In this month’s edition of First Fridays, we introduce you to Dave Brown, Director of Digital Strategy at MKG, an experiential marketing firm that’s sparking some of the most exciting connections between brands and consumers today. When he’s not designing imaginative online executions for top tier clients, you can find him writing at Holiday Matinee, his blog on creative inspiration that receives 90k visitors a month. Read on for Dave’s thoughts on modern entrepreneurism, the best arts non-profit you might not know about, and why you should be suspect of anyone who declares themself a “social media expert.”
If you had to choose one word or phrase to describe MKG, what would it be?
Experts at creating the most fundamental of all touch points – an experience.
How do you define success for your enterprise?
When what we do provides meaningful and purposeful value to people, that’s success.
You are a founder of two previous businesses. What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting them?
I think a lot of people don’t go after their dreams because they’re afraid of failure. It reminds me of a great Woody Allen quote: “If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you aren’t doing anything very innovative.” Don’t be afraid to jump in head-first and take risks. You might fall a few times, but you’ll bounce back up and let me tell ya, it’ll be worth it.
What is the one thing you never want to hear (or, most want to hear) from a customer/user/client?
The one thing I never want to hear when I meet someone is, “I’m a social media expert.” If you’re looking to bump up your Klout score and someone feeds you that line, it’s a sure sign to run. Social media is moving faster than Kardashian weddings and it just cracks me up when people refer to themselves as experts of an industry that is constantly evolving and trying to define itself.
On the flip side, I love when I meet with clients who realize social media is not just a campaign. It’s about creating a meaningful, consistent and incredibly awesome experience for consumers. Stand-alone campaigns can only take a strategy so far; real success comes when that strategy is integrated both on and offline, and addresses the overall goals of your organization.
What compan[y]ies (other than your own) are you inspired by, and why?
There’s an underground army of creatives that are enriching an often sleepy San Diego with art, music and culture. They’re a non-profit called Sezio and if you have the chance to experience one of their events, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
What is the next big thing?
Musically, I can’t stop listening to this young group from Louisiana called Givers. Man, they are so upbeat and awesome, it makes me want to hi-five complete strangers when I listen to them.
Tech-wise, there are so many but here are two I’m excited about:
1. Microsoft hit a home-run with Kinect. Yes, it’s killer for gaming but just wait to see all the open-platform possibilities integrating this device in health care and education.
2. Social commerce – it won’t be too long before the phone replaces the wallet.
What is the worst business idea you’ve heard?
Replacing TSA agents with psychics. (Yup, that was mine).
