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Building Relationships With Small to Midsize Businesses

laptop screen and mobile phone showcasing the Staples Worklife content hub

Client

Industry

B2B

This magazine-driven thought leadership content program helped change the perception among customers and prospects for this B2B brand.

laptop screen and mobile phone showcasing the Staples Worklife content hub

64% increase in web traffic after Worklife launch

Outperforming Facebook benchmark cost per lead (CPL) by 67%

23% and 27% October and November click-to-open rates, much higher than previous months

The Background

In January 2019, Staples needed to support its field sales force in building and maintaining relationships with small to midsize businesses throughout the country. The company needed an omnichannel approach that would reach fast-growth small business owners and decision-makers in an ever-competitive landscape. So the program needed to stand out while reaching the audience members where they were.

showcase of staples worklife color palette and text styles showcase of staples worklife color palette and text styles showcase of staples worklife color palette and text styles

The Challenge

Staples started a brand transformation in 2019. As part of this effort, Staples sought to launch a new print magazine and online content to support its sales team and small to midsize business customers. The Worklife content program would embody the company’s new brand values as an inspired and proactive ally to small business customers. Additionally, Staples sought to position itself as a thought leader and a curator of inspiring content relating to life at work — regardless of industry or profession.

side by side comparison of a magazine spread and a tablet screen side by side comparison of a magazine spread and a tablet screen side by side comparison of a magazine spread and a tablet screen

The Solution

In partnership with Imagination, Staples launched Worklife magazine, a quarterly, 68-page, high-quality print magazine distributed to more than 500,000 current and prospective customers. The magazine features advice, resources and solutions-based content that address the pain points and needs of small to midsize businesses. Additionally, a number of digital complementary assets, including monthly static and interactive infographics, are created for use on Staples’ website and atomized for social media channels. Finally, a quarterly full-length Q&A video with the featured business owner, celebrity, or expert in the current magazine issue and monthly online-only articles appear on the Worklife Resource Center content hub. The magazine also supports Staples’ in-person Worklife events and other initiatives. 

a collection of magazine spreads arranged in a diagonal pattern a collection of magazine spreads arranged in a diagonal pattern a collection of magazine spreads arranged in a diagonal pattern

The Result

The Worklife content marketing program helped to change the perception of Staples among customers and prospects to be seen as a thought leader, drive increased loyalty/share of wallet among the most valued small business customers, and drive sales through one of the three sales channels: retail, direct sales and online. “The second issue of Worklife looks fantastic! Thanks to the entire Imagination team for your great work! I was reading an online review of the cable show Handmaid’s Tale and the reviewer, who is leaving at the end of the season, said it would be interesting to see how the new reviewer would find new ways each week to say, “Elisabeth Moss is really good.” That’s how I feel about Imagination: I’m always trying to find new ways to tell you how much we appreciate and love your work. You are the Elisabeth Moss of marketing agencies!” —Naomi Fujimoto, Marketing Program Director, Staples

a collage of staples collateral with a magazine spread and laptop screen a collage of staples collateral with a magazine spread and laptop screen a collage of staples collateral with a magazine spread and laptop screen

The Details

Worklife uses thought leadership content to build a content ecosystem that provides inspiration and practical know-how to innovative solvers. In doing so, the omnichannel program connects a community of like-minded individuals, bridges industry-leading ideas with action-oriented solutions, and leads challenging but necessary conversations about the world of work. Through a strong thought-leadership-driven content program, small to midsize business owners are sent the message that Staples is an inspiring, proactive ally. 


Key Services Involved

  • Program and project management
  • Editorial calendar development
  • Editorial management
  • Social content
  • Visual storytelling and immersive experiences
  • Print and digital design
  • Digital development
  • Program and channel strategic planning
  • Print magazine production and mailing

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