Founder and CEO accepts recent awards and shares secrets of her success
Having received honors throughout the year, including AFFY Expo’s prestigious Agency of the Year award for ebove & beyond, Jennifer Myers Ward was once again recognized in December by being named a Female Power Player for 2023.
In accepting this recognition, she touted the strength of the team she’s built as well as the personal approach her agency takes with its clients.
“I truly believe that ebove & beyond has seen the success we have based on how we approach working with our clients,” she said. “We are a hands-on agency that treats each client as if they are our only client. We are available for what they need, when they need us and we customize our strategy based on their specific, individual business.”
Ward answered several questions about what led her to start the business and the elements that have proven most fundamental to its success:
You've had a diverse career in the online marketing industry, starting at an advertising agency to Amazon.co.uk then building Palm Beach Jewelry's online business. How has this variety of experiences shaped your approach to affiliate marketing, and what valuable lessons have you learned along the way?
Ironically, my experience at the advertising agency after college really helped me understand what type of agency I would want to create one day. I was introduced to a very cold and non client-focused agency environment. It was all about revenue and nothing about the actual client or the relationship with that client. I knew then and there that if I ever had a chance to have my own agency, I would do things very differently. I have taken that lesson and used it as a foundation for ebove & beyond. We pride ourselves on being very hands-on in our client relationships, digging deep to figure out how we can truly help our clients achieve their goals and foster the growth of their brand. In terms of my experience with Amazon.co.uk, it was very unique as we were a start-up back in those days, especially in Europe. To put it in perspective, Amazon started in 1994 and Google wasn’t even “born” until 1998. So, I learned to be very resourceful and creative in my efforts. I learned to think outside the box and push the boundaries to get as much impact out of every marketing initiative I was involved with. I then took that creative, headstrong approach with me when I came on board at Palm Beach Jewelry.
What challenges does ebove & beyond help solve for customers and what sets you apart from other agencies?
We help retailers build strategies that focus on customer acquisition and retention, through the creation and management of a targeted affiliate marketing and email programs. We believe that our personal approach, as well as our own client-side experience, make us a rare find among agencies in our space. We work with retail clients across all different verticals from food and beverage, to apparel, to health and beauty, to pets and everything in between.
As a female entrepreneur and leader in the online marketing industry, you've undoubtedly broken barriers and paved the way for others, especially for women. What does it mean to you to be an inspiration and example for your daughter, demonstrating that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to?
I believe that being a woman entrepreneur for over 20 years is one of my greatest achievements. I started my business at the age of 28, and it was back in early 2003. I can tell you, I was one of very few women in the industry at that time and certainly had to “hold my own” in a variety of different situations. I had to fight harder and be more diligent than my male counterparts. And, to be honest, that experience has helped to make me who I am today and has contributed to my personal success, as well as the success of my agency. I love being able to show my daughter, as well as other girls out there, that you can achieve anything you set your mind to…it just takes hard work and dedication!
Continued at femalepowerplayers.com