Case Studies

Case Study: Acentech

The year Acentech marked its 60th year in business, the firm decided to shake things up and launch a focused public relations program with the help of Rhino Public Relations. Acentech Inc., a nationally recognized multi-disciplinary acoustics, audiovisual systems design, and vibration consulting firm, began working with Rhino PR in January 2008 with the goal of generating positive coverage and expanding its name recognition in a list of vertical markets for its three practice disciplines. As the direct descendant of the highly regarded Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN) acoustics consultant group, Acentech works with a broad range of clients and projects, from shaping the sound of a symphony hall to creating corporate videoconference rooms to managing the noise and vibration of factories and products.

Rhino PR’s philosophy is to take a targeted and strategic approach to public relations and work with clients to tailor a PR program around their business development goals. Working closely with Acentech’s marketing manager and discipline directors, Rhino PR developed a detailed and focused PR plan that included media outreach, byline placement, award submissions, and speaking opportunities. Meeting with the three practice groups – architectural acoustics, audiovisual systems, and noise and vibration control – Rhino PR created a specific list of targeted publications and media opportunities in line with the groups’ interests, goals and priorities. This targeted approach resulted in great coverage and visibility for Acentech in the first year of working with Rhino PR.

In 2009, Acentech re-aligned its own marketing efforts around its target verticals in the fields of higher education, commercial, healthcare, performing arts/Studio A (Acentech’s performing arts consulting group), worship, transportation, K-12 education, and RH Lyon (Acentech’s product noise and vibration group), as well as efforts geared toward Acentech’s satellite offices in Trevose, Pennsylvania and Westlake Village, California. Rhino PR adapted its PR program to model Acentech’s new marketing effort. Rhino PR has been successful with this approach, garnering byline placements in vertical publications such as Archi-Tech, Buildings, Building Design & Construction, Building Operating Management, College Planning & Management, Health Facilities Management, and Library Journal. In the local Boston media, Acentech bylines have appeared in Banker & Tradesman, High Profile Monthly, Mass High Tech, and Women’s Business Boston.

Rhino PR’s public relations push for Acentech has recently included campaigns for the firm’s use of computer modeling and auralization technology as an acoustical design tool; its launch of Studio A, Acentech’s new performing arts consulting group; and the opening of Sala Sinfonica Pablo Casals, Studio A’s premier symphony hall project in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

About Acentech

Acentech Inc. is a multi-disciplinary acoustics, audiovisual systems design, and vibration consulting firm providing a wide range of services to a diverse group of clients. With offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Trevose, Pennsylvania; and Westlake Village, California, the company’s professional staff of more than 50 consultants has broad and deep expertise in all areas of acous tics and audiovisual systems design consulting. Having celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008, Acentech is the oldest and largest organization of its type: an unequaled resource to engineers, architects, and designers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.acentech.com.