Business Strategy

Launched a trade publisher's new publication and web site aimed at hard-to-reach professionals

A leading specialty trade publisher hired a Quantum Media member to leverage her expertise with one professional audience in order to create a new magazine for a related, but different group. Our consultant led a team of company managers and several outside vendors to:

• Perform and write up original research in the field
• Create a circulation plan
• Build the circulation model, including traditional direct response mailings, subscription agent acquisition, and bulk acquisition through associations and organizations
• Write the business plan for a print and web publication and build the business model
• Hire key staff
• Find a software integration firm
• Research line extensions of the new publication as it was launching

The magazine reached more than half its long-term circulation goal in the first 90 days and continues to grow.

Assessed a publication purchase and assisted the new owner with the re-launch

A potential buyer of a niche consumer magazine engaged Quantum Media to create a realistic assessment of the market as well as a projection of future revenues and expenses for the publication. After purchasing the magazine, the buyer retained the consultant to advise on various aspects of the re-launch, from setting up the departments to establishing new systems for managing finance, production, advertising, fulfillment and circulation. The consultant continues to advise the buyer on publishing strategy.

The magazine has performed closely to the consultant's projections of both revenue and expense. A year later, renewal percentages are up 20%, and the subscription base is up 26%. Both continue to improve.

Structured and implemented the US launch for a Canadian media start-up in out-of-home television

A very promising new advertising medium, based in Toronto, engaged a Quantum Member as the first outside Director on its Board and as a consultant to advise on entering the U.S. market. Our consultant worked directly with the CEO on the business strategy for the American market and helped hire staff in the U.S. (COO, Head of Ad Sales). The consultant also formed a Media Advisory Board, comprised of prominent ad agency executives and advertisers, to advise the CEO, Board and staff on out-of-home advertising issues and to represent the company to prospective investors.

In order to gain distribution for the company, the consultant also led a feasibility study for a major U.S. real estate property manager to assess other locations for this medium throughout his buildings. As a result of its successful launch, the company was able to structure merger terms with its competitor on favorable terms. The consultant continues to be engaged by the acquirer.

Led the effort to launch a website start-up for instruction publishing

A Quantum Media member developed a custom-publishing, web-based service offering post-sale consumer electronics and appliances support and product ownership services. For the Internet start-up, she:

• Wrote the business plan
• Hired tech and marketing staff
• Identified funding sources and strategic partners
• Supervised the demo build
• Made calls to the trade for strategic partnerships

When it became clear that the company was not going to be a viable independent entity, she found an exit strategy for the business-having it acquired by a similar company.

Served on the Board of Directors and performed the role of Chief Business Advisor for a web and multi-media design and content firm

A prominent designer who has worked on a series of very hip publications over the years started a web and streaming media design agency and content origination company. A Quantum Media member joined the Board and is on retainer with the company to do a wide variety of tasks, including setting up the company's budgeting and accounting systems, working out pricing and cost accounting issues with the staff, and helping with general business strategy. The media design business was immediately profitable and is on a growth track with web and wireless content development.

Advised a video "reality" company on how to leverage its success in broadcast for a web business

The largest independent documentary producer for cable TV has been a growing and very profitable enterprise for over 15 years. The owner wanted to use his core competency to profitably move to the web. The Quantum Media consultant worked with the CEO on the business strategy, wrote the initial business plan, and helped hire the staff (CFO, VP, Marketing) for the parent company that would run both the video and the streaming video businesses. The consultant continues to be on retainer as the business - now a full-fledged Internet brand that compliments the video production business - continues to build.

Created plan for and helped implement an expansion strategy to take a local publication national

Several Quantum members worked together to create a business plan for a client looking to expand distribution nationally. They supplied competitive analyses, ran circulation models, advised on business development for the new publication as well as the existing business, created a marketing strategy and positioning for the new title. After approval and budgets for this relaunch, they helped the client to implement the plan: working with the client on new marketing, testing, analyzing results, finding and converting to outside fulfillment services, modifying the plan as situations and results changed over time.

The new publication and distribution system was successfully launched, and Quantum members continue to advise the company in its new phase of expansion.