March 6, 2017

Meet Amanda Ma of Innovate Marketing Group in Pasadena

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Ma.

Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I knew we had to start an events company because we attended so many community, business and networking events, and upon conversations, I realized I could hardly distinguish one event from another. I thought, “Somebody should produce events that are more unique and memorable.” A lightbulb went off: that “Someone” would be me!

My first company began in 2006 with a simple mission: What would happen if each event was flawlessly designed, inspiring, and positively ‘buzzworthy,’ executed and designed in a way that would be remembered by all in attendance, long after the event was finished? And now onto my third company the mission has only reinforced itself and evolved. My latest company, Innovate Marketing Group, an award winning event+ experiential marketing agency focuses on connecting brands with people through events.

Over the years, I learned that the company will only grow and develop with hard work and dedication. Being an entrepreneur I had to learn to embrace sacrifices and utilize my passion to continue to drive myself and the team to take the company to the next level. There is no comfort zone with entrepreneurship and there are no guarantees.

We are thankful for our family and friends who supported us from the beginning, and really appreciative of our clients, who really our partners, as they are our biggest champions.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyday you encounter something new and uncertain. The difficult times were overcome by a successful project, great teamwork, strategic partners and clients, and most importantly lessons learned.

There were certainly challenges along the way, such as growing pains. Such as do we hire before we fill the pipeline or do we fill the pipeline first and then hire. Or finding out what our true differentiators are compare to other events agencies.

We continuously strive to do things better, more effectively, and produce excellent end results for our clients. We recently received a big recognition- Bizbash Event Style of the Year Award. This is a big deal for our industry and it’s a reflection of everyone’s hard work here at IMG.

Innovate Marketing Group – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Innovate Marketing Group (IMG), an award winning Events & Experiential Marketing Agency based in Pasadena. IMG has produced experiences and campaigns for Toyota, East West Bank, DIRECTV, and Southern California Edison.

We love that we have the opportunity to help fuel growth by connecting people with the brand. Whether that is internally or externally. A sponsorship activation that engage the attendees with incredible activities or a corporate 3,000 people holiday party that shows appreciation to their vendors and employees.

Our differentiator factors are we are innovative, adaptable, diverse team, “Wow” customer service and we specialize in women and multi-cultural events.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Starting three successful companies. Building a brand for each and see it evolve successfully.

These Awards: Each is a reflection of a lot of labor of love from myself and my team
2016 Bizbash Event Style Awards Winner
2016 Los Angeles Business Journal Asian Business Award Finalist
2015 Stevie’s Award- Bronze, Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Business Services
2015 Hermes Creative Award- Gold Winner
2015 Los Angeles Business Journal Asian Business Award Finalist
2015 Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Women Making a Difference” Award nominee
2012 SBA Small Business Persons of the Year Award
2010 Pasadena Magazine 40 under 40
2010 Young Entrepreneurs Award Asian Business Association
2010 BizBash Event Style Award for Best Corporate Event Concept Finalist
2009 Best Corporate Planner by Pasadena Magazine
2008 BizBash Event Style Award for Best Corporate Event Concept Winner

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