Strategic Marketing Leadership, On Your Terms

 
 

Get expert guidance, ongoing support, and results that fuel growth—all without the commitment of a full-time hire.

 
 
Screen Shot 2019-06-23 at 4.57.16 PM.png
 

Marketing Expertise, When You Need It Most

When you need experienced marketing leadership, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Without a clear vision, strategy, or path forward, your efforts can quickly become scattered and ineffective… but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Third Act Marketing provides clarity, strategic direction, and ongoing support to make sure you are getting the best possible ROI from your marketing efforts.

 

 

About Third Act Marketing

 


Hi, I’m Dan Ritzke, Founder of Third Act Marketing.

As a Fractional CMO, I provide part-time marketing leadership for businesses that need strategic guidance but don’t have the budget for a full-time CMO or Head of Marketing. With nearly two decades of experience, I specialize in creating clear strategies that balance short-term wins with long-term growth, while offering ongoing support to ensure success.

Want to learn more? Book a FREE strategy call today.

 
 

 

Who I Work With


I work with Founders, CEOs, and business leaders who feel stuck. Most need marketing leadership but are unsure about the best path forward. If you are struggling with any of the following challenges, you're in the right place.

 
  • Lack of a clear and compelling brand strategy

  • No simple, actionable marketing plan to follow

  • Struggling with limited resources and tight constraints

  • Overwhelmed by too many competing priorities

  • Confusing or generic messaging that doesn't connect

  • Inconsistent or outdated branding that's holding you back

 
 


My Services


Brand and Marketing Strategy

Problem: Feeling stuck or unsure about how to position your business? Without a strong brand foundation and a clear plan, your marketing can feel scattered, ineffective, and expensive.

Solution: Through a one-time Brand and Marketing Strategy engagement, I’ll work with you to uncover your unique value, identify your target audience, and create a comprehensive strategy that aligns your messaging and marketing efforts with your business objectives.

Result: Walk away with a clear roadmap for success. With a strong foundation in place, you’ll be ready to execute confidently, attract the right customers, and grow your business with purpose.


Fractional CMO Services

Problem: Struggling to get consistent results from your marketing efforts? You’re not alone—many small and midsize businesses lack the time, resources, or expertise to build and execute a marketing strategy that works.

Solution: With Fractional CMO services, you get an experienced marketing leader on your team without the cost of a full-time hire. I’ll work with you to develop a strategic plan, lead your marketing efforts, and ensure everything stays on track—all while providing guidance tailored to your business goals.

Result: Gain clarity, focus, and measurable results. Whether it’s generating leads, increasing brand awareness, or scaling your marketing operations, I’ll help you achieve your goals and grow your business sustainably.

 

 

Get The Right Help at the Right Time (Without the Guesswork)

Need help with execution or implementation? When you work with me—whether for a one-time Brand and Marketing Strategy or as a Fractional CMO—you also get access to my trusted network of vetted specialists. From website design and content marketing to email campaigns, PPC, SEO, and more, I’ll connect you with the right experts to bring your strategy to life.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’ll personally guide the onboarding process to ensure everyone is aligned and set up for success. This hands-on approach saves you time, minimizes the risk of hiring the wrong person or engaging them at the wrong stage, and almost always leads to better work and better results.

Not sure where to start or what help you need? Let’s figure it out together.

 

 

What to Expect When Kicking Off a Project


Step 1 - Discover & Diagnose

Outline goals, challenges, and opportunities. No matter what you need help with, our first step is to uncover what’s holding back your marketing growth.


Step 2 - Develop & Define

Create a custom strategy for your business. I’ll build a roadmap that aligns with your goals… whether it’s a focused brand strategy, a full marketing plan, ongoing support, or a custom engagement.


Step 3 - Execute & Optimize

Bring the strategy to life and adapt as needed. With clear direction, I will help you and your team execute in the most cost-effective way possible.


Step 4 - Evaluate & Adjust

Continue to learn, grow, and improve. Together we’ll adjust strategies, review progress, and keep pushing your business forward.


 

A Few of the Companies I’ve Worked With

 
 
 

 

What My Clients Say

 

"At first, I wasn’t sure if a marketing consultant would be a good investment or if we'd find someone who truly understood our needs. But working with Dan has been transformative. He's led key projects that have increased our intakes and greatly improved how we measure marketing performance. Everything feels more streamlined, organized, and clearly defined. Dan always makes us feel like his top priority, and I've recommended Third Act Marketing to several people—and will continue to do so."

Julianne Neely
Founder of Individual and Family Connection

 

“I’ve worked with Dan for many years across several companies and have come to rely on his expertise. He not only develops solid marketing plans but also thinks outside the box, offering truly strategic solutions to complex problems. And beyond recommending a plan, he has the ability to execute it effectively. It’s rare to find a resource as reliable and innovative as Dan—his insights are invaluable whenever I’m dealing with marketing challenges.”

Anthony Snowell
4x Startup Founder

 

“In just a few months of working with Dan, we’ve transformed how we approach marketing. We now have clear, measurable goals and tactics that we can test for effectiveness. As a direct result, we've sold out shows and thrown hugely profitable fundraising events. It's a pleasure to work with a marketing consultant who truly knows their stuff—we're operating at a higher level, and our successes no longer feel like luck.”

Mark Yonally
Founder of Chicago Tap Theatre

 

 

Getting the Help You Need Has Never Been Easier

 
call.png

1. Schedule your FREE strategy call

Let’s start with a quick conversation about your business, your goals, and your marketing challenges. No pressure, no obligation—just a chance to see how I can help.

checklist-2.png

2. Get a tailored recommendation

After our call, I’ll provide a clear recommendation based on your unique needs. This could include a one-time Brand and Marketing Strategy, ongoing Fractional CMO support, or both.

information.png

3. See results, together

Once we decide on the best approach, I’ll get to work. Together, we’ll tackle your marketing challenges, build a clear path forward, and drive meaningful growth for your business.

 
 

 

Not Sure If I’m the Right Fit? That’s Okay!

If, during our initial conversation, I feel that your challenges require a different type of expertise, or if you decide not to work with me for any reason—whether it’s budget, timing, or something else—I’ll still make sure you’re taken care of.

I’ll gladly connect you with someone in my network who I believe can help you achieve your goals. My priority is making sure you get the support you need to move your business forward, even if it’s not with me.

 

 

Let’s Chat

Got a question or need clarity on how I can help your business? Reach out anytime. No spam, no pushy sales tactics—just a helpful response within 24 hours.

 

 

Third Act Marketing Blog

 

Being Different is Overrated
By Dan Ritzke

Great Marketing is Simple but Not Always Easy
By Dan Ritzke

How to Balance Short-Term Wins and Long-Term Growth
By Dan Ritzke

 
 

 

Let’s Solve Your Marketing Challenges

I would love to help you gain clarity, choose the right strategies, and build an efficient, results-driven marketing process. With a custom plan and expert guidance, you can leave your marketing worries behind and focus on growing your business.