Ben Wilson
Director of Strategy
Ben Wilson’s 20+ years of experience has followed the winds of change in the digital and marketing fields. Educated as a systems analyst, he’s been that, but also a full-stack developer, development team leader and project and account manager. These experiences, coupled with a natural curiosity and a passion for data, make him a natural fit for the position of Director of Strategy.
The Case for the Marketing Budget Leap
By: Ben Wilson
You ever bite a stick of butter? 🧈 No? OK let me back up. 🔙 I'm fond of saying "like too little butter spread over too much bread". This a paraphrase of Bilbo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings. He's describing how "thin" he feels after having held onto the One Ring for too long. 💍 It's parasitic power has slowly worn him out. He's done. 😮💨 (here comes the marketing tie-in... wait for it... waaaait for it) This is similar to clients that I see that are OBSESSED with stretching 🙆🏽♀️ a meager marketing budget.
Read More »Strategy Isn't Mysterious, It's Just Goals and Priorities
By: Ben Wilson
Listen - we've all been there. Introducing ourselves on a Zoom call. The Account Manager, the Creative Director, the Developer. Clients *get* what they do, instinctively. We can imagine them working, kicking out agendas, designs, code - providing *real value*.
Read More »Stop Blaming Tools for Leadership Gaps (CRM)
By: Ben Wilson
This! This [new gadget]! It will fix me! It will fix us! 🤩 It’s tempting to think a shiny new tool, like a CRM system, will fix everything in your business life. But here’s the hard truth: *most of the time* the tool isn't the problem OR the solution—it’s the lack of clear leadership.
Read More »Apple iOS 14 Privacy, Facebook, VIA and You
By: Ben Wilson
Looking at the major impact that Apple's new privacy-focused iOS 14.4 will have on the world of privacy - specifically digital advertising. We'll look at why this is important, why Facebook is scared, and what we at VIA think about it.
Read More »Looking Inward to Move Forward: The VIA Rebrand
By: Ben Wilson
A retrospective of VIA's ever-changing approach and constant commitment to partnership.
Read More »A Critical Look at Spotify's Algorithms, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Algorhythm
By: Ben Wilson
Director of Strategy Ben Wilson takes a critical look at the pros and cons of one of the world's biggest drivers of music discovery and consumption: the Spotify Discover Weekly algorithm.
Read More »Why Rebrand? A VIA Studio Panel Discussion
By: Ben Wilson
Often an agency will advise their client that a rebrand or a "refresh" of their current brand is in order. But why? It's an expensive, potentially disruptive journey that contains many unforeseeable obstacles.
Read More »A Brief Guide to Briefs
By: Ben Wilson
A short guide to the short documents we use to guide our work.
Read More »We Don't Sell Products - How Do We Measure Success with Our Website?
By: Ben Wilson
Director of Strategy Ben Wilson gives you some strategies to a very valuable (and common) question.
Read More »Facebook ads that really work
By: Ben Wilson
Facebook offers a wild array of different ad formats. Here are a sample of some high-engagement examples that we’ve used in the past year: “Mayan Café Catering” Facebook Video Template for The Mayan Café Preview this Mayan Café video template ad in your Facebook feed by clicking here.
Read More »The Dramatic Uptick in Shopping on Mobile is all about Comfort
By: Ben Wilson
The rise of mobile purchasing has changed the game for the long haul.
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