• BBJ: Matter 3rd Largest Boston PR Agency

    BBJ: Matter 3rd Largest Boston PR Agency

    I’m thrilled that the Boston Business Journal recognized Matter as the third largest PR and social media firm in the Greater Boston area, and that we’ve enjoyed a steady upward trajectory for each year of our existence. It’s a testament to our tremendous staff and our agency’s enterprising spirit. But the story of our success is also intertwined with Boston’s emergence as a true innovation hub, and with a battery of entrepreneurial companies hell-bent on trying to make the world a better place. Matter shares this vision – that a rising tide raises all ships, and that together we are Boston Strong.

    We have clients all over the country, but nowhere do we have more insight and penetration into the local economy than in Massachusetts. And what I’ve seen over the past decade, in Boston in particular, is a sustained determination to seize the mantle as one of the world’s truly great centers of technology excellence. The energy is palpable. The optimism is abundant and the opportunities for startups to find a foothold have never been greater.

    Our Lunchspotting networking events in Boston are truly kinetic, with executives across myriad industries sharing success stories and forging new relationships. We can’t hire fast enough to fill our Boston office, which is barely a year old and bustling. While nothing is certain, here’s what I truly believe: Boston’s future has never been brighter, and Matter has never been more excited to be an integral part of the storytelling apparatus of this region’s outstanding companies.

    Scott Signore

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  • Matter Reaches 500 Hours of Volunteerism!

    Matter Reaches 500 Hours of Volunteerism!

    “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” – Arthur Ashe

    I am excited to share that the talented professionals here at Matter have reached their objective of dedicating more than 500 hours of volunteer time to worthy entities and initiatives across five offices nationwide.

    Since the start of the year our dynamite staff served meals at homeless shelters in Boston, Boulder and Newburyport, provided books to needy children in Portland, worked with the Ronald McDonald House in Providence, and all offices walked in “awareness events” for a worthy cause. And that’s just the beginning: on a monthly basis our team has been a force of goodwill by delivering on their promise to give back – and having their time as working professionals be even more meaningful. They’ve rolled-up their sleeves and got things done, and I am tremendously proud.

    We launched our Helping Hands initiative at the end of last year, and it has been embraced with gusto by employees who want to collaborate outside of the office in the spirit of making a meaningful impact on the world around them. In most cases, the monthly event in each office has a waiting list of participants from so many generous volunteers eager to participate. I am so grateful for the willingness the staff has shown to sacrifice both professional and personal time to give back to the communities that we care so much about. Please join me, in tipping my hat to this kind and tremendously generous crowd.

    People in need matter. Helping hands matter.

    Scott Signore

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  • A Newcomer’s Guide to Drone Videography

    A Newcomer’s Guide to Drone Videography

     At this day in age, it’s amazing to think that remote controlled drones (or UAVs) are becoming a part of everyday life. They can be seen in search and rescue applications, lighting scenarios, and of course aerial videography. When it comes to other places it can be useful, the sky is the limit (pun intended).

     

    Let me preface this write-up by stating that I am still a newcomer to the drone videography world. My goal for a while has been to learn any video rig I can get my hands on, and this is the most logical next step. The value in drone videography is obvious as well; shots from the sky add an interesting perspective to your video that simply cannot be replicated.

    At first I was under the impression that someone can go out and buy one of these and use it freely, similar to a remote controlled car- boy was I wrong. Here are a few tips and other things you should consider when becoming a drone enthusiast

    1. Start Small: A drone big enough for a camera complete with all the necessary batteries, prop guards, gimbal, and controllers will set you back at least a couple thousand dollars. Before making such a purchase, I found that buying this $70 drone is a great stepping-stone before graduating to the bigger contraptions. It helps with getting a feel for the controls, air resistance, and aerial maneuvering. It’s also inevitable that you’re going to have a few crash landings, which won’t damage it because of the small size (the drone in the link fits in the palm of your hand).
    1. Take a Class: Flying a drone is not a “plug and play” solution. There are important details such as calibration, course setting, home lock, airport communications, and many other things you need to know that can’t be summed up in a brief YouTube video. I found that taking an in-person course really helped me get familiar with both the drone and the app. The instructors are all licensed helicopter pilots who can address any other questions you may have, and there’s a block of class time that’s used for flight practice.
    1. Stay Current with Government Regulations: The FAA controls all of the airspace in our atmosphere. Whether it’s a few inches above your head or 400 feet off the ground, they are the ones who make the rules. It’s important to read up on their current and proposed regulations, so that you don’t get ticketed or fined for flying illegally. Right now, in order to make money from flying you’ll need to obtain an FAA 333 Exemption, or be a commercial airline pilot. While this paperwork can be easily applied for, it takes roughly six months for it to get approved and sent back. I’m writing this blog in June, and it’s been rumored that the FAA will be coming out with a separate set of drone pilot regulations this month. We’re still waiting on that, which leaves a lot of us commercial drone pilot hopefuls in limbo.
    1. Practice, Practice, Practice: Similar to the first tip I covered earlier in this blog, you can never have enough practice. After all, a great aerial shot cannot be achieved without great aerial maneuvering. Setup a chair or trash barrel in your yard and practice orbiting around it, with the nose of the drone constantly facing the subject. Once you’ve mastered that, give these a try.

    To sum it all up, it seems like drone flying is a hobby/professional tool that is here to stay. It’s an activity that should be done with safety as the number one concern, and enthusiasts should not rush to the finish line. I’ll leave you with my three favorite drone videos on YouTube (1) (2) (3). Happy flying!

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    Matter

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  • An HR Perspective on a Successful Company Volunteer Initiative

    For an HR professional working at a PR agency, I’m embarrassed to admit- but I’m no expert on blog posts (this is actually my first one ever so I hope I do my colleagues proud!)

    I started at Matter six months ago and was asked to lead our Helping Hands Matter Initiative (aka our amazing volunteer program). I was already excited to take on my new role as HR Manager and to join Matter, but to be asked to lead such a great initiative was a bonus.  I’ve always enjoyed volunteering in some capacity, but never truly knew how passionate I was about giving back until I started working at Matter as it is engrained in the culture here.

    Throughout the Matter website, you can visually see that Matter is committed to making a difference to those in need. Our efforts are encouraged by the motto People in need matter. Helping hands matter.  To see this written is one thing, but to actually witness the dedication, support and enthusiasm across all five of our offices has been beyond amazing and quite frankly- heartwarming to see. Some of our activities have included (but trust me this is not an all-inclusive list): volunteering at homeless shelters, sponsoring and serving meals to local communities, donating time at animal shelters, organizing supply drives for local communities, to all five of our offices participating in a walk to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

    You might be wondering how all of our employees and all of our offices are involved in this program. Every employee is encouraged to submit suggestions to the Helping Hands committee at any time. Each office has an AWESOME lead for this initiative and they meet with the committee members on a monthly basis to discuss any submitted suggestions and approve what organizations we will be supporting and/or sponsoring for the upcoming months. Currently, we have events booked through July!

    We have an agency goal of 500 hours by the end of 2016 and I’m happy to report that with just four months into the year we crossed the 300-hour mark at the end of April.  For a company with approximately 120 employees, this is an incredible accomplishment and I am 100% confident we will surpass the 500-hour mark well before the end of the year (if we don’t, I will write another blog admitting I was wrong!).

    Month after month, I am blown away by the excitement and support that this program has received and am forever thankful to Matter and our employees (now this blog is turning into a love letter) for making me realize one of the things I am most passionate about in life- giving back and making an impact in the lives of those in need.

    As Dr. Loretta Scott once said “we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

    Matter

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  • Boulder Start Up Week: Birthday Edition

    For most of the country, it’s just another week, but for us here in Boulder, Co, we have a lot to celebrate! This week spins up the sixth annual Boulder Start Up Week (and second year Matter is a sponsor!) during which thousands of entrepreneurs and their teams network and learn with other workaholic dreamers in the area. This event encompasses so much of our own company’s mission – giving back, community, professional growth—and are therefore once again proud sponsors of the event!

    Next, it is our birthday! One year ago, we opened this Matter office, and it has been a wild ride. A few splashes of paint and several team members later, we honestly couldn’t be happier with our new community. We’re working with some of the most innovative brands on the west coast and have found some incredible talent to further build our consumer and B2B expertise.

    If you’re in the area (or simply curious), take a moment to read about all of the fun things we’re doing this week:

    • Anniversary Party / BSW Startup Crawl: Tuesday, May 17, from 4-8 p.m., we’ll be enjoying drinks and hors d’ oeuvres with hundreds of our closest Boulder friends.
    • Job Fair: Wednesday, May 18, come by and visit our table if you’re interested in joining the Matter team! Grab some swag and tell us about you.
    • Marketing Meetup: Thursday, May 19, from 3-4:30 p.m., we are opening our doors once again to bring together some of the best marketing minds in the biz. Grab a drink and chat with us around the latest trends in lead-gen/nurturing, social and PR.
    • Sponsor videos: Our incredible video team will be shooting 15 videos throughout the week, donated as part of our BWS sponsorship. The videos will feature startups in the area and their founders.
    • Social: Join us on social (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) throughout the week to feel as if you’re there or share your own if you are! Hashtag #BSW16 …we’ll be posting photos, videos and live coverage all week!

    Matter

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  • Why our acquisition of video agency Skyscope makes sense

    Earlier this week, we shared news about Matter acquiring Skyscope, an established video services agency with offices in Cambridge and Worcester, Massachusetts, and I’m elaborating on this event and sharing a few reasons why this deal makes good sense – for our agency, our clients and for the dynamite gang at Skyscope:

    First, every smart and savvy marketing organization should deliver compelling visual content to the key audiences of their PR and social media initiatives, and the demand for this content will only increase in the future. My immediate point: we’re strengthening the already-strong suite of services offered by Studio-C, our in-house creative team. The combined Skyscope and Studio-C entity raises our creative profile and allows us to compete with larger, more established creative players who don’t have the flexibility to deliver sought-after projects at our budget level or operational efficiency.

    Second, the fit – including the chemistry between staff, the complementary services, etc. – is dynamite. I sat with a number of other great creative shops, but our philosophies weren’t nearly as aligned as they are with the Skyscope crew. They prioritize the quality of their deliverables in the spirit of working with a client on a repeat basis, and they shoulder the burden of getting the task done right. In addition, our organizations share a professional work ethic of rolling up our sleeves and getting things done, while also being certain we have ample opportunity to blow off steam and have fun.

    Third, the Skyscope staff is A+. Their professionalism is evident in the work they deliver to their high-profile technology and business-to-business clients on a daily basis, but you further realize the value of the organization when you get to know them personally. It’s extraordinarily exciting to welcome a team of top-notch people who happen to be great at what they do, which mirrors the description of the staff already on the team here at Matter.

    Fourth, the combined experience of our creative teams is on par with any creative agency, anywhere. You have a solid foundation on which you can build when you’ve worked on behalf of consumer and technology brands such as LoJack, Pinterest, CVS Health, FootJoy, Cuisanart, CloudLock and Dassault Systemes, to name only a few. Being able to leverage the experiences and success will go a long way for entities looking to get into video-supported marketing with gusto.

    And, finally, by acquiring Skyscope, our agency is addressing a number of key interests that we prioritized as part of a strategy to help our agency grow. This includes but isn’t limited to growing our in-house creative team, and expanding to the point where we will have creative representation in all of our offices nationwide. And, most importantly, acquiring Skyscope enables us to grow in a way that allows our staff to embrace new creative technologies that will be sought-after by clients in the years ahead, and letting all of our professionals continue to spread their professional wings.

    Watch this space. It’s going to be an exciting year.

    Scott Signore

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  • Celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day Matter

    Few dates on the calendar mean more to the PR and social media experts at Matter Communications than St. Patrick’s Day. That Irish holiday represents an opportunity for deliberate merriment – as opposed to ad hoc happiness that occurs with tremendous regularity! – with colleagues and co-workers. Our agency heritage runs through a community with tremendous Irish roots, and many of our staffers have Irish in our blood (or in our hearts). We celebrated last night and we’re celebrating again today – and, we hope all of you are, too! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

    Scott Signore

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  • Why I Get Amped When Visiting Our PR and Social Media Office in Portland!

    Last week I shared some thoughts related to the experience that clients have when engaged with a PR and social media agency that has a national presence – and this week I had the opportunity to spend some time with my dynamite crew of professionals in one of our offices on the West Coast. Here are a few reasons why I get pumped when I visit Portland, and in particular, when I spend time with the smart, savvy and hard-working gang from Matter in that city:

    First, Good Lord – what a town. Portland has a terrific blend of people, culture, hobbies, and happenings. It’s a city that supports an active lifestyle – and please see our gang getting recognized for being so healthy! –while also offering more eating, drinking and merriment options than all other cities of comparable size and scope. It’s a vibrant community that’s fueled by solid and honest people.

    Second, speaking of those people, our office is jammed-packed with a group of outstanding locals – and those who are quickly becoming locals. There’s a great blend of local knowledge, balanced by perspective from the East Coast. Half of our crowd are born and raised in the great Northwest, but a number of staff have moved to this great city from Boston, Atlanta and other hot spots on the eastern seaboard. As a result, it’s so nice to be here in person to meet new people – but also to see some of the familiar ones who made a great life choice to add to their career experience by spending time in Portland.

    Third, it’s special to sit with the team here in Portland in person and be reminded about their capabilities and their PR savvy. I love hearing first-hand how they are working creativity into their client programs – in terms of imaginative pitch ideas for media relations, or highly visual content produced by the creative team. It’s terrific to hear them overcome media challenges, and celebrate successes. While improvements in connectivity have changed all of our lives for the better, nothing really compares to talking shop in the office or catching-up on life during a visit to a pub.

    Fourth, this town has a steady and growing technology buzz. Beyond its thriving start-up scene, in which Matter client Urban Airship is so active, a constant stream of established players, such as Google, Intel and eBay, have moved people and their gigs to the region in the past few years. There’s so much energy that results from having credible, thriving and opportunistic technology players side-by-side, and the buzz can be felt while walking in the Pearl District – or glancing quickly at GeekWire.

    I like spending time here in our Portland office – can you tell?

    Scott Signore

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  • Why Our PR Agency Just Went “All-In” in Boston

    I’m thrilled to spread the news that – with gusto! – Matter just expanded its footprint in the city of Boston! We’ve moved from our modest shared space to a custom-built location designed to encourage smart thinking, creativity, and which is conducive to generating results.  It’s a place where smart and savvy PR professionals want to hang their hats – and we’ll be supporting our growth by welcoming them with open arms!

    In case you aren’t already living the dream in the Hub, here are several reasons why having a substantial footprint in Boston matters:

    First, it’s about being among the movers and shakers – in our business, and in the categories we serve. We’ve experienced a noteworthy business benefit by sharing some space in the Seaport District, and we’re looking forward to leveraging our new-and-improved digs to shake more hands, share more thinking and do more business.

    Second, we’ve always prioritized having the best professionals anywhere, and now, from a recruiting standpoint, we’re able to welcome those who want to join our team – but are urban dwellers who would rather not leave the city during the work week. When you’ve been named a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe two years straight, you are always considered as a potential employer by the region’s brightest– and now geography won’t interfere with destiny!

    Third, and related to the above, we’re giving those hard-working employees in Newburyport, Providence – anywhere, really! – an in-town location for collaboration with clients and colleagues. It may not be a day-to-day happening, but it’s filled with energy, enthusiasm and a familiar Matter vibe when needed!

    Fourth, we’re now even more easily accessible to clients and partners – important face-to-face meetings can occur, whether scheduled or on a whim. Discussions about creative PR and social programs can happen with limited travel commitment.

    And, finally, it’s directly aligned with a key tenet of our success: that quality of life is truly important. On Portland Street we’re positioned well for commuters by the T or commuter rail, and within walking distance of so many places to eat, drink and be merry. It’s an accessible office that’s within near reach to so much that an employee’s professional path can be complemented by activities far beyond the job.

    Drinks, anyone?

    (more…)

    Scott Signore

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  • What Matters in Your Search for a PR Job

    I just spoke with a dynamite young professional who is moving to the mid-west and leaving Matter after four years – Molly, we will miss you! – and that quick chat reminded how I am able to see more clearly the characteristics of an agency that provides employees with a career rather than just a job. (It’s visibility I have now, after working for a number of agencies over the years!)

    If you are a young PR professional looking for an agency gig, here’s what I suggest you prioritize:

    First, you should be certain the firm you are considering focuses on its people – and is more action than just words. Far beyond the benefits package, you should ask good questions during the interview process, and you should follow closely their social media pages with an eye toward employee vibe and tone. You should seek an environment that has a structure that supports social happenings, but opportunity for all employees to contribute to the culture.

    Second, you should investigate the agency’s track record and only consider joining a firm that makes good business decisions, and is stable and sound. You want to be sure you join while the agency is on an upward trajectory, and while you are heads-down in getting results, you want to be confident in the decision-makers who can set you up for future success.

    Third, if you have the flexibility to travel, you should look for a firm that has multiple offices and a growing presence nationwide. Working at such a shop will allow you to experience new people and cultures, while being supported by colleagues and teammates. Professionally you will have the opportunity to add to your resume and portfolio by working on clients who require broad, national support, and personally you will meet new people in new communities. (And, as we’ve experienced at Matter, home is what you may end-up calling these new places you visit!)

    Fourth, you should look for an environment that’s crackling with creativity and activity. You have options, but you want to be in a place where the work is top-notch and the results are a source of pride for the agency. You want to know that you have an opportunity to contribute to the success of clients large and small, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn from all of that experience. You also want to know that new business is a process always underway, and new ways of doing what we do are always being discussed by colleagues and managers.

    And, finally, you want to join an agency that has an entrepreneurial spirit – and gets that they work for the purpose of seeing their clients succeed. You want to have a partnership-like relationship with your clients, and you want to be able to suggest and deliver highly creative campaigns that drive business results. You also want to know that a channel exists for ideas you may have for strengthening the client’s program and your agency overall.

    Did I mention that we’re looking for good people to join our team in Boston, Providence, Portland (OR), and Boulder, so reach out to [email protected] if any of the above describes an environment you seek.

    Scott Signore

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