SimpsonScarborough Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2006, SimpsonScarborough is a full-service integrated branding and marketing agency dedicated exclusively to higher education institutions. The agency's mission is to empower colleges and universities to build cohesive brands that inspire, endure, and elevate their work. By combining research, strategy, creative, digital, and media planning services, SimpsonScarborough has become a significant player in the higher education marketing industry.

Key Strategic Focus

SimpsonScarborough's strategic focus centers on delivering data-driven branding and marketing solutions tailored to the unique needs of higher education institutions. The agency specializes in:

Research & Analytics: Conducting comprehensive studies on brand perception, strategic planning, recruitment, alumni engagement, and fundraising.

Strategy: Developing brand positioning, message creation, data-driven personas, and competitor analysis.

Creative: Crafting brand campaigns, visual identities, advertising, and marketing collateral.

Digital: Designing and auditing websites, content strategy, SEO, and custom CMS builds.

Media & Marketing: Formulating media planning, channel strategy, and integrated marketing plans.

By integrating these services, SimpsonScarborough aims to provide holistic solutions that address the evolving challenges faced by higher education marketers.

Financials and Funding

Specific financial details and funding history for SimpsonScarborough are not publicly disclosed. As a privately held company, it operates independently without publicly available funding rounds or investor information.

Pipeline Development

While SimpsonScarborough does not have a traditional product pipeline, it continually develops and refines its service offerings to meet the dynamic needs of higher education institutions. Recent initiatives include:

Industry Research: Conducting studies such as the Higher Ed CMO Study, Alumni Philanthropy Study, and National Prospective Student Survey to provide valuable insights to clients.

Service Expansion: Enhancing creative and digital services through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, such as the addition of a creative division in collaboration with The Department of the 4th Dimension.

Technological Platform and Innovation

SimpsonScarborough distinguishes itself through its proprietary methodologies and innovative approaches, including:

Comprehensive Research Tools: Utilizing surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and analytics to gather actionable data.

Integrated Service Model: Combining research, strategy, creative, digital, and media planning to offer end-to-end solutions.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Employing advanced analytics to inform brand strategies and measure campaign effectiveness.

These capabilities enable the agency to deliver customized and effective marketing solutions for higher education clients.

Leadership Team

SimpsonScarborough's leadership comprises experienced professionals with deep expertise in higher education marketing:

Jason Simon, Partner & CEO: Appointed CEO in February 2020, Jason has extensive experience in marketing communications within higher education and corporate sectors.

Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson, Partner & Founder: Founded the agency in 2006, bringing over 30 years of experience in higher education marketing and branding.

Bob Rafferty, Partner & Executive Vice President: Leads the agency's primary areas of practice, including Research, Strategy, Creative, and Digital, as well as Agency Operations.

Matt McFadden, Partner & Senior Vice President: Works at the intersection of research and creative, distilling data into actionable brand strategies.

Meredith Simpson, Partner & Vice President, Industry Research: Leverages custom research to solve problems and drive strategic decision-making.

Sara Wallace, Vice President, Strategy: Analyzes insights from brand research to understand the impact on the consumer journey and translates that into effective marketing and media plans.

Danielle Greenidge, Associate Vice President, People & Culture: Leads the human resources department, focusing on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Chelsea Woodard, Vice President, Operations: Manages internal teams, plans resources, and oversees technology and innovation needs.

Murray Simpson, Vice President, Growth: Develops and executes growth strategies, refines agency brand positioning, and creates client growth strategies.

Reya Calistes, Vice President, Research, Analytics, and Insights: Oversees the work and growth of the Research, Analytics, and Insights team.

This leadership team drives the agency's strategic vision and operational excellence.

Leadership Changes

In February 2020, Jason Simon was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson, who transitioned to the role of Chairman. This change reflects the agency's commitment to evolving leadership to meet the needs of its clients and the higher education marketing industry.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The higher education marketing industry is characterized by a growing demand for specialized agencies that understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the sector. Institutions seek partners capable of delivering integrated solutions that encompass research, strategy, creative, digital, and media services.

Competitor Analysis

SimpsonScarborough operates in a competitive landscape with several notable agencies offering similar services:

KlientBoost: Specializes in pay-per-click marketing and landing page solutions.

INFUSE: Provides data-driven B2B demand generation services.

webdew: Focuses on video marketing services, from strategy to execution.

SmartSites: Offers full-service digital marketing, including website design, SEO, and PPC.

WebFX: Creates custom digital marketing strategies based on client needs and goals.

These competitors offer a range of digital marketing services, though not all are exclusively focused on the higher education sector.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

SimpsonScarborough has engaged in strategic partnerships to enhance its service offerings:

The Department of the 4th Dimension (The D4D): In 2014, the agency partnered with The D4D to add a creative division, expanding services to include brand identity, advertising, experience design, and content creation.

These collaborations have strengthened the agency's ability to provide comprehensive marketing solutions to higher education clients.

Operational Insights

SimpsonScarborough differentiates itself through:

Exclusive Focus on Higher Education: Deep understanding of the sector's unique challenges and opportunities.

Integrated Service Model: Seamless combination of research, strategy, creative, digital, and media services.

Data-Driven Approach: Emphasis on research and analytics to inform strategies and measure outcomes.

These factors contribute to the agency's strong market position and client satisfaction.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, SimpsonScarborough aims to:

Expand Service Offerings: Continue developing innovative solutions to meet evolving client needs.

Enhance Technological Capabilities: Invest in advanced analytics and digital tools to improve service delivery.

Strengthen Industry Leadership: Conduct and publish industry research to provide valuable insights and establish thought leadership.

By leveraging its strengths and focusing on these areas, SimpsonScarborough is well-positioned to support higher education institutions in achieving their marketing and branding objectives.

Contact Information

Website: simpsonscarborough.com

SimpsonScarborough operates as a fully remote agency, allowing team members to work from various locations while maintaining a cohesive and collaborative culture.