Build & Own
We build your marketing department. You own it. Marathon designs, sets up, staffs and trains an in-house marketing operation, then hands it to your team.
Most agencies want you on a retainer forever. Build & Own works the other way around. We build the marketing department your business needs, train your people to run it, and then step back so you own it.
The problem
Many businesses spend thousands every month on agencies and freelancers. At some point the owner thinks: we should probably build our own marketing team. But that is where it gets hard.
Which positions should you hire? How should the department be structured? What equipment and software do you actually need? How do you create a content strategy, set up production workflows, measure performance and train new employees? Without answers, the money keeps going out the door and nothing stays inside the business.
Who it’s for
Business owners who want more control over their content and marketing, who are tired of depending on outside vendors, and who are ready to invest in an internal team. If you want the people, processes, technology and systems that run your marketing to belong to your business, this is for you.
What’s included
Build & Own follows six phases. Each one ends with something concrete you keep.
Discover: we audit your existing marketing, resources, goals and opportunities. You receive a marketing assessment and a roadmap.
Design: we develop your marketing strategy, team structure and operating model. You receive a department blueprint.
Build: we put the workflows, technology, content systems and infrastructure in place. You receive a working marketing operation.
Staff: we define the roles you need and help with hiring or choosing contractors. You receive a staffing plan and onboarding support.
Train: we teach your team how to carry out the strategy and use the systems. You receive training and operational documentation.
Release: we transfer day-to-day responsibility to your team. You receive a marketing operation your business owns.
What this can look like in practice
Depending on your business, a Build & Own engagement can include:
Strategy: a complete marketing strategy built around your customers.
Your first marketing hire: help hiring an in-house content marketing coordinator.
Production setup: a video production setup your team can use.
Repeatable formats: content formats, scripts and content calendars your team can follow.
Workflows: editing and approval processes so content keeps moving.
Lead follow-up: website inquiries connected to your CRM with automated follow-up.
Handoff: training for your team and a clean transfer of responsibility.
What you get at the end
An internal marketing capability instead of a permanent dependency on outsourced production. You own the people, processes, technology and systems.
To be honest about it: owning your marketing does not automatically mean spending less. You will still have staff, software and operating costs. What you gain is control, knowledge that stays inside your business, and long-term independence.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Build & Own if you want internal capability and are ready to invest in your own team. Choose Managed Marketing if you would rather have an experienced team run your marketing for you every month. Not sure? That is exactly what the first call is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a project or an ongoing contract?
It is a defined project with a clear scope and six phases. It ends when your team takes over.
Do I need to have a marketing team already?
No. Part of the work is defining which roles you need and helping you hire or choose contractors.
Will this lower my marketing costs?
Not automatically. You will still pay for staff, software and operations. The value is ownership, control and independence from outside vendors.
Does Build & Own include ongoing content production?
No. Once your team takes ownership, production is theirs. If you later need a specific project, like an extra commercial, that can be scoped separately.
What does it cost?
Every engagement is scoped to your business, so pricing is a custom quote. Book a call and we will talk it through.
Ready to own your marketing?
Book a call and we’ll look at where your marketing stands today and what it would take to build a department your business owns. Use the Begin Your Journey button to get started.