Year Two, almost in the books...

So about this time last year, I wrote a similiar article entitled "Year One, almost in the books..." (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/year-one-almost-books-dan-alexander), so what better way to follow up Year One with Year Two...

Let me first preface that the industry has definitely shifted, the cheese has moved, and we need to come together and clean this shit up. Fraud is at an all-time high, Programmatic platforms are getting flack around transparency and difficulties to manage, and general business ethics are sometimes left to the waste-side.

Our business has always has always touted and been proud to focus on:

• Transparency + Insights
• Superior Customer Service
• Good + Clean Inventory Across all Devices + Screens

We continue to be humble and hustle for every penny from the proposal stage, to the IO stage, to the day it hits our bank account. This industry is competitive, rough, and there is a lot of shit in the middle.

Few things I learned or re-learned in the second year:

• People: I said this last year, but I am so bullish on the people we have here at BOLD, and the tenacity, focus and hunger we have each and every day to do great things. As we grow, the focus will always be on bringing in great people.
• Fraudsters: This industry, especially digital video, is unfortunately plagued with Fraud and BOT traffic. However, there are people and companies that try and fix it with the tools that are available to them, under the cost restraints they have, and then there are the guys that roll dice a bit, and the others that fuel it. Stop fueling it! We need the $70+ BILLION on broadcast to be comfortable with digital video. Don't scare em! We at BOLD have seen the Fraud and the 'Fraudsters.' We know who you are, and we stay far away!
• Cash Flow: This industry is also plagued with delinquent payments and cash continues to be king. Agencies have long terms and are often sequential liability, but yet big Publishers expects timely Net 30-60 payments. Always a challenge, but just always need to keep an eye on the bottom line, especially if you are only self-funded.
• FOCUS: Too many players, too many platforms, too many products. Focus on the few things you do great and squeeze every penny out of every great partnership! Doing more revenue with less partners is sometimes okay. Focus on the prize, and add more over time. We are GREAT at good/clean inventory across all devices and screens. This alone has so much opportunity, especially with our products, our people, our focus, and superior customer service!

This industry is fun, so let's be fun and let's have fun, but let's also hustle, drive results and make money! Year 2 has already been record breaking, and we look forward to the future!

#bebold