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Inconsistent or outdated branding that's holding you back
How I Can Help
Brand and Marketing Strategy
For companies that need clarity, direction, and a strong foundation.
A one-time engagement designed to align your brand, sharpen your focus, and create a practical, effective marketing strategy for long-term success.
Clear positioning – Define what makes your brand or offering truly unique so you can stand out in a crowded market and connect with the right audience.
Targeted focus – Identify and prioritize the audiences that matter most, so your time, budget, and messaging go further.
Clear and effective messaging – Craft messaging that speaks directly to your ideal customers with clarity, confidence, and consistency.
Strategic marketing planning – Build a clear, realistic marketing plan that aligns with your business goals and helps you invest in the right channels and tactics.
Fractional CMO Services
For growing companies that need strategic marketing leadership—without the cost of a full-time hire.
Ongoing strategic guidance and hands-on support to help you lead, manage, and optimize your entire marketing function.
Aligned execution – Make sure all marketing activity supports your business strategy and drives real results.
Team and vendor leadership – Manage internal teams and outside partners to ensure smooth collaboration and efficient execution.
Performance optimization – Regularly review what's working (and what's not) to improve performance, eliminate waste, and maximize ROI.
Adaptable leadership – Keep your marketing flexible and forward-looking so you're ready for whatever comes next—new offerings, shifting priorities, or growth opportunities.
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
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.
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.
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.