Andrew Piron

I am lucky.  I have one of the most interesting and exciting roles an internet start-up guy could ask for.  As part of Balihoo's program management team, I get to work with all of our clients within their local advertising and marketing efforts.  I spend a good amount of time traveling to our client's offices and learning how they are trying to overcome the challenges of local marketing, and of course, integrating Balihoo services and our software platform to make their marketing efforts easy, effective and measurable.

I am always impressed with our clients and the way that they think about strategic marketing initiatives.  While most of our clients have great national brand exposure, we are fortunate to work with them to develop a good sense for local marketing ideas and how to complement them with national brand advertising within local markets.

Today, I was at a training session for one of our clients (not sure if I am allowed to say their name on the blog, so will remain nameless for now).  I presented to a room of 80 or so regional operations and sales staff.  Usually presentations to a group this size go very well but generally don't have high interaction level of Q&A - not this time.  I have never had more questions from a group that size.  I was shocked at how attentive and inquisitive they were around Balihoo, its local media buying services and the related local marketing services that we offer.

While on the plane flying back home, I thought about why this was - and wondered why there was such a positive energy level in the room.  As much as I would like to say it was my presentation skills, that was definitely not the reason.  It became clear to me that  this particular company gets it....they see the big picture (and the small picture), and it is clear that they drive the messaging and importance around local marketing deep into their regional operations staff. 

I was impressed today, and am always reminded that without the big picture and constant reinforcement and messaging from corporate leadership there is liability that the execution down into the local level will be compromised.  Here's to the big picture and good leadership!