Saffire: Re-Opening PR Case Study

pr photos at saffire restaurant
Saffire

Crafting a Culinary Comeback

Saffire Restaurant was a beloved Franklin, TN staple for 17 years, known for its innovative menu and vibrant atmosphere. After closing its doors in 2018, celebrated chef and restaurateur Tom Morales saw an exciting opportunity to revive the brand, honoring its roots while introducing fresh ideas to captivate a new generation of diners.

Drawing on its proven expertise in hospitality marketing and PR, Green Apple crafted an earned media campaign to reintroduce Saffire as a culinary leader in Nashville’s competitive dining scene.

– Strategic Event Planning –

Cooking Up Excitement for the Grand Opening

Green Apple Strategy collaborated closely with Saffire’s management to create a buzz-worthy grand opening celebration. The centerpiece of the campaign was an exclusive soft launch party designed to connect Saffire with influential media personalities and local tastemakers.

Green Apple curated a list of 30-40 priority guests, including media professionals and social influencers with strong ties to Nashville’s food and lifestyle communities. The team managed every detail, from identifying the right invitees to crafting and sending personalized invitations that reflected Saffire’s brand.

One highlight of the event was coordinating a site tour, tasting experience, and exclusive interview with Julia Masters, an entertainment business reporter for the Nashville Business Journal. This ensured high-quality media coverage while showcasing Saffire’s reinvigorated vision.

To complement the event, Green Apple developed a compelling press release that positioned Saffire as a reinvented icon. This release was distributed to key outlets, generating initial buzz and setting the stage for ongoing media interest.

– Targeted Media Pitches –

Serving Stories That Stick

Beyond the grand opening, Green Apple maintained momentum by crafting tailored pitches that highlighted Saffire’s unique offerings. From its innovative cocktail menu to its curated happy hours and exclusive menu items, every pitch emphasized what made Saffire stand out in the crowded Nashville food scene.

Targeted outreach focused on securing placements in local media outlets that resonated with Saffire’s ideal audience. Publications like StyleBlueprint, Edible Nashville, and Brentwood Lifestyles were among the campaign’s primary targets. Green Apple also coordinated interviews with media and influencer guests to keep Saffire top of mind and consistently featured in conversations about Nashville’s culinary hotspots.

– Results –

A Grand Return to the Spotlight

Green Apple’s earned media strategy delivered impressive results, reestablishing Saffire as a culinary gem in Nashville. In the two months following the grand opening:

  • Saffire received 35 mentions in prominent media outlets, including feature articles in Nashville Business Journal, The Tennessean, Brentwood Lifestyles, and The Nashville Post.
  • The campaign generated $1.01 million in AVE (Advertising Value Equivalent), demonstrating the significant impact of the PR efforts.

Saffire’s grand reopening successfully positioned the restaurant as one with a rich history and an exciting new chapter in Nashville’s food culture.

Client Testimonials

“Green Apple’s thoughtful approach and attention to detail ensured that our story not only captured the essence of Saffire’s culinary legacy but also stood out in Nashville’s vibrant food scene.”

“​​Green Apple’s expertise in hospitality PR and their relational approach to media outreach brought Saffire’s story to life in ways that made our return a celebrated moment in the community.”

– Creative –

What We Did

Messaging Strategy, Event Planning, Media Relations, PR, Email Marketing

saffire restaurant front door entrance
saffire restaurant merchandise
saffire restaurant bar
saffire restaurant in nashville

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TGS’ Share the Love Campaign

father dropping off baby with daycare provider
The Gardner School

Transforming Positive Experiences into Five-Star Reviews

The Gardner School is a nationwide leader in early childhood education and preschool, with nearly 40 locations across nine states. For over a decade, TGS has trusted Green Apple Strategy to support its marketing efforts, working together to strengthen brand equity and build meaningful connections with families.

– Opportunity –

Building Trust Through Feedback

In 2024, Green Apple recognized an opportunity to bolster The Gardner School’s reputation with young families by focusing on online reviews. In a world where trust is hard to earn and easy to lose, Google Reviews are key to building relationships with potential families before they ever walk through the door. In fact, 88% of customers read Google reviews to determine the status and quality of a local business before engaging with it. 

With reviews playing a pivotal role in helping parents select the right school for their children, we aimed to create meaningful opportunities for current TGS families to share their experiences. The goal was to celebrate the strong connections families have with the TGS community and highlight the school’s commitment to fostering every child’s growth in a way that would resonate with prospective parents.

– Campaign Concept –

Bring Parent Stories to Life with an Engaging Campaign

Green Apple Strategy designed the “Share the Love” campaign to align with The Gardner School’s core values. Rooted in the school’s mission of nurturing children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, the campaign invited parents to express their love for TGS and its teachers through online Google reviews.

To make the campaign engaging and fun, Green Apple created a framework where families who left a positive review were automatically entered into a drawing for one grand prize. The campaign encouraged parents to specifically mention their child’s favorite teacher, making the reviews more personal and meaningful.

– Strategic Messaging –

Perfect Timing Meets Thoughtful Messaging

The “Share the Love” campaign launched in early February, perfectly aligning with Valentine’s Day—a time when appreciation and positive sentiment are already in the air. Running throughout the month, the campaign tapped into this festive spirit.

To generate excitement and ensure widespread participation, Green Apple Strategy executed a detailed, multi-channel promotion plan. Each of The Gardner School’s locations received tailored messaging, personalizing the campaign for each campus community. Families first heard about the campaign through TGS’s parent communication platform, ensuring it felt immediate and relevant.

In addition to this direct touchpoint, a series of organic social media posts were deployed across Facebook and Instagram to keep the campaign top of mind. Posts were strategically timed to build momentum before the launch, maintain engagement throughout February, and celebrate the results at the end.

This cohesive, well-timed approach kept parents engaged and motivated while Green Apple monitored and adjusted messaging to keep participation high.

– Results –

Creating a Ripple Effect of Positivity

The “Share the Love” campaign exceeded all expectations, generating a remarkable surge in online reviews.

  • 210 new Google Business Profile reviews were submitted in just one month.
  • 223 total reviews were gathered from the campaign—an impressive feat compared to the 133 reviews TGS received throughout all of 2023.
  • Across all locations, reviews in February increased by an astounding 1,741.67%.
  • TGS’s average star rating improved by 21.38%, bringing its overall rating to 4.86 stars.

Most importantly, the campaign strengthened relationships between TGS and its families, creating a ripple effect of positivity that will continue to attract new students for years to come. 

– Creative –

What We Did

Campaign Development, Messaging Strategy, Email Marketing, Social Media Content, Design, Reputation Management 

spreading the love the gardner school instagram
share the love parent review on instagram

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Debunking AI Myths: How to Use AI to Boost Marketing Success

using ai for marketing

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy. It’s here, and it’s transforming the marketing landscape. Despite its growing presence, many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) hesitate to embrace AI due to lingering misconceptions.

At Green Apple, we continue to explore how AI can enhance marketing efforts. We love discussing ideas, answering questions, and helping businesses navigate this evolving technology. In this post, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths about AI in marketing and show you how it can be a positive tool to support your business.

AI Myths Busted: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Myth 1: AI Will Replace Human Marketers

Perhaps the biggest fear surrounding AI is that it will take over marketing jobs entirely. But here’s the truth: AI isn’t here to replace human marketers; it’s here to enhance their capabilities.

Think of AI as your trusty sidekick. It handles the heavy lifting—like data analysis, content brainstorming, and social media scheduling—so you can focus on what truly matters: strategy, creativity, and relationship-building. AI amplifies human ingenuity, helping you work smarter, not harder.

Myth 2: AI Lacks Creativity and Human Touch

Another common misconception is that AI-generated content is robotic and uninspired. While AI can generate text, it requires a brainstorming partnership with a creative human – inputting prompts to extract all that AI has to offer! When used well, AI tools can spark new ideas, help you overcome creative blocks, and offer fresh perspectives. But the real magic happens when you refine its output with your unique brand voice, storytelling skills, and customer persona insights.

Myth 3: AI is Too Complex and Expensive for SMBs

Many small businesses assume AI is only for massive corporations with deep pockets and tech teams. But that’s no longer the case.

The reality? AI tools are more accessible than ever. Many platforms offer affordable, user-friendly AI-powered solutions designed specifically for SMBs. You don’t need to go all in at once. Start with a few AI tools that address your biggest marketing challenges and scale up as you become more comfortable.

Myth 4: AI is a “Set It and Forget It” Solution

Some businesses think that once they implement AI, they can sit back and let it do all the work. But AI isn’t a one-and-done tool.

To get the best results, you need to continuously monitor and refine your AI-driven efforts. AI models evolve, and your marketing strategies should evolve with them. Regularly reviewing analytics, tweaking prompts, and fine-tuning AI-driven campaigns will ensure you’re maximizing its potential.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: The AI Advantage in Marketing

Now that we’ve busted those myths, let’s talk about how AI can actually work for you. Here are a few ways AI can take your marketing to the next level:

1. Automate the Boring Stuff

Repetitive tasks like scheduling social media posts, sending email campaigns, and sorting through customer data? AI can handle that. This gives you more time to focus on strategy, content creation, and big-picture thinking.

2. Unlock Powerful Customer Insights

AI is a powerful research tool for small businesses because it can analyze large amounts of customer data in seconds, helping you identify trends, predict behavior, and refine your marketing efforts. It’s like having a built-in data scientist—minus the hefty salary.

3. Boost Content Creation

Struggling with writer’s block? AI can generate blog post ideas and even help personalize email campaigns. You still add the final touch, but AI can help you get started.

4. Optimize Campaigns in Real Time

AI-powered tools can adjust your ad targeting, tweak website experiences, and suggest improvements to increase engagement. This helps you quickly pivot your marketing efforts without waiting weeks to analyze what went wrong.

5. Stay Ahead of the Competition

Marketing trends evolve quickly, but AI helps you keep up. Whether it’s identifying emerging trends or fine-tuning your SEO strategy, AI keeps your business one step ahead.

AI Isn’t the Future—It’s Right Now. Are You Ready?

AI isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s a powerful tool that can elevate your marketing efforts. By understanding what AI can and can’t do, small and mid-sized businesses can harness its potential to increase efficiency, boost creativity, and drive better results.

At Green Apple, we’re always looking for ways to help our clients embrace smart marketing strategies. If you’re ready to explore how AI can work for your business, reach out to us—we’d love to help you get started!

Why Isn’t My Marketing Working? How to Assess & Adjust

marketing not hitting the target

As the first quarter of the year wraps up, many small and mid-sized businesses find themselves asking some tough questions: Why isn’t our marketing plan delivering the results we expected? Are we targeting the right audience? Is our content resonating? If your marketing efforts haven’t taken off as planned, you’re not alone. Q1 often serves as a reality check, revealing what’s working and what’s not.

A great marketing plan shouldn’t be set in stone; it should evolve based on performance, audience response, and market shifts. The good news? There’s still plenty of time to adjust your approach and turn things around in 2025. Let’s explore how to assess your marketing efforts and pivot effectively for the rest of the year.

Q1 Reality Check: Is Your Marketing Plan Working?

Before making any changes, you need to take a step back and assess your progress. Here are four key questions to help determine if your marketing strategy is working or if it needs a refresh:

Are You Hitting Your Goals?

Revisit the key performance indicators (KPIs) you set at the beginning of the year. Are you seeing the website traffic, lead conversions, or engagement levels you aimed for? If not, identify where the gaps are and what might be causing them.

Is Your Audience Engaging?

Look at your analytics. Are people interacting with your content, opening your emails, or engaging with your social media posts? Low engagement could indicate that your messaging isn’t resonating or that you’re targeting the wrong audience.

Are Your Marketing Channels Performing?

Not all marketing channels yield the same results. It’s important to audit your digital marketing strategies and evaluate whether certain platforms (social media, email, paid ads) are driving better ROI than others. If a particular channel isn’t delivering, it might be time to shift resources.

Are External Factors Impacting Your Strategy?

While you don’t want to make excuses, it’s important to consider the market trends or industry shifts that can impact marketing performance. Have there been changes in your industry or audience behavior that require a strategic pivot?

How to Adjust Your Marketing Plan for the Rest of the Year

If your Q1 results suggest that your marketing plan needs tweaking, don’t panic. Here are four practical ways to adjust your strategy without starting from scratch:

Refine Your Targeting

If your message isn’t hitting home, your audience might not be as clearly defined as you thought. Use customer data, social insights, and analytics to refine your target audience. Adjust your messaging to better align with your audience’s pain points and priorities.

Reallocate Resources

If a particular channel or campaign is outperforming the rest, consider shifting more budget and effort toward it. Whether it’s a high-performing email campaign, a popular blog series, or a LinkedIn strategy that’s gaining traction, maximizing success in one area can help you recover lost ground.

Embrace A/B Testing

Marketing is all about iteration. If your ads aren’t converting or your emails aren’t getting opened, run A/B tests to experiment with different headlines, visuals, and calls to action. Small tweaks can lead to significant improvements over time.

Reinvigorate Your Messaging

Sometimes, a stale message can be the culprit behind underperformance. Try refreshing your brand voice, updating your website copy, or launching a new content series to spark renewed interest from your audience.

Small Pivots Mean Big Results—Let’s Make This Year Count!

If your marketing plan isn’t delivering the results you expected, don’t scrap it—adjust it. By evaluating your Q1 performance and making strategic pivots, you can set yourself up for a more successful year ahead.

Need a fresh perspective? Green Apple Strategy is here to help. Let’s work together to refine your marketing strategy and create momentum for this year. Contact our team today!

AI Prompts: Your Secret Weapon for More Effective Marketing Meetings

artificial intelligence for marketing

At Green Apple Strategy, we’ve had the privilege of participating in countless marketing meetings. While these meetings can dive into the details and require a lot of data analysis, we know they’re key opportunities to make a real impact and drive meaningful results for our clients. With the right tools, even the most routine discussions can spark creativity, encourage collaboration, and bring everyone together around clear goals. That’s where AI comes in!

As technology evolves, we’re constantly exploring new ways to use AI to improve our clients’ marketing efforts. One area where we’ve seen incredible results is enhanced productivity and creativity in marketing meetings.

How to Use AI for More Effective Marketing Meetings

AI isn’t just about data and automation; it’s about creating space for your team to focus on what truly matters—strategy, creativity, and connection. Here are three practical ways to use AI to transform your marketing meetings:

1. Automate Pre-Meeting Prep

Preparing for a meeting often takes as much time as the meeting itself. AI tools can help automate routine tasks by summarizing reports, organizing campaign data, and even generating quick performance snapshots. Instead of spending hours piecing together information, your team can start meetings with everything they need at their fingertips.

Example Tool: Platforms like ChatGPT or Jasper AI can create concise overviews of campaign performance metrics or audience insights.

2. Brainstorm Like a Pro

AI can also jumpstart the creative process by generating fresh ideas, taglines, or campaign angles. It doesn’t replace human creativity, but it can amplify it by providing inspiration and helping your team think outside the box.

Example Tool: Use AI to generate subject line variations for marketing emails or ad copy for new campaigns to fuel creative discussions.

3. Streamline Action Items

After a productive discussion, it’s easy for action items to get lost in translation. AI can help summarize key takeaways and assign the next steps in real time. This ensures nothing slips through the cracks and that everyone leaves the meeting with clarity.

Example Tool: Meeting tools like Otter.ai can transcribe discussions and highlight action points automatically.

AI Prompts for More Effective Marketing Meetings

Now, let’s get practical. AI can also help you prepare discussion questions to bring to your team to help you kickstart creativity and solve potential problems. Here are a few AI prompts you can use to kickstart more productive marketing meetings:

1. For Campaign Ideation

“Generate five creative campaign ideas to promote [product/service] to [target audience]. Include messaging, potential channels, and unique angles.”

This prompt can help spark fresh ideas when your team is brainstorming new campaigns or looking for innovative ways to reach customers.

2. For Solving Marketing Challenges

“What are some strategies to increase engagement for our [specific marketing channel, e.g., email, social media] based on current trends?”

You can use this prompt when your team needs actionable solutions to improve performance on underperforming channels.

3. For Aligning Marketing and Sales

“Suggest three questions marketing can ask sales to better align on [specific goal, e.g., lead generation, customer retention].”

This prompt fosters collaboration by helping marketing and sales teams understand each other’s priorities and challenges.

Unlock Your Marketing Potential

By incorporating AI-powered tools and prompts into your marketing meetings, you can unlock a new level of productivity and collaboration. You’ll have more time to have strategic discussions, uncover innovative ideas, and make data-driven decisions that drive real results.

At Green Apple Strategy, we believe in eliminating the guesswork from marketing. We leverage the power of AI and our expertise to develop and implement strategic marketing campaigns that help our clients achieve their goals. Contact us today or explore our approach to strategic planning to discover how we can help your business grow.

5 Steps to Build a Growth-Focused Marketing Plan for 2025

plant growing in someone's hand

Leading a small business or managing marketing efforts for a mid-size company can feel like a constant juggling act. You’re battling fires, chasing leads, and somehow trying to squeeze in time to plan for the future. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Many business owners and marketers feel overwhelmed by the pressure to “do it all.” It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture: creating a marketing plan that actually drives growth.

We’ve helped countless small and mid-sized businesses navigate these challenges and turn chaos into clear, actionable growth strategies. So, how do you build a winning marketing plan when you’re short on time? Let’s walk through some best practices for growth-focused planning for 2025—even with limited resources. 

How to Build a Growth-Focused Marketing Plan

Creating a marketing plan that drives growth doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, even small teams with tight budgets can focus on high-impact activities. Here are five best practices to guide your planning process:

1. Don’t Just “Do” Marketing, Understand Your Marketing

Often, when businesses say their “marketing isn’t working,” they’re really talking about their tactics (like social media ads or email campaigns). But the strategy is the big-picture roadmap that guides those tactics.

Take a step back and honestly evaluate what’s actually working and what’s falling flat. Dive into your analytics, talk to your customers, and ask yourself some tough questions:

  • Are your current tactics actually aligned with your business goals?
  • Are you spending your time and budget on the right things?

Understanding the “why” behind your results is key to focusing your efforts where they’ll have the biggest impact.

2. Find the Sweet Spot Between Strategy and Agility

Successful marketing planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Some initiatives require a comprehensive, long-term strategy, while others demand quick, targeted campaigns to address specific needs.

For example, at Green Apple, we often create annual marketing plans for our clients while also building room for agility. Whether it’s launching a product or addressing a sudden market shift, short-term campaigns should also align with your overarching business objectives. This approach to marketing planning helps you stay proactive rather than reactive.

3. Create a “Marketing Sandbox” for Experimentation

Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a safe space to test new ideas without risking your entire marketing budget? That’s the idea behind a “marketing sandbox.”

Think of it as a dedicated space for experimentation, You could:

The key is to dedicate a small portion of your resources to these experiments. You might be surprised at what you discover!

4. Plan for What Happens When Growth Takes Off

A growth-focused marketing plan isn’t just about generating leads or increasing visibility—it’s about preparing your business for what happens when growth becomes reality. What will you do when the demand surges, your customer base expands, or your products and services are in higher demand?

One of the most critical aspects of planning for growth is ensuring that your marketing efforts align with your operations. At Green Apple, we’ve seen firsthand how businesses can thrive when their marketing and operations are in sync. By incorporating this alignment into your plan from the start, you’ll set yourself up for sustainable success—not just a temporary spike in business.

5. Conquer the Daily Grind with Creative Efficiency

Building a growth-focused plan requires you to rise above the daily grind—but that doesn’t mean ignoring it. Balancing big-picture planning with day-to-day execution is key.

Carve out time for strategic thinking and brainstorming. Delegate or automate routine tasks whenever possible. Tools like project management software, social media scheduling platforms, and customer relationship management systems can help you stay focused on what matters most.

By finding creative ways to manage your workload, you’ll have the bandwidth to focus on activities that drive growth.

Ready to Build a Roadmap for Growth?

Crafting a winning marketing plan doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these tips and focusing on what truly matters, you can set your business up for success in the year ahead.

Green Apple Strategy specializes in helping small and mid-sized businesses like yours create clear, actionable growth strategies. We’ll work with you to understand your unique challenges and develop a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s make 2025 a pivotal growth year for your business. 

Green Apple’s Top Moments and Marketing Campaigns of 2024

work team celebrating high five in the office

As we embrace a new year and reflect on the last, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible work we’ve accomplished with our clients in 2024. From milestone transitions and acquisitions to innovative campaigns and strategic recruitment efforts, these projects highlight Green Apple Strategy’s commitment to crafting impactful strategies and solutions that drive growth and unlock new opportunities for success.  

Celebrating a Generational Legacy Through Strategic Storytelling

When Maxwell Roofing transitioned leadership to its third generation, Green Apple crafted a strategic public relations and storytelling campaign to celebrate this milestone. By securing several features in the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ) and a highlighted press release in Construction Dive, we reinforced Maxwell’s reputation as an industry leader while highlighting its family-owned legacy. 

The campaign achieved a 10.2 million potential editorial reach and received 100% positive sentiment, demonstrating the impact of creative storytelling and strategic media outreach. 

Urban Sweat Acquisition 

When Urban Sweat expanded its wellness footprint through the acquisition of CYL’s nine franchise locations, it turned to Green Apple for a seamless transition. We crafted a comprehensive acquisition marketing strategy that included messaging alignment, public relations, email marketing, and social media assets, ensuring consistent communication with franchise owners, employees, and loyal customers.

Our PR efforts generated 339 article placements and reached over 201 million potential readers, positioning Urban Sweat as a rising leader in the recovery and wellness space. By delivering turnkey support and cohesive messaging, we empowered Urban Sweat to focus on growth while we handled the strategy and execution. 

Read more about how our team’s strategy development services have supported additional client growth and expansion into new markets. 

Building A Stronger Brand from the Inside Out

Following the acquisition of its retail division, First Acceptance Insurance Company saw an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to its 700+ employees while elevating recruitment efforts. As a long-term partner of Acceptance Insurance, Green Apple Strategy worked with the First Acceptance Marketing and HR teams to develop an employment marketing strategy. Our new approach was rooted in employee feedback gathered through comprehensive surveys and interviews. 

The employee surveys yielded a wealth of insights, which helped Green Apple craft a clear set of core values for First Acceptance—Flexibility, Appreciation, Integrity, and Collaboration (FAIC). From this, our team developed the “FAICForward” campaign, an ongoing initiative designed to put these values into action. Employees are encouraged to nominate coworkers who exemplify these values to recognize them for their contributions. The initiative supports a positive, celebratory culture across the company while promoting greater employee engagement.

Beyond the internal impact, the campaign also serves as a recruitment tool, showcasing FAIC’s commitment to an employee-focused culture and setting the company apart in the competitive insurance industry. 

Charter Construction: A Strategic Approach to Recruitment 

Our partnership began with Charter Construction in 2024, and we immediately began work on several key projects, including one that would enhance the company’s recruitment efforts. The Green Apple team secured Charter’s participation in multiple career fairs at schools including MTSU, TSU, UTC, and Murray State, where Charter connected with top construction management and civil engineering students. We designed eye-catching customer banners and memorable swag to entice graduates to linger at the Charter booth during the fair. 

To attract new talent, we designed a structured internship program to provide real-world experience to graduates interested in project management, estimation, field work, and safety roles. The program is designed to nurture talent and create long-term employment opportunities, reflecting Charter’s commitment to fostering growth from within. An email automation strategy streamlined the follow-up process with prospects, eliminating any chance of missed connections and ensuring a seamless recruitment experience. 

Sharing the Love and Building Reputation

In February 2024, Green Apple assisted The Gardner School with a transformational initiative to increase the number of positive Google reviews associated with the organization. TGS is a nationwide leader in early childhood education with nearly 40 locations across nine states. With so many schools, TGS needed a comprehensive campaign to encourage satisfied families to share their experiences. In early February, Green Apple launched the  “Share the Love” campaign to align with Valentine’s Day. This review-generation strategy turned parents’ positive experiences into glowing Google reviews. We crafted a campaign that celebrated the bonds families share with TGS while building a stronger online presence and boosting SEO.

The results were remarkable: 

  • Over 200 new reviews in one month
  • A 1,741% increase in review volume compared to the previous year
  • An improved average rating of 4.86 stars 

Through campaign development, messaging and design strategy, and social media promotion, Green Apple helped TGS enhance its online reputation while fostering deeper connections with families.

Amplifying United Communications’ Mission

In Q2 of 2024, United Communications came to Green Apple Strategy with a specific goal: to promote their unprecedented rural broadband expansion in Williamson County. This initiative aimed to bring high-speed fiber internet to 8,000 new addresses, significantly increasing accessibility in the region.

Our efforts included crafting a comprehensive PR strategy that secured coverage in key media outlets, including The Tennessean and other local media platforms, generating a total reach of 29.9M in two months. To amplify the announcement, we developed a social media video featuring United’s leadership and Mayor Anderson, further highlighting the community impact of this investment.

Our work for United Communications demonstrates Green Apple’s expertise in strategic storytelling and media outreach, elevating United’s visibility and reinforcing its role as a leader in regional connectivity.

Strategic Services and Solutions to Grow Your Business 

At Green Apple Strategy, we’ve built our agency to serve clients differently. Our team delivers powerful strategic plans that can be seamlessly implemented by us or your own team—all to take your business to the next level. 
Learn more about our process or connect with our team to find out how we can work together.

FAIC

first acceptance insurance company team with awards
First Acceptance Insurance Company

Strengthening Employee Connections through a Strategic Marketing Approach

Following the acquisition of its retail division, First Acceptance Insurance Company was presented with a unique opportunity to reinforce its commitment to more than 700 claims professionals still at the heart of the company. At the same time, the company sought to elevate its recruitment efforts by showcasing the distinctive culture that made First Acceptance an outstanding place to work. 

 

As a long-term partner, Green Apple Strategy worked closely with the First Acceptance Marketing and Human Resources teams to develop an employment marketing strategy that not only engaged current employees but also enhanced recruitment efforts. By aligning HR and marketing, we supported First Acceptance’s employee retention and hiring goals in a meaningful, strategic way. 

– Building From Within –

Empowering Employees to Shape Company Culture

The acquisition opened a new chapter for First Acceptance and offered a fresh opportunity to redefine its brand narrative and employee culture. Recognizing that employees are the most vital part of their company, First Acceptance wanted its employer brand and messaging to be driven by its people. The company understood that by listening to its employees, it could create a more connected and engaged workforce, especially for those working remotely.

To ensure the employee brand reflected First Acceptance’s unique culture, Green Apple Strategy collaborated with the company’s HR team to design and distribute a series of employee surveys. These surveys were created to gather honest feedback from employees across the entire organization about their experiences working at the company, their views on the company’s values, and how connected they felt in their roles.

Green Apple worked hand-in-hand with the First Acceptance team throughout the process. Our goal was to ensure that employee feedback was at the center of the strategy and that everything employee-driven remained true to their voices. This collaborative approach helped us maintain integrity and foster an authentic representation of the company’s culture. It also positioned First Acceptance to build an employee-focused brand narrative that resonated with current employees while enhancing their recruitment efforts.

– Turning Values into Action –

Creating a Culture of Recognition and Engagement

The employee surveys yielded a wealth of insights, which helped Green Apple Strategy craft a clear set of core values for First Acceptance. These values not only captured the essence of the company but also unified employees around a shared identity. Through an employee-driven initiative, we identified four key values that could be remembered by the acronym FAIC—Flexibility, Appreciation, Integrity, and Collaboration.

From this, our team developed the “FAICForward” campaign, an ongoing initiative designed to put these values into action. The FAICForward campaign encourages employees to nominate coworkers who exemplify these values, recognizing and celebrating them for their contributions. This initiative not only promotes greater employee engagement but also creates a positive, celebratory culture across the company. It serves as a reminder to employees of the company’s core values and reinforces a sense of connection among team members.

Beyond internal engagement, the FAICForward campaign also became an essential element of First Acceptance’s recruitment strategy. It highlights the company’s unique, employee-driven culture to potential hires, positioning First Acceptance as a great place to work and setting them apart from competitors in the insurance industry. This blend of employee recognition and culture-focused recruitment creates a powerful tool for both retention and hiring efforts.

– Results –

A Strategic Partnership for Lasting Employee Connections

Although the FAICForward campaign is set to launch in 2025, the foundation has already been laid for its success. The ongoing partnership between Green Apple Strategy and First Acceptance has been key in developing and executing this initiative. Our data-driven approach helped First Acceptance think strategically about using marketing to support an HR-driven initiative, which will impact more than 700 employees across the company.

The trust built between Green Apple and the First Acceptance leadership team allowed us to tackle a new, core component of their business—one that goes beyond traditional marketing. Our partnership helped First Acceptance recognize the value of leveraging marketing expertise to enhance employee engagement and recruitment. Together, we’ve created an employment marketing strategy that not only strengthens employee connections but also supports the company’s long-term growth and success.

By focusing on both employee retention and recruitment, Green Apple Strategy is proud to help First Acceptance Insurance create deeper, more meaningful connections with their employees, setting them up for continued success in 2025 and beyond.

– Creative –

What We Did

Employee and Recruitment Marketing Strategy, Brand Messaging Strategy, Employee Surveys, Employee Engagement Campaign Development, Video Scripting and Production, Web Design and Development, Social Media, Email Marketing

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Is 2025 the Year to Expand? AI-Powered Market Research Tips for Small Businesses

businessman reviewing market research data

As we head into 2025, the business landscape is rife with opportunities for small to mid-size businesses. In fact, a recent report suggests that 8 in 10 small businesses are backing new growth plans for 2025. Expansion is exciting, but it comes with unique challenges. From identifying the right audience to refining your go-to-market strategy, getting it right is essential.

One of the most valuable benefits of AI for marketing is that it can significantly enhance market research for small and mid-size businesses. But just like other marketing resources, these tools are only as effective as the strategies behind them. Here’s how to leverage AI for smarter market expansion in 2025.

Unlocking the Power of AI for Market Research

1. Combine Human Expertise with AI Insights

Leveraging AI to automate tasks and process massive amounts of data in seconds reveals trends and insights you might otherwise miss. For example, tools like ChatGPT or Google’s AI-powered analytics platforms can analyze customer behavior or market trends.

But here’s the catch: AI doesn’t have the context you do. That’s why it’s essential to take AI-generated insights as a starting point and then layer in your industry knowledge to interpret them. For instance, if AI identifies a growing market segment, ask yourself: Does this trend align with my brand’s values and goals? By combining human expertise with AI tools, you can uncover more nuanced opportunities.

2. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptation

AI tools are powerful, but there can be pitfalls. Some don’t always provide real-time data, and algorithms may be slow to adapt to rapidly changing markets.

To stay ahead, continuously refine your strategies. Keep an eye on advancements in AI tools and make regular adjustments based on your own observations. Think of AI as an evolving partner, not a static solution. If you’re entering a new market, monitor performance metrics weekly and adjust campaigns as needed. 

3. Craft Tailored Go-to-Market Strategies

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all marketing. AI-powered tools like HubSpot or SEMrush allow you to drill down into specific customer personas and identify what resonates with them.

For example, AI can analyze search trends, social media engagement, and even sentiment analysis to pinpoint the needs of a niche audience. With this data, you can craft marketing messages that feel personalized. Targeting a younger demographic in a new region? Use AI to track popular cultural references and tailor your messaging accordingly. This precision can set you apart from competitors who are still casting a wide net.

4. Start Small and Scale Gradually

AI might seem like a magic wand, but its implementation requires time and experimentation. Instead of overhauling your entire market research process, start small with pilot projects.

For example, if you’re considering entering a new geographic market, use AI to run a test campaign for a single product or service. Monitor the performance, gather insights, and refine your approach before expanding further. This incremental strategy allows you to scale your efforts without overcommitting resources or making costly mistakes.

Charting Your Path: Need Support For Your Expansion Journey?

Navigating new markets can feel overwhelming, but AI-powered tools can help you make data-driven decisions with confidence. From identifying customer segments to refining marketing strategies, AI offers endless possibilities—if you know how to use it effectively.

At Green Apple Strategy, we are passionate about leveraging innovative tools like AI to enhance our agency. Our team can help you interpret the data, allocate resources to high-impact areas, and build tailored go-to-market strategies that deliver results.

Let’s make 2025 the year of smart expansion. Contact us today to schedule a discovery session and learn how we can help you grow your business with confidence.

Haven’t Planned Your 2025 Marketing Budget Yet? Here’s What to Do 

busy woman over laptop and notebooks

If you’re feeling a bit behind because you haven’t finalized your annual marketing budget yet, you’re not alone. Many small to mid-size businesses struggle with marketing budget planning, often pushing it off due to competing priorities.

The good news? There’s still time to create a solid plan, and you don’t have to do it alone. And it doesn’t have to be “perfect” to be effective. 

From Overwhelmed to On Track: Budget Planning in a Pinch

At Green Apple Strategy, we understand that life and business sometimes get in the way of proactive planning. Whether you’re navigating unexpected challenges or just didn’t get to it last year, we’ve worked with numerous clients in similar situations. Here are actionable steps to help you get your marketing budget back on track quickly and effectively.

1. No Random Acts of Marketing: Tie Efforts to Outcomes

The most important step in developing your annual marketing budget is to start with the big picture. What are your key business goals for 2025? Whether you’re aiming to increase revenue, build brand awareness, or launch a new product, your marketing budget should align with those objectives. 

​​If you’re crunched for time, focus on one or two top goals that will drive the most impact. Use a simple framework like SMART goals to define what success looks like and allocate your budget accordingly. 

2. Look Back to Move Forward: Find Your Quick Wins

If time is short, get creative with how you evaluate past performance. High-level metrics like top-performing campaigns, your best channels for engagement, and your most effective strategies can help guide your future decisions.  

Instead of a full-blown audit, try a “quick wins” analysis. Look at your top-performing campaigns or channels from the past year. Tools like Google Analytics or other social media insight programs can give you a snapshot of high-performing efforts in minutes.

3. Don’t Put All Your Dollars in One Basket

It’s easy to default to what’s comfortable, but putting all your budget into one tactic or channel can limit your reach. Instead, aim for a diversified approach. This increases the chances of connecting with your target audience in meaningful ways.

If you can, consider allocating a portion of your budget to new marketing tactics, innovative marketing trends, and emerging channels like TikTok or short-form videos that tap into new opportunities to connect with your audiences

4. Leave Room for the Unexpected: Budget Smarter, Not Harder

A marketing budget isn’t something you set and forget. It’s a living document that should evolve throughout the year. Keep it flexible by setting aside a contingency fund for unexpected opportunities or shifts in the market. 

Building this type of contingency fund into your marketing budget—5–10% of your total spend—can allow you to pivot quickly if something unexpected arises, like a last-minute campaign opportunity or an industry trend.

Get the Support You Need to Plan Smarter

If you’re feeling behind, don’t panic. With a little focused effort, you can create a marketing plan that aligns with your business goals and sets you up for a successful 2025. And if you’re looking for expert guidance, our team at Green Apple Strategy is here to help.

We specialize in developing strategic marketing plans that allocate resources to high-impact areas, ensuring optimal ROI. Our team can help you refine your budget, identify opportunities, and create a plan that grows with your business.

Ready to get started? Learn more about our strategic planning services or schedule a quick discovery call with our team today. Together, we’ll turn your marketing vision into actionable results.