Q&A with Carey Warren, CEO of Coterie Media
Tell us a bit about Coterie Media.
Coterie Media began as a team of marketing and PR professionals with one mission: to combine our diverse set of skills to achieve a collective goal… our client’s success.
From startups to Fortune 500 companies, our team excels at building innovative programs that propel our clients forward. We generate unique opportunities, produce concepts and execute customized strategies that build awareness and engage stakeholders. Our work essentially encompasses digital marketing, public relations, social media, and video and written content development, and we also have a management department in order to help clients develop, brand and launch their products and services. Integrating these marketing communications capabilities enables us to generate customized, interactive, cohesive campaigns that increase influence and maximize value for our clients.
What gave you the idea for
We had all come from larger companies that seemed to be more interested in their own profit than the value they provide their clientele. Clients would complain that the senior executives would be present at the beginning of the relationship, and then the account would be passed on to junior executives, with senior management never to be seen again. We wanted to change that, and provide exemplary insight, creativity, planning and service conducted by experienced, senior practitioners.
The other thing we wanted to build was a customized team that was really into a specific client’s business, whether entertainment, nonprofit, lifestyle, or another kind of product. Our contact lists are filled with great people who specialize in specific disciplines and industries, and we reach out to them to assemble an expert team that is tied into their business. Fresh eyes and great talent are always beneficial, and we love bringing those people into a creative process.
Finally, we wanted to only work on accounts that we liked, and wanted to help. This, of course, explains our roster of nonprofits, but also our passion for other businesses that are on the cutting edge of whatever they’re doing.
What’s your favorite thing
That would be when we truly are effective in helping a client achieve their goals — and beyond. Recently, we got kudos from a group of indie film producers in launching their most recent film. Their thanks, both written and in person, were incredibly rewarding. I love those moments.
My second favorite thing is finding a new client that I know we can help, and exploring all the ways we can do it.
What are your keys to
- Stay positive
- Have a plan — and a schedule. If you do, you’ll get at least 50% of your agenda accomplished.
- Work to think and feel like the other person, whether it’s your client, employee, or the end user of your client’s product.
- When it comes to money, remember… pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. Greed is never good.
Tell us one long-term goal
There are lots of goals, but the most important one is finding more and better ways to be of benefit to our clients.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
Success is not about winning all the time. It’s about getting back up after you’re knocked down, and then moving forward.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Other than understanding what constitutes a great brand narrative, there is one thing they need to be an expert in. About ten years ago, there were about 150 marketing oriented SaaS platforms; now there are over 5000. That means the most successful people in our field are not just savvy marketers, but great “marchetechers” — people who know what the best SaaS marketing platforms are, but also how to use them.
What are your favorite
My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. I enjoy my wife and kids immensely, and we have dogs that we consider to be family as well. I love to travel, to read, and I’m in the gym as much as possible. Other than that, I love music and movies — especially film noir.
Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.
BOOKS:
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
Your Strategy Needs a Strategy – Reeves, Haanaes, Sinha
The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
Hope Is Not A Strategy – Rick Page
Ten Restaurants that Changed America – Freedman
Data Driven Marketing – Jeffrey
There are so, so many others, but those are the ones that I’ve been re-reading the most lately.
Other than that, I read Drudge Report and The Wall Street Journal, plus a half dozen others. In my view, those two set the tone for what other outlets will be covering.
