Deborah Todd
MBA, University of Memphis
Ms. Todd has over 25 years experience in building and implementing strategic marketing and business development programs and initiatives for services industries. Prior to starting Consensus Marketing, she served as head of law firm marketing over a 13 year span for Balch & Bingham, Baker Donelson Bearman & Caldwell, and Gardere Wynne Sewell, building and managing high-level, results-oriented marketing and business development programs.
Before entering law firm marketing she was the Consumer Loan Product Manager and head of marketing for the National Lending Division of BBVA Compass. She was selected for Compass Bank’s Management Training Program and was awarded and completed a marketing internship with General Electric’s Mobile Communications Headquarters. She received her MBA from the University of Memphis in 2000 and a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Econ-Business in 1987 from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Professional Services Firm Marketing Background
An early stage innovator in marketing services and products for the legal and accounting industries, she has been responsible for the creation and development of several first to market concepts and products that make marketing success and marketing management easier and more streamlined, allowing lawyers and accountants to reap more marketing success. In addition, her focus has been capturing the unique brand and positioning opportunities for firms, allowing them to stand out in key markets and industries. Here are a few highlights during her tenure as head of marketing for three major firms:
– Achieved annual 7% increase in new clients
– 30% annual increase in proposals for new business
– Developed several “first ever” brand strategies and law firm marketing regional campaigns for several firms
– Created one of the first automated proposal / web systems for the attorney marketing in 1997
– Launched and managed tech and telecom attorney marketing initiatives
– 64% increase in premium PR hits over a 2 year period
– Secured major national law firm writing awards
– Launched / managed rollout of media and promotions surrounding two major mergers
– Reengineered the law firm marketing functions, processes, systems and materials in each firm
– Instituted extensive data collection for firm, practice area / service lines and attorney marketing
– Coordinated law firm marketing planning, key client analyses, client retention surveys and market research
– Instituted client team and prospect team programs and processes, along with attorney marketing cross-selling programs
– Instituted extensive attorney marketing training and business development programs
Consulting Highlights
Since 2004, the core focus has been work with small and medium-sized law firm marketing and accounting firm marketing efforts. Here are a few highlights:
– Implementing data collection on firm successes and expertise
– Firm marketing and service line planning
– Client retention, survey and interview programs
– Client loyalty initiatives
– Reengineering practices for professionals during tough economic times
– Implementing polished materials
– Launching 100, 50 and 25 year anniversary and branding programs
– Industry-specific branding initiatives
– State of the art referral programs
– Initiated joint marketing efforts for firms and their top referral sources
– Training programs with homework and practice assignments
In 2011, officially launched MyFirmMarketing, the first do-it-yourself, affordable and constantly updated marketing resource for professionals and in 2013, launched on of the first marketing apps for attorney marketing and accountant marketing.