Tampa Bay marketing companies that talk the same talk
Posted by Mediascaper on March 30, 2009
And by talk the same talk, I mean the exact same head-spinning language on their websites. Take a look (I’ve highlighted the differences in bold):
Executive Promotional Group (about page)
Executive Promotional Group, Inc. is a privately owned promotional marketing firm located in Tampa, FL. Justin Kirkpatrick founded the company in response to a demand by local area consumers and businesses for a more effective, personal and results-driven sales approach. We are focused on expanding onto new marketing areas, as the demand for our products and services has reached an all-time high. Our Clients look for rapid expansion, so that they will yield the highest success in their business, so Executive Promotional Group, Inc., rises to the challenge and foresees growth into 4 new markets in the next 12 months.
By implementing our promotional advertising and marketing concepts, which include field-test marketing, on-site promotions, community awareness programs and unequaled speed-to-market results, we allow our clients to take advantage of the power of our face-to-face and results-driven approach. As we continue to build brand loyalty through emerging communication opportunities and non-traditional media maximization, we are determined to provide the best results for each and every client we represent.
Bright Marketing Solutions About Page
BMS is a privately owned promotional marketing firm located in Tampa, FL. Adam Borger founded the company in response to a demand by local area consumers and businesses for a more effective, personal, and results-driven sales approach. We are focused on expanding into new marketing areas, as the demand for our products and services has reached an all time high. Our Clients look for rapid expansion, so that they will yield the highest success in their business, so BMS rises to the challenge and foresees growth into 6 new markets in the next 12 months.
By implementing our promotional advertising and marketing concepts, which include field-test marketing, on-site promotions, community awareness programs and unequaled speed-to-market results, we allow our clients to take advantage of the power of our face-to-face and results-driven approach. As we continue to build brand loyalty through emerging communication opportunities and non-traditional media maximization, we are determined to provide the best results for each and every client we represent.
When I spoke to “Melinda” at Executive Promotional Group on the phone this morning and pointed out that both websites were using virtually the same text, she said the companies weren’t related. Hmm.
Now read the home page info for Pro Source Services and the above companies:
We are a company that is dedicated to developing human potential and relationships in its team members, customers and clients. Our mission is to generate solutions where the client, company and customers are all better off for having taken part in this “win, win, win” strategy.
A unique synergistic effect takes place and this is what separates us from our competition. Our customers are the lifeblood of our success. Through our marketing services we’ve developed campaigns that have real world value for the customer.
BMS is a company that is dedicated to developing human potential and relationships in its team members, customers, and clients. Our mission is to generate real world solutions where the client, company and customers are all better off for having taken a part with this “win, win, win” strategy. A unique synergistic effect takes place and this is what separates us from our competition.
Our customers are the lifeblood of the success of BMS. By creating incentive-based printed promotional pieces, we’ve developed an advertising campaign that has real world value to our customers. Through our marketing services we’ve developed campaigns that have real world value for the customer. Customers are now able to use the incentive-based packages to enjoy the services our clients provide at little or no cost. Thus, creating customers for our clients as well as initiating what could eventually become a long time loyalty between the client and customer. Lastly, the teams at BMS will work together in unity towards the creation and execution of these plans, in order for the “win, win, win” strategy to truly pay off for all parties involved.
Executive Promotional Group, Inc. is a company that is dedicated to developing human potential and relationships in its team members, customers, and clients. Our mission is to generate real world solutions where the client, company and customers are all better off for having taken a part with this “win, win, win” strategy. A unique synergistic effect takes place and this is what separates us from our competition.
Our customers are the lifeblood of the success of Executive Promotional Group. By creating incentive-based printed promotional pieces, we’ve developed an advertising campaign that has real world value to our customers. Through our marketing services we’ve developed campaigns that have real world value for the customer. Customers are now able to use the incentive-based packages to enjoy the services our clients provide at little or no cost. Thus, creating customers for our clients as well as initiating what could eventually become a long time loyalty between the client and customer.
Lastly, the teams at Executive Promotional Group will work together in unity towards the creation and execution of these plans, in order for the win, win, win strategy to truly pay off for all parties involved.
I went to the WhoIs pages for each of the websites to determine if they were registered by the same person/company. The brightms.net domain was registered on February 11 of this year, according to WhoIs. The registrant is eStream, Inc.
Executivepg.com was registered through Go Daddy.com on November 24, 2007. The registrant is listed as “Visions,” based in Norwich, Conn. Their website, govisions.com, reveals them to be a Web, print and media design company. On the Portfolio page, executivepg is listed as a client.
Prosourceservices.info was registered Feb. 6, 2009. The registrant listed is Ace 4 Graphics, based in Province, Ala. I couldn’t find a website for “Ace 4 Graphics,” but I did find the person listed as a contact, Annisa Roth. Who is also listed as the designer at the lower-right-hand corner of the prosourceservices page.
wildkard85 said
Thank you a great deal for looking into this growing plague on the marketing community. I normally never fall for such a farce but due to my haste to find a day job I went to the first interview for Executive Promotional Group. The building is located on Benjamin Road near the airport and shares office space with 5 other companies. Inside the office there is no furniture. The equipment is cheap and yet my interviewer Justin Kirkpatrick was dressed in a business suit and sporting an Iphone. He had no examples of his companies work save a few framed pictures with no copy and he referenced them as though he had something to do with the ads. Come to find out, his interview and sales pitch were the exact same as that of another lackey Derek (whose last name escapes me) whose “office” in Clearwater off U.S. 19 near the Bob Evans. Both of them also gave me the same puzzled look when I threw out advertising and market terms at them in response to their interview questions. When i also told Kirkpatrick I had delved into PR and Journalism he told me he had done the same yet knew nothing about the topics.
Now what they do is convince clients to stop their traditional marketing (TV, Radio, Newspaper, Billboard) and sell them on the idea of creating “packages” at no cost to the company. For example they will create a package deal for an oil change company such as 4 oil changes for $25 when typically 4 changes come to around $80. Executive Promotional Group will then attempt to sell their ‘coupons’ by accosting pedestrians on the street or entering office buildings that specifically say ‘no solicitations’. EPG will sell legitimate companies on the idea that these deals will help establish long-term relationships with customer-client.
Kirkpatrick told me within in five minutes that he thought I had management potential and wanted to train me to be promoted within 8 months. Furthermore he wanted to set a shadow day for me to canvas the city of Tampa with an “account executive”. Sweet Deal right? What EPG fails to mention to it’s potential hires is that every hire becomes an account executive. In the meantime Kirkpatrick spends his entire day interviewing potential hires. Everyday there is a new group of employees. Now why would a marketing firm need to hire everyday? In order to obtain a management position account executive must recruit prospective employees into a “team” mentality. Once the executive has enough people he will start his own “branch” in a small dilapidated office building similar to the one Justin Kirkpatrick rents. For every dollar the account execs make they have to give a fairly high percentage back to the manager who then sends a kickback to his manager and so on and so forth. All these companies are related they are all branches of former coworkers taking money from eager job seekers. A pyramid scheme such as this can pay massive dividends for a few people twisted enough to take advantage of hard workers.
Aguilar68 said
WildKard85,
Your awesome, thank you so much for your well needed insight. I was actually going to send my resume over to them tonight.
God Bless,
Anthony Salveggi said
@Wildkard — Thanks for the insight into what sounds like a misleading job offer at best, and a scam at worst.
Rod Steele said
Who runs a marketing firm out of a tiny office with no name on the door, no client list, and no advertising samples??? I agree with all the info. listed in the above blogs …. As any good potential employee I researched the “company” (Executive Promotional Group) before my interview….I called asking for the client list, because it was not listed on the website, “Natalie” or “Melinda” was unable to give me that information over the phone…..I went by the “office” address on Benjamin Rd there was not even a sign/name on the small, sketchy looking office door….Inside the “office” there was hardly any furniture, only a cheap looking desk, a few chairs and blank walls…..Something is off with this company for sure…..
So glad I did not waste even more time going to the interview….thank you for the info!
virtualjournalist said
Rod — I’m glad I could help. Your story illustrates the importance of researching a company — not just to impress your interviewers, but for your own protection as well.
Alex Pickett said
good stuff. now you must tackle those damn telemarketers!
michi2 said
Just so that you are aware I’ve never been paid for my work with Bright Marketing. so BEWARE!
Jay said
Hey Michi2… is this BRIGHT MARKETING SOLUTIONS you are referring to? Just curious to know if it’s the same company that I have an interview with this morning? Thanks!
Caitlin said
I’m so glad I came across this. I’m a recent college graduate and this was my first interview offer, I was excited but once I started reading into it I got pretty skeptical. I’m so happy someone could confirm my suspicions and now I won’t waste my time with them..
Steve said
Thanks for writing this. I got an interview with them and I immediately search their name on the net. Thanks for saving my time. I owe you a beer sometime.
Mediascaper said
Glad to be of service (no beer necessary!)
Lois said
Does anyone know details about Pro Source Services on Roosevelt in Largo? Thanks
Jay said
You guys are the best! It’s people like you that make me appreciate the internet each and every day! Can you imagine looking for a job without being able to
research a company or blog on the net! I googled “BRIGHT” or “BRIGHT MARKETING SOLUTIONS” (LINK TO WEBSITE) and found all these story’s! My interview was scheduled for 10:30 tomorrow morning! Now I’m going to save my gas money and time! lmfao Oh yeah, they found my resume or I filled out an application through Jobs.net / Careerbulider.
Jay said
Oh yeah the location to “BRIGHT” or “BRIGHT MARKETING SOLUTIONS” is 4511 N. Himes Ave., Suite 200 – Tampa, FL 33614 – Thanks for the heads up everyone!!!
Vanessa said
OK! What does BMS do? I have an interview on tuesday???
Vanessa said
OK with reading and research i’ve found my answer…..Really i wasted my time on this crap!!!!! Where are all the Good Jobs for People who went to College??????????????
Whitney said
Omg thank you so much! I was having a hard time finding information on these companies so I already had my suspicions. I scheduled an interview for this upcoming Friday, for which I would have had to take off work at my current job in Gainesville, FL and drive down. This info saved me money and time AND kept me from angering my bosses with such short notice!
Also, please beware that I had Bay Point Marketing on Benjamin Road contact me, but it sounds as though they are Executive Promotional Group. The contact person was also named “Melinda” so it sounds that they are doing business under a new name.
Thanks again! And I agree, where are the jobs for people with a college degree???? I am marketable, right? At least that’s what they told me before they took my $40,000 for tuition. LOL
Whitney said
Actually just checked Executive Promotional Group’s website. It is the EXACT address that Bay Point Marketing emailed me for the interview confirmation. Man, they are sneaky!
Jay said
Yeah there’s a few out there I’m skeptical about…
Bewae of these companies!
1. Vector Marketing Group – “PRETTY SURE THEY’RE NO GOOD”
2. Bright Marketing Solutions or just “BRIGHT” – “DEFINETLY NO GOOD”
3. Executive Promotional Group – “DEFINETLY NO GOOD”
4. Pro Source Services
5. Lex Marketing
6. Independent Producers of America (Independence Holding Company)
7. Essential Communication Solutions
8. Annex Marketing – “DEFINETLY NO GOOD”
carla said
i just scheduled an interview with both companies before i looked at this page. i know careerbuilder.com can’t catch all of the scams that pay them to advertise ever college grad’s dream job but it is also very sad that places like this exist. they probably don’t ever pay you. thanks to everyone!
Stephanie said
Hi–
Thanks for this information. I saw the jobs listed for these so-called marketing companies on a couple of sites. The language used smelled fishy to me, like the focus on restaurant & hospitality workers having exactly the sort of people skills they are seeking, no experience required, and so on. And, no legitimate hiring manager solicits phone calls from all & sundry. It definitely sounded like they were up to something, but what? I found this site of commentary through my attempts to find real websites for those companies…Bay Point & Annex were the two I had seen. Interesting if totally despicable scam.
Adam said
I am prior manager of one of these types of companies. I do not approve of how the companies are run which is why a quit. I would suggest not working for these organizations. You do gain valuable sales skills which any company would be lucky to have…but that is it. If anyone has any questions about these organizations feel free to contact me through this site and I would be more than happy to answer them.
Anthony Salveggi…you should contact me…I would like to ask you some questions about your posts and other things.
kris said
After sending my resume to Bay Point Marketing via careerbuilder.com, I recieved an e-mail wanting to set a time to schedule an interview. I found this site while trying to research the company. I found it odd that there does not seem to be an official website for the company, and after reading these comments I am concerned that this may be a scam. What experience did you have with this company?
lisa said
Adam, my daughter has an interview with them today at 1:00. I have been trying to find information on this company and, so far, all I have found has been negative.
Can you shed more light. She graduated from USF two years ago and is looking to now start her professional career. I wouldn’t want her first professional experience to be a negative impact.
Richard said
I have an interview tommorrow with Prosource Services and I was wondering if anyone could give me some info about them. Sounds like they are no good just like the rest.
Adam said
Sorry for not getting back to everyone sooner…
To everyone that is applying. These companies do work with really good companies. Why they worked with our companies I am not sure. I can only imagine that they do not know the environment that the employee’s work in. As a manager, your not going to rid yourself of your own clients by telling them all of the negative details either. When I began in these companies I did well, but my goal was to make the company more honest and upstanding. Unfortunatly my peers did not agree with me. If you ever wanted to get involved in sales, and you have no experience, this job would be a good start. You will learn alot of great sales skills and break MANY comfort zones, depending on the structure of the office. You must know that all of the positions at these companies are commission. THERE ARE NO HOURLY JOBS HERE. They will be door to door or business to business, or sales inside department stores (All big name brands, which I will not list). Now the commission part is not horrible, I like the commission becuase I work hard at all that I do. But in these companies your commission is not worth the work you put in. They will tell you about how much managers make though. Let me be the first to tell you that they don’t make that much. Unfortunatly, most of your money will pay the people above you. They also neglect to tell you about what it is that they pay for and what you pay for when you get to management (overhead…while the over head is lower than most companies by far, so is the amount of money comming in).
Like most applicants, I was a graduate from a 4 year university with no sales skills. These companies will hire just about anyone and everyone. These days they are becomming a bit more selective because of websites like these where people can post what ever they like. Not that anyone who has posted something negative is wrong. They are right to certain degrees. I got involved in this company to make money when I started. I wanted the upward advancement and the possibility for management.
To sum it all up…because I can ramble on for ever…and I will answer more question as they come up…
If you want sales skills…apply for the job and you will get them.
If you want people skills…apply and you will get them.
If you want public speaking skills…apply and you will get them.
But that is it.
In the end I learned alot, and so will you if you do join. But I would continue searching for work as you work at one these companies. This a stepping stone job…definatly not a career.
Chelsea said
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had an interview today with Bay Point Marketing. It is the same address as the other locations listed. I am going to cancel it right away…and unfortunately, continue my job search.
Dave R said
Ever heard of Pro Source Services in Clearwater? Sounds like the same deal…
“Our company has experienced tremendous growth since we opened our doors this year. Working with clients in the Fashion and Cosmetic Industry as well as on the Fortune 500 has brought us to expand locally. Recently launching a NEW DIVISION and working with companies from the Home Improvement industry, we have plans to continue our geographic expansion so to increase market penetration and customer clientele.
Pro Source Services, Inc. is now scouting for self-motivated individuals to assist with new campaigns! We are the number one, full service, promotional marketing firm in the Clearwater area and we specialize in providing event based marketing, on site retail marketing campaigns as well as direct marketing campaigns for a variety of clients in many different industries. We have recently expanded our firm and ‘jumped’ into several different divisions and suddenly have openings at the ENTRY LEVEL that must be filled right away!
Only thing I could find was Pro Source Flooring in Clearwater
Dave R
David said
DO NOT WORK FOR BAY POINT MARKETING. I promise you that the owner Jo Hester will not pay you correctly. They will hire anyone. She will steal from you every chance she gets.
Lee said
thank you for posting this info. I have been scammed by a marketing company before and decided to do more investigation on Bay Point Marketing before my own interview tomorrow, just to make sure I was going somewhere legit. Its just a shame I even have to look to make sure I’m not getting scammed, but I’m glad I did. I talked to the lady “Melinda”, but there was also a someone named JB who was supposed to be my contact person originally. Maybe that is Justin B Kirkpatrick….?? Thank you to everyone who takes the time to warn others about these places.
Also beware of Trendline Marketing who deal with Bank of America.
Julie said
I went for an interview with one of these marketing companies, and decided not to go for the “second interview,” thank God. But my friend didn’t listen to me. She said she showed up at the office in Clearwater, and the “boss” (I forget his name) told them they would be selling products for Nascar, and IdentiKid programs. Well, this day was their “Nascar” promotion. He had them all get into his van, and he drove them around to different gas stations. While my friend was in a professional suit and heels, she walked up and down the streets of downtown clearwater trying to sell car wash solution! She said she had never felt more embarrassed in her life, and what was worse, she didn’t even have her car there to be able to leave and go home. Since this was just an ‘interview’ she didn’t get paid either. Thank GOD I didn’t stick around. I just recently had a call back from Bay Point Marketing, and their website and information look almost identical to the scam I almost fell for over a year ago, so I didn’t even show up to the interview. Good luck to everyone, please be careful not to get duped!
Also: in Tampa, FL, KB Promotions is hiring for a Cruise Line call center: DON’T BOTHER. Look up their report on ripoffreport.com in case you are all stalking Craig’s List and other job sources like me. It’s hard to find a real job offer, but don’t fall for them!
sarahdees said
I got ripped off in an employment scam recently, an “Artist In Residence” scam. The fraud that hired me and did not pay me for work I did is Michael Louis Brittingham. I wrote a blog about my experiences.
http://warningmichaelbrittingham.wordpress.com
There was nothing negative posted about Michael Brittingham online when I checked him out, but after I got burned, I investigated deeper, and met others he scammed. We got together as a support group, and reported him to police in four countries. There are at least seven Rip Off Reports posted about him now.
This guy is online everywhere, currently running a fraud called “The Michael Jackson Museum Club.” He is on myspace and has multiple NING groups. He lives as a predator, finding people on the internet and approaching them with employment scams, and grandiose promises of helping them with whatever he finds out they want and need. Then he leeches from them.
I didn’t recognize this man’s actions as a scam, because I made it clear that I am a cancer survivor, already in debt from cancer treatment and losing my home to foreclosure. I couldn’t imagine what a “successful businessman” like this would want to take from someone like me. There is a very real group of scum that preys on people already struggling, just trying to get decent work, to take care of their families and survive. It’s hard to even comprehend this type of cyber criminal exists and that is a tool and technique they use to keep in business.
After this bad experience, I’ve gone back to job hunting online, and right away, I got requests for interviews from IPA and Annex Marketing. I’ve also been to an interview before for Pro Source. I’ve got a clearer view now and I am wary of everything. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to check and
dig deep, before you commit to any kind of job. There are so many employment scams, and some aren’t immediately recognizable, like the one I got sucked into.
I want to thank you for posting this site. I’ve done the same kind of thing with my blog. We have to speak up and we have to use their favorite tool for scamming people, the internet, to bring down these Rip offs. They can use the net to find us, but we can use it to identify them too, and warn off any future potential prey. That’s the best hope we have of stopping them.
You can also report these criminals easily online. Here’s the link for the Internet Crime Complaint Center. (IC3)
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
The IC3 is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). IC3’s mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. Victims of cyber crime can use this convenient and easy way to report suspected criminal or civil violations to authorities.
I hope the people who have been snared by these local Tampa firms will report them to the IC3 so legal efforts can be taken to stop them.
Sarah Dees