How to Build a Creative Media Team for Business Growth

TL;DR

Hiring a creative director transformed BPN's growth, increasing revenue by 400% from 2019 to 2020. Initially a small team, strategic hires and a focus on storytelling expanded their media presence. The key was adapting and learning from challenges, emphasizing authenticity over trends, which enhanced both personal and professional growth.

Transcript

in this episode of the podcast I sit down with my creative director Jordan uter Jordan joined the bpn team in 2019 he was employee number five he joined seven years after I started bpn out of my small College Department in Western Pennsylvania and for those first seven years I was filming editing and creating almost all of my own content but in 201... Read More

Key Insights

• Hiring a creative director was pivotal for BPN's growth, leading to a 400% revenue increase from 2019 to 2020.
• Exploring curiosities and taking risks can lead to unexpected career paths and opportunities.
• Authenticity in content creation is crucial, as imitating trends can lead to a lack of fulfillment and originality.
• Building a media team requires flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to do work for free initially to gain experience.
• Effective leadership involves understanding and communicating with team members to align roles with their strengths and desires.
• Long-term success in business often involves revisiting and returning to foundational principles and practices.
• Maintaining passion and mission focus in creative work enhances the impact and fulfillment derived from the work.
• Navigating challenges with patience and adaptability is key to personal and professional growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did hiring a creative director impact BPN's growth?

Hiring a creative director in 2019 was a pivotal decision for BPN, leading to a 400% increase in revenue from 5.6 million to over 22 million. The director's role was crucial in building a media team that could authentically tell BPN's story, which significantly expanded their media presence and contributed to the company's rapid growth.

Q: What is the importance of authenticity in content creation?

Authenticity in content creation is vital as it ensures that the content resonates with the audience and remains true to the creator's values. Imitating trends can lead to a lack of fulfillment and originality, whereas creating authentic content fosters a deeper connection with the audience and enhances long-term success.

Q: Why is exploring curiosities important in a creative career?

Exploring curiosities is crucial in a creative career because it leads to unexpected opportunities and growth. It encourages individuals to take risks and try new things, which can result in discovering passions and career paths that were previously unconsidered. This openness to exploration can significantly enhance personal and professional development.

Q: How does one build an effective media team?

Building an effective media team involves flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to start with free work to gain experience. It's important to hire individuals who are passionate about the mission and can work collaboratively. Effective leadership requires understanding team members' strengths and aligning roles with their skills and interests.

Q: What lessons were learned from the early days of building BPN?

The early days of building BPN taught the importance of adaptability, patience, and maintaining a focus on the mission. Challenges were frequent, but they provided valuable learning experiences. The team learned to prioritize authenticity in storytelling, which was crucial for growth and building a strong brand identity.

Q: How does the mission impact creative work at BPN?

The mission at BPN significantly impacts creative work by providing a sense of purpose and direction. It ensures that content is created with the intention of adding value and making a positive impact on the audience. This mission-driven approach enhances the fulfillment and satisfaction derived from the work, making it more meaningful.

Q: What role does patience play in business growth?

Patience is essential in business growth as it allows for thoughtful decision-making and long-term planning. It helps in navigating challenges and uncertainties without resorting to reactive measures. Being patient enables a business to stay true to its values and mission, leading to sustainable growth and success over time.

Q: How can businesses return to foundational principles for success?

Businesses can return to foundational principles by reassessing their core values and mission. This involves evaluating past strategies that were successful and aligning current practices with those principles. It's important to focus on authenticity and originality, ensuring that the business stays true to its identity while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 2019, hiring a creative director marked a turning point for BPN, with a 400% growth in revenue. The focus was on building a media team that could authentically tell the brand's story.

• The conversation highlights the importance of exploring curiosities, taking risks, and being adaptable. It emphasizes the need for authenticity in the creative process over following trends.

• The journey involved learning from challenges and maintaining a focus on the mission, which ultimately led to both personal and professional growth for the team.