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In our last digital series on DiscoverMediaworks.com, “Reasons to go Digital-First”, we discussed the importance of keeping up with the times as the world quickly transitions to digital delivery. The series emphasizes DMW’s belief that being nimble and swiftly adapting to change to become vital to the success of a business. Businesses that are open to changes in a media-driven society are finding more success than others who aren’t. As a result, it has become necessary to endlessly innovate. Technologies and consumer-behaviors will never cease to develop and expand, so companies must do the same. Through innovation, you can increase your chances to respond to these changes all the while being exposed to new opportunities. By endlessly innovating, you are immediately given an advantage over other online competitors. Constantly altering and improving your business operations also presents a plethora of other benefits to your business as a whole. Some examples of these are: more efficiently productively creating and testing new ideas, rapid revenue increases due to constantly fitting your targets’ demands, significant reductions in the length of time required to enhance products and services, overall advancements in quality and stronger dependability towards consumers. In the end, it is important to prioritize not being a company that lets opportunity pass, but working towards being an innovative one. At DMW, we can help you learn to constantly innovate. Contact rickr@discovermediaworks.com for any inquiries!

The next tool in your “Digital-First Toolkit” that we will discuss is “The 6 P’s”. This is a tool we formed at DMW while launching headfirst into the digital world. We have whole heartily utilized it here for our own brands and for the brands we work with. Our clients and our team have found it to be greatly applicable from the initial digital-first shift to today. We have created the “6 P’s” to our own digital footprint! Pulse Purpose Pivot Pace Partnerships People  Pulse relates to the overall “landscape” of our business. By better understanding and monitoring our “pulse”, we can gain a stronger foothold on our next steps In an ever-changing world, this is critical to keep tabs on what is happening around us and how it affects our business decisions and offerings. Purpose relates to the core of our work. Through our expertise and unique value, we can more deeply understand our ultimate objectives and how they relate to our main vision. We have a purpose and a role in the worldwide digital shift we are living within. Pivot has to do with one’s ability to observe and adjust based on changing circumstances. If something shifts, you must be able to strategically adapt, essentially increasing your reach. While DMW pivoted, so did each of our team members and clients! Pace relates to our “rate of movement”. By being strategic with our timing, one can work to amplify their relevance. Partnerships relate to making use of your connections, [...]

 TOOL #2: Employee Communication   The second tool in your “Digital-First Toolkit is learning effective employee communication before and throughout your digital strategy implementation. Here, we will begin to explore two aspects of employee communication. First, we will consider why it is necessary to communicate concisely with your team during this shift. It is important to hold effective internal communication by keeping constant communication with your team and offering them frequent updates. Essentially, carefully communicating your transition to digital-first will make sure that everybody knows what’s happening and you can be assured that everyone will be kept in the loop. Additionally, this will encourage aligning your employees with your ultimate business objectives, on top of allowing you to build trust among your team during these changing and challenging times. Overall, make sure not to leave your employees in the dark to avoid a lack of productivity and to improve engagement.  Remember, we are living in the “wild west” of technology.  Things are changing quickly.  Creating a flexible team that is nimble and works organically as you grow your business is the key to great success.  Encouraging them to learn and share new insights on an ongoing basis is also important.  Incorporate “trends” and weave digital-first conversations into every work meeting. The second aspect of employee communication we will explore is tangible ways to successfully communicate with your employees during your digital-first movement. First of all, you must be very clear about your expectations and business objectives. You should also prioritize [...]

 TOOL #1: Digitization to Digitalization   The first tool in your “Digital-First Toolkit” is learning how to make the shift to productive digitalization in your business. Now that you are ready to go digital, it’s important to realize one thing: digitalization can’t be done without digitization. You can’t begin to work in the digital realm unless your assets are digitized!  You may be wondering what the difference is exactly between the two. Digitization can be defined as the initial shift from paper-based operations to digital operations or automation of your business processes. On the other hand, digitalization can be defined as your business’s actual use of these digitized resources to ultimately achieve your business objectives, such as building revenue, actually enhancing business, and creating a digital identity. Essentially, digitalization is important to achieve because it offers businesses many great outcomes, including digital maturity. And while our Toolkit will focus on what happens next and the powerful ways to harness digitalization, you should move forward knowing the good things you have done by saving resources, reducing the carbon footprint, and staying up with the way of the world.  Being on the right page at the right time allows for quicker and greater success. Once you have made the shift from digitization to digitalization, there are a few things to make sure of. As a constantly functioning business, it’s important to learn to move from one to the other in practice. Make sure to take advantage of the material you learned from [...]

 #10 Company Alignment   “Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” - James Cash Penney Over the course of the past few weeks, we discussed 9 different reasons as to why you should go “Digital-First”. Those we went over were:  Global Reach Pictures Speak Louder Than Words The Increasing Importance of Data Cord Cutters Want Free TV The Wild West The Difference Between Then and Now  Amplify the Customer Experience Build Your Digital Identity Prepare for Future Uncertainties (Be Prepared for Anything)  And today, we’re going to talk about the last, and arguably most important reason: #10. Ensuring company alignment, whether it’s through your content or your business strategies. Before deciding to actually implement a digital-first approach, you need to make sure it aligns with your business strategies and goals. One way you can make sure of this is to look through all of the aforementioned reasons above, and see how they would be integrated into your company. Let’s look at building your digital identity as an example. It’s not enough to simply put your company out there on every social media platform and digital forum you find/ know is popular. It is just as important to figure out where exactly your target market will be, and then focus your energies there. Rather than being overly spread out, it’s smarter to prioritize and more strongly develop your brand on fewer platforms. This will ultimately allow you to build your digital identity most efficiently [...]

 #9 Be Prepared For Anything   “It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not to be prepared.” - Les Brown    At Discover Mediaworks, we daily recognize the importance of preparing for anything and everything. At the end of the day, you can plan and plan, but never really get anywhere without preparation. Preparation is just as, if not more, important as planning. No matter how much you plan, if you don’t “prepare”, you will never truly be ready.  Let’s reflect on COVID-19. The arrival of this pandemic hurt so many companies, even leading some to their demise, sadly because of not being prepared.  While people are rarely prepared for a worldwide shutdown, as businesses we all could have been utilizing other means of communication beyond face-to-face since the technology was already there.  More than ever before, people began to spend their time online, yet many businesses weren’t there to meet them. Some companies, often those who were less prepared, failed to meet their customers' demands of a seamless online forum where they could continue to interact with their favorite companies, from the safety and comfort of their own home.  As a result, these companies strayed off-track, especially in comparison to their better-prepared counterparts who had their digital presence up and running before the worst of COVID-19 hit.   All they had to do was expand their offering and grow organically with the ever-changing lifestyle created by COVID-19 mandates. [...]

 Internships: Why You Should Begin Your Search   “The expert at anything was once a beginner.” - Helen Hayes   Being an intern for a company can be a great opportunity and stepping stone for those looking for entry-level jobs. Beyond the obvious benefits of being an intern for a credible company, such as gaining valuable work experience and developing/refining your skills, something often greater that an internship can offer you is an edge in the job market (especially in a time of high competitiveness, where an edge becomes imperative). Additionally, an internship gives you the opportunity to network with professionals, inside and outside of your field, internally within the company and externally with the company’s clients. Ultimately, you are encouraged to gain confidence in the workforce, in addition to experiencing endless learning opportunities and facing limitless growth.  As a Marketing Intern at Discover Mediaworks, I was given the opportunity to truly practice my skills in an authentic setting. By being placed in a position where there were real stakes and consequences to be faced, I was able to unlock my full potential in terms of real-life work experience. From the first week, I found myself better understanding the marketing industry immensely clearer than I had only a few days prior. All of a sudden, topics and themes that were originally just units in my college classes were being utilized and brought to life.  At DMW, I was given novel responsibilities, and my abilities were fittingly tested. However, this is [...]

 #8 Build Your Digital Identity   “If you want to stand out from the crowd, give people a reason not to forget you.” - Richard Branson   Another reason to prioritize going digital-first is to get a foothold in the digital world and build up your digital identity.  You have to start somewhere.  Now, what exactly does your “digital identity” refer to? Having an identity in digital media refers to owning a multichannel brand presence on platforms that your audience prefers. Last week, we talked about prioritizing your customers’ experience and working to make it as seamless as possible. Following up on that, it’s important that your company exists wherever your audience is going to be. So for starters, know who your audience is and what platforms they use.  It’s baby steps from there.  By building up your digital presence, you and your company can enjoy many benefits.  For instance, by having a large presence on social media, your current followers will start building greater trust in you.  At the same time, you are offered a greater chance of receiving new prospects. Clients can appreciate a decrease in uncertainty and an increase in confidence in your business as you tell your story socially.  There is no better word-of-mouth advertising out there!   Then grow your digital presence from there.  All the while you are strengthening your relationship with your customer and getting to know them better by analyzing the way they engage with you.  According to Flexie, by developing a strong [...]

Brand Management: Why is it Necessary in 2021? In an age of consumerism and digital media, exacerbated by COVID-19 where we saw an increase in eCommerce, all eyes are locked on a brand’s every move. This can be a great asset for brand awareness and product launches but can also easily backfire on a company if they miss the mark with their audience. You probably remember a major sports clothing company accused of insensitivity after sending a poorly worded email to participants of a marathon, or the soap company who received massive backlash from their audience for their controversial commercial. These case studies can be used to examine why the role of a brand manager is so important for brands, especially in 2021 when consumers are holding brands to higher standards and brands are more readily accessible through social media. They illustrate the need to create a brand image that all advertising efforts revolve around in order to create a brand that customers can relate to. But what exactly is a brand manager's role and what trends should brand managers be looking at in 2021?   What are Brand Managers and What Do They Do? Today’s brand managers are expected to move quickly, approve a high velocity of content, drive results, and be at the forefront of industry trends. Brand managers can usually be found working at major companies with a multitude of brands working directly with agencies or marketing departments. Their responsibilities differ from company to company, but in [...]

 #7 Amplify the Customer Experience   “The customer’s perception is your reality.” – Kate Zabriskie    Last week, we talked about how times have changed, regarding business strategies and society as a whole. We have entered a new era, where outbound marketing has come to an end, and inbound marketing has walked through our doors. Communication with customers has become a two-way street, making their opinions and perspectives more important now than ever before.  We at DMW welcome these conversations; it is how we like to do business. Nowadays, the expectation is a continual activity from brands on digital platforms, and we love the challenge. The uprising of digital media has provided businesses an opportunity that goes beyond simply meeting consumers’ anticipations and rather exceeding all expectations.  A properly executed digital plan with touchstones along the way is key to this type of success. The Digital Marketing Institute has started that, “brand interactions can now happen in real-time, affording brands and their audiences with opportunities for two-way dialogues and meaningful exchanges.” Through more relevant and consequential conversations between businesses and their clients, productivity is maximized and customers’ limitless demands can be best maintained.   “Ultimately, at DMW, we have learned how to prioritize the client, and communicate effectively; we’re ready to help you do the same for your client,” says Josh Bahe, Client Success Manager.  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on this page.  

 #6 The Difference Between Then and Now   “Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” —John F. Kennedy   In this day and age, change and adapting have become vital to the success of a business. The basic difference between “then and now” is that businesses that are open to changes in a media-driven society are now guaranteed more success than others who aren’t.  Times are certainly changing.  Print media has become a thing of the past and broadcast television isn’t far behind.  We live in a digital-first world.  Buzz on the streets isn’t any longer about getting home in time for Thursday evenings “Must See TV” on NBC, it’s “Every Episode.  Every Movie.  Bingeworthy TV” on Peacock+” “At DMW, it wasn’t hard to notice this shift with so many fellow Gen Zers joining our team,” says Bridget Thompson who oversees TikTok for several of our brands.  “We are native to technology, we were born with mobile phones in our hands, basically.  It’s fun to see the Zoomers interact and brainstorm with the Bombers of our 34-year-old company to create relative solutions for clients to reach their expanding audiences.” DMW is here to help you be future-forward now.  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on this page.  

 #5 The Wild West   “If we never had any storms, we couldn't appreciate the sunshine.” - Dale Evans   Social media marketing is “word of mouth” marketing at its pinnacle. What better way to reach a vast highly engaged audience.  New social networks are launching at a sometimes alarming rate in hopes of getting their slice of a huge, profitable space. Some peter out with their followers after not too long, others gain immediate traction rocket to success, while still others rebound and reappear, energized by a new base of users. “Pay attention to all platforms,” says Kylie Compe, DMW’s digital content strategist. “That is what we do at DMW; we work to align our clients' goals with the most effective social media methods at the time, not just follow trends. Because our TV brands build their audience base socially, we parlay the success we have obtained into our client’s future success." Inc. Magazine states that influencer marketing in the right area is low risk with high reward, but not by taking an educated guess.  Navigating through tumbleweed will lead to a sunny horizon; with the right digital science behind these campaigns, your brand can explode. DMW is ready to be your marketing arm.  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on this page.  

 #4 Cord Cutters Want Free TV   “The best things in life are free.” - American Proverb   Over the past few years, cable companies have continuously lost video subscribers to cord-cutting, quarter after quarter, according to cordcuttersnews.com.  Instead of creating a retention plan to entice those customers not to cut the cord through offering cheaper cable packages, these companies are finding ways to enter the streaming game and attract new consumers with new and expanded offerings.  Think Verizon+,  Comcast+, Spectrum+.  “We are already there with our three TV brands,” says Andrew Natvig, DMW content producer, “and we have been for over a year.”  Discover Wisconsin, Into the Outdoors and Boondock Nation all have free apps on Roku, Amazon Fire, AppleTV, iOS and Android as well as through SmartTVs and Chromecast.  “Our clients benefit through placing their ads on our streaming channels reaching new audiences directly without a paywall or paid subscription,” enthuses Natvig.   DMW can develop a robust programmatic ad campaign for your business to reach users of top streaming devices who want to engage with us…and you!  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on this page.  

#3 The Increasing Importance of Data "A person's actions will tell you everything you need to know about them, pay attention." -Anonymous   With the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), we have more access to information on people.  The best marketers dive into that data to have greater insight into consumer behavior, attributes and preferences.  Winners will be those companies and brands that harness that superhighway of super power and hyper-target their marketing according to Forbes Magazine. “And that’s where DMW comes into play with you.  With a myriad of clients and internal brands that cross the gamut with audience and tools to reach that audience, we have historic data which can swiftly help inform your brand,” says Josh Bahe, DMW’s Client Success Manager.  “It’s all about an integrated marketing solution where your media, message, frequency and platform all come together to reach your very specific end user.” “‘Micro’ will replace ‘mass’ sooner than we know,” says Nancy A. Sheker of the ONswitch.com in Forbes Magazine.  DMW is here to help you harness the power of numbers.  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on this page.  

#2 Pictures Speak Louder Than Words “Just Do It.” - Nike   Wordstream.com reports 59% of executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic, they are more likely to choose video. Plus, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text, their research shows. And why not stand out.  Show your client who you are and measure their engagement with your messaging.  “Digital communication allows you to create moving images that move the viewer, both emotionally and to take action,” suggests DMW’s CEO and President Mark C. Rose.  “And with 32 years in this business, we don’t just produce video, we create stories that attract eyeballs and pull people in.” With over 40 billion robocalls placed last year and 50% of all email received marked as SPAM, set yourself apart, digitally.  Video is showing up everywhere, especially as we are encouraged to spend less time in front of people, as an effective way to  communicate a brand’s message in B2C and B2B. Stand out and be one of the first in your industry to deliver messages, digitally! And if you or your colleagues are uncomfortable at first to be on camera, or feel you have a face for radio, let our team coach you into being the superstars that you are.   DMW is here to help you stand out in front of your audience.  Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us on [...]

#1 Reach a Global Audience “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it goes out.” - John Muir Connecting to people in various locations worldwide within seconds and then interacting with them at any time is one of the greatest advantages of digital marketing says digitalsucces.us, and DMW totally agrees.  Customers no longer have to come to your storefront when they have a need, you can go to them digitally and address their needs more timely, and with the vast data digital metrics give you, more innately.  It is easier than ever to connect with a potential customer, nurture them and turn them into a life-long, loyal one, all the way tracking that journey. We have grown to be a global society with people working remotely and communicating virtually.   It’s easier than ever with technology.  And while that reach and immediacy is often overwhelming, we are still a small world after all.  You could even say the world is no bigger than a donut hole. “Check out the story of Dunkin’,” says Nicole Martin, DMW’s Head of Digital. “With a presence in 50 countries, embracing digital is more than a marketing strategy, it’s a necessity. Three years ago, the chain made waves by adapting elements of their signature product, the donut, to tailor the flavor according to the country. From seaweed sprinkles in China to Saffron icing in India, the donut spoke to people where they are at. From there, DD [...]