Leading the Way in an Evolving Industry Out-of-home media agencies are growing and In Touch Media's Margie Carr is leading the way with an approach that embraces trust, simplicity and the power of networks.

PLAYER: Margie Carr

COMPANY: In Touch Media

EST: 2008

VISIT: intouchmedia.co.za

With content playing an increasingly central role, out-of-home media agencies can no longer just be real estate companies. They must evolve to become publishers. That's according to a recent article in US advertising trade publication Adweek.

It's an approach that has worked for Margie Carr, owner and MD of In Touch Media, a business she has built over 20 years in a cutthroat industry. Having gone through several key growth phases, today the company has a level 2 B-BBEE rating, and is accredited with the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA).

Margie is positive about the future of out-of-home, thanks to the increasing digitisation of the media, consumer demands for responsive experiences, and an explosion of location data. "Advertisers are fundamentally changing their perception of out-of-home advertising," says Margie.

"Where we have differentiated our services is that we simplify the entire process, from idea to execution, so that our clients can focus on managing their brands." When Margie started the business, she had experience as an account manager and copywriter.

Initially she was "selling out-of-home stock', but her passion for strategic campaign management got in the way, and the business evolved into a full-service out-of-home media agency. That shift required a change in mindset.

"To book, plan and execute an out-of-home campaign is a much more complex process than selling space," says Margie. "It was a major adjustment. A tangible product is easier to sell than an intangible service."

That's because a tangible product can more easily demonstrate value, whereas with a service, you create a vision and sell the vision to the customer. "Our promise to the client is that once they brief us, we do the rest. We handle the communication across all the teams contracted into campaigns, keeping clients updated on progress every step of the way.

"Out-of-home is an extremely complex medium, and knowledge of both buyers and sellers is critical. We have differentiated the business on our depth of knowledge and extensive experience in the market."

Believe in your employees

Margie admits that one of her biggest challenges was learning to trust employees. It's a common one for entrepreneurs. One of the key requirements of "learning to let go' is showing your people what it means to walk in your shoes, and to avoid the temptation of trying to protect them from reality.

"Giving employees the ability to see things from your perspective helps to make them feel more like partners, rather than staff who are in it for the salary at the end of the month. This makes it easier to establish trust, and a mutual commitment to the business and its long-term goals."

Become part of a network

Margie also acknowledges that it's important to have a professional network. For her, membership of the local chapter of Women Presidents' Organisation (WPO), of which she is also a founder member, has been beneficial.

It's an organisation for female CEOs and managing directors, and the South African chapter, launched in 2008 by Anni Hoare, is the first to be established beyond North America. Margie credits the organisation with empowering her to grow her company.

"The WPO aims to accelerate business growth, enhance competitiveness, and promote economic security through confidential and collaborative peer-learning groups," she says. "For me it has been a platform to learn from, and to be inspired by and work with incredible people who are determined to succeed."

As an entrepreneur, she points out that you do not have a board that meets regularly. Instead you are expected to have all the answers. With a dedicated board, you have people who are focused on what you need to be successful, guide you on the risks you should take or avoid, and can help you to achieve your long-term goals and strategic objectives.

Boards expand networks, promote accountability, and give a company a level of credibility that is reassuring for customers and employees. "In the absence of that, membership of a powerful network can make all the difference. Having the ability to meet with fellow entrepreneurs once a month, to work through different sets of challenges together and come up with creative solutions, is a proactive learning experience that really helps you to grow as a business owner and leader.

"It's an opportunity to come to grips with your own strengths and weaknesses, and to understand the value of high-level advice."

Simplicity is the key to success

Ken Seagall, author and former Apple creative director, said "The most important thing we do is give people a simple solution, so they can do amazing things.'

The connection between simplicity and success has contributed to the success of In Touch Media. Keeping it simple has been a guiding principle for the business.

"We had to make changes to our systems to make them more client friendly as the out-of-home environment evolved. In some instances, clients are required to sign more than a dozen different contracts with diverse providers — we have streamlined our processes so that clients sign one agreement with us and we manage all the suppliers."

The future is digital

Looking ahead, Margie expects ongoing change with the growth of digital out-of-home. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) valued South Africa's out-of-home market — the biggest in Africa — at R4,4 billion in 2016, with growth of 2,7% forecast over the next five years.

More than a quarter of the country's out-of-home revenue is now sourced via digital screens. UK research has shown that digital out-of-home reaches 92% of Londoners.

"There are exciting times ahead. On average, out-of-home super-users increase profits by 26%. Consumer trust is a key element, and familiarity nurtures trust.

A consumer passing your ad every time they go shopping will develop confidence in the brand. They see you are here for the long haul, and that you have confidence in your brand."