DeBonis Builds Effective Branding and Lead Generation for the Marketing Agency’s Franchise Partners
Purple Penguin Digital, a franchise digital marketing agency, named Mary DeBonis vice president of marketing. With this role, DeBonis builds effective branding and lead generation for the marketing agency’s franchise partners including Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Atlantic Poké, and Blue Moon Estate Sales. DeBonis brings more than 25 years’ experience in digital advertising, event marketing, strategic partnerships, ads, blogs, and PR to the role.
As the former marketing advisor for franchise systems like Ramada Worldwide, Coldwell Banker, and Huntington Learning Center, DeBonis balanced the needs of franchisors and franchisees. As vice president of marketing, she assists the team to achieve the goals of Purple Penguin Digital’s clients.
“I am honored to work alongside such a caring, talented team of professionals. It’s easy to see why they’ve been so successful for over 13 years,” DeBonis said.
She looks forward to working with Penguin’s leadership team. “They are extremely talented, very warm and caring—it’s truly a family atmosphere. It starts at the top with our president, Jason Sunday, an Army veteran and platoon leader, who provides our team with inspiring leadership, and a clear vision.”
Sunday believes that DeBonis will be an asset to Penguin’s leadership team. “Mary’s keen marketing experience and franchise knowledge has helped propel our agency forward. We are thrilled she has joined our team.”
DeBonis was attracted to the digital marketing agency because of the opportunity to build the brand from the ground up. “It was a little daunting at first, but it’s been exciting to develop the new logo and branding including our new purple penguin mascot, the layout and content of the new website, determining the lead generation activities and overall digital presence for the brand. It’s truly a unique opportunity and probably once in a lifetime for me.”
DeBonis and Marketing
DeBonis started her marketing career after college when she was hired as the marketing manager of Howard Johnson Hotels. “I loved the opportunity to market such an iconic brand, and I enjoyed supporting the franchisees with their regional and local marketing.” She was later promoted to director of marketing and then offered a position with Ramada Worldwide.
DeBonis was originally on track to study political science when she entered George Washington University but quickly realized that she wanted to be a marketer. “I remembered liking the marketing class, so I transferred my major and have been in love with marketing ever since.” She loves nurturing and building a brand and helping to generate leads.
DeBonis urges franchisors to get back to the basics when it comes to marketing strategy. “Identify target audiences, finetune an attractive offer and clear messaging, finalize the budget, and work with digital and general marketing experts to develop the best plan.”