Meet Suzi Berman of D Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzi Berman.

Suzi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I launched my tactical marketing business in August 1995. It was immediately after I learned that funding for the in-house marketing communications department, which I was part of, was not going to be renewed.

I was moonlighting as a freelancer during that job, as many in my industry do. So when I launched my company, I took that small client base already established with around $500 in savings, and started D Media. I told my husband, “If I am not breaking even in 6 months, I will find another job.” I knew I could easily do that at the time. The job market was good; I was skilled, talented and confident.

After 6 months, I was so busy I hired my first employee!

As time went on, D Media grew. Whenever a new client opportunity came that we didn’t have staff to handle, I had a choice. I could say no. Or I could add another person and say yes. I chose yes.

I believe my tactical marketing agency survived and was successful because we were quick to adapt. I could react to changes in the market to focus on creative services most needed in our industry (such as website development, SEM/SEO and social media, for example) or most requested by clients.

One of the best decisions was to be flexible with my staff and their work environment. I offered job sharing. I hired women who were moms but didn’t want to lose their professional skills. I allowed them to work “school hours” so they could still be with their kids after school. I understood about medical appointments. I employed people who wanted to go back to school; I arranged for them work around their class schedules. I had creatives who were freelancing and wanted to keep their part-time client base but also needed a steady gig.

Time went on and then came 9-11. The ramifications of that horrific event hit a lot of businesses hard. At that time, I had a team of 7 staff members and an office on the Dallas North Tollway. I made a 360 turn and closed our physical office. But I didn’t close the business. I started a virtual agency.

I informed all our clients what I was doing. Today, the concept of a virtual agency doesn’t seem all that innovative. But back then, it wasn’t as accepted as it is today. It was a risk. Thankfully, most clients stayed. And I still have many of those client relationships after 10, 15 and 20 years!

Today, D Media is more flexible, nimble and responsive than even before. Being a virtual agency allows us to staff skilled, seasoned associates who value flexibility over a traditional office environment. For each member on the team, our work environment is less stressful, more pleasant and profitable. I am able to bring to D Media clients highly-trained, talented people to fulfill their tactical marketing needs. We all work virtually and I have 3 workstations in my home office that team members can use also.

It’s a great set up. It allows D Media to offer agency-level work to small and mid-sized companies who can’t afford or do not need the traditional ad agency, but are too large to handle the marketing tactics themselves. These businesses have grown too big in some respects but still are too small for a full-time marketing staff. D Media becomes that staff.

D Media provides our clients with creative solutions in marketing tactics. Our most popular projects involve website development and hosting, search engine marketing (SEM/SEO), social media, promotional products, direct mail and event campaigns, and more. Our typical clients come from our 5 industry specialties: B2B, education, health care/medical, nonprofit and veterinary.

Our virtual agency approach allows me to focus on the original goals of my company: create high-quality creative work for really nice people. That’s my passion. It’s what I’ve been doing all these years, and I absolutely LOVE it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any agency, we’ve had challenges: 911, market fluctuations, my own health and staff medical issues.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with D Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
D Media is a 100% woman-owned, boutique agency specializing in marketing tactics.

We have spent 15+ years providing quality creative and technical solutions, freeing up our clients to do what they do best instead of worrying about their marketing.

As graphic designers, copywriters, Web developers, SEO/SEM technicians and social media managers and trainers, we assist our clients with digital marketing solutions in:

Website Design and Development
Website Hosting
Search Engine Marketing and Optimization (SEM/SEO)
Social Media Marketing, Training, Visual Identity and Campaign Management
Blog Website Development and/or Content Management
E-Mail Marketing (E-Newsletters and E-Blasts)
Promotional Products
Direct Mail and Event Campaigns
Trade Show Marketing

At D Media, we take our professional responsibility to every client seriously. Our goal is to be detail-oriented, deliver quality work, take a hands-on approach and build a strong working relationship with each client. We are conscious about budget and time constraints. That’s how D Media has earned a reputation for being dependable, client-service oriented, financially responsible, as well as highly creative.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
D Media is looking forward to helping our clients grow. As we help our clients become more successful, we in-turn become more of an asset and have more work to do. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

On a personal level, I would like to mentor and train the next generation. In the past, we’ve hired interns and entry-level people to offer on-the-job training, But I would personally love to teach at the college level to help younger people or at the continuing education level to help professionals looking to expand their skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: DMediaSites.com,
  DMediaPromo.com,
  DMediaWeb.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/DMediaWeb
• Facebook: facebook.com/DMediaWeb
• Twitter: twitter.com/DMediaWeb
• Yelp: yelp.com/biz/d-media-dallas
• Other: linkedin.com/in/SuziBerman

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.