• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 10, 2014

Pittsburgh-based MARC USA has launched Marketing Sparks, a new program to give start-up entrepreneurs the opportunity to work with marketing experts at the front-end of the business development process. 

The goal of these intensive, three-hour “marketing hacks” is for entrepreneurs to come away with actionable strategic and tactical marketing communications and business development ideas that will help to maximize their chances of success. 

“Similar programs in Boston and elsewhere have shown that great marketing and communications provided early in the business life cycle can improve the odds of attracting the best customers, employees and investors,” said Michelle Fabrizi, President and CEO MARC USA. “Pittsburgh has such a vibrant start-up community, and we want to do all we can to support their efforts.” 

The agency has recruited a diverse pool of experts in strategy, PR, creative, research, digital and media – not only its own staff but also from other agencies and local businesses, such as PNC Bank. 

The first Marketing Sparks event will be held in May. Participating startups will include winners from a local event called the Randall Family Big Idea Competition, a program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Innovation Institute. 

Future Marketing Sparks events will feature start-ups identified by other universities, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and local incubators, MARC said.