2012 has been a true break-out year for McQ Media. In our first year of operation, we were blown away by the positive response from the marketplace. And we’ve far exceeded even our most ambitious projections for the year. Earlier this month I asked the team for the words that best describe this year. Here’s the list I received: New, Fresh, Fun, Frightening, Awesome, Surprising, Incredible, Blessing, Amazing, Unbelievable. My list of adjectives include: New, Blessing and Gratitude. As we review the past 12 months and look forward to a new year, here are several of the highlights that we’ll always remember from McQ Media 2012:
The Found Money Report
After over several decades on the station side of the media equation, I made the leap of faith and started McQ Media. And once we launched our website, the growth started almost immediately. Our first major project came in the financial planning sector as McQ Media helped Texas Retirement Specialists launch a new radio program, The Found Money Report, on WBAP Radio. Having an opportunity to work with Jim and Dauph Poe and their family at TRS has been extraordinary. And the weekly radio program has been well received by both the station and listeners. Cumulus station management commented immediately that they loved the production value of the program and the fact the McQ Media approaches paid programming much differently that typical infomercial or financial program producers.
The Consumer Team
Because of my passion for consumer advocacy issues, McQ Media started 2012 with a goal of launching a consumer radio program in the Dallas-Ft. Worth radio market. Due to the program content and target audience, we thought the program would be appropriate for a select few news and talk radio stations in the market. And when KRLD and CBS Radio expressed an interest in airing our program concept, we knew it was a perfect fit. The Consumer Team airs Saturdays from 5-7PM on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD Radio. As a result of launching The Consumer Team, I’ve been reunited with many of my friends at Consumer Reports Magazine and Shop Smart Magazine in New York. The Consumer Reports Magazine team is by far the most objective source of consumer information in the world. Another exciting aspect of The Consumer Team is our partnership with the ‘best-of-the-best’ businesses in Dallas-Ft. Worth. These ‘Consumer Team Certified’ sponsors have already helped hundreds of thousands of listeners and customers in North Texas.
McQ Media – Agency of Record
When we started McQ Media, I anticipated that we would end up representing a number of our clients as Agency of Record. What I didn’t anticipate was the improvement in media value that we were able to negotiate on behalf of our clients. Because our of extensive background in broadcast sales, we’re able to deliver exceptional value to the client while still keeping the deal fair for the media outlet. Moving into 2013 and beyond, McQ Media will be expanding our media services division.
McQ Video Solutions
In response to client demand, McQ Video Solutions offers small business high quality video production for a conservative budget. Utilizing production crews with national video experience, we’re able to deliver network quality short-form and long-form production. In 2012, we’ve helped several of our clients upgrade their video presence and expand into broadcast television with network quality creative.
McQ Media Digital Explosion
Almost all of our clients use McQ Digital for website design, content creation and social media design and maintenance. And because McQ Media has a heart for needs of small business, we’re able to accomplish digital projects for a fraction of the market cost.
Strategic Planning: ‘Start Ups Are Us!’
Over the past year, McQ Media has worked with several new company and product launches. In one project, we were brought in initially for media planning but ended up working on strategic planning for the entire company. Another client, in the broadcast industry, retained McQ Media to budget advertising sales, build sales materials and help recruit department head level leadership.
Months ago when we started 2013 planning meetings with all McQ Media clients, we asked the question, “Where do you want to go next year?” The answers we got were very interesting. Of course, several clients gave us typical answers that described specific growth and profit margins. But an increasing number of comments were made that made us pause. One executive said, “I want to make a difference in people’s lives, even if we need to get smaller to do this.” Another said, “I want us to be remembered years from now as a company that made things better.”
Special Projects: “When You’re Not Sure Who To Call…..”
McQ Media is not a typical agency. In a blog this year, I referred to us as the “Anti-Agency”. Part of this label comes from the fact that McQ Media is hybrid of several different areas of core competency. For some clients we’re an advertising agency acting as their AOR. Other clients hire McQ for sales support. And we’ll also be retained for our production and creative services. Several projects we’ve completed in 2012 were the result of people calling us with a unique project and asking “Do you guys do this?” One example, a top 10 market radio station wanted to change formats and relaunch a new sales effort. Our McQ Media team was able to work with station management to complete a year 1 operating budget, create radio sales packaging and training for the sales department and assist management in year 1 sales projections.
Happy New Year!
As we head into a new year, our best wishes to you for a healthy and happy 2013. We hope that regardless of where your journey in life and business takes you this year, that you are able to work with people you value on projects that are meaningful to you.
So Where is McQ Media going in 2013? Just Ask Our Clients!
President – CEO
Congratulations Pete. Big dreams require big leaps. You did it. Keep up the radically good work.