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Introduction
Distributed teams aren’t new. But what’s often missed is that distribution doesn’t just mean people—it means tasks, files, timelines and expectations scattered across functions and locations.
And when you’re managing signage, print campaigns, and field marketing across dozens—or hundreds—of teams, it’s not the ideas that break down. It’s the execution.
That’s where GearBox® by IRIS Strategic Marketing Support (IRIS) comes in. Not to replace your CRM, task tool or messaging app—but to give your distributed teams a single place to execute, fulfill and launch with full visibility.
What Makes Distributed Teams Hard to Manage in Marketing
1. Everyone Owns a Piece, but No One Sees the Whole
Design owns creative. Legal owns disclaimers. Field teams own installs. Vendors own production. But without one system to connect the steps, the campaign loses speed—and consistency.
2. Local Needs Create Global Confusion
Each region has different hours, contacts, regulations and offers. But if every team makes edits in isolation, the result is a brand that looks fragmented.
3. Timelines Get Out of Sync
The campaign calendar is approved. But print vendors are behind. Some teams are ready to go live. Others still need assets. Without a coordinated rollout, momentum breaks.
4. Field Execution Is Still Manual
Even with the best planning, field teams often download files, send them to vendors, and install signage on their own—off-grid from the campaign system.
What Distributed Teams Really Need From a Campaign Platform
Pre-Filtered Campaign Kits Based on Role and Region
Give each user only what they need—no extra clutter, no file searching, no mistakes.
Editable Templates With Locked Design
Let the field change phone numbers or business hours without affecting layout, logos or compliance language.
Signage and Print Routing Built Into the Flow
Final files are sent automatically to the right fulfillment vendor—based on region, type or store tier. No extra emails or missed steps.
Usage and Version Tracking Across Teams
Know who used what, when they launched, and what’s still pending—so marketing can adjust and support in real time.
Distributed Teams Aren’t the Problem—Disconnected Systems Are
When we say “distributed,” we don’t just mean working remotely. We mean teams working across roles, timelines and contexts.
Field marketing, regional ops, design, legal and vendor management are all part of a single campaign flow. But too often, they operate in silos—with no visibility into what’s final, what’s next or what’s missing.
GearBox® brings those pieces together.
- Marketing loads the creative
- Field teams customize within safe parameters
- Vendors receive ready-to-print files
- Leadership sees rollout status in every region
That’s what real execution looks like across distributed teams.
Use Case: How Ply Gem Connected Distributed Dealers With a Unified Marketing System
Ply Gem supports a national network of independently operated dealers—each with different signage needs, turnaround times and compliance requirements.
Before GearBox®, campaigns were scattered. Dealers would email for files. Versions would drift. Print delays hurt seasonal offers.
With GearBox®, IRIS helped Ply Gem:
- Filter campaign kits by dealer type and region
- Lock brand visuals while enabling personalization
- Automate signage routing by vendor geography
- Track content usage and fulfillment by market
Why Distributed Doesn’t Mean Disorganized
Not every brand can—or should—centralize execution. Distributed teams offer speed, proximity and local expertise. But they still need structure.
GearBox® gives distributed teams:
- Guardrails for brand safety
- Visibility for campaign oversight
- Routing to reduce manual coordination
- Filtering so no one has to guess what’s relevant
It doesn’t remove the field—it powers it.
Conclusion
The biggest risk with distributed teams isn’t lack of communication—it’s lack of execution structure. If your teams are downloading files, customizing in PowerPoint and emailing PDFs to vendors, you're not scaling—you’re stalling.
GearBox® by IRIS gives your teams a single system to deliver campaigns, support fulfillment and track what’s actually live across every region.
Talk to IRIS to see how your distributed teams can execute with confidence, speed and consistency.
