Case Study:

TSS Advisors

TSS partnered with Hydrate Marketing and engaged Dan Evans as a fractional CMO to help guide the company through its next stage of growth. Over a six-month engagement, Hydrate implemented a strategic marketing framework designed to strengthen communication, align marketing efforts across newly acquired entities, and build scalable systems for long term success. Following Hydrate’s four phase fractional CMO process, the engagement focused on assessment, strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing optimization to support TSS’s aggressive growth trajectory.

As TSS Advisors expanded through a strategic partnership with the Ascend network, the firm entered a period of rapid growth fueled by mergers and acquisitions. Like many accounting and advisory firms, TSS had historically relied on referrals and relationship driven business development rather than a structured marketing strategy. Client communication was largely date and deadline driven, and the organization lacked the internal marketing resources needed to support its evolving brand and operational demands. With multiple acquisitions underway, the need for integrated marketing systems, consistent communication, website management, CRM development, email marketing, and ongoing social media presence became increasingly critical. Facing heightened growth expectations from its parent network while working to attract and retain both clients and talent, TSS recognized the need to elevate its marketing approach and build a stronger foundation for long term growth.

TSS partnered with Hydrate Marketing and engaged Dan Evans as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer to offer high level marketing leadership and guide the company through its next stages of growth. Over a six-month engagement, Hydrate developed and implemented a research-driven strategic marketing framework designed to solidify branding, strengthen communication, align marketing efforts across newly acquired entities, and build scalable systems for long term success. Following Hydrate’s four phase Fractional CMO process, the engagement focused on assessment, strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing optimization to support TSS’s aggressive growth trajectory.

Every Hydrate Fractional CMO engagement begins with the Strategy First Growth Roadmap, a comprehensive process designed to uncover opportunities, identify gaps, and create alignment across marketing efforts. The roadmap serves as the strategic foundation for long term growth by combining business goals, audience insights, competitive positioning, and marketing performance into a single actionable plan. Through interviews, audits, analytics reviews, and customer journey mapping, Hydrate develops a clear understanding of both the organization and the experience of its customers. This process often includes website evaluations, SEO analysis, social media audits, messaging refinement, persona development, and communication strategy recommendations. The roadmap also introduces Hydrate’s Marketing Hourglass Framework, which helps organizations better understand how prospects discover, evaluate, engage with, and ultimately advocate for a brand. By focusing first on strategy before tactics, businesses gain a clearer sense of direction, stronger internal alignment, and a marketing plan that supports scalable growth. For TSS Advisors, the roadmap created a structured path forward that helped unify communications, strengthen marketing infrastructure, and support the firm’s aggressive expansion goals.

By investing in a strategic marketing foundation, TSS Advisors has positioned itself for sustainable long-term growth during a critical period of expansion. Early initiatives have already strengthened communication, improved marketing infrastructure, and increased brand consistency across the organization. While many long-term growth metrics will continue to develop over the next one to two years, TSS now has the strategy, systems, and marketing momentum needed to support continued growth, stronger client relationships, and future acquisitions.