Case Study
Implementing a Strategic Process to Align Products with Local Reader and Advertiser Needs to Create the Newspaper of the Future
Recognizing Frank N. Magid Associates’ strategic and operational local media expertise, a major US publisher engaged Magid to help reverse the fortunes of one of its local newspapers which was experiencing declining circulation and advertising revenues. Believing that local newspapers could grow by exploiting their unique selling propositions and aligning their products and services with local market needs, Magid developed a process to explore patterns of local media consumption, investigate potential new business models for both print and online, and evaluate opportunities to recapture important consumer and advertiser positions assumed by other media. Through a comprehensive process that included strategy sessions with key personnel and multiple phases of qualitative and quantitative research with consumers and advertisers, Magid developed new prototypes of the print newspaper and ad products. After testing these prototypes with the relevant markets, Magid partnered with the newspaper to develop a strategic roadmap including an operational approach and identification of profit mechanisms. As a result, the newspaper has experienced an increase in year-over-year ad sales, strong positive reader feedback, and internal recognition from its parent company. This engagement has also led to strategy engagements with other local newspapers of major US newspaper holding companies.
Identifying Content and Distribution Opportunities to Increase Customer Engagement and Product Sales
In an effort to more deeply engage its customers, reach new audiences and grow its brand presence, a Fortune 50 consumer products company partnered with Frank N. Magid Associates to develop a media strategy across brands and platforms to increase customer engagement. Magid conducted a large scale analysis of the related content, distribution and competitive landscape, and identified best practices to identify content and distribution opportunities for the company. Based on this analysis, Magid and the client identified content opportunities and tested these opportunities with target markets. The engagement resulted in an executable, validated media strategy roadmap that aligned with consumer, industry, and competitive opportunities and that positioned the client as a leader in the content area to drive engagement and, ultimately, product sales.
Applying Strategic Consulting, Primary Research, and Marketing Expertise to Analyze the Viability of "Green" Cleaning Products
Considering the worldwide emphasis on going green, a global industrial cleaning products company partnered with Frank N. Magid Associates to explore the feasibility of a strategy for commercially available industrial “green” cleaning products while simultaneously identifying the tenets that would drive sales. To identify and prioritize the company’s unique green opportunities, Magid performed extensive B2B executive phone research in nine markets worldwide to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and purchase drivers for green products, determine how to leverage brand strengths and competitive advantages, and develop effective marketing and communications approaches for going green. The project provided strategic and tactical direction regarding the viability and size of the opportunity, as well as the branding, marketing, pricing and competitive strategy for green products. Magid is preparing to conduct additional strategy consulting and research on the groundbreaking new green product.
Applying Magid's Unique Process for Analyzing Local Market Potential to Prioritize Investments for a Major Local Media Company
Amidst a challenging market for local newspapers, Frank N. Magid Associates developed a process for media holding companies to prioritize local markets for resource allocation, isolate markets with less growth potential and identify valuable markets as acquisition opportunities. Magid applied this process for one of the largest local media companies in the US to identify markets that were most capable of supporting local media growth. Magid’s team of newspaper operators, researchers and consultants analyzed and ranked twenty-six of the company’s local newspaper markets, resulting in the prioritization of the company’s resource allocation and the discovery of a unique investment opportunity. In addition, market re-engineering projects were launched based on this analysis and Magid was selected to lead these initiatives.
An Insurance Company Selects Magid as a Strategic Partner to Provide Insights Regarding the Drivers of Consumer Loyalty
In order to maintain and grow its business amidst a crowded competitive environment and the fickle insurance consumer, a leading US insurance company partnered with Frank N. Magid Associates to better understand and improve customer loyalty. Magid implemented sophisticated statistical modeling to identify the drivers of preference and the products, services and messaging that could increase preference, all framed within the company’s key brand strengths. These insights provided actionable tools that increased customer acquisition and retention, and remain the pillars of the firm’s C-level strategy. As a result of the success of the strategy, Magid is considered a strategic partner and is invited to contribute formally and informally on all issues related to the company's customer, product, brand, media, and marketing strategy.
Leveraging Magid's Mobile Expertise, Unique Perspective, and Capabilities to Identify Opportunities in the Mobile Location-Based Advertising Landscape
A division of a leading US wireless carrier that develops and provides geographic information systems wanted to analyze the location-based advertising space to guide their branding, product development and advertising strategies. Applying its mobile expertise and strategic insights, Frank N. Magid Associates conducted an exhaustive deep dive of the location-based advertising landscape, including an analysis of competitors and best practice models in and outside of the industry. Magid also conducted executive interviews with media buyers, ad agency buyers, and advertisers to identify the needs, attitudes and behaviors towards location-based advertising, and the current and future intent to invest in location-based advertising. Magid’s unique perspective of key audience, advertising and technology trends across media platforms provided a filter to analyze the viability and growth potential of the opportunities. The landscape analysis, primary research and Magid’s recommendations guided the client’s entrance strategy into mobile advertising. The success of the engagement has led the firm to continue to leverage Magid’s media and strategic expertise to inform several other key mobile advertising strategies.
Applying Magid's Television Station Expertise and a Market, Station, and Audience Analysis to Improve Station Products and Revenues
Leveraging Frank N. Magid Associates’ 50+ years of expertise in the local media space, a local television station partnered with Magid to understand how to differentiate and enhance its products to take advantage of product strengths and the vulnerabilities of its key competitors. Magid implemented an intense consulting process including a market analysis of ratings and competitor content across platforms, and an in-depth station analysis of product strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities. The comprehensive external and internal analysis was complemented by primary research to assess market audience ideals, identify brand attributes and opportunities, and identify potential breakout strategies to move the audience measurement needle. Based on the analyses and research findings, and through a lens of its local station expertise, Magid provided recommendations to improve current products and develop new products that took advantage of market opportunities, station strengths, and viewer needs. Magid provided consulting support and progress assessment to drive change, and continues to make consultation visits to the station to ensure tangible progress and ROI.