Julie Rasco
Marketing
RMG Networks

Is your business a trendsetter or behind the trend? Digital internal communications is not a fad, but a new reality. Companies today recognize that employees and consumers alike rely on digital communications for their information.

A recent article by Russell Working at ragan.com outlined seven key trends in internal digital content --  

1.  Everyone Can Create Content. In this digital age of mobile devices, virtually anyone can be an amateur photographer or videographer and share content.

2.  Social Sharing = In; Email = Out.  Companies are turning toward internal social networking platforms over email for company messages.

3.  A Virtual Hub for Competitive Intelligence. Internal communications allows users to collect and share information, including keeping tabs on the competition.
    
4.  Using Analytics for Social Content Dissemination. Large companies are using analytics and data visualization software to identity relevant and interesting social media content for their employees and customers.

5.  Employee Education. Employees are being empowered through education so they can easily identify relevant information to share with their social network.

6.  Digital Signage for More Than Live TV. Digital signage in reception and other common corporate areas have moved beyond live TV and now include company messages, stock updates and current weather.

7.  Measuring Matters. Digital communications highlights the need for internal metrics and dashboards to measure company productivity and solicit feedback.

Recognizing these shifts in digital communication is key for companies to effectively communicate with employees and customers. To learn more about how your company can maximize these trends and be more effective with your internal communications, download the Visual Internal Communications market sheet from RMG Networks.

John Curran CEO of 5thScreen passed on in February 2014. Big loss to the industry.

Summary

I joined 5th Screen Digital in 2010 with CEO and founder Keith Kelsen. 5th Screen Digital Services designs, develops and deploys in-store digital destinations for retailers and brands. Clients include McCormick, Sprint, Mary Kay plus leading technology firms such as Intel, HP, AOpen & Sapient.

In early 2003, I founded mCosm with Michael Curran, CEO of Micro Industries Inc. mCosm became a leading provider of end-to-end interactive digital signage solutions for clients such as Whole Foods Market, Timberland, Channel and The Venetian Resort & Casino to name a few. I was CEO of the Amsterdam based, network security company, TrustWorks Systems from 2001 through 2002. In 1997, I joined Entegrity Solutions Corporation, an application security company, as the Vice President of European Operations and then became COO in 1999. I was Executive Vice President of NCR's EMEA, Customer Services and Support organization located in London, England. In 1991, I joined Granada Computer Services as CEO, the largest independent IT services company in Europe. I remained with Granada for five years. For two years prior to joining Granada, I acted as an independent management consultant. During 1988 and 1989, I was Vice President and General Manager of Control Data's operations in Europe, Australia and the Far East, responsible for 35 subsidiaries in 22 countries with 4,500 employees.

From 1977 to 1988, I moved through various management positions at NAS (subsequently Hitachi Data Systems) starting as the Sales Manager of the Italian affiliate and in 1986, I was promoted to President of NAS Europe. After graduating from The Ohio State University, I was a Systems Engineer with the Mobil Oil Corporation and Senior Consultant with Computer Usage Co. of San Francisco.

Specialties: A veteran international IT business executive with more than 40 years experience in enterprise software, information security and professional services organizations.

CEO & President
5th Screen Digital Services
October 2009 - Present (4 years 6 months)San Jose, CA

5th Screen Digital Services designs, develops and deploys 'Digital Destinations' for leading brands and retailers. We provide strategic consulting services, application development capability and life-cycle support services that simplifies the technology supply chain, reduces the on-going operational costs and content production. We also offer audience metrics to effectively measure campaign effectiveness for in-store Digital Destinations. Our services significantly lower operating and content production costs by as much as 35% plus provide the metrics that improves the solutions ROI or ROO. In addition, 5th Screen Digital Services solutions encompasses Mobile and Social engagement applications and methods.