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Client Successes
StarCite Inc.
StarCite is the leading innovator of web-based technologies
and services supporting the $300 billion global meetings and
events industry. The company was spun out of McGettigan
Partners, a 70-year-old meeting planning firm based in
Philadelphia, in early 1999. StarCite brings together
hundreds of thousands of meeting planners and suppliers to
create successful business meetings using online tools
located on their website, www.starcite.com.
Soon after its founding, Internet Capital Group (NAS:ICGE),
StarCite’s strategic partner, brought Aceda in to coalesce
and implement the business strategy and help bring the web
site to fruition. The goal was nothing less than creating
the most successful meeting planning site on the internet -
"open for business" in less than 6 months after the
engagement started.
Solution
In the area of marketing, Aceda defined the company’s
positioning and corporate branding, including the
development of the logo and tagline and the product
collateral. They played a key role in the development of the
technology offerings, providing product management
experience. A public relations strategy was developed and
implemented. Aceda also worked with the CEO and President to
interview and hire marketing candidates, including a
permanent replacement.
Business development efforts led to the creation and
implementation of StarCite's business development strategy,
which focused on identifying the leading players in the
corporate travel and facilities arenas, and developing a
compelling reason for them to enter into a strategic
relationship with a start-up.
Aceda’s sales efforts centered on recruiting, hiring and
training a telesales team. Aceda devised and implemented a
46-city sales tour that brought together potential users of
StarCite’s services on both the supplier and buyer sides.
Results
Aceda played instrumental roles in establishing
relationships with the largest meeting industry players
including Maritz, and BI, setting the stage for future
relationships with companies such as Hyatt, Hilton and
Starwood. Aceda also helped to recruit and hire a permanent
VP of Business Development.
StarCite was launched on time in November 1999 at a
well-attended premiere at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel in New York City. A business relationship was formed
with American Express, the number one corporate travel
agency in the world. This relationship became so deep that
American Express was a significant investor in a round of
financing received by StarCite in May 2001. Today, StarCite
provides solutions for thousands of clients worldwide,
including KPMG and Holland America.
Additional
Information
Roles - VP Marketing, VP Business Development, VP
Regional Sales
Tenure - 9 months
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