Two IT marketing firms have joined forces to encourage VARs to save money by embracing an outsourced marketing model.

Print and online specialist SO Marketing and telemarketing-focused EST Marketing have teamed up to offer resellers a

Marketing Manager package for £1,500 a month. The service offers telemarketing, email work, print offerings, web site design and use of CRM tools.

SO managing director James Aberley told CRN that outsourced marketing was an appealing option in the current economic climate. “I cannot think of any company we deal with that has created a new marketing role this year, yet there are many that have not replaced departing marketing managers,” he said.

“Our package is designed to be a cost-effective offering for a much lower monthly fee than you would pay in a salary.”
EST’s operations manager Mike Starnes added: “Revenue demands on sales teams have remained the same. They need to generate more leads to hit their targets and safeguard revenues.”

Aberley revealed he hopes to sign up to 30 VARs in the next six months and ultimately wanted to create higher-end packages for larger resellers and vendors.