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.

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Journal Entries

The Case for the Marketing Budget Leap
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.

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Strategy Isn't Mysterious, It's Just Goals and Priorities
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*.

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Stop Blaming Tools for Leadership Gaps (CRM)
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.

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Apple iOS 14 Privacy, Facebook, VIA and You
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.

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Looking Inward to Move Forward: The VIA Rebrand
Looking Inward to Move Forward: The VIA Rebrand

By: Ben Wilson

A retrospective of VIA's ever-changing approach and constant commitment to partnership.

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A Critical Look at Spotify's Algorithms, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Algorhythm
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.

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Why Rebrand? A VIA Studio Panel Discussion
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.

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A Brief Guide to Briefs
A Brief Guide to Briefs

By: Ben Wilson

A short guide to the short documents we use to guide our work.

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We Don't Sell Products - How Do We Measure Success with Our Website?
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.

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Facebook ads that really work
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.

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The Dramatic Uptick in Shopping on Mobile is all about Comfort
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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