#MarketingMixer | Speed-date Bingo

As Marketing Matchmakers, Valentine’s Day is a special time for the Setup team. In February during pre-pandemic days, we would host “speed-dating” events for marketing agencies and brands to connect with and learn about one another’s needs, business, and personal goals. Since going virtual, we’ve explored themed topic events with 1:1 networking sessions that included panels, case study showcases, and group discussions.

After two long years of no speed-dating, we decided to bring this beloved event back, but with an added twist: Bingo!

“I always enjoy the Marketing Mixer events. I know the format was a lot different this time around, but I liked it! It kept everyone on their toes, broke the ice and added some extra excitement to the standard ‘meet & greet.’”

— Erin Judd | Senior Account Manager | PlayOn! Sports

Before the fun began, the Setup team shared their secret tips to connecting with and maintaining relationships. They are:

Focus on what ignites a spark in someone beyond their 9-5.
Bring a wing-man to networking events to bounce ideas back and forth.
Set a reminder on your calendar to check in with this person one to three months after the initial connection.
Find three fun facts about the person that you can use to either call back to or use to find a commonality with another person to foster more connections.

Attendees from agencies and brands like Siemens Healthineers, Newell Brands, The Home Depot, Boehringer Ingelheim, and more were tasked with the following:

You will be split into several breakout sessions over the course of 20 minutes.
Using the Setup “bingo” card, you will have 2-3 minutes to find out something about your partner.
At the end, attendees will share the fun things they learned, and the ones with the most boxes checked will win a gift card.

Energetic, chaotic, and uplifting, the purpose of this event was to have participants walk away with:

New networking tips in their tool belt.
Enough information about someone to spark a follow-up conversation after the event.

We were thrilled with the feedback, and cannot wait for more!

“It was the kind of fun Zoom meetings should be. Everyone was engaged, it was fast paced, and it was happy.”

— Kit Hughes | Look Listen | CEO

“These networking events are so different from other ones that I’ve experienced. I always leave having made at least one quality connection. It sets the tone for the rest of my day.”

— Erin Judd | Senior Account Manager | PlayOn! Sports

“I think they are engaging events and allow for an easy way to meet and network with new people.”

— Kate Fornasiero | Marketing Technology Operations Manager | The Home Depot

“Very well organized, personal, fun, everyone was extremely polite and engaged.”

— Flynn Zaiger | Online Optimism | CEO

Upcoming Events

The #MarketingMixers provide opportunities for marketers to learn and connect virtually in a stress-free environment. The next #MarketingMixer is “Show + Tell,” featuring the case studies of several brand representatives followed by some networking. RSVP below.

RSVP to 5/19

Want to connect?

If you would like to know more about Setup, connect with us!

We believe in connecting marketers in various ways, so let us connect you to the perfect marketing agency to suit your needs, to different industry marketers to learn from, and/or to relevant job roles/positions to grow your career. We are here and ready to make more marketing matches for you so that you can level up in your career.

Want to have a 1:1 match with a marketing professional right now? Join our free ongoing program: Marketer Matchups!

Blog

#MarketingMixer | Capability Showcase Recap - 10 Case Studies in 90 Minutes

At Setup, we work with some of the finest marketing agencies across the nation with an array of capabilities. Our most recent March #MarketingMixer gave our partners a platform to share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into their process, strategy, and campaign results in under two hours. Ten case studies in 90 minutes, with some fun trivia in between, featuring an array of brands like adidas, ParkMobile, PAMA, Prudential, and more.

Setup's 10th Anniversary | Thank You

As Setup celebrates our 10th anniversary, we reflect on a decade of pioneering the art of marketing matchmaking. From our early days as AgencySparks to our rebrand in 2019 to become Setup and all the way to today, we've been dedicated to bridging the gap between brands seeking expert marketing support and agencies capable of delivering outstanding results.

#MarketersBreakfast | Proving Marketing’s Value

The beauty of our #MarketersBreakfast is that we gather a collection of marketing leaders with years of experience who are eager to connect and share their expertise when discussing an array of topics. For example, one of our recent breakfasts dove into “Marketing Therapy,” or marketers’ main challenges. This led to dedicating an entire breakfast to proving ROI and the Value of Marketing to the Executive Suite.

#MarketingMixer | Finding + Hiring Talent Recap

For this Mixer, we decided to cover “How to Attract Top Talent” since employers and interviewees are curious about how to navigate the job market and how to recruit the best talent. Our partners at Hire Profile are recruiting visionaries with the experience and tools to provide marketing and creative staffing and recruiting solutions to companies in the greater Atlanta area.

#MarketersBreakfast Recap | Marketing Therapy

A lot has happened in the last six or seven years, and what better way to process challenges than through group therapy? Whether in your personal or professional life, it’s important to realize you are never alone, and challenges are just opportunities for growth, innovation, and insights.

For the event, we crowdsourced challenges Marketing leaders face, and then discussed those questions as a group. Talking points ranged from discussing rising AI technology, to acquiring talent, to branding strategies. Below is a brief recap of the conversation. (We kept the identity of contributors anonymous in true Therapy form.)

In This Dame and Age - #ShareYourStory Event Recap

The Setup Women in Marketing series highlights the thoughts and advice of prominent marketing brand and agency leaders in companies. Our most recent In This Dame and Age event encouraged women from all backgrounds to #ShareYourStory.

An hour of networking and discussion led to 4 key points women, and all marketing leaders, should keep in mind.

#MarketersBreakfast - Connection is in the Air!

Three years after our last Speed-Dating breakfast, we were finally able to return to our favorite and most cherished in-person event!

With glitter hearts decorating the tables, and guiding questions to spark the romance, we kicked off the love-filled event with several agency partners and clients like Papa Johns, Orkin, Jabra, and more.

7 Ways SetUp Grew in 2022

The New Year is a time to reflect on the past and make movements towards the future. At Setup, we are proud of the past year that led to new services and resources for the Marketing community, and look forward to the next year to continue to empower Marketers to level up.

#MarketingMixer | Seasonality in Marketing Recap

The Setup #MarketingMixer is a chance for marketing leaders to connect, discuss, and learn. At previous Mixers, we’ve hosted a number of panelists, held a marketing agency showcase, discussed burnout and business matchmaking, and even facilitated Marketer “speed-dating.”

We love the opportunity to bring together the best and brightest minds to share their experiences and, in this case, we heard from three unique brands about their perspective on “The Seasonality of Marketing.”

Ad Age Feature | The Setup 2022 Marketing Relationship Survey

For the past four years, Setup has conducted a Marketing Relationship Survey to take the pulse on how Companies (Brands/Clients) and Marketing Agencies operate and work together. Because we live in the space between Brands and Agencies, we are in a unique position to bridge any gaps - in communication, work style, work needs, and more. In that vein, we’re excited to share the results of this year’s survey to provide insight and perspective on the current state of Agency-Client relationships.

Check out the results that were recently featured in Ad Age!

In This Dame and Age | Leadership Styles Event Recap

The Setup Women in Marketing series highlights the thoughts and advice of prominent marketing brand and agency leaders. The contributors’ powerful stories and advice led to our all-women networking group: In This Dame and Age, where we host virtual discussions and connect women marketing leaders with one another.

The latest event about exploring and leveraging different Leadership Styles was attended by agency leaders and brand representatives from companies such as Invesco, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Great Clips, Slutty Vegan, and more.

#MarketersBreakfast - Fostering Human Connection

At Setup, we love to facilitate environments where people can network and embrace themselves freely, so our #MarketersBreakfast for August 2022 was all about “Getting Back to the Basics to Find Human Connection.”

At this breakfast, no one was a stranger.

With a balance of attendees from both marketing agency and brand leadership teams, the breakfast consisted of open networking and an “improv” activity led by Setup’s Marketing Manager, Madeline Evans, who is actively teaching and performing improv professionally in Atlanta.

Hybrid Work - The Future Is Already Here

Most employers are not (and will not) demand workers to be in-person in the office five days a week. That means that there are many days when employees work from a home office, coffee shop, co-working space, or some other remote location. Connecting with coworkers through video and audio will only continue to grow.

Setup hosted a breakfast for some brand-side marketers to discuss remote work and how to make it better.

In This Dame and Age | Creativity + Connection Event Recap

The Setup Women in Marketing series highlights the thoughts and advice of prominent marketing brand and agency leaders. The contributors’ powerful stories and advice led to our all-women networking group: In This Dame and Age, where we host discussions and connect women marketing leaders with one another. The latest event we held a discussion about fostering Creativity + Connection in the workplace.

#MarketersBreakfast - In Person at Last!

For our first #MarketersBreakfast event back at the Miami Ad School @ Portfolio Center, we revisited a classic theme: Show and Tell, to share the marketing strategies, thought processes, and success stories of incredible brands like Aaron’s, NCR, The Coca-Cola Company, and ParkMobile.

In this Dame and Age | Mentorship Event Recap

Setup’s latest Women’s Event “In This Dame and Age” discussed the importance and power of Mentorship. Representatives from a variety of companies such as Truist, IHG, Regal Cinemas, Hiscox USA, and The Home Depot attended to network and share their stories.

Setup's 8th Anniversary | Leveling Up

This blog post was written by Setup Founder and CEO, Joe Koufman, highlighting the origin of Setup and the multiple achievements that have followed throughout the years.

#MarketingMixer | Speed-date Bingo

In February during pre-pandemic days, we would host “speed-dating” events for marketing agencies and brands to connect with and learn about one another’s needs, business, and personal goals. Since going virtual, we’ve explored themed topic events with 1:1 networking sessions that included panels, case study showcases, and group discussions.

After two long years of no speed-dating, we decided to bring this beloved event back, but with an added twist: Bingo!

Lighting a Tiny Spark | Company Purpose + Pursuing Passions

After a year of Covid, our Marketing Manager, Madeline Evans, went to camp over the summer to bring joy, insights, and a new Setup offering to the office. Read about the lessons she learned from the entire experience and more!

October #MarketingMixer | Beating Burnout

The October #MarketingMixer was the last one of the of the year! At the event, we provided tips to marketing leaders to combat burnout for themselves and their team. In addition to our input, the leaders who attended from a variety of companies such as Delta Airlines, Zep, Char-Broil, FIS, and more shared their own methods in their breakout and discussion rooms which ranged from running, dancing, and painting rocks.

#MarketingMixer | An Inside Look into the Client-Agency Relationship

As the expert marketing matchmakers, Setup prides ourselves on knowing the ins and outs of the agency-client relationship. After countless matches and conversations with both parties + yearly surveys tracking trends in the relationship, we’ve managed to highlight a few common themes.

In our latest virtual #MarketingMixer, we presented these findings to a group of marketing leaders from both the client and agency sides.

#MarketingMixer│Marketing Group Therapy Recap

At Setup, we prioritize creating a safe space for communication between our client-side and agency-side marketers, and what better way to do that than through a therapy session. Last Thursday, we continued to foster those important conversations at our virtual #MarketingMixer event where we held our Marketing Group Therapy Discussion.

#MarketingMixer | The Marketing Multiverse

The Marketing Multiverse: Marketing in Small, Medium + Large Companies featured a panel of marketers with similar job roles from different sized beverage companies sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. The CEO of Arden's Garden Leslie Zinn represented the small company, the CMO of SweetWater Brewing Company Brian Miesieski represented the mid-sized company, and the Group Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Freestyle at The Coca-Cola Company Eric Lewis represented the larger company.

#MarketingMixer | Business Matchmaking

Our February #MarketingMixer offered attendees the opportunity to learn about business matchmaking and then put their skills to the test in one-on-one Zoom break out sessions.

Top 10 Setup® Achievements in 2020

It is no suprise that 2020 was a tough year for many (global pandemic, racial injustice, divisive politics, and economic despair). While we at Setup had our share of difficulties, 2020 was a pivotal year that transformed our business from a regional to a national scope as the preeminent marketing matchmakers in the US.

In the spirit of celebrating wins in the face of adversity, here are some of our top achievements from the past year.

#MarketingMixer | Ins[peer]ation Discussion Recap

Our November #MarketingMixer focused on providing an avenue for marketers to share their trials and triumphs during 2020. This intimate event allowed marketing professionals to network directly with one another in breakout rooms, and then share their successes and obstacles with one another in the main room. Marketers walked away with new insights, connections, and the desire to learn more from different industries and perspectives.

#MarketingMixer | Network + Learn with Melissa Proctor Recap

At our latest #MarketingMixer, we leaned into our matchmaking mantra and hosted a virtual interview and networking event featuring the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Melissa Proctor.

#MarketingMixer | Capability Showcase Recap

The Capability Showcase gives viewers an exclusive look into the process and strategy behind developing a successful marketing campaign for established brands like Coca-Cola, Pampers, YouTube, and more.

#MarketingMixer | The Bright Side

Every quarter, Setup hosts a #MarketersBreakfast to connect and educate marketing leaders from brands and agencies. While the informative conversations and networking are normally in person, due to recent events, Setup hosted a virtual panel to discuss the marketer’s perspective on the challenges and positive outcomes that have sprouted due to COVID-19.

Alongside moderator, Joe Koufman, the CEO and Founder of Setup, the guest panelists included:

Julie Bowerman | Chief Global Digital Consumer + Customer Experience Officer at The Kellogg Company
Tim Minahan | EVP Business Strategy + Chief Marketing Officer at Citrix
Douwe Bergsma | Chief Marketing Officer at Piedmont Healthcare

Marketing Relationship Survey: The Agency-Client Relationship in 2020

Setup exists to empower and connect marketers which enables us to have a unique perspective on the agency-client relationship. Due to this, we conduct an annual marketing relationship survey where we ask marketing leaders about both the brand and agency experience to help us understand their interactions and thought processes.

In late-2019, we targeted senior-level marketers via email, LinkedIn, and social media channels and heard back from more than 230 marketing leaders (62% on the client-side and 38% on the agency-side).

Check out what marketers most care about going into 2020!

Setup News/EventsSetup - marketing matchmakersFebruary 15, 2022#marketingmixer, speed datingComment

#MarketingMixer | Speed-date Bingo

Before the fun began, the Setup team shared their secret tips to connecting with and maintaining relationships. They are:

Focus on what ignites a spark in someone beyond their 9-5.

Bring a wing-man to networking events to bounce ideas back and forth.

Set a reminder on your calendar to check in with this person one to three months after the initial connection.

Find three fun facts about the person that you can use to either call back to or use to find a commonality with another person to foster more connections.

Upcoming Events

Want to connect?

Navigation

For Brands

For Agencies