My perspective
For me, single-minded focus on building client business is the key. In pursuit of that goal, I have been guided by three principles: First, establish, enhance and maintain client relationships based on trust. Trust is so important because it affords us the permission to take calculated risks and allows us to be more innovative and creative in responding to client challenges. Second, maintain a stable core of superior talent for all clients. The talent crisis in our business is very real and we have taken major steps to insure the growth and stability of our talent pool for the future. Third (and most important), we are laser-focused on client results. Increasing brand sales, awareness and purchase intent have been the hallmarks of Horizon’s success.
I believe it is the consistent implementation of these principles that have led to client growth and satisfaction and the growth of our company.
Talent training and team growth
Trust, stability and results are principles equally applicable to team building as they are to client growth. The trust we build with our employees creates a bond that encourages them to take risks so they can grow and succeed while providing the creative solutions our clients deserve.
The level of talent stability at Horizon is significant and critically important to our mission, because it provides the time needed for us to really learn the nuances of our clients’ businesses. More importantly, the stability means we can remain focused on brand strategy, consumer behavior, media channel insights and ROI.
Rigorous, ongoing talent training is fundamental to Horizon’s client service proposition. We consider training to be an investment, not an expense, and we invest heavily at all levels and across all functional departments to insure that our people are growing every day.
Why independence is key
The primary advantage of independence is that it affords top management the ability to focus on matters that are important to clients instead of matters that are important to the media organization. Many of my colleagues are embroiled in corporate distractions that will never result in benefits to clients. In addition, independence buys us complete neutrality with regard to communication channels. This neutrality is ingrained in the Horizon culture.
Wherever you are, we are
Through our Columbus partnership we operate in 30 countries. By the end of 2007 we will be in 50 countries across the world. Columbus is an independent global media services company with coverage across 18 territories including: North America, Europe, Russia and Asia Pacific. All of our member firms are independent, creative, innovative, enterprising media companies. We have an important shared common vision of 100% neutrality, which allows us to be completely client-centric in our approach. These characteristics have always been part of the Horizon approach and part of what drove me to start this company many years ago.
Bill Koenigsberg
President, CEO and Founder of Horizon Media
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