Lila Wallrich
Business Name: Wallrich Creative Communications
Business Category: Marketing
Certifications/accreditations: CA DGS Women-owned Business and Small Business
Business Structure: S Corporation
Number of Employees: 10 FTEs
Year Founded: 1990
Annual Revenue: $1.4 million
Services Offered: Integrated marketing communications including strategy, branding, advertising and interactive
Mailing Address: 8801 Folsom Blvd., Suite 190, Sacramento, CA 95826
Telephone: Office 916-325-2155 | Mobile 916-397-2416
Email Address: lila@wallrich.us
Website: www.wallrich.us
Social Media Handles
- Facebook: Lila Wurschmidt Wallrich
- LinkedIn: Lila Wallrich
Geographic Region Served
- Sacramento Region
- Northern California
- Western US
- National
- International
Industry Sectors Served
- Agriculture/Viticulture
- Bioscience
- Construction
- Education
- Energy
- Food and Beverage
- Government
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Nonprofit
- Professional Services
- Real Estate
- Retail
Insights
What led you to do the work you do?
I was an art major in college — to the chagrin of my STEM-oriented parents. I was beginning to question my choices when a friend pointed out that my real gift was for problem-solving, using art and writing as the means. So I was steered toward graphic design, which in turn expanded into thebroader discipline of marketing. I was incredibly lucky as that chance conversation led to a career I have loved.
Describe your ideal client:
An owner or director who has a communication problem to solve. They need to be engaged in the process, but also to trust my team’s experience and training. They need to have an appreciation for the value of quality — in language, visual expression and technical execution.
What situation or circumstances might lead a prospective client to your services?
Typically, they are making some transition in their operation. They are launching a new service or program. They are looking to “level up” in terms of their brand and outreach. Or they recognize that their existing communication tools have become dated and/or ineffective.
What’s the best way for colleagues to refer prospective clients to you?
A simple email introduction works fine for me. I am grateful for being considered and will take the conversation from there.
How does a typical engagement begin?
From an introduction, I first do some homework to get a better understanding of the client and situation. Then I can facilitate a discussion to confirm the objectives, challenges and resources that will define the assignment. I recap these into a written proposal, usually with a defined scope and budget range. On approval, my team coordinates the tasks and timing and shepherds every step of the process.
What services might a typical engagement include?
For small business and non-profit clients, a common scenario includes some strategic recommendations, followed by brand identity development or refinement, a stationery package, some essential print materials and a website. Once those are in place, a logical next wave includes search engine optimization/marketing and other digital advertising tactics.
What might you be doing if you hadn’t pursued this career?
I think about this a lot, actually, because I feel so fortunate to have stumbled into it. Being as passionate about language as I am about visuals, I think I might have been a good writer. Maybe in academia, as I love history and culture studies.
What about your work gives you greatest satisfaction?
I love working with a team, each member of which brings their own specialized talent and perspective to the assignment. Seeing a solution — such as a brand strategy or a multi-faceted campaign — come to life through this collaboration, and seeing the client stand taller as a function of this communication effort, never gets old.
What might your colleagues be surprised to learn about you?
I don’t have too many secrets! But my more casual acquaintances might be surprised to know how introverted I am. I have some learned ability to mingle with peers and present my expertise, but I get my energy restored in more solitary creative activity, such as brainstorming a brand tagline or researching just the right images for a campaign.
What do you enjoy doing most when you’re not serving your clients?
Dancing! I’ve been involved in one form or other all of my life — from ballet and modern as a little kid, to Scottish Highland as a bigger kid, to crowded clubbing in the 80s to competitive Irish step-dancing for most of my adult life. Most recently I’ve joined a local Bavarian/Austrian troupe that’s a lot of fun. You can look for me at your local Oktoberfest!