The Martin Group is turning 25. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Guest post from Greater Rochester Chamber member The Martin Group
The Martin Group—the Upstate-born marketing communications firm with an active Rochester office for almost 12 years—is about to reach its silver anniversary.
But don’t worry. There’s no quarter-life crisis on the horizon.
We’re excited about our upcoming birthday, and looking back, we’re proud of what we’ve become—and where we’re going. Our camaraderie amid skill and award-winning service has allowed us to establish a solid foundation of service, grow four locations across New York State, and build a dynamic culture of excellence across our geographic footprint.
Nestled above East Main Street in cozy Victor, our team has expanded, our client list has diversified, and our connection to the Flower City and the Finger Lakes has deepened.
But a lot can be learned in 25 years.
Among our growth and appreciation for how far we’ve come are significant lessons that have served us well in Rochester and beyond, and they’re not that complicated. A lot has to go right for a company to operate for nearly three decades, but some simple guideposts have charted our path—and continue to light our way to this day.
Here are three that come to mind:
Do the work—and do it well
It all started with our founder, Tod Martin. Just a man and a desk, taking on work for Western New York businesses eager for advertising and design support.
Since then, we’ve grown to work with global brands (Nike, Under Armour), local names that have become household standards (New Era, Wegmans), and an ever-expanding fleet of medium and small businesses making a big impact inside their host communities. But in using our diversified services—from creative to public relations to video production—our central focus continues to be where it has always been: on the work, providing clients with advanced marketing solutions to achieve their goals and suit an ever-changing list of needs.
No ask is too big; no task is too small—and we’ve relished the chance to do it all.
Hire good people
Marketing majors. Agency professionals. Account aficionados. We’ve interviewed (and hired) them all.
But we’ve also hired sportswriters. Television producers. Head waiters, Starbucks baristas, and political operatives. When meeting individuals that would best serve the needs of our clients, we haven’t always gone with the traditional decision of finding someone with agency experience because, sometimes, the work—and our workplace culture—requires someone with a fresh perspective.
These decisions have helped develop an eclectic, integrated diaspora that currently serves the needs of our Rochester clients, and has helped our Victor office become the delightful tapestry of personalities and field experience that continue to help local and national brands thrive.
Make a difference
Over the years, our agency team has come to believe that small changes can make big differences.
It’s always been weaved into our agency fabric, but as we stare down 25 candles, it’s now a belief that’s central to our brand. It drives the way we serve clients and pitch work. It guides the way we work together and serve our New York communities. And hey, we’re so passionate about this mantra that we made up our own acronym for it.
But just like the other two seemingly simplistic learnings, it’s central to who we’ve become and what drives us forward. Making a difference for our clients and host communities has become the bedrock of our culture, and this culture is what keeps us together, working as a team to answer the needs of others.
This is who we’ve become. This is who we are, all with Rochester as an essential backdrop in our ongoing story. Let’s celebrate what we’ve learned together—and here’s to another 25 years.
Want to learn more about The Martin Group? Visit their website here.