Services
Marketing & Communications Programs
Stepping Stone Strategies is skilled at both developing and executing marketing and communications programs that achieve growth and communications objectives for businesses and non-profits. Our work begins with a fact-based analysis of relevant markets, constituencies, and client objectives; ideation and strategy development; followed by tactical execution as required. ST3 frequently partners with other consultants and agencies to deliver scale and skills in all disciplines required.
ST3 President Brad Fay is a highly experienced marketer with national and local credentials. Brad served on the board of the Chicago-based Word of Mouth Marketing Association for four years, one as Chairman; he oversaw public relations, and digital and content marketing for data and analytics firm Engagement Labs; he has provided marketing advisory services to Grit + Polish, an innovative start-up salon owned by his wife Jacqueline Fay. In 2018 Brad successfully launched his first documentary film, Farming in the Millstone Valley: Past & Present, to a sold-out audience at the Princeton Garden Theater.
ST3 believes the best strategy begins with data and analytics, drawing on the founder’s experience as a researcher and executive of the Roper Reports, RoperASW, NOP World, GfK, Keller Fay Group, and Engagement Labs. Brad also brings to marcoms projects the skills of an experienced writer, having authored an award-winning book and served as an editor and journalist in the early stages of his career.
A special area of expertise, and the subject of Brad Fay’s book is “social marketing,” which includes social media as well as tactics designed to promote face-to-face word-of-mouth and recommendations.
ST3 is available to work on marketing and communications programs on a fixed-fee project or per diem basis.
Business & Non-profit Strategy
Stepping Stone Strategies is skilled in assisting businesses and non-profits in developing start-up or re-launch strategies.
ST3 founder and president Brad Fay has played a key role in launching two businesses, Keller Fay Group (now Engagement Labs) with his long-time business partner Ed Keller, and Grit + Polish with his wife Jacqueline Fay. Both companies have become widely known and respected in their respective marketplaces.
Brad has also been an active in re-launching two local non-profit groups, the Van Harlingen Historical Society and the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition. In both instances, he updated organization mission statements, re-energized governing boards, oversaw new digital marketing platforms, and the development of new brochures and videos. He also has experience in writing grant proposals.
ST3 is available to work on strategy projects on a fixed-fee or per diem basis.
Agriculture Marketing
Local farming is on the rise, but New Jersey has fallen into last place among the Northeast States in selling farm produce directly to consumers. The main reason is the state spends precious little in marketing the “Garden State” for its farming assets.
To reverse this trend, Stepping Stone Strategies has assembled a large coalition of Central New Jersey farms, farm-to-table restaurants, craft beverage makers, hotels, and other related businesses to launch a new agritourism platform with the web address of DiscoverCentralNJ.com. Working with the Brooklyn-based agritourism marketing agency Escapemaker.com, the site is being promoted to people in New York, Philadelphia, and North Jersey who are interested in visiting rural areas.
The initiative also promotes our local historic, arts, and recreation sites, which combine with agricultural assets to make Central Jersey a great please to visit and live. The focus area is currently Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties, where ST3 is collaborating with local Destination Marketing Organizations to promote the Central Garden State near and far.
The initiative is an outgrowth of Brad Fay’s work in helping to write and produce the 2018 documentary Farming in the Millstone Valley: Past & Present.
Research & Analytics
Stepping Stone Strategies President Brad Fay has over 25 years of experience as a pollster, market researcher, and senior leader of an analytics company, Engagement Labs. He is highly experienced at designing and overseeing survey research projects, and particularly in analyzing and summarizing key findings and implications, as he did for his award-winning book, The Face-to-Face Book: Why Real Relationships Rule in a Digital Marketplace.
Deep areas of expertise include advertising effectiveness, customer satisfaction, brand equity, market segmentation, and market trends. In addition to survey research, Brad can also undertake desk-research and analytics assignments.
Brad is past president of the Market Research Council, with numerous connections throughout the industry, making it possible to identify highly skilled specialists and global vendors as needed.
Public Speaking & Writing
Brad Fay of Stepping Stone Strategies is a prolific writer and speaker. In addition to his book, The Face-to-Face Book and his documentary screenplay, Farming in the Millstone Valley, Brad has been published in MediaPost, the Journal of Advertising Research, Admap, and the Trenton Times.
Brad has also spoken at a variety of conferences and universities, including the Word of Mouth Marketing Association Summits, conferences of the Advertising Research Foundation, NetBase Live, The Wharton School/University of Penn., Colby College, Landmark College, and Boston University. Watch Brad in an extended on-air interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ1PNTUmJS8&t=462s
To book Brad as a speaker, or for writing services, email ST3 at: brad@steppingstonestrategies.com.
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