Services

Defining and addressing a client’s specific needs is at the heart of what we do.

We can help you assess, develop, and execute your strategic communications plan, from concept through evaluation. We can come in and manage the entire communications function for you, or serve in a support role if you’re simply looking for additional assistance.

Project management
Editorial services: writing, editing, publications management
Community relations & outreach
Internal communications
Social media strategy
Special events
Strategic planning
Marketing communications
Corporate social responsibility
Media relations: planning, outreach, monitoring, response
Crisis communications: planning
Reputation/issues management

How We Work

How do I work with Blue Wagon Group?

It’s actually very simple. We help clients define their communications challenges and develop customized work plans that specifically address their needs. Want help implementing all or part of the plan? We can do that. Looking for someone to bring a fresh perspective to your communications function, but have the internal resources to implement the plan on your own? That works, too.

Why should I use an independent communications professional and/or a small, virtual agency instead of a traditional agency?

One of the best reasons for using a virtual agency is that lower overhead and higher productivity result in lower fees for you. But the benefits don’t stop there. Senior level professionals work on your project at ALL stages of development and implementation. That means you’ll constantly be in the very capable hands of a seasoned specialist. And, perhaps the most important reason of all comes down to something everybody wants: You’ll receive the close, personal attention that you and your company deserve.

How can public relations help my business meet its goals?

In today’s marketplace, using an integrated approach to marketing is essential to success. Public relations certainly isn’t the only tool you should use, but it is one of the most important ones in the marketing mix. Not only does it promote your company or organization through community and media relations, it can also seamlessly support existing marketing and sales efforts, build buy-in among internal and external stakeholders, allow you to monitor your competitive environment more effectively, and help you build your market share through meaningful corporate citizenship activities that benefit everyone involved.

How can supplementing my in-house communications team with an independent consultant benefit my company or organization?

We certainly don’t need to tell you how taxing the communications function can be to a company’s internal resources. It requires a constant and focused effort by everyone involved. And, many times, those charged with handling communications also have a multitude of other tasks that demand attention. Working with an independent consultant team allows you to strengthen the performance of your internal communications staff by injecting fresh ideas and new approaches to the process and lightening their load a bit. Also, for larger projects, an external consultant or team can be brought in to devote undivided attention to it—freeing up your time and your staff’s time for other important assignments.

Have you ever collaborated on a project like mine or worked for a similar organization?

Probably so. But, if not, we’ve most likely worked on one comparable to it. Don’t worry; we can bring in additional team members with the relevant experience if necessary or connect you to another source for help.

What do you mean by “integrated marketing communications?”

Essentially, making sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck. Integrated marketing communications is an approach tying all your public relations, marketing, and internal communications together so that you have a focused effort in meeting your business goals and supporting your organization’s strategic plan.

Clients & Partners

We believe working effectively with clients is best approached as a collaboration. Since the inception of Mayes Communications in 2004 and now as Blue Wagon, we’ve met and worked with lots of great people and organizations – big and small – through our own connections or through other agencies and independent consultants.

American Heart Association
Styrene Information & Research Center
Vocera
American Diabetes Association
Camel Expeditionary
Kaiser Permanente MidAtlantic States
MidAtlantic Permanente Medical Group
St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital
Pharmacy Quality Alliance
Federal Hill Eye Care
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Medstar Health
National Center for Responsible Gaming
Oceana
ITS America
Society for Competitive Intelligence
Veterinary Holistic Center
America’s Electric Cooperatives/NRECA
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy
American Society for Radiation Oncology
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
PetSage
100 Women Who Care NoVa

Accolades

We are swimming in new PR waters and the Blue Wagon team has been our arm floaties.
—Jessica Ridenour, Brand Ambassador, Camel Expeditionary

“Nancy Mayes is one of those unique project managers who makes me feel that I don’t have to check my creativity at the door in order to solve the client’s communication problems. I can’t tell you how important that is to me as a photographer. Equally important, Nancy is also wonderfully good at wrangling project logistics making her a pleasure to work with. Her attention to detail is extraordinary.”
—Richard Anderson, Owner, Richard Anderson Photography

“The Styrene Information and Research Center has been fortunate to have Nancy Mayes’ skilled oversight of its communications program since 2006...Nancy has proven to be a very hands-on and proactive member of our consult corps, making certain that she is always out ahead in planning and execution of projects, to ensure that SIRC is well prepared to handle any media or communications issues that arise.”
—Jack Snyder, Executive Director (retired), Styrene Information & Research Center

“We hired Mayes Communications—now Blue Wagon Group—to help us develop our 2010, 2011 and 2012 Community Benefit Annual Reports. We had to balance multiple needs, desires and visions to tell fairly complex stories of our investments in community health. Nancy, with her superb arsenal of partners—designers, photographers, etc.—helped us hit a home run with these publications! Years 2010 and 2011, particularly, were exceptional—winning awards from the D.C. and Maryland chapters of Public Relations Society of America. Kaiser Permanente continues to enjoy a great working relationship with Mayes Communications.”
—Celeste James, Executive Director, Community Health, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States

“I’m amazed at the breadth of expert-level services that Blue Wagon offers. On our many projects together, Nancy has been a writer, editor, photo director, event planner, project manager, creative director, pr expert, production manager, client contact, researcher, and more — all with expert-level quality and attention to detail. No matter her role, Nancy operates with control, mastery and good humor. Nancy is able to manage the big picture — and navigate project details and minutiae — all with enviable finesse. Blue Wagon is a truly versatile professional group. I’m glad to have contributed to a few of the informed, multi-level successes that Nancy and her team have enabled.”
—Kathryn Grill Hoepple, Owner, Grill Graphic Design

“I have had the pleasure to work with Nancy Mayes on a variety of projects such as annual reports, brochures, and executing public relations plans for national and international industry conferences. Nancy has a wealth of knowledge in the fields of marketing and public relations and she knows how to apply that knowledge in a practical and results oriented way. Nancy is the first person I call whenever I have the need for additional project support.”
—Sabrina McGowan, Owner, SQM Public Relations

“In the eight years I have worked with Nancy Mayes, I have found her to be a true professional in all aspects of her work — totally reliable, highest quality, results oriented and with a can-do attitude that makes her a truly valuable asset to any organization needing public relations services. She has delivered top-notch work on every project with which she has been involved for Walker Communications, and carries my very highest recommendation.”
—Joseph L. Walker III, APR, President, Walker Communications

“Working with Nancy Mayes is simply delightful. We have worked on five projects together over the last few years. She turned our content into something that captured the spirit and essence of our training programs. She masterfully developed newsletters whose message sprang off the page. Every project with Nancy and the MayesComm team was effortless. We felt like we were always in the expert hands of a writing genius and project management master. I look forward to our next project together.”
—Laura Peterson, RTI International

“We’ve always enjoyed a very positive relationship with Blue Wagon Group. Whatever we need, whenever we need it – Nancy Mayes is able to deliver. The quality of her deliverables and her communication style work well with our needs.”
—Wendy Mann, CEO, CREW Network

“Mayes Communications—now Blue Wagon Group—gave us the creative edge to raise and maintain employee awareness about very technical issues that are often difficult to communicate. Nancy is an expert at targeting communications to the right audience, at the right time, and in the right format to assure that the message gets delivered… and remembered.”
—Donnetta Horseman, Corporate Compliance Officer, Moffitt Cancer Center

“I welcome opportunities to work with Nancy Mayes and Blue Wagon Group and to introduce them to my clients. Nancy always brings a fresh perspective to a project, offering suggestions and ideas from a business-mindset. She understands how copy and design must work together to send the most powerful and understandable message.”
—Stephanie Helline, Owner, Strategic Health

Past Awards

Kasier Permanente Mid-Atlantic States 2010 Community Benefit Annual Report
Winner of Thoth Award, PRSA-National Capital Chapter

Kasier Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Media Kit
Winner of “Best in Maryland” Award, PRSA-Maryland Chapter

MedStar Health Corporate Privacy Department Internal Communications Campaign
Winner of “Best in Maryland” Award, PRSA-Maryland Chapter

MedStar Health “What is a breach?”
Winner of Thoth Award, PRSA-National Capital Chapter

SIRC’s development of YouKnowStyrene.org
Winner of “Award of Excellence,” PRSA-Maryland Chapter