meet our founders: deirdre & dave purdy
Q&A with Purdy Marketing Co. co-founders:
Purdy Marketing Co. is a boutique marketing firm that specializes in developing and executing marketing strategies for small to mid-sized businesses, across a variety of industries. The company was founded by brother and sister pair – Dave Purdy and Deirdre Purdy – in the hopes of creating an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and strategic foresight to businesses looking to develop and amplify their brand.
With a varied skill set but shared appreciation for out-of-the-box thinking, Dave and Deirdre bring a fresh perspective to each and every project – big or small – to get you and your customers excited about your brand.
Q: WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Deirdre: I grew up watching my dad and uncle launch and grow multiple businesses, and had a front row seat to the ups and downs of business ownership. After 10+ years of working in the marketing industry – both agency and in-house – I knew I wanted to take everything I learned and apply it to my own business. Having the ability to set our own company standards, values, and client portfolio allows us to be truly passionate about the work we take on.
Dave: In any successful project I’ve been a part of, there have always been a few common threads: a well-defined goal, a clear roadmap, and a team of people that were each put in positions to thrive. By starting my own business, I knew I’d have the opportunity to take on more projects I’m passionate about, and the ability to hand pick teams of people I knew would be perfect for the job. It was an added bonus that I was able to start this business with my sister, since we each have a unique set of skills that compliment one another – despite our years of annoying each other growing up (go figure)!
Q: WHAT MAKES PMC DIFFERENT FROM YOUR TYPICAL MARKETING FIRM?
Dave: Deirdre and I both know firsthand that there’s nothing worse than trusting a firm to handle your marketing, only to learn months down the line that they neither care about, nor fully understand your business. When starting Purdy Marketing Co., Deirdre and I knew we wanted to build a business that had the resources and time to create a truly unique marketing plan for each of our clients, and help them build a brand that they’re proud of.
Deirdre: From the beginning, it’s been important to both Dave and myself that our company take an individualized approach to each and every project we take on. It’s not uncommon at other agencies for a project to be assigned to whoever is available at a given time. At Purdy Marketing Co., we have the ability to curate a specific team of creatives that will undoubtedly deliver on our client’s unique needs. Not only does that practice ensure the quality of work, but it also keeps our employees and partners passionate about the projects they’re working on. There’s nothing worse than an uninspired marketing team!
Q: IF YOU HAD TO PICK YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE PMC PROCESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Dave: Whenever we take on a new client, it feels like an opportunity to explore a brand new idea, which I love. Because no two clients are the same, we place a heavy emphasis on gaining a thorough understanding of their company from the onset. My favorite part about the job is learning the nuances of each client’s business, which is ultimately what allows us to develop their brand’s voice and message.
Deirdre: The favorite thing about my job has always been working with clients to develop a toolbox of strategies and materials that can drive their brand forward and offer a competitive advantage. So many companies are focused on the tactical areas of running their business that they lose sight of the brand’s overall message and voice. At Purdy Marketing Co., we develop a custom blueprint for the client that holds all foundational elements together and helps inform marketing decisions moving forward. It’s so rewarding knowing we can provide that resource to our clients!
Q: DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE AN INDUSTRY OR AREA YOU SPECIALIZE IN?
Deirdre: As far as industries go, I’ve been lucky enough to work with a wide range of clientele over the years, all requiring different levels of marketing support. That being said, the majority of my clients could probably be grouped into one of the following categories: health tech, real estate, financial services, consumer goods and not-for-profit.
In terms of areas of expertise, I like to straddle the line where strategy meets execution. The first few years of my career were very tactical – building and managing timelines, budgets, event logistics, etc. – which gives me a deepened appreciation and understanding for the level of detail required for any project. After taking on more strategic roles in planning and developing the high-level objectives for my clients, I realized that you can’t fully succeed in one without the other. You need the space to develop the big picture, without losing sight of the steps required to get there. It’s kind of the perfect balance between my Type-A personality and my creative side – so it’s good to exercise both parts of the brain! And I love guiding clients through that process.
Dave: While Deirdre has more of an agency background, I’ve largely been in-house for the majority of my career, specifically within the healthcare and consumer product industries. Similarly to Deirdre, my early projects were rooted in logistics – timelines, project management, etc. Coming from a background in video and graphic design, though, I jumped on any opportunity to get involved in the creative deliverables. And while my roles eventually became more strategy-based, I remain heavily involved in the creative side of any project I take on.
Q: WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE A COMPANY THAT’S UNSURE OF WHERE TO START IN TERMS OF MARKETING STRATEGY?
Dave: Any marketing you do should be grounded in your business’ core set of values. Regardless of the industry you’re in, your messaging will resonate more with your audience if it’s rooted in purpose, as opposed to any individual product/service. Before you even build out your marketing strategy, I’d recommend taking the time to understand why your company does what it does, and why that’s important to your audience.
Deirdre: Don’t be scared to ask for help! Just be sure to do your research before trusting an outside vendor with your brand. Find someone that will maintain the brand’s integrity and collaborate with your team to find a strategy that is unique to you.
