The Patriots had a rough season.
After years of dominance, they found themselves at the bottom of the standings. But with a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye and a bold decision to part ways with Coach Mayo, they’re (hopefully) making changes to turn things around.
This process isn’t unique to football. Businesses face similar struggles when strategies stop working. To succeed, they need to rebuild, plan, and execute like a championship team. Here’s how the Patriots’ approach to rebuilding mirrors what we do at Torro to help businesses overhaul their marketing strategies.
1. Drafting a Franchise Quarterback: Building Around a Core Strength
The Patriots took a critical first step by drafting Drake Maye with the #4 pick. Every great team needs a strong quarterback and leader they can trust to deliver when it matters most. Maye gives the Patriots a strong foundation to build their offense around.
In marketing, your “franchise quarterback” is the core strength of your digital strategy. For some businesses, it’s their website. For others, it’s their SEO, Google Ads, or social media presence.
At Torro, we help businesses identify that core strength and optimize it. For example, a well-designed website can boost conversions by up to 200%, according to HubSpot. Once you have a strong foundation, everything else becomes easier to manage.
Lesson: Find your Drake Maye!
2. Firing the Coach: Recognizing What Isn’t Working
The Patriots also made a tough decision: they fired Coach Mayo. This wasn’t an easy move, but it was necessary. If the person leading the charge isn’t delivering results, it’s time for a change.
Businesses face the same challenge! Marketing strategies can grow stale, and sticking with what isn’t working wastes time and money. For instance, a poorly targeted Google Ads campaign can lead to wasted ad spend, with up to 61% of small businesses saying they struggle to track ROI from their campaigns (WordStream, 2024).
Yes, Mayo was fired after just one season but in business you can't afford to wait. Like the same quote: "Hire fast, fire faster!" That was the case with Mayo.
Torro works with clients to audit their current strategies. We look at what’s working and what isn’t. If something isn’t delivering results, we cut it and replace it with a better solution as soon as possible.
3. Building a New Playbook: Strategic Planning for Success
Once the Patriots secured their quarterback, the next step was to create a new playbook. A strong plan ensures every player knows their role and how to work toward a shared goal.
Marketing is no different. A successful campaign starts with a clear strategy. At Torro, we build custom marketing playbooks tailored to each client’s goals. For example:
- SEO: Ranking higher on Google can increase website traffic by 53%.
- Google Ads: Businesses earn an average of $8 for every $1 spent on Google Ads (Google, 2024).
- Social Media: Over 90% of consumers follow brands on social platforms for updates and promotions.
By addressing a client’s unique needs, we ensure every dollar spent contributes to measurable growth.
4. Strengthening the Offensive Line: Protecting and Supporting Growth
A quarterback is only as good as the protection they receive. The Patriots know this and will likely invest in their offensive line to keep Drake Maye safe. They could start with the 4th overall pick in the NFL Draft, or work free agency. Either way, it's a necessity before going into the 2025 season.
For businesses, the “offensive line” is the foundation that supports growth. This includes:
- Website Performance: 53% of mobile users will leave a website if it takes longer than three seconds to load.
- Data Analytics: Businesses that use data effectively are 23 times more likely to acquire customers (McKinsey, 2024).
- Customer Experience: Happy customers are 77% more likely to recommend your business.
Torro ensures our clients’ foundations are strong. We optimize websites, set up robust analytics, and streamline customer journeys to protect their growth.
5. Measuring Performance: Adapting Throughout the Season
The Patriots know that even the best plans need adjustments. Teams review game footage, analyze what worked, and make changes for the next game. The Patriots Dynasty was so successful because of adapting not just throughout the season, but also through the game and at halftime.
Businesses must do the same. Marketing isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. It requires constant monitoring and adaptation. For example:
- If a Google Ads campaign isn’t driving conversions, adjust the targeting or rebuild the landing page(s).
- If an SEO strategy isn’t ranking, focus on new keywords or update outdated content.
- If a social media post doesn’t perform, experiment with different formats or improve your hooks.
Torro uses real-time data to guide these adjustments. This approach ensures our clients maximize ROI and stay ahead of the competition.
What Can We Learn from the Patriots’ Rebuild?
We can't just reminisce about the dynasty and turn into the Cleveland Browns. We need to rebuild!
Rebuilding a football team and a marketing strategy share the same principles:
- Focus on Your Strengths: Identify your core advantage and build around it.
- Eliminate Weaknesses: Don’t hesitate to cut what isn’t working.
- Plan Strategically: Develop a detailed game plan to guide your actions.
- Invest in the Basics: Build a strong foundation to support long-term success.
- Adapt as Needed: Measure progress and make changes to improve performance.
Conclusion: Building a Dynasty, On and Off the Field
The Patriots are starting a new chapter. They’ve made a bold move to start the off-season, and their future looks promising with Maye at QB. Businesses have the same opportunity to rebuild and thrive, even after setbacks.
At Torro, we help companies create their own success stories. Whether it’s optimizing your website, running effective ad campaigns, or creating a full marketing strategy, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Want to rebuild your digital presence? Let’s make your business the next dynasty.
