By: Kathrin Hanke
Let me introduce you to MDMC16 speaker Travis Estes, the Web and Social Media Manager of the GRAMMY Award winning St. Louis Symphony– the nation’s second-oldest orchestra. Travis Estes has more than 16 years experience as a marketing professional, working in the digital realm. He has developed digital presence for Black Cat/Phantom Fireworks, HFC, Strong Funds, and the museum tours of King Tut, Princess Diana and America I Am, as well as strategic planning for the Chicago Botanical Gardens, Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio and the American Marketing Association. He also taught Typography, Graphic Design, Drawing for Graphics, Computer Art Studio and Graphic Production at the St. Louis Community College as an Adjunct Instructor.
At the St. Louis Symphony he is in charge of keeping the website updated and creating a vibrant online and social culture, in fact he was the one who completely replaced its antiquated website with responsive design including mobile site and iOS/Android apps integrated with Tessitura CRM and EPiServer CMS. Wow!
Impressed by his experiences, we asked him a couple of questions about the trends and future of digital marketing- check out takeaways below!
What’s the future of wearable tech? Will it ever become a marketing platform?
“It’ll become completely wireless and integrated into our lives (HaLow Wi-Fi). All aspects of clothing will become “smart.” As such wearables will become as personalized and create our digital environment fingerprint. It will be everything to marketing.”
What does “content” mean to you?
“Cohesive collection of words and media that effectively communicate an idea.”
What is the most valuable digital tactic for small business owners?
“Engagement. It’s overused and misunderstood. But if your clients feel like they’re getting personal attention from you on digital platforms they more quickly become brand advocates and even fierce defenders.”
He also shared some other interesting thoughts with us: “For those pursuing the social media side there is a high value to learning journalism skills. There’s also a need for marketing professionals to be more savvy in tech and editing media files.” -Thanks for your advice Travis!
If you want to learn more from Travis Estes and find out why his digital “word of the year” for 2016 is Personalization and he counts on Facebook shares, Engagement score and Conversion cost when it comes to digital metrics, make sure to register for the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference and mark April 21st!
Follow the St. Louis Symphony: @slso
A blog created by UMSL Marketing B.A. and MBA students.
