Renoster Systems
Marketing Lead, May 2020 - December 2020
Marketing Strategy for a Conservation Tech Startup
Renoster Systems is a conservation technology company striving to provide high-quality data to researchers to fuel scientific innovation. As the first marketing lead for the company, I worked with company founder and CEO Saif Bhatti to quickly learn the basics of the technology and the international wildlife preservation industry. I developed the foundational work in brand strategy, content marketing, social media and partnership outreach to help this early-stage startup expand.
Online Media Strategy
Wearing multiple marketing hats in a startup environment was a great opportunity to utilize my Medill Journalism courses and experience to help position Renoster Systems Inc. for growth. I grew brand awareness and built partnership connections with wildlife photographers, rangers and preserves on Instagram. I created Renoster’s LinkedIn to position the company’s persona in the professional world to connect with world-class non-profits, like The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
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LinkedIn
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Instagram
Out West with Renoster
Early on in my role, I learned the importance of using my Northwestern network to secure partnerships for Renoster. Over the course of my role, I connected with leaders from WWF, FLIR, The Nature Conservancy, General Motors, The National Park Service, Google, National Geographic, and African reserves.
I also wrote and designed an article spread for Renoster to use in future partner developments with Chevrolet. Right now it lives as an internal document/IP between Renoster and Chevrolet (not able to share publicly), but for this 5-page spread, I used visuals and copy to depict the value of Chevrolet vehicles in helping conduct Renoster technology testing. This partnership positions both companies as leaders in sustainable and innovative technology.
Core skills used: Research, Writing, design, pitching, Adobe XD, Procreate & Photoshop
Startup Culture and Pitching
As part of a startup, I was able to work within the business strategy of the company as well. This included creating the 10-page in-depth executive summary to be sent to investors along with a more concise one-pager pitch.
I learned firsthand how to work with investors, pitch ideas and persevere through rejection. I have taken my experiences from Renoster into my Integrated Marketing Communications courses to further learn how to build the business strategy of a startup.
Renoster is now part of the Techstars Sustainability Accelerator 2021 cohort, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy located in Boulder, Colorado. I am inspired by Founder Saif Bhatti’s vision for the company and am grateful for his continued mentorship.
Photo: CEO and Founder Saif Bhatti and Renoster Advisor Nick Marchuk discuss the Renoster technology in the Northwestern McCormick Lab.
Content Marketing
Developing Renoster’s story and brand through reporting and newsletters
I researched, wrote and designed various content marketing pieces targeted to Renoster’s investors, partners and international wildlife reserves. Distribution media included the website, social media, newsletters (Mailchimp) and direct marketing.
I created monthly newsletters sent to Renoster followers to foster interest and partnerships. Through surveys, Mailchimp and a CRM database, I could grow engagement through each stage of Renoster’s R&D.