Episodes

  • Marketing’s Role in Winning the War for AEC Talent

    Marketing’s Role in Winning the War for AEC Talent
    Nov 11 2024

    With a tight labor market casting a dark shadow over our heads, architecture, engineering and construction firm marketers are increasingly stepping in to support talent recruiting, engagement and retention. Bryce Batts, the Co-Founder of AEC staffing firm Career Collective, sits down with us to talk about how marketing and HR departments are teaming up to attract top talent.

    Bryce gives us a glimpse into the state of the AEC hiring market and the top challenges hiring firms are navigating. She also covers how a strong employer brand impacts recruitment, why social media channels like LinkedIn should be a priority, the importance of internship programs, and more.

    Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn

    • About Career Collective and Bryce Batts’ journey to launching a staffing firm dedicated to the AEC industry.

    • Key factors driving the AEC talent shortage.

    • How marketing and HR are collaborating to improve recruiting, engagement and retention strategies.

    • The role of marketing in shaping a strong employer brand and how it can influence hiring.

    • How candidates use social media and why it’s crucial for firms to convey authenticity online.

    • Bryce’s advice on handling negative reviews on platforms like Glassdoor.

    • How marketing assets, project spotlights and a modern website impact seller-doer recruitment.

    About our featured guest

    Bryce has been a recruiter in the AEC industry for over 15 years and is a certified Career Coach. She met her husband in college, and they have two daughters and a Bernedoodle. Bryce earned her bachelor’s degree at North Carolina State University and received her master of business administration from Nova Southeastern. She was a college dancer and cheerleader and loves to cheer professionals on as they gain clarity and confidence when it comes to their career goals.

    Bryce is the co-CEO of Career Collective, an AEC recruiting and coaching firm. Career Collective was founded with a singular vision: Providing both candidates and employers with premier access to the best in AEC industry opportunities. Guided by Bryce Batts and Edwin Powali, Career Collective stands at the forefront of AEC recruitment. Bryce's passion for career coaching and Edwin's prowess in talent acquisition create a powerhouse duo dedicated to enriching both the careers of individuals and the teams of employers they serve.

    Resources mentioned in this episode

    • Check out Career Collective

    • Follow Career Collective on LinkedIn

    • Connect with Bryce Batts on LinkedIn

    • Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn

    Sponsor for this episode

    This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

    Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

    Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

    To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    29 mins
  • Planning Law Firm Events Where Authentic Relationships Flourish

    Planning Law Firm Events Where Authentic Relationships Flourish
    Oct 16 2024
    Firm-sponsored events strengthen community ties and create opportunities for attorneys to network with potential clients. But the traditional “lunch and learn” format simply doesn’t spark joy with everyone. In this episode, Gail Lamarche, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Henderson Franklin, teaches us valuable lessons about creating unique and memorable law firm events. Gail shares examples from a 25-year career working with law firms, including a Cigars & Conversations event with cigar and bourbon tastings and an educational maritime law event outside a Southwest Florida yacht club. She also dives into planning Henderson Franklin’s latest event, a gala celebrating the firm’s 100th anniversary, her favorite AI tools for brainstorming creative event ideas, and the importance of incorporating a “Wow” factor in each event. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn The difference a thoughtful event can make in helping attorneys build authentic connections with people in their community. How Henderson Franklin is celebrating and commemorating its 100th anniversary milestone. Why Gail champions “not doing the same things the same way all the time” in marketing and business development initiatives. Tips for organizing memorable legal events that get firms away from the traditional lunch and learn model — and why they don’t always have to be law-related. How Henderson Franklin balances and strategically manages over 100 charitable efforts. Gail’s favorite AI tools for enhancing event planning. About our featured guest With over 25 years of experience in law firms, Gail Lamarche serves as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., a full-service firm with over 50 lawyers across three offices in Southwest Florida. Gail oversees the firm’s marketing strategies, encompassing advertising, branding, budgeting, business development, digital marketing, social media, seminars, events and community initiatives. In addition to her role at the firm, Gail works with an author, speaker and international wellness coach. A New England native and baseball enthusiast, Gail serves on the Boston Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic Tournament Committee, which benefits the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, and has raised over $15 million to date. She is also a member of the Southwest Florida Seminole Booster Club. Previously, Gail served on the Communications Task Force for the Horizon Council of Lee County, was an inaugural member of the Social Media Shared Interest Group Leadership Committee for the Legal Marketing Association, and co-founded the Social Media Club of Southwest Florida, where she also served as president. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. Follow Henderson Franklin on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram Connect with Gail Lamarche on LinkedIn Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink. Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a marketing and public relations agency that serves B2B professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services, creative services and more. To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    24 mins
  • The Path to Refreshing and Modernizing Gannett Fleming’s Brand

    The Path to Refreshing and Modernizing Gannett Fleming’s Brand
    Oct 3 2024
    To excel in an industry that never stops innovating, you have to be willing to grow and evolve with it. Architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) marketers often have to walk the delicate line between honoring their firms’ rich history and showcasing how they’re embracing innovation. Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming has experienced its fair share of changes over the years. Marketing and Communications Director Justin Juley says he views brand refreshes as opportunities to better define the firm’s story, unify its voice and show employees, clients and prospects that they can honor their legacy while driving the future of the built environment. In this episode, Justin shares learnings from Gannett’s latest brand refresh, his thoughts on the digital marketing trends shaping his team’s work, and insights into the firm’s content strategy. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn Gannett Fleming's history and evolution. Justin’s biggest learnings and takeaways from helping refresh Gannett Fleming TranSystems' brand and marketing strategy. Why firms shouldn’t be afraid to highlight and champion their talent. How to cultivate a stronger employer brand. Ways trends in marketing automation, data analytics and channel evolution are impacting AEC firms. Considerations for developing an effective brand positioning strategy for a government contracting audience. Why Justin believes facilitation is one of the most important skills a marketer can develop. About our featured guest Justin Juley, CPSM, is the Marketing and Communications Director at Gannett Fleming TranSystems, where he leads a high-performing team of 20 marketing, communications and graphic design professionals. With nearly 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, Justin is a strategic leader in driving the firm's branding, marketing, and communications efforts to new heights and measurable results. Joining the firm in late 2020, Justin helped redefine and roll out a revised transportation brand position within three months. Within a year, he was promoted to his current role and immediately helped the firm undertake a brand refresh that included a new website. This was quickly followed by leading the communications efforts on two of Gannett Fleming's largest acquisitions to date. Justin's professional journey is marked by significant contributions to industry organizations and community initiatives. A dedicated member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) since 2007 and a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), he has held numerous SMPS leadership roles, including President of the Wisconsin Chapter and co-chair of the 2022 SMPS Heartland Regional Conference. Beyond his professional endeavors, Justin is committed to charitable causes, notably having served on the Wisconsin State Leadership Board of the American Cancer Society. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out Gannett Fleming TranSystems Follow Gannett Fleming TranSystems on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram Connect with Justin Juley on LinkedIn Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink. Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more. To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    42 mins
  • What other sectors teach us about legal marketing

    What other sectors teach us about legal marketing
    Sep 4 2024

    It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of a legal issue and the nuances of an industry, but effective marketing should always center around one thing: how does it make people feel about your firm? This is one of many insights that Strauss Troy’s director of marketing Jennifer Gault has acquired in her more than 12-year career spanning the retail, nonprofit and construction sectors.

    In this episode, Jennifer discusses how she’s strengthening brand awareness for “strategically midsize” law firm Strauss Troy, including by developing a new tagline, launching a video strategy and guiding a website redesign.

    Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn

    • How Jen Gault’s experience in the retail, nonprofit and construction sectors shapes her approach to legal marketing.

    • Why midsize law firm Strauss Troy has focused its marketing strategy on brand awareness.

    • Why powerful, human-led stories are essential no matter the industry, and how to make them work for law firms.

    • Key considerations for redesigning a law firm’s website and branding.

    • How to balance firmwide initiatives with individual attorneys’ community and pro bono interests.

    About our featured guest

    Jen Gault is the director of marketing at Strauss Troy, where she leads the development and execution of marketing strategies at one of the Midwest’s top midsize firms. With over 12 years of diverse marketing experience spanning retail, nonprofit, construction and legal industries, Jen brings a wealth of knowledge and versatility to her role.

    With a strong background in content marketing, graphic design and social media management, she enjoys creating compelling and impactful content that showcases the firm's values, expertise and achievements. Jen is a passionate communicator and empathetic listener who believes in the power of people to communicate and influence.

    Resources mentioned in this episode

    • Check out Strauss Troy

    • Follow Strauss Troy on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram

    • Connect with Jennifer Gault on LinkedIn

    • Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

    Sponsor for this episode

    This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

    Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

    Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

    To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    33 mins
  • Crafting AEC content that captivates and inspires learning

    Crafting AEC content that captivates and inspires learning
    Aug 13 2024
    With endless amounts of stimuli constantly grabbing for our attention, convincing audiences to read complex technical information can be a hard sell. As Kleinschmidt’s marketing and communications director, GinaRenee Autrey pursues opportunities where her engineers can blend creativity and technical expertise. Their goal isn’t to merely distribute information, but rather to inspire audiences to want to learn. In this episode, GinaRenee discusses how engineering firms can think outside the box to captivate their audiences’ attention, including sharing Kleinschmidt’s recent success with a Shakespeare-inspired article on dam decommissioning. She also reflects on the importance of marketing engineering firms by offering clients easy-to-understand solutions to their complex problems. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn What trends are influencing how engineering firms market their services How prioritizing a creative execution has enhanced Kleinschmidt’s approach to thought leadership What B2B buyers care about when choosing an engineering partner and how to align your marketing strategy to meet their needs How to use webinars to position employees and firms as experts in niche engineering topics How Kleinschmidt’s marketing team supports and trains its engineers to become better speakers, even when they’re nervous about appearing in front of crowds Why you should incentivize your field teams to take pictures and videos at jobsites About our featured guest GinaRenee Autrey is a seasoned marketing maestro with over 24 years of curating and executing comprehensive marketing strategies to elevate business goals. Her approach is results-driven, creative and ever-evolving, aligning with the rapid pace of the A/E/C marketing landscape. GinaRenee has honed a diverse set of skills over the years — from managing successful marketing initiatives and campaigns to public relations and advertising to implementing strategic projects that have fueled growth in targeted markets. GinaRenee currently serves as program manager for the Kleinschmidt Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council. This role is purpose-driven and close to her heart. GinaRenee is an active member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and one of the Program Chairs for the 2024 Amplify A|E|C Conference. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the American Marketing Association (AMA). GinaRenee began her public speaking journey on the stage at the SMPS SERC Conference in 2022. Since then, she’s had the pleasure of engaging audiences at numerous SMPS conferences and webinars, enriching her professional journey even further. GinaRenee hopes to help other marketers through these engagements to realize their full potential and view themselves as “technical experts” in their field. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out Kleinschmidt Associates Follow Kleinschmidt on LinkedIn, X and Instagram Connect with GinaRenee Autrey on LinkedIn Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn Read Kleinschmidt’s article, “To Be or Not to Be…That is the Dam Question” Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink. Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more. To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    35 mins
  • Why your attorneys should feel like part of the marketing team

    Why your attorneys should feel like part of the marketing team
    Jul 24 2024

    On paper, Julia Thomas is a one-woman band as Dean Mead’s marketing director. But in reality, she works in tandem with more than 100 unofficial marketers. Yep — attorneys and staff have a crucial supporting role to play as advocates for their firm and its brand, and Julia has made it her mission to empower them.

    In this episode of Spill the Ink, Julia discusses how her approach to legal marketing creates a culture of shared responsibility and reveals what she’s learned about helping busy attorneys stay engaged with community-focused initiatives. And with 20 years of experience in global, national, regional and local marketing roles across the legal, accounting and construction sectors, she’s learned a thing or two.

    Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn

    • Why Dean Mead’s marketing director Julia Thomas views all attorneys and staff as unofficial marketers

    • About Florida-based Dean Mead, a commercial law firm founded in 1980

    • What a 20-year career in global, national, regional and local marketing roles in various industries has taught Julia about using internal communications to support external communications — and surviving debates with attorneys

    • How law firms can approach strategic partnerships in the local community and engage attorneys to participate

    • Julia’s advice to busy legal professionals pursuing pro bono and community work

    • Why thought leadership doesn’t necessarily mean writing a long, in-depth article (and, in fact, that’s often less effective)

    • The impact of reputable law firm awards and rankings in building credibility with prospects

    About our featured guest

    Julia Thomas is Dean Mead’s director of marketing and business development, based in Orlando, Florida. With 20 years of experience designing, implementing and directing initiatives that support consistent internal and external communications, Julia brings a thorough understanding of marketing and business development to the firm. Leveraging her experience serving Fortune 100, national and regional companies, she is the chief marketing strategist for Dean Mead and each of its offices, departments and industry teams. Julia works closely with the president, board, department chairs and industry team leaders to develop and implement marketing and business development activities.

    Resources mentioned in this episode

    • Check out Dean Mead’s website

    • Follow Dean Mead on LinkedIn, Facebook and X

    • Connect with Julia Thomas on LinkedIn

    • Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

    Sponsor for this episode

    This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

    Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

    Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

    To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    28 mins
  • Lessons from marketing a legacy construction firm on its 100th anniversary

    Lessons from marketing a legacy construction firm on its 100th anniversary
    Jul 3 2024
    Reaching 100 years is a commendable accomplishment for any business and should be celebrated to the fullest extent. As Dana Galvin Lancour leads Barton Malow’s centennial marketing campaign, she joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities in marketing a legacy construction firm with deep community roots. In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle interviews Dana, Barton Malow’s VP of branding and communications, about the strategic planning behind the firm’s 100th anniversary. They discuss how Barton Malow structures its team to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, the firm’s forward-thinking approach to thought leadership and the importance of getting internal communications right. Dana also opens up about her 17 years working in construction marketing and explains how participating in the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) shaped her career. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn About Barton Malow Insights from Dana’s rich career managing and marketing Barton Malow’s legacy brand Do’s, don’ts and ideas when planning your firm’s anniversaries and milestones Why Barton Malow decided to capture its history with a digital archive program How to encourage cross-functional collaboration across multiple offices, geographies and brand families while maintaining messaging consistency The ways Barton Malow demonstrates its values (rather than simply talking about them) Using thought leadership to advance your firm’s strategic business goals, including how to improve buy-in with busy subject-matter experts The importance of internal communications, especially for geographically dispersed teams How Barton Malow is integrating artificial intelligence into its work Why making time to actively participate in professional organizations, such as SMPS, is a worthwhile investment About our featured guest As Barton Malow Holdings’ Vice President of Branding and Communications, Dana Galvin Lancour provides creative and strategic direction to the Barton Malow Family of Companies’ brands while overseeing a talented team of marketing and communication professionals across North America. She brings a vision that inspires her team to continually strengthen Barton Malow’s brand, reputation and unique approach to marketing Barton Malow’s services. Throughout her 17-year tenure, Dana has reimagined the company’s marketing strategy, helping modernize and bring the enterprise’s marketing and communications efforts to the forefront of the industry. She helped implement an email marketing platform to design and optimize targeted campaigns, redesign the Barton Malow intranet and create a vision for the first all-employee conference. Dana is a certified professional services marketer (CPSM) and a dedicated member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), acquiring the prestigious Fellow designation in 2013. She was appointed as President of the Board of Directors in 2022, where she plays a key role in ensuring the organization continues to positively impact marketing and business development in the industry. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out Barton Malow Follow Barton Malow on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Connect with Dana Galvin Lancour on LinkedIn Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn Sponsor for this episode This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink. Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more. To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    35 mins
  • What non-attorney CEOs bring to law firm operations

    What non-attorney CEOs bring to law firm operations
    Jun 17 2024

    It’s as untraditional as it gets, but having a non-attorney in the driving seat of your law firm can do wonders for streamlining operations, enhancing the client experience and strengthening team culture. But it’s not without its challenges — as our guest discovered when he built a law firm from the ground up (with the help of a team of attorneys) in just two weeks.

    Before Jonathan Delk was CEO of Colorado-based JVAM, he was a ski instructor-turned-digital marketer with a Master of Business Administration. In this episode, he tells Michelle Calcote King how he leveraged those skills and experiences to support and enhance the firm’s legal work by finding new ways to innovate and build a team culture that attracts talent from around the country. Jonathan also shares his take on how technology will disrupt the legal industry in the coming years.

    Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn

    • How Jonathan went from ski instructor to digital marketer to law firm CEO.

    • About Colorado-based law firm JVAM, which believes in specialization (no one team member should do everything all the time).

    • The benefits of allowing a non-attorney (or non-practicing attorney) to call the shots.

    • The biggest hurdles of leading a firm without a law degree, including navigating the occasional, “Wait, you’re not a lawyer?!”

    • How to obtain buy-in as a non-attorney leader.

    • Why marketing skills are the special sauce for client experience and firmwide communication.

    • How artificial intelligence and automation will disrupt how law firms operate.

    About our featured guest

    Jonathan Delk is responsible for all facets of JVAM’s business outside the practice of law, including general management of finance, human resources, location management, information services and business development. Specializing in legal management, Jonathan works to keep JVAM at the forefront of practice management and an employer of choice in the legal field.

    Jonathan attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he double majored in Economics and Political Science. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration at Colorado State University, focusing heavily on finance and leadership.

    Before starting his career in the legal industry, Jonathan worked in the outdoor industry as a professional ski and snowboard instructor, and a trail guide and coach for downhill and cross-country mountain biking. For years, he tallied 200-plus days a year on snow between Aspen, Colorado and Queenstown, New Zealand. Now, he takes his ski days with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Amelia.

    Resources mentioned in this episode

    • Check out JVAM

    • Follow JVAM on LinkedIn and Facebook

    • Connect with Jonathan Delk on LinkedIn and X

    • Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn.

    Sponsor for this episode

    This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

    Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

    Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

    To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.
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    27 mins