Athena D’Amato, 25-year-old co-founder and Director of Operations, and Jordan Monaghan, 28-year-old co-founder and Director of Accounts, are a digital media-savvy pair who started their company, Angle Media Group, in September 2008. Find out more about this dynamic duo in today’s YEDaily.
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Angle Media Group is digital media communications company. We leverage powerful mediums and technology to share our client’s messages. From marketing to training, we use video, animation, and custom web solutions to help businesses communicate more effectively.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
We were inspired by a genuine interest in rich media. We love web apps, YouTube, and shiny things.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part is working with a stellar team and having excited and appreciative clients. Our work isn’t hidden behind closed doors, people are going to see it or experience it, and when they do, it gets noticed. The most challenging thing is managing creative development – this is the center of our work, yet can be challenging for clients to envision before creating it.
Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
A lot of agencies have struggled over the past few years because of the large overhead attributed to traditional operational costs. Now that there has been a switch to online communication it is easier to keeps costs lower while providing a high ROI. We are in a growth phase but would like to maintain a lean organization so we can continue to offer exceptional creative services and grow Your Web Training, which is our first product. This software is something that reaches millions of users and solves a “pain” and need for companies.
What does success look like to you?
Not completely sure. It’s a bit like mirage, once you get a glimpse of it, you realize you’re just dehydrated and working too many hours and that’s not it at all. We will let you know when we find it. Right now, we are just enjoying the journey and the glimpses of success we get to experience along the way.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Athena D’Amato: Completing the Master in Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology program was a great addition to a Degree in Communication and Diploma in Public Relations. It gave me the business acumen, unique set of skills and confidence to start a business.
Jordan Monaghan: Building enough confidence to leave a job to start a company.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Athena D’Amato: “Your Network is your Networth.” Make it a priority to build a personal brand: Me Inc. You can do this by building a digital portfolio. A few things to remember: 1. Keep it simple; 2. Used mixed media; 3. Build an online presence; 4. Make it your own.
Jordan Monaghan: Jump into something if you truly believe in it and have enough time, money and patience to stick with it until it catches on. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others – another perspective can be the most helpful thing at times.
Do you support any not for profit organizations? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Angle Media Group chooses one not-for-profit organization per year to support. Over the years, we have provided discount and in-kind services to Student Vote, Sustainable Waterloo, and Toronto Youth Development.
With the Federal and Provincial elections this year, Angle Media Group partnered with Student Vote. Student Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that aims to build the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in their democracy. Student Vote works with parents, teachers and students to run a parallel election within schools. Angle Media Group was on-site at schools, press events and teacher conferences. Our team captured events, created videos, designed the website, provided a beta version of Your Web Training and built a Facebook application.
We chose Student Vote because democracy is important and the only way to increase the voter turn out is to educate. Kids love new media, it’s a perfect fit for Angle Media Group. We created a lot videos over the course of the Federal Election and we can’t wait until the provincial election.
What is Notable to you?
Change is notable to us. Change in the way people write, because of the change in way people read. Change in the way people share, because of the change in the way people listen.
We are working in a rapidly evolving industry, we see things change very often, and that can be frustrating at times, or can spark an idea and can be motivating all in the same day. You have to be flexible, adaptable and open to change to succeed.