Lamer Gray Extends Helping Hand
Broken Arrow Ledger, Sunday, June 15, 2003
Lamer Gray Marketing and Public Relations is a new, small company with a positive story to tell during a time of funding shortfalls and a slow economy.
Co-founders Maryann Lamer and Dana Gray were recently laid off from WilTel. After watching friends and coworkers laid off one after another during the past two years, they knew they had to take control of their own careers and secure their own futures. Being long-time Broken Arrow residents with families in town, they didn’t want to relocate.
Lamer and Gray looked to their skills sets in marketing and public relations, but also in developing websites, managing special events, and raising funds for worthy causes.
Lamer holds a bachelor of science from the University of Tulsa, a masters in journalism from The University of Oklahoma, and a masters in business administration from Southern Nazarene University. She serves as adjunct instructor of marketing, public relations, and international business for Southern Nazarene University and the University of Phoenix.
Gray is an award-winning public relations practitioner who earned national accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America in 1990. She holds a master of science in telecommunications management from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor of arts degree in mass media news and in advertising/public relations from the University of Tulsa. Gray led the public relations and communications efforts at QuikTrip, including media/community relations, crisis management, and employee communications.
That combination of skills and 45 years experience uniquely suited them to help nonprofits suffering from the depressed economy and funding cutbacks. Lamer and Gray had always donated their skills to help nonprofits, so they were acutely aware of how the depressed economy was severely hurting the nonprofits that help individuals in Green Country communities. It was a negative cycle spiraling downward.
Lamer Gray set out to find the proverbial silver lining behind in the dark economic cloud hanging over Tulsa. They adopted a pro bono policy of always donating work to every nonprofit client with whom they contract.
Taking on the role of
marketing and development for nonprofit organizations, Lamer Gray has been
writing grants, coordinating special events, earning media exposure, creating
innovative websites for online donations and generating fresh ideas in the
cause-marketing realm.
“There are numerous vehicles for raising funds outside writing grants, says
Gray. “Teaming up with local and national companies can be a win-win for
everyone.”
But marketing consultants aren't just for nonprofits. Many small to medium sized businesses look for outside help when seeking a dedicated team to build a total marketing strategy for increased leads, product launches and media relations.
“The decision to outsource some or all of your marketing requires a close look at the skills needed to grow your business. While some companies prefer to keep everything in house, trends show that companies are increasingly outsourcing marketing, public relations, website design, graphic design and communications,” says Lamer.
“Because nonprofits and small businesses don't have to fund employee benefits for out-sourced staff, our concept has proven to be economically efficient,” says Dana Gray. She estimates clients have saved about 60% compared to what it would cost to hire full time staff.
Their clients include Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) where they recently promoted the DVIS annual fundraiser concert at the Brady Theater starring Joan Jett.