Our Office is Virtual; the Work is Real - New Agency Sets up Shop in Cyberspace

June 1, 2005 -- Lean, nimble, and efficient are words marketing veterans, Tom M. Jones and Lee Hobson use to describe their new advertising communications firm, Beckwith Bay, LLC, as a virtual office where the work is real.

In making their announcement official, Jones and Hobson say that Beckwith Bay will distinguish itself as a new business model that emphasizes for their clients, greater use of technology and the Internet to reduce costs and increase productivity.

“Today’s clients know much more about their product and now understand that marketing and advertising have to do more to reach target audiences,” says Jones, a multi-award winning producer and copywriter. “While we will recommend some traditional forms of advertising, we intend to reach more audiences with technology that’s in place and familiar.”

In a virtual operation, the rules are different yet cost-effective when servicing clients. For one, the agency doesn’t have the burden of unnecessary overhead at client expense. By establishing partnerships from New York to Atlanta with other successful professionals who also operate in the virtual domain, the firm says it can ensure quality control of client products and services rather than traditional outsourcing methods.

“We are looking at the product online and can make adjustments if needed before taking it to the client rather than wasting valuable time,” says Hobson, an award winning art director.

Jones remembers that the aftermath of the ‘9/11’ tragedy also taught many companies a valuable business lesson. When planes were grounded, many businesses had to rely on the Internet (emails, interactive websites, downloadable presentations) and technology (conference calls, faxes, cell phones) to continue to function. “Imagine how crippled the entire nation would have been were it not for adopting these devices,” he points out.
The virtual world has grown beyond the need for continuing traditional ways of communicating and doing business say Jones and Hobson.

Beckwith Bay will craft creative solutions from brand strategies that reflect the company’s personality with targeted imagery, content, and streaming information.
The firm already has started making full use of the Internet’s speed for producing and delivering advertising products such as storyboards, scripts, drafts for print ads, audio/video ads, non-traditional image tools and marketing data directly to the client’s computer or PDA.

“It saves a lot of steps, improves efficiency, and helps clients better manage their marketing strategies,” says Hobson. “We’re going after clients who are not afraid of technology and are open to using it to get more bang for their buck. Amid the clutter of competition, market leadership is the new battle cry for clients.”

About Tom Jones, President

Tom M. Jones is a multi-award winning marketing expert in advertising, public relations, and strategic communications, both commercially and in higher education. A two-time CLIO winner in advertising, he is the 2004 recipient of the Kinney-Marrow Media Award from North Carolina A & T University in recognition for his outstanding career in the media industry.

In addition to his distinctive voice for commercials, he is a seasoned copywriter and published author.

During his career in advertising, he was senior producer and copywriter for six years at McCann Worldwide (NYC), where he produced commercials for Coca-Cola, NY Times, NBC, Pabst Beer, to name a few.

As an independent consultant and producer, Tom represents clients who seek marketing infrastructure, image development and creative advertising production to tell their story. Among his North Carolina clients are Integrity Real Estate and Business Development, Triangle Urban League, and Peoples Financial Service, Inc.

About Lee Hobson, Creative Director

Lee Hobson is a 25-year plus, award-winning expert in marketing, brand development and public relations. A professional strategic visual arts designer, project manager, and former college instructor, his striking visual and web design creations have garnered award and praise from several client and institutional sources.

He is an experienced advertising account manager and is well-versed in senior level client relations, budget planning and cost management for short-and long-term client objectives.

As a Beckwith Bay principal, he not only is adept at creating and implementing innovative marketing campaigns to increase revenue, but also works "hands-on" with client teams to address business growth, proper branding approaches and improving customer service. His expertise as a brand marketing consultant includes having worked successfully with national accounts such as Verizon Inc., ExxonMobil, Nextel, and AOL. Locally, he has worked to re-brand the Triangle United Way and is currently redeveloping marketing collateral for The Links, Inc.

Visit us at: www.beckwithbay.com

Tom Jones can be reached at e-mail protected from spam bots
Lee Hobson can be reached at e-mail protected from spam bots