Capabilities

Strategic Communications Design - The Hannon Group works with clients to help assess priority needs and concerns, develop realistic and hard-hitting goals, and craft messages, strategies and tactics (promotions, special events, materials etc.) that make a positive impact on the bottom line. Strategy is mapped out for both external and internal audiences for businesses and other organizations.

Market Research - The Hannon Group's research services include quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis and report writing. We use methodologies including surveys (online, print, telephone and in-person), focus groups and interviews for employee and audience research, message and product testing and message delivery analysis.

In 2006, we provided keen target audience insights to help several of our clients develop national, regional and state-wide advertising and marketing campaigns to promote products or initiatives.  The Hannon Group conducted nearly 40 focus groups to test a range of products and concepts on everything from new wireless phone prototypes to ad campaigns promoting safe driving.  We ran focus groups in different markets throughout the country including, but not limited to, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Cincinnati, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.  We designed and conducted close to a dozen surveys, including online and store intercept surveys.

Our clients appreciate our ability to recruit participants that represent not only their current customers, but also the potential customers they are trying to reach.  We excel at designing and conducting studies that enable us to conduct a comparative analysis of different types of customers so that the client has a strong indication of what appeals to one group versus another.  Often, we help the client to identify products or messages that appeal to more than one kind of customer, which results in a cost-savings to the client.

In 2006, we conducted focus groups and surveys for clients such as the United States Department of Health and Human Services, DURON Paints and Wallcoverings, xG Technology and the Maryland State Department of Transportation.  These clients are incorporating the findings into their advertising and marketing plans for 2007.

Multicultural Marketing - The Hannon Group has extensive experience in developing culturally appropriate and relevant ethnic outreach campaigns and materials. We are experts in using culturally appropriate visual and content cues to reach ethnic audiences including African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American audiences.

In 2005, The Hannon Group was part of the Arnold Worldwide team that won a prestigious Addy Award for the advertising agency's AMTRAK advertising campaign. For the campaign, Arnold Worldwide secured the services of The Hannon Group to develop 30 and 60 second radio ads targeting African American travelers. The Hannon Group also reviewed print advertisements for cultural relevancy and appropriateness. In addition, the company designed an online media buy strategy to promote AMTRAK's services to African American travelers.

Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR, founder of The Hannon Group continues to be a thought leader in the area of multicultural marketing and diversity. In addition to her groundbreaking work for the United States' largest social marketing campaign, the National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign, Ms. Wills Hannon continues to contribute to cutting-edge research in the area of diversity. Most recently, she was an editor of The 2005 Functional Diversity Primer. Published by Diversity Best Practices, the book documents the best practices of Fortune 500 companies in the area of diversity. The Primer "explores the strategies, innovations, and philosophies of the greatest business leaders today."

Social Marketing - The Hannon Group has expertise in developing and executing innovative, creative and effective social marketing and behavior change strategies. The Hannon Group has developed award-winning outreach publications that have touched the lives of millions of Americans, changing their behaviors and improving their futures.

Media Relations - The Hannon Group provides support for press conferences and media briefings and develops materials including press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, white papers, and radio and video news releases. In addition, we coordinate press conferences and press briefings, as well as assemble press packets and prepare other media packages.

Skills Building Training - The Hannon Group extends client skills by designing and conducting dynamic and interactive training sessions in areas including team building, diversity management, interpersonal communications, constructive feedback, public speaking and media interviewing.

Promotional Materials - The Hannon Group designs and produces Web sites, brochures, posters, newsletters, press materials, issue papers and reports.