Magazines + Marketing Services
Spotlight Media is a publishing and marketing agency located in Fargo, North Dakota. Spotlight owns and operates 5 magazines and provides marketing services that include videography, digital advertising, branding, graphic design, web design, geofencing and more to over 200 companies per year.
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Focus
Portfolio
Scheels, Royal Jewelers, Eventide Senior Living, Hebron Brick, Starion Bank, Great North Insurance, O'Keeffe O'Brien & Lyson Attorneys, Thunder Seed, Border Bank
Partnering with Thunder Seed
Since we have partnered with Thunder Seed we have worked on numerous projects together across different channels including; Web Design, Programmatic Advertising, Geofencing, OTT, Audio Streaming, Facebook, Google Ads, Graphic Design, Videography, Photography and much more to come!
Hebron Brick National Website Redesign
Complete web design overhaul. Hebron wanted to appeal more to a national audience with a better user experience. Not only did we design and develop the website but we added interactive features, set up the site for e-commerce, integrated different SEO strategies, and created content.
Video Productions for Scheels
Spotlight worked with Scheels to create a video to highlight some of their latest fashion opportunities.
Video production for Microsoft's Campus in Fargo
One of Microsoft's largest campuses is located in Fargo, ND. Microsoft hired Spotlight to capture a video to show the community more about their culture. Spotlight produced and shot the entire video.
Video production North Dakota State Hospital
Spotlight was hired to capture, produce and edit video for the North Dakota State Hospital. Our team traveled to the facility and produced a video they could use on their website and for other marketing efforts.
Web Design for Christianson Companies
The Christianson team came to us looking for a new site that brought together all of their companies and services under one roof. We did just that, creating a site that provides a professional, yet elegant experience.
Web Design for Goldmark Commercial Real Estate
Spotlight worked with Goldmark to create the exact custom website they were looking for. We also integrated Flex MLS listing software into the site for them.
Video Production for NDSU
NDSU contacted our team looking for help to develop a video that showed off the equipment and facilities to prospective students of the NDSU School of Design, Architecture and Art.
Reviews
the project
Email Marketing for Law Firm
“They’re very nice people.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a lawyer, and I own my law firm. I’m a solo practitioner based in Miami.
What challenge were you trying to address with Spotlight?
I was doing bus bench advertising until I discovered that newsletters are better, so I hired Spotlight to help me with my email newsletter.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Spotlight sends a monthly email newsletter that keeps me in contact with a list of clientele that I’ve provided them with. We work together on content, but Spotlight mostly handles writing the newsletter. From there, if a client has a legal need, they contact me directly.
I’ve also just signed up for Spotlight’s podcasting service. Our podcast will distribute to Apple and other major podcast platforms.
What is the team composition?
One person at Spotlight writes the newsletter, and Jana (Business Development Manager) is my main contact.
How did you come to work with Spotlight?
I saw the newsletters that Spotlight created for other lawyers, and I thought their product looked okay, so I decided to try them.
How much have you invested with them?
I’ve invested around $15,000 total with Spotlight. We started at a rate of about $750 per month, and we’re now spending $1,000 per month.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in August 2020, and the partnership is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Some people at my church read the newsletter, and I’ve gotten some cases as a result. Although I can’t tell whether people are coming to my website because of Spotlight’s work, the team has met my expectations.
How did Spotlight perform from a project management standpoint?
They’re excellent at project management. We communicate mostly through email and sometimes through video conferencing calls.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They’re very nice people.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I don’t have any suggestions for improvement.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Set realistic expectations when it comes to digital marketing services of any kind.
the project
Site Dev, Marketing & Advertising for Jeweler
"The biggest thing is, they listen to you and your goals."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
The company is a jewelry store specializing in fine jewelry and luxury watches. I am a sales associate and the communications manager. I work directly with Spotlight media for our website, marketing, and advertising needs.
For what projects/services did your company hire Spotlight?
In the beginning we hired Spotlight to take over our website development from another local company. We needed a more visually appealing website with better functionality. They proved to be wonderful to work with, and showed us how talented their design and development team is. We needed to reach different demographics through different media outlets. So, we decided to expand our business advertising and marketing needs with Spotlight Media.
What were your goals for this project?
Our goals were to have a more visually appealing website and be able to navigate through it easily. Stay on top of ensuring the website is properly working and accessibility is effortless. Our expectations for advertising and marketing were to have scheduled monthly meetings to discuss upcoming campaigns/events/etc. Along with updated monthly campaign results. Manage and control Google, Yelp, and other search engine sites. As well as utilizing these sites to help further market our company with SEO. Generate and implement ideas for new customer leads by means of capturing email/contact info into a database. Weekly analytics of user activity/ engagements on webpage and social media platforms. Proposing new advertising opportunities that would be a benefit to our company.
How did you select this vendor?
We were debating on a few companies, and ended up choosing Spotlight from not only the professionalism they displayed, but also hearing positive things from other companies that have worked with them.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
They developed, designed, and turned our old sterile feeling website into an eye-catching modern and classy style. We started out by collaborating with their creative team and discussing the direction we wanted our website to visually look and feel like. From there, they gave their input and put together a plan of action to meet the needs we wanted. It was a massive project, and our website has never looked or functioned better.
Quarterly, we set up meetings to discuss the banners, home imagery, and other visual updates and changes. As well as future campaigns, ads, and events. Their creative design team has done an exceptional job on our digital ads and marketing. The unique and creative imagery they create through video and photography is always top notch. Each magazine ad, digital ad and/or campaign is always professional, clean, and innovative.
What was the team composition?
In the beginning we worked with Mike and Nick, and they were awesome! Then as we introduced more tedious projects, more of the team members from different skilled areas were brought on board. Kellen and Tommy are the main guys we communicate and meet with monthly. They are always coming up with new marketing ideas, and always keeping us updated on each project status. We have had the graphic design teamwork directly with us as well. Simon and Patrick have been phenomenal with videography and implementing creativity into each project. I have only had great positive experiences with each team member that we have had the pleasure of working with.
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
The feedback we have gotten from our personal vendors and clients has been amazing. They talk about how much more engaged they are looking through our website and how professional looking it has become. Over the years the percentage of directing media leads onto our website has grown tremendously. From social media to search engines, we have seen a huge client increase and we are very happy with the results.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
Each task is assigned to a group or single team member that is best fit for a project. Their ability to accomplish goals and meet deadlines is one of their strong suits. You don't ever have to worry about the dependability, quality or accuracy of their work. Any kind of issue that may surface, they always come up with problem solving solutions.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
I enjoy the laid back and comforting atmosphere. Everyone is always friendly and welcoming. The entire team works together and is focused on what is important to you and your business. The biggest thing is, they listen to you and your goals. They also do their homework on your business, to ensure they have a solid idea of the industry you are in.
Are there any areas for improvement?
There is not anything that stands out as far as areas of opportunity to improve on. Our business relationship has been a positive and great experience.
the project
Digital Marketing for Sports Bar
“They're very creative when it comes to producing video content.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the owner of a sports bar.
What challenge were you trying to address with Spotlight?
I wanted to increase customer engagement and drive more traffic to my website, so I was looking for a vendor to help me.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Spotlight did a full-scale digital marketing campaign for us. After we had some investigative meetings, Spotlight produced a 30-second commercial and a video for our social media. They also helped us with branding, handled all the graphic design for our website, and created a logo. In addition, they manage print advertising for us as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. They continue to produce content for the website and oversee SEO and PPC campaigns.
What is the team composition?
I work with two members of their team directly, but there are more people working on our project.
How did you come to work with Spotlight?
I met them through networking.
How much have you invested with them?
We've spent a little over $10,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Spotlight in May 2015, and the relationship is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The new website gives us more credibility and the videos that Spotlight produced truly capture our image. The traffic to our website has been steadily increasing, so we're happy with the outcome.
How did Spotlight perform from a project management standpoint?
They met our needs and stayed within our timeline. Also, they're easy to work with.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They're very creative when it comes to producing video content.
Are there any areas they could improve?
We'd like to have a better understanding of how we can utilize the content and the high-end strategy ourselves.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Trust them and give them the freedom to be creative. As an owner, you might have an image of your brand that is different from how your customers see your brand.
Since partnering with Spotlight, the client has gotten several cases and is satisfied with their work. Spotlight’s team has been personable and excellent at project management, communicating mostly via email and video conferencing calls.