Nora DiNuzzo

Blood Sweat & Tears

You’ve worked too hard for it to be this hard.

BS&T is a committed partner to ambitious agencies frustrated by inconsistent growth.

We develop and implement a custom growth strategy that meets you where you are today – whether your goal is to stabilize, sustain, scale or sell your agency.

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer

Pitcher 🍋

Small businesses deserve to grow, too. 

Pitcher is a growth consultancy for entrepreneurs and small businesses (<$25mm).

We work directly with founders to:

+ Diagnose their growth issues 

+ Refine their first-mile strategies (brand, business, content and comms)

+ Optimize their marketing and business development processes to align with growth goals

+ Match small businesses to right-fit service providers

+ Broker strategic alliances and partnerships

Founder & President

Smiths Agency

In September 2022, Smiths Agency (fka Smith Brothers) was acquired by Barkley: barkleyus.com

Vice President of Business Development

Director of Business Development

Business Development Manager

MARC USA

In June 2020, MARC USA merged with two other agencies to form 9 Rooftops: 9rooftops.com

New Business Specialist

Account Manager

You’ve worked too hard for it to be this hard.

Growing up, one thing I never aspired to be was an entrepreneur. 

Running your own company was for the incredibly wealthy (Mr. Burns) or the incredibly innovative (Doc Brown). I was neither.

But what I’ve learned about entrepreneurs over the past few years is that they have one thing in common – they desperately want to fix something that drives them nuts. 

As it turns out – throughout my life and career, a lot of things drove me nuts. 

So nuts that in October 2021, I quit a VP-level job at an ad agency to start my own consultancy – Pitcher – to help small businesses grow.

Because the fact that agencies could rarely find a way to work with companies <$25mm in annual revenue drove me nuts.

Because I believe that small businesses deserve to grow, too. 

In April 2023, I got a call from a friend that I never planned for – with an offer to create something I never considered doing less than two years into being a founder.

A second company.

Because the fact that so many brilliant agencies continuously struggle to grow drove him nuts. 

As it turns out – it drives me nuts, too. 

So nuts that I said yes – and Blood Sweat & Tears was born. 

Yes, born. I have given birth to two human children – and two businesses.

There is not a damn thing women can’t do.

If we've worked together, you know I'm frequently working on matching people up 💞 

I'm not a recruiter - but I have built a really strong network of complementary talent and partners.

And frequently, people need to find each other - and I serve as the conduit for those connections.

With all the layoffs going on, especially in the ad industry (my longtime professional home) - we are in a moment when the right people really need to find each other. 

I am asking for two things here: 

1) If you are unemployed or underemployed and actively looking for a new opportunity - please comment on this post, and share what type of role or work you are looking for. If you are in advertising, please be specific about what agency department/role and level. 

2) If you are an agency, brand or org looking for talent - freelance, project, full-time - please comment here what roles you are looking to fill, and how soon you need the support. 

I have had several connections just in the past day reach out to ask me who they can hire, because they have time-sensitive needs.

The problem? I don't know who is available or looking - because I don't have a recruiter profile on LinkedIn, and therefore can't sort by "open to work" status. 

And, I don't have time during the last few weeks of the year (and my busiest quarter) to do a lot of my typical private matchmaking and introductions. 

So please - help each other! If I can be a conduit for more people to be working when they need it most, you know I'm all about that. 

Picture with my perfect personal and professional match, which I hear increases the reach of these things. Dave and I are always down to help our community. 

We have been where you are, and were helped by many before when we needed it most. Here to pay that forward now.

So let's get connecting, friends!

Hi {firstName}} I hope you have a great week!

graphical user interface, text, application

When your consultancy name is also the name of a 70s band and confuses the hell out of AI... you get bot emails like this. 

The unhinged, Sagittarius season content continues 🔥 

FYI... Blood Sweat & Tears is a growth consultancy for agencies 📈 

Can't really help with the smooth jazz, sorry!

Are you traveling too much when you start matching your luggage? 👯‍♀️

What has me on the road in Q4:

✈️ Speaking engagements
✈️ Conferences
✈️ Working events with agencies
✈️ Running workshops
✈️ Attending client retreats
✈️ 2026 planning sessions

If you are looking for insights and support on agency growth in 2026, get @ me in the DMs.

We are already booking up for Q1! 📈

No alternative text description for this image

I took zero pictures last night because I was totally in the “for now” moment with the 4As and Hunting Club members - but thankfully Jeanette Palmer and Jesse Strawbridge were on it!

Eric and I had a blast talking shop and sharing data and insights with this wonderful community of Boston area agency growth leaders.

We hope the Vitals report sparked a few ideas to activate on, to ensure 2026 is a killer growth year for your biz 📈

Thank you to the 4As and Hunting Club for the invitation to speak (always our favorite!) and to Allen & Gerritsen for hosting us all in your beautiful space 😍

🔥 Here’s to active listening. And coming together to learn, commiserate, celebrate. And to being reminded to bring our “bright eyes” to the grind of agency new business. IYKYK. 

Last night in Boston, presenters Nora DiNuzzo  and Eric Brown  from Blood Sweat & Tears treated this group to an anonymized report based on participants data about their new business strategy, habits, spending and results. One thing stood out to me the most: flat or declining revenue was reported by many + lack dedicated spending = it’s time to get strategic and purposeful and invest if you want growth.

4As and Jesse Strawbridge’s The Hunting Club and Allen & Gerritsen’s Third Space hosted  - a great second collaboration! 🙌

Thank you to everyone who attended.

The amount of people (or bots?) sliding into my DMs with notes like this is straight up wild.

I didn’t make agencies and brands $200mm+ as a business developer over the last almost two decades with a “funnel that relies on hope.”

No anonymizing this one. If these are the “vibes” you are dishing out…

Get ready to show up publicly as a case study on How Not To Sell 📉

When indie shops go big, the results are 🔥 🔥 🔥 

So excited to join our friends at RP3 Agency next Thursday to get the behind-the-scenes scoop about how this wildly original idea - getting Kevin Nealon, YouTube hiking influencer (and yes, SNL alum) to challenge Big Dictionary to change the definition of the phrase "take a hike" to support funding for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy - came to life! 

When your client's client is on Kimmel, you do a little happy dance! 💃 

Link in comments to register for this webinar. Particularly non-profits and brands trying to make a big impact on a small budget (or big brands on a smaller budget than ever) - this one is for you 👀

Did you see Kevin Nealon on Jimmy Kimmel Live talking up our latest Appalachian Trail Conservancy campaign last night? Next week, RP3’s CCO Tuesday Poliak and ATC’s CGO Jeri Ward are pulling back the curtain on how we did it — wildly original ideas, small budgets, real results. Save your seat for our December 11 webinar: https://lnkd.in/ggT3pm4Q.

So excited to bring the Vitals assessment and an important discussion about growth readiness to Boston area agencies next week.

2026 is the year you will crush your growth goals 📈 but first, you need to understand exactly what is holding you back.

We have a few more registration spots available. Free to 4As members, $35 for non-members.

Tues 11/18, 4-7p @ Allen & Gerritsen offices. Thank you for hosting us, and thank you to the 4As and The Hunting Club for inviting us to speak!

BOSTON AREA agency growth folks: Let's get into the business of growing the business. Even though you're probably in that end-of-year push, now is a good time to reflect on your strategies for 2025 and plan thoughtfully for 2026. No need to do it alone- come laugh, cry, raise a glass, and get inspired.

Join me and co-host Jesse Strawbridge at the Allen & Gerritsen 3rd Space next TUES, 11/18 for a data-informed conversation with Nora DiNuzzo and Eric Brown of Blood Sweat & Tears on growth readiness. 

Space limited/ 4As members free and $35/non-members.

All participants will take the BS&T vitals assessment (and you can, too, even if you just wanna see how it works) - immediate results after taking the assessment and anonymized results will be shared with the group. 

LINK TO REGISTER:
https://lnkd.in/e--MBtrS

https://lnkd.in/ekJaN5wS

Open article: Unlock Your Agency’s Growth Readiness Score by 4as-and-hunting-club.scoreapp.com

Unlock Your Agency’s Growth Readiness Score

Tiffany T. Redden

Voice and Reason

• Advise senior leadership across government, utility, and private sectors — including California Governor’s Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation, California Strategic Growth Council, Charge EPC, Eagle Protect, and SymSoft — on brand positioning and growth strategies during high-stakes transformation and innovation.
• Led rebranding and market positioning initiatives that drove measurable KPIs; rebrand for a tech startup secured over $2M in seed funding and opened new market opportunities.
• Engineered AI-enhanced, data-driven content strategies producing digital campaign conversions at 3X industry benchmarks.
• Directed award-winning website, UX redesigns, and video productions that increased engagement and conversions by 40%+.
• Mentor and lead cross-functional teams, balancing creative vision with disciplined execution in high-pressure environments.

Executive Marketing Strategy

American River Parkway Foundation

•	Spearheaded comprehensive rebranding, integrating research-driven strategy with digital, video, and event marketing, contributing to securing $1M+ in public funding for critical environmental initiatives.
•	Achieved a 50% email open rate and a 260% increase in organic social reach, strengthening community engagement and advocacy.

Director Of Marketing And Public Relations

Arnold Law Firm

•	Increased marketing and sales content development by 200% by implementing a proactive “subject matter expert” content marketing strategy. Consistently achieved first-page Google search placement within 24 hours organically and often featured snippet placement within 48 hours. Ensured content compliance with State Bar standards.
•	Strategically updated brand, logo, and positioning; managed $500K+ annual television, radio, print, and outdoor campaigns resulting in $12M in case fees.
•	Communicated strategies and results to top management; set department goals; coordinated with all staff levels for legal content and implementation feasibility. Conducted data analysis for call source, case conversion rates, and profitability correlations, effectively sunsetting a line of business that threatened profitability. 


Note: Concurrent employment dates are not an error. This role involved directing marketing and business development for two separate entities with an owner in common.

Marketing Director

University Medical Imaging (UMI)

•	Led team to highest annual MRI scan volume since business inception and 40% annual revenue growth supported by branding, inbound and outbound marketing programs, event marketing, sales enablement, advertising, and public relations.
•	Increased year-over-year sales prospecting activity by 200% through mentorship, a full-funnel, KPI-driven, metrics framework, and development of a tailored CRM system. Grew lead generation by 270% through demand creation programs driven by targeted, outbound marketing campaigns that included digital, email, and direct mail.
•	Reduced costly patient appointment tardiness by 35% by identifying barriers and effective solutions, including automated reminders and directional signage improvements. Facilitated introduction of specialty services and post-processing that billed at triple the standard scan rate.

Note: Concurrent employment dates are not an error. This role involved directing marketing and business development for two separate entities with an owner in common.

•	Managed data-driven marketing campaigns, optimizing advertising, direct mail, and sales collateral for clients spanning education, healthcare, finance, government, and non-profits.
•	Developed cross-functional content and handled media relations, elevating brand presence and market positioning.
•	Orchestrated impactful events and industry conferences, enhancing stakeholder engagement and expanding business networks.

Marketing Consultant

The Thacker Group

• Led results-driven public relations campaigns, enhancing brand visibility through media relations, press releases, and spokesperson training. Directed the creation of marketing collateral.
• Handled client relations, including  proposals, reports, and presentation of strategies to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Managed and mentored entry-level account staff, overseeing event coordination and industry conference representation for maximum client exposure.

Public Relations Account Executive

I lead at the nexus of brand, marketing, and growth strategy, turning disruption into opportunity and uncertainty into clear, actionable plans. Over 20 years, I’ve partnered with CEOs, stakeholders, and boards to drive transformation during mergers, funding rounds, rapid expansion, rebranding, and market pivots.

I build brands that don’t just survive change; they dominate new markets. My approach is equal parts strategic rigor and creative boldness, combining data-driven insights with human-centered storytelling to unlock growth that sticks.

I excel in complex environments where stakes are high and clarity is scarce, aligning stakeholders, cutting through noise, and delivering strategies that fuel revenue and market leadership. If your organization is ready for a leader who turns ambiguity into advantage and builds brands that win, we should talk.

Leadership & Strategy
Executive Leadership & Team Development
Strategic Brand & Growth Leadership
Market Positioning & Competitive Strategy
Stakeholder Alignment & Executive Communication
Change Management & Organizational Transformation
Vision Development & Execution
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence

Business Growth & Revenue
Revenue Growth & Demand Generation
P&L Management & Budget Oversight
Sales Enablement & Go-to-Market Strategy
Customer Journey Optimization & Experience Design
Data-Driven Marketing & Analytics
Market Expansion & New Opportunity Identification


Marketing & Brand Expertise
Integrated Marketing & Communications Strategy
Brand Architecture & Rebranding
Digital Transformation & Omni-Channel Marketing
Content Strategy & Storytelling for Impact
Public Relations & Thought Leadership
Trend Analysis & Market Research

Operational Excellence
Project & Vendor Management
Agile Methodologies & Process Optimization
CRM & Marketing Technology Strategy (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)

Strategist

•	Translate broad-level client marketing objectives into actionable, channel-specific projects that are ready for design, deployment, and measurement
•	Construct strategy and define thematic direction for all types of communications pieces, including print materials, traditional ads, online & print ads, websites, landing pages, automated email marketing, social channel content, and trade show experiences
•	Synthesize client objectives and optimize strategies and scale of initiatives within client budget
•	Ensure consistent client branding and marketing performance
•	Manage analytics and performance assessment
•	Facilitate client understanding of strategies, results, and recommendations
•	Identify and solve content, functional, and logistical caps in projects

I have a time-sensitive ask. It this a professional request?

Not at all. But, it IS the weekend before Turkey Day, so I say anything goes.

❤️This is my new grand-kitten, and she needs just the right name. 

Because, ADORABLE. I mean, look at those peepers!

Also, I pride myself on being harmlessly obnoxious with my dearest loved ones. This may or may not include providing my daughter and son-in-law with the longest list of potential cat names EVER.

That’s where you come in: I need an avalanche of ideas STAT! Let’s come together to overwhelm, even though ultimately it isn’t my decision at all. 😂 

Let’s goooo!!

PS: Her dog brother’s name is Winston. Bonus points for names that jive.

Head of Marketing | VP / CMO | Mid-Market B2B Strategy, Brand & Communications | Known for Building Actionable Clarity in Complex Industries

Cute dark brown kitten with green eyes looking up at the camera, sitting in a lap covered with a cream-color fuzzy blanket

On Monday, I had an idea.

We have a growing problem: layoffs (mine included). A bleak job market. Automation churn making life harder for job seekers and recruiters. The scams. The overwhelm.

So much need. So many people impacted.

Let’s be honest: Solutions aren’t solutioning. Sure, better tools and systems might help, but something more important is missing.

Human connection. Collaboration. Real interaction.

A few hours later, the Nexus Vitae Collective was born — a new LinkedIn group for people navigating employment change together. By morning, dozens of remarkable people had joined.

On Tuesday, I had another idea.

Live conversation.

So, this morning, we held our very first LinkedIn Live.

Was the tech clunky? Oh yes. (User error, hello.) 

Did we have too many topics for the time we had? Absolutely.

But, it was real. Genuine. A small group of three (thanks, Michelle Hipp and Brent Layton!), great conversation, and proof that when you create space for connection, people show up. Others who couldn’t attend are already sending ideas for future sessions. Bring it on!

The best ideas don’t come from systems. They come from people gathering, sharing perspectives, and iterating.

Progress over perfection.

Not even 48 hours later, the Nexus Vitae Collective is nearing 50 incredible members. When you hit a motherlode vein of need, it’s unmistakable.

My friends, we need this. Straightforward human support, kindness, and interaction. This is where we’ll find our footing again: in conversation, collaboration, and collective problem-solving.

This is how we navigate chaos and change — together.

Join us and share! Link in comments.

#careertransition #community #layoffs #collaboration #people #jobsearch #linkedinlive

A couple of weeks ago, I warned about a wave of fake recruiter accounts targeting the public #opentowork setting. Unfortunately, albeit unsurprisingly, I have another scam to share.

My first scam post led me to start Nexus Vitae Collective* — a space for people navigating layoffs, transitions, and uncertainty without fear of being exploited. This week, a member (thank you, Dana Deason) flagged a new scam: fraudulent recruiter polls.

At first glance, these posts look harmless — simple questions about job opportunity — but a closer look shows plenty of red flags, including:

 • First-ever post in a group
 • Comments disabled
 • Urgent “reply now” messaging
 • High salary claims with no context
 • Pressure to move to DM or email
 • Suspicious email addresses
 • “Insider info” that can’t be verified

These bad actors are seeking personal data, payment information, phishing, and account access. Recruiter scams not only target already stressed, unemployed people who need a break, they breed distrust towards legitimate recruitment professionals, job listings, and interactions. 

In the featured example, the account seems to have been hijacked. If anyone personally knows Natalia Baquero (possibly associated with GeoPark in Colombia), please reach out to her. Her LinkedIn account may have been compromised.

Please share this so others know what to look for. We can’t stop every scam, but we can protect each other by sharing patterns and reporting suspicious activity.

_________________ 

*What is Nexus Vitae Collective? So glad you asked. It is a new support group for us job seekers and career transitioners. You should check it out. I’ll drop a link in the comments.

#opentowork #jobsearch #hiring #stopthescams #community

Scam Alert | Fraudulent Recruiter Polls

Nexus Vitae Collective just reached 100 members — in only nine days!

Thank you to everyone who has joined, introduced themselves, and contributed thoughtful, constructive insights. The momentum behind this remarkable group affirms how many professionals are navigating uncertainty right now and how valuable a clear, respectful, and genuinely supportive space can be.

For those who are unfamiliar, Nexus Vitae Collective is a collaborative, no-sales, no-judgment Linked community for people moving through career transitions of all kinds: layoffs, job searches, consulting, or multi-path career exploration.

We focus on practical support and shared learning, including:

 • Strategies for recognizing recruiter scams
 • Current resume and job search approaches
 • Mental health best practices
 • Preserving your financial runway
 • Considering contract or consulting paths
 • Leveraging LinkedIn to build meaningful connections

Our goal is to turn unexpected change into actionable clarity through collective knowledge, openness, and forward-thinking conversations. If you or someone you know is in a season of professional transition, this group is open, welcoming, and growing quickly. 

Here’s to the first 100 members — and to continued meaningful discussions ahead! 

https://lnkd.in/ecpfWG9Y

taplio

The Battle

Nora DiNuzzo

Tiffany T. Redden

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreNora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreTiffany T. Redden's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Nora DiNuzzo

Tiffany T. Redden

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Nora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreTiffany T. Redden's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreNora DiNuzzo's LinkedIn Performance