JJR Marketing Inc.

Chicago's western suburbs are home to this marketing and public relations agency, which describes itself as one of the fastest growing in the area. JJR Marketing's central idea is that its clients want press: they want to be talked about in blogs, on the business pages, in magazine features and on social media, and it sets out to put a client's brand in the middle of the media that matter most to that client's audience.

Missions, not projects

The agency says it does not do projects. It takes on missions, each led by a mission manager, with the aim of generating buzz, leads, referrals, sales and growth, and in the end loyal brand advocates. Its stated approach is to stir emotion with a compelling message, engage an audience on its own terms and report measurable results. It promises accountability, extra value and what it calls passionate perspective, together with respect for the client's budget.

Public relations through media relationships

PR is described as an energy that builds relationships across different channels, since no single road reaches an entire audience. The team reaches media influencers who in turn connect a client with customers, peers, referral sources, employees and investors. Staff who are themselves former journalists and editors say they have earned the media's respect by pitching timely, relevant news angles.

Strategy, content and creative

Before creating anything, the agency sits down with a client's team to understand business targets, looking at position statements, branding audits, market research, audience personas and the corporate vision. These become visuals and messaging in the form of branding pieces, videos, websites, ghostwriting, book design, lead generation programs and online campaigns. Social media is treated as a dialogue to be held with the right people at the right time.

Books and publishing

A sister company, Fig Factor Media, helps authors create, publish and promote books, and JJR points clients with a story to tell toward it.

Sectors it highlights

The agency pays special attention to manufacturers, whom it calls the backbone of American business, and to IT companies that need case studies, sell sheets, spec sheets and thought leadership content. It also covers cause marketing for non-profit organizations, which it says needs a thematic approach to donor cultivation and brand awareness.

JJR Marketing Inc. is a marketing and public relations agency in the west suburbs of Chicago. Its focus is getting client brands into the media their customers, peers and investors actually read or watch.

Products and services

• Public relations: pitching timely news angles to journalists, editors and other media influencers.
• Marketing strategy: a plan built around the client's brand, products, markets and media.
• Content and creative: written and visual material to carry the brand message.
• Social media: engagement with the right audiences at the right moments.

Customers and markets

Companies and thought leaders looking to raise awareness of their brand. The agency treats each engagement as a mission handled by a named mission manager rather than a one-off project.

Key facts

• Based in: Chicago's west suburbs, Illinois
• Team background: staff who have worked as journalists and editors
• Working style: accountability, measurable results and respect for the client's budget