CALLLING ALL: Brand managers, media relations professionals, marketing and communication teams, graphic designers, and higher edu pro photographers…

Registration is now open for the webinar, “Managing Your Brand in Higher Education”!  We’re excited to announce a very reputable panel of experts in higher education from across the country.  They will be speaking about their own experiences and best practices harnessed in higher education.  The growth of digital media marketing for higher education has created many challenges, and we will be covering how to easily overcome this obstacle.  These are just some of the many valuable topics that will be covered in the webinar.

Get great insight to what experts and peers are doing and bring these ideas to your institution. This informational session will allow you to connect with your peers at top schools through a Q&A session, moderated by our very own cofounder, Jody Vandergriff. To be even more interactive with others, tweet during the webinar by following @webdam and using hashtag WebDAMWebinar.

This webinar is free, but space is limited. Register Now.

Date: Wednesday, May 30^th, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)

Tip #44

Make custom pages to easily communicate with your DAM users. Use these pages for important contacts, best practices, business processes, or anything you think your users will benefit from.

To share expertise on the relationship between Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Social Media ROI, our very own co-founder, Jody Vandergriff was asked to write an article for SandHill — an industry-recognized organization dedicated to thought leadership in software, cloud, and mobile technology. Read the SandHill article to learn more about how companies are harnessing digital asset management to improve social media ROI.

DAM in Social Media Strategy

In summary, Vandergriff taps into her 15 years of tech industry expertise to analyze how Digital Asset Management can grow beyond an organizational tool and become a key component in the best social media marketing strategy. With the exponential growth of social media channels and campaigns, enterprises are struggling to develop a sound online marketing strategy and optimization plan for improving social media ROI. It has become a tough moving target. To showcase the growth of assets in social media, Topsy reported that Twitter’s photo sharing grew by 421 percent in 2011. In last December alone, Twitter users shared over 58.4 million photos.

In her article, Vandergriff notes that social media marketing can be difficult to pin-down with the industry’s rapid evolution. While technologies continue to be adopted and updated in an effort to better propagate enterprise social media strategy, she zeroes in on the tangible parts of online media: digital assets. “When assets are centralized, they become trackable; and in marketing, we love trackable,” writes Vandergriff. “Using a digital asset management system to directly serve up content such as videos and images, useful analytics such as impressions and sources can be tracked.”

In the SandHill article, Vandergriff outlines the three key benefits of digital asset management:

1)      Access via permissions and availability

2)      Automation to streamline workflows

3)      Analytics to gather and process data

As she puts it, “With the never-ending growth of content and explosion of rich media assets driving social media strategy, a marketer’s tool belt has become more important than ever… digital asset management solutions have taken the market by storm—taking the burden of managing the flood of rich media and turning it into an opportunity for marketers to be even more creative, innovative, and valuable.”

Ultimately, our co-founder focuses on the practical nature of using a centralized system with tracking capabilities, noting that “even the smallest teams can accomplish (successful) social media campaigns, driving user engagement and reaching new levels of social media ROI.” Because social media marketing encapsulates so many different channels–channels that are quickly evolving–Vandergriff’s notion of focusing on trackable elements makes sense. Rather than spending time and money chasing moving targets, digital asset management may be among the best social media marketing tools simply because it provides hard data and centralization of digital assets. In an industry where today’s new social media buzz becomes obsolete within months, a DAM may be the most valuable commodity in a social media marketer’s tool belt.

Click here to read the full article: Digital Asset Management in Social Media Strategy by Jody Vandergriff

Tip #43:

Keep your assets secure by setting up Role-Based Permissions to allow different access levels by users, groups, or folders. You can set different permissions for viewing, downloading, and even uploading assets.

Learn how to use Role-Based Permissions here.

Tip #42

Use asset expiration in WebDAM to keep track of rights managed licenses for pictures and images. This allows you to save time by automatically deactivating expired assets and easily avoid copyright infringement.

Through Twitter, thought leaders were discussing a variety of imperative questions outlined by CMSWire. And I must say, kudos to CMSWire for professionally organizing this event. To highlight some of the great insights shared, we have published a recap of a few questions and responses.

Q1.  Given how digital we are, what is your current definition of DAM?

“Set of processes and technology for the management, distribution and delivery of rich media assets.”-Jody Vandergriff‏ (@jodyvandergriff)

“def. of DAM in digital world hasn’t changed, the tactics and strategies have. it’s still all about managing rich media wisely” -Irina Guseva (@irina_guseva)

“Software that enables the production, management, distribution, & retention of rich media assets”
-Anjali Yakkundi‏ (@AYakkundi)

“DAM for Creatives is the platform for managing creative workflows and bridging the gaps between creative & marketing teams” -Greg Klebus (@gklebus)

“DAM for Digital Marketers is the hub of brand strategy and multi-channel brand experience.” -Greg Klebus ‏ (@gklebus)

Q2.  What are the core elements of a DAM strategy?

“1. Participation (no more desktop), 2. Discoverability (easy to find), 3. Distribution (deploy in all channels) -David Hillis (@davidhillis)

“DAM is not just about technology. DAM is technology + best practices + amazing support + processes.” – Ron Selvey (@rselvey)

“Define statement/goals, needs analysis, system/process design, implementation, training, user nurturing, analytics.” – Jody Vandergriff (@jodyvandergriff)

“Strong workflow, strong search, integration with other technologies (DAM won’t be a silo for much longer)” – Anjali Yakkundi  (@AYakkundi)

“DAM is not restricted to a piece of software or technology. Involves reviews of business processes & change management”- Jan Dejosse (@goegejosd)

Q3.  What 3 things make a DAM solution successful?

“User adoption, user adoption, USER ADOPTION!” -Jody Vandergriff  (@jodyvandergriff)

“Bridge the gap between IT and marketing! DAM isn’t just an IT or just a marketing initiative” – Anjali Yakkundi ‏ (@AYakkundi)

“a DAM solution is successful when it fits the purpose, and facilitates people+process flow” -Irina Guseva (@irina_guseva)

“Solution Success – a DAM that is scalable and flexible for business needs” – John Horodyski (@jhorodyski)

“Executive support, clear metrics for success, user adoption, good metadata model accessible to users in ways they need” – Joshya Duhl (@jduhl)

Q4.  How do DAM and CXM/WEM currently relate?

“DAM provides opportunity to enable contextual relevance in assets served to the web — thus improving the customer experience.” – Ron Selvey (@rselvey)

“Rich media drives engagement and customer experience. DAM provides the controls to maximize this engagement across channels.” -Jody Vandergriff  (@jodyvandergriff)

“DAM is grossly overlooked, underutilized under the current CXM/WEM umbrella, huge area for biz opportunity and maturity -Irina Guseva (@irina_guseva)

“DAM provides CXM management capabilities (to contextually transform content across channels and manage this content)” – Anjali Yakkundi ‏ (@AYakkundi)

“Mix analytics, data driven mechanisms for delivering DAM images to the web/end user, you’ll find gold.” – Ron Selvey (@rselvey)

Q5.  What is the single biggest DAM opportunity in 2012?

“DAM 2012 Opportunity – DAM as a practice and profession is maturing – we need best practices and standards to help DAM mature” – John Horodyski (@jhorodyski)

“single biggest DAM opportunity in 2012: integrations to fulfill the CXM promise” -Irina Guseva (@irina_guseva)

“So many other opportunities too! Multi-channel engagement and analytics, increased need and adoption across business units.” -Jody Vandergriff  (@jodyvandergriff)

“DAM 2012 Opportunity – DAM is the new black” – John Horodyski (@jhorodyski)

Bonus Question — Who should own the DAM platform? Creatives? IT? Marketing?

“We have seen DAM implemented in traditional marketing workflows to software development needs. Depends on the project scope.”  -Jody Vandergriff  (@jodyvandergriff)

“Depends on the need but with more system-wide integrations, this is likely to move towards IT”  -Jody Vandergriff  (@jodyvandergriff)

“great bonus question. My personal thought is…….drum roll please…..END USERS” – Ron Selvey (@rselvey)

“DAM will live and prosper where the users are and where executive support lives” – John Horodyski (@jhorodyski)

“DAM platform should be easy and fun to use so that users actually want to own it. Marketing + Creative” -Greg Klebus ‏ (@gklebus)

To view the entire CMSWire Tweet Jam and read everyone’s responses, go to #CXMChat or scroll below:

<a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f9d93a68f8" href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f9d93a68f8">Tweet Jam: Digital Assets & the Customer Experience</a>

Presenting the Panelists

This idea is central to WebDAM and will be a theme to the DAM Tweet Jam for April.  CMSWire is hosting this event on Twitter and compiled a panel full of industry experts.  The panel includes our very own Jody Vandergriff, Cofounder and Ron Selvey, Director of Marketing.  As a DAM community leader, WebDAM is ecstatic to have two of our in-house experts participating.  Some of the other experts alongside them include Anjali Yakkundi at Forrester, Irina Guseva at Real Story Group and John Horodyski at DAM Education.  With this group, it is sure to be a very insightful conversation.

Tweet Jam Topics

The panelists will comment on the DAM Tweet Jam topics for the event.  We will hear their views and opinions on their present definition of DAM, core elements of DAM strategy, 3 keys to DAM success, how DAM and CXM/WEM relate, and the biggest DAM opportunity in 2012.

Info on how to Join the Tweet Jam

Join us for this event on Wednesday, April 18 on Twitter at 10am PDT / 1pm EST.  To read the live discussion, just enter the Twitter hashtag “#CXMChat” in the search and follow the feed.  Everyone is free to participate, just use your twitter account and include #CXMChat in your questions or and responses.

Here is more information about the CMSWire DAM Tweet Jam:

CMSWire’s April DAM Tweet Jam: Meet Our Panelists #CXMChat

CMSWire Tweet Jam: Digital Assets & the Customer Experience #CXMChat

We hope to tweet you there!

Tip #41

After conducting a search in your WebDAM account sort your results by a specific field like date uploaded, date captured, filename, and more. Just select the Sort by dropdown menu on the results page.

DAMSuccess.com is more than just an online learning center for marketing and creative professionals. It’s a whole DAM community. Get support or interact with experts, independent consultants, analysts and your peers. Enjoy WebDAM video tutorials and stay up-to-date with the best digital asset management practices. DAMsuccess.com provides WebDAM users and fans with 24/7 access to information, keeping them at the cusp of innovation and enterprise marketing efficiency.

On DAMSuccess.com, you can use DAM Answers to ask and answer questions pertaining to DAM and other industry related topics. Share your DAM ideas and become part of the WebDAM product roadmap. DAMSuccess.com also gives people the ability to communicate about their own DAM experiences, apply for speaking opportunities at large marketing and technology conferences, provide product reviews, and more.

DAMSuccess.com Competition:

WebDAM admins should have received a mailed invitation for the premier of DAMSuccess.com, accompanied by a cute little DAMSuccess.com Beaver. If you haven’t received it yet, just let us know.

VIP Challenge:
On your mailed invitation, use the code and complete the VIP Challenge to be entered to win an exciting prize. So far, only a few people have found the hidden beaver wearing a tuxedo.

Beaver Challenge:

Take pictures of your DAMSuccess.com Beaver — in your office, on the ski slopes, on vacation, and various locations/activities. Get creative and send us your pics or post them on Twitter, with the text “#beaverlove” and a fun note. A prize will be sent to the winning picture or the individual that posts the most pics over the next 6 months.

More about DAMSuccess.com

All WebDAM users have full access to DAMSuccess.com, just login with your WebDAM username and password. If you are not a WebDAM user, don’t worry, it’s free. Just request an invite with your business email. Upon approval, you will be sent a username and password via email with extended access to the exclusive Digital Asset Management community

Enjoy DAMSuccess.com today and start benefiting from the DAM community and sharing your ideas.

Tip #40

Visit DAMSuccess.com to access a wealth of DAM information and interact with digital asset management experts and peers.  Connect with others in this exclusive community for learning DAM and sharing ideas.