mission.  

    In today’s environment, nonprofit organizations need a strategic partnership to help elevate their missions and advance their goals. Our Public Affairs team has specialized in these partnerships; and through tireless advocacy, has helped nonprofits influence policy, amplify their impact, and work through the types of funding challenges now hobbling many organizations. Whether it’s navigating complex legislation, elevating public narratives, or building coalitions that move the needle, effective partnerships can elicit the support necessary to get through hard times like these—and in time, ensure that impacted organizations adjust, survive, and continue to drive meaningful change in the communities they serve. 

    To learn more about The Martin Group’s extensive work with nonprofit organizations, click here.

  • Bank on it: Strategies to help financial partners add customers, promote services

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    The relationship between banks and their customers has historically been built on security, trust, and convenience. In these modern times of economic volatility—or even throughout days of relative calm—customers want to be able to depend on their bank of choice and find the support they need to manage through their toughest challenges.

    However, many of today’s customers are not satisfied with their financial partners.

    According to a recent report by financial marketing solutions leader Vericast, 48% of consumers are now open to switching banks. This percentage may reveal plenty, from unmet consumer needs to specific banks’ failure in solidifying support for their customers. But what’s irrefutable is that there are now a growing number of prospective customers for banking institutions to court and enlist—as long as they know the right promotional tactics to employ.

    Over the years, The Martin Group has partnered with a variety of banks and financial institutions to make an impact on their bottom line. From an award-winning marketing campaign we generated for MassMutual’s The Establishment, to over 10 years of building business for Evans Bank kicked off by a rebrand, we’ve had the privilege to take on so many exciting projects in the financial space. 

    Today, The Martin Group is excited to solve complex digital marketing challenges for our finance clients, whether we’re setting up end-to-end tracking or redesigning user experiences with new features like website personalization. In this post, we’ll share some of the top strategies we’ve used to help our banking friends recruit new customers, promote their products, and strengthen their ongoing purpose as supportive financial institutions consumers can believe in. 

    Competitive and market research

    The landscape of financial services’ products is constantly evolving. This not only includes changes in offerings, rates, and the current financial market, but also services that are solely online. It is important to research what your competitors are offering and to whom. Are they constricted to a specific footprint? What keywords or phrases are they using to identify these products? Are they appealing to “rate shoppers,” or using brand differentiators in their ad text? 

    Generating leads

    Lead generation can be an effective strategy for longer sales cycles that are more relationship driven, such as working with a loan officer and applying for a mortgage. Case in point: We’ve had so much success for one client that we had to turn off SEM ads since they were generating a greater lead volume than the loan officers could keep up with. Lead quality is also important to consider. At The Martin Group, we omit duplicate, test, and spammy submissions to help cut down on lower quality leads.  

    Nudging and nurturing prospects

    When it comes to online self-service products that can sometimes take multiple touches to get someone to buy—such as opening a new checking account or investing in a high-yield money market or CD savings account—it’s important to send a nudge to remind users of your offering. Email automations can be immensely helpful in nurturing prospects through the funnel. As you generate leads, be sure to gather email addresses for future follow up. And don’t discount a good “welcome” email! That’s often when users are most engaged. 

    Tracking the entire journey

    Marketing attribution is a known challenge across many industries, but it’s especially important when running advertising and marketing campaigns for financial institutions. Not being able to track back the return on your investment makes it difficult to justify the marketing dollars being spent. If you need help with tracking your marketing efforts throughout the entire user journey, The Martin Group may be able to help. We’ve assisted our clients at banks to unlock more insights on attribution, which has made all the difference in their bottom line. 

    Optimizing accordingly

    As time progresses, look for opportunities to test what you can in efforts to improve your results. Don’t be afraid to pivot based on what data is telling you, even if it means switching things up with your website, ad creative, or your landing page. And the research that you started with? Don’t hesitate to go back to it to see what has changed in the competitive landscape and adjust accordingly. Just like the market, your advertising should be ever evolving to take advantage of any new opportunities and stay on top of market trends. 

    To learn more about The Martin Group’s extensive work with banks and financial organizations, click here.

  • Health Lives Here

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    Challenge

    Since 1998, Kaleida Health—a not-for-profit health system comprised of five major locations and various other community health resources—has become a leading healthcare services provider in Western New York. Kaleida Health continuously invests in people, facilities, equipment, and technology to ensure access to the very best quality of care for its community; and from primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, the system serves the entire region’s population, treating all patients who seek care. However, in recent years, the brand has faced challenges in communicating its multifaceted capabilities, the structure of its healthcare hierarchy, and its place as a vital regional healthcare entity. Kaleida Health sought an opportunity to emphasize its full scope of services as an essential community asset, stand out as the leader of WNY’s healthcare market, and reveal the very real human impact that their work has on countless individuals and families.

    Solution

    To answer these needs, The Martin Group set out to create a brand awareness campaign to reintroduce Kaleida Health as an integral part of the community. Built around the concept of “Health Lives Here,” our integrated team set out a strategic vision of how to cast the Kaleida Health brand as much more than hospitals and connect their services with Western New Yorkers’ toughest battles, biggest wins, and sweetest moments. Through touching testimonials—and the faces to go with them—this connection was made and has since helped to relay the message of Kaleida Health’s ongoing commitment to comprehensive care, professional excellence, and community involvement. The “Health Lives Here” campaign was executed across WNY with activation concentration on billboards, digital placement, and across social media platforms.

    Results

    Reaction from the campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, with the client and community having a positive response to the messaging and engaging in the real stories of individuals impacted by Kaleida Health’s service. Connection made through all elements of the ongoing campaign has been significant, with social media and television being the two most impactful mediums communicating the brand and its message; and the campaign website serving as a great host for copy and video that tell a very poignant story.

  • Volunteering to make a difference

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    Here’s a simple statement we can all agree on: Volunteering for causes that assist those in need is both good for one’s community—and even better for one’s soul.

    Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, belonging, and togetherness. It teaches professional skills and enhances empathy; it can connect one with new friends and introduce new insights that can expand one’s worldview. It can make a significant difference in the lives of those helped by the cause and transform the lives of those selfless enough to donate their time and energy.

    These are all things to consider throughout and after April’s National Volunteer Month, and good news: many individuals across the U.S. already agree. Based on recent polls, Forbes has reported 54% of the population had donated their time to philanthropic causes over the previous year; and when they do volunteer, individuals spend an average of six hours per month working to better their community.   

    In that same poll, 66% of respondents stated a very practical reason for volunteering: They wanted to make a positive impact.

    At The Martin Group, our work with charities and nonprofits—whether as clients or in our team’s free time—mirrors a similar rationale. We want to have an impact on the people we live beside and the communities we represent. This ethos defines us as an agency and helped launch our “the difference is making one” (DIMO) mindset. This way of thinking is rooted in service to others, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done—and continue to do—with organizations across New York State and beyond.  

    But while satisfying to us and helpful to others, there’s still so much more to do—and so many opportunities for volunteers. Nonprofits not far from our Albany, Buffalo, New York City, and Rochester offices all need continued support and could provide a connection between those in need and those who yearn to make a difference.

    Here’s an introduction to some of the organizations to which our team volunteers its time; a brief synopsis on how each serves their communities; and a link to volunteer info for those who’d like to aid each organization’s ongoing efforts.    

    Regional Food Bank

    The Capital Region-headquartered organization collects donated food from the food industry and distributes it to more than 1,000 partner agencies and need-based programs throughout 23 counties of northeastern New York. The food provided by the Regional Food Bank helps to feed over 350,000 people each month; and in 2024, the organization distributed more than 54 million pounds of food—enough for 45 million meals for individuals and families in need within its regional footprint.

    To volunteer, click here.

    The Teacher’s Desk

    Established in 2011, the initiative operates as a store where teachers throughout Western New York can shop free for school supplies and classroom resources. Its mission is to distribute free school supplies to students in need, to equip teachers to be at their best, and to provide purpose through volunteerism to those interested in aiding the cause. The organization distributes over $8,500,000 in new school supplies annually to 6000 teachers across 250 schools serving 150,000 students throughout its communities.

    To volunteer, click here.

    FeedMore WNY

    The WNY-located organization’s stated mission is to offer dignity, hope, and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship, and skills training to its area neighbors in need. In 2024, FeedMore assisted more than 165,700 individuals experiencing food insecurity throughout Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties. Its food bank program distributed more than 15.8 million pounds of nutritious, shelf-stable foods to food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and other hunger-relief partners throughout its service area; and through its prepared meals program, the initiative delivered nearly 1.5 million meals to our homebound neighbors and to various community dining sites.

    To volunteer, click here.

    CAPTAIN Community Human Services

    The Albany-area CAPTAIN operates four separate programs—including its Street Outreach, Safe Harbour Anti-Human Trafficking, Supportive Housing, and Youth Shelter programs—that focus on supporting homeless and runaway youth. Some of our team members have specifically assisted within the organization’s Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter, a temporary shelter serving youth under age 18 who are homeless, runaway, or in an otherwise unsafe situation. Youth can stay for up to 30 days or as long as necessary—and know they can find refuge in a safe, home-like environment.  

    To volunteer, click here.

    Victor Farmington Food Cupboard

    The Food Cupboard began as a grassroots effort to share food resources to a few dozen Rochester-area families and individuals in the early 1990s, operating out of a small house in suburban Victor. In the decades that have followed, the operation has expanded to serve more than 600 families a month. This led the organization to move to much bigger headquarters in Victor—but the added space hasn’t shifted their focus. They’re still committed to being a source of food insecurity assistance, providing days’ worth of food to families who live in Ontario County as they continue to evolve their food pantry model to best serve those in need.

    To volunteer, click here.

    Mission Accomplished, Inc.

    The Schenectady-based operation provides career education and coaching programs designed to help entry-level professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs challenge the status quo, train for success, and find their place and voice in the business world. Some of our team members have been able to serve as subject matter experts for interested students or like-minded partners. Such industry-based experience—and our passionate interest in what we do—has helped empower those just beginning their professional journey to find confidence in their pursuits and chase their career goals with certainty.

    To volunteer, click here.

    Kevin Guest House

    Established as America’s first independent healthcare hospitality house, the initiative has provided comfortable, supportive lodging for patients and families traveling to receive state-of-the-art healthcare in Buffalo for more than 50 years. More than 60,000 guests have stayed at KGH since its inception, mostly originating from Western New York and the Southern Tier, but also including guests from 49 states, Canada, and 11 other countries. Patients and their families are welcome regardless of age, medical condition, or healthcare provider, and within its accommodations, can find comfort during trying times.

    To volunteer, click here.

    If you want to learn more about our team and what we’re up to inside (and outside) The Martin Group, click here.