Michael Mantese brought a fresh perspective to Eskew Dumez Ripple, a nationally recognized architecture firm, when he joined in 2017. Coming from a New York City digital marketing and advertising agency, he brought a data-driven, people-centric approach to the firm’s marketing and content creation strategies. As marketing director, he leads the firm with the same values and elevates its brand storytelling through his photographer’s eye.

In this episode, Michelle chats with Michael about tools and strategies for cutting-edge architecture marketing, content ideation and amplification, and how marketing departments can leverage analytics and technology. Michael also shares how his photography background influences his marketing work, including ways marketers can collaborate with photographers to tell better project stories.

• Who is Michael Mantese is

• About Eskew Dumez Ripple

• The growing importance of data analytics in effective marketing

• Insights into Eskew Dumez’s research-based content ideation approach

• How to repurpose project case studies and proposals into omnichannel content

• Ways thought leadership can support proposal writing (and vice-versa)

• How Eskew Dumez leverages technology as a competitive advantage

• New ideas for leveraging photography to tell better project stories

Michael Mantese brings a storyteller’s craft to communicating Eskew Dumez Ripple’s brand identity and mission. A writer at heart, he expands this skillset with a background in user experience design — letting market insights, data and analytics drive his decision-making, rather than assuming he knows what every audience is thinking. He augments this storytelling with a keen visual eye and maintains a particular fondness for photography and typography.

Before joining Eskew Dumez Ripple, Michael worked in the tech industry, designing digital experiences for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Marriott, Amex and City University of New York (CUNY).

• Check out Eskew Dumez Ripple

• Follow Eskew Dumez Ripple on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• Connect with Michael Mantese on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

• Read the latest on EDR+

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.

Soon after starting as an intern architect, Heather Blazi realized the job didn’t spark joy quite the way she imagined while watching HGTV as a kid. So she adjusted her path. Today, she’s the marketing director at Pfluger Architects, a design firm specializing in the education market.

Heather joins us to discuss owning your niche, market expansion and building an effective team with diverse skills. She shares why Pfluger encourages architects to use LinkedIn and how a strong brand supports proposal development, boosts employee engagement and amplifies recruitment efforts.

• Who Heather Blazi is

• About Pfluger Architects

• How Heather’s architecture background influences her work as a marketer

• Insights into the growing intersection between marketing and business development

• The benefits of niche marketing

• How to effectively leverage your niche during proposal writing and market expansion

• Why use thought leadership to market your team’s knowledge, expertise and capabilities

• The importance of a strong firm brand and positioning

• About Pfluger’s recent successes with strategic email marketing

• Why Pfluger encourages its architects to use LinkedIn

• How people-centric social media posts aid in attracting prospective clients and architecture talent

Heather Blazi is the principal-in-charge of marketing at Pfluger Architects, a firm on a mission to inspire people to create a more meaningful human experience. With nearly 10 years of experience, Heather has planned and executed marketing initiatives contributing to Pfluger's growth and expansion across Texas. Beyond the world of architectural marketing, Heather has two daughters who bring boundless inspiration (and chaos) to her every day, reminding her of the importance of creativity, adaptability and being open to a fresh perspective. Heather enjoys volunteering and crafting anytime she can. With a heart for service, a commitment to her family and a flair for strategic thinking, she hopes to continue making a positive impact on those around her.

• Check out Pfluger Architects

• Follow Pfluger Architects on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• Connect with Heather Blazi on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.