CORP AMERICA / FEBRUARY 2017 21 , Dan Zifkin tells us about his firm, ZephyrMedia, and how its values are firmly rooted in the Midwest. Midwestern Values Zephyr Media Group is a recognized industry leader in full service direct response television (DRTV) media planning and buying. Zephyr Media has also expanded its media buying over the past years to include, Digital, Outdoor, Print and Radio. Zephyr also maintains its wholly-owned division, Zephyr Digital Media, which is involved in digital media planning and buying and Zephyr TV Sales, which is responsible for the national advertiser sales of quality syndicated television and cable programming services. Dan Zifkin is Zephyr Media Group’s CEO. He oversees the firm’s media buying capabilities, which encompass all major media channels including broadcast, cable, print, radio, digital and outdoor advertising. “We buy locally and nationally, and believe in consistent oversight on our projects and communication with our clients,” he embellishes. Having being with the Zephyr Group for 27 years, Dan has and watched it grow exponentially over the decades. “I’ve always wanted to be in a position where I can make a difference. From new technology and new resources to be successful on behalf of our clients, I’m excited to continue growing in a dynamic and changing business environment.” Zifkin is also responsible for the all-new television network, Vibrant TV. Catching on with viewers all across the country, Vibrant TV is a multi-platform 24/7 TV channel that reaches a national audience via distribution partners that include OTT platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire, Sling Television, OPERA, Yip-TV, Smart TV’s such as Panasonic, Samsung, etc. Serving as America’s window on the world, Vibrant TV presents a wide array of award-winning entertainment from around the globe in English including Comedy, Sports, Drama, Reality, Lifestyle, Family, Action- Adventure, Travel and more. Dan’s approach to staff management revolves around honesty and transparency to ensure the best outcome. “I believe in establishing a personable working environment - this encourages us to believe in ourselves – and our clients – and do everything possible to help achieve our goals. We see ourselves as an extension of our clients, and creating an atmosphere of openness allows us to work hard and perform well for them. At the end of the day, it is about performance and getting results for our clients. That is exactly what we do.” Dan believes that it is crucial to view technology as an ever-evolving reality of doing business, and ensures he keeps up-to-date with all of the latest technological advancements and emerging trends to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to making sure his products are innovative and best-selling. “One should never assume that things will stick to a current course, but must be ready to adapt their company at a moment’s notice,” he explains. “My staff and I stay on top of new trends, and study every piece of material available to us to make sure we’re educated and ready for whatever comes next. “To stay ahead of the game, I’m constantly involved in conventions and conferences across the country, where I rely on networking and making myself available as a speaker. Not I only do I contribute to our industry’s literature by writing articles, I’m an avid reader and follower of every burgeoning trend. I take a lot of pride in our ability to stay current, and back up our research with proven results. “As a service-oriented business, we continue to innovate by understanding our industry and our clients intimately. Triple A results don’t come from applying the same formula to every project, but by ebbing and flowing with current events and staying on top of every available new resource.” Dan was recently voted a ‘CEO to Watch’ – an accolade which he is highly proud of. “I am thrilled to be recognized for the quality of work done on behalf of our clients,” he enthuses. “I’ve always been proud to have situated Zephyr Media in the heart of Illinois, and contributing to its economy. We’ve enjoyed many relationships with companies here and take pride in our Midwestern roots. “I’ve always been underestimated as a Midwesterner, as opposed to competitors on the East and West coasts. However, that challenge provided me with an opportunity to truly stand out – I had to work that much harder to get in front of people and provide excellent service. Changing technology also continues to impact Zephyr Media and the industry at large. But (and it’s a tribute to the people who work with us), we’ve been successful at re-inventing ourselves and staying current. It’s important to work as hard as you can and stay in front of the business as much as possible. “I have a Midwest value system, and a Midwest commitment to succeed. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to move to other coasts, but Chicago is where our family is and it’s a great place to have an invigorating business and find incredible personnel.” With regards to the future, Dan envisions growth for Zephyr Media Group. “As an independent, boutique firm, we’re nimble and able to make decisions quickly. We hope to evolve alongside the media, and make more opportunities available for our clients. In five years, I see us being even larger than we are now.” K Company: Zephyr Media Group Contact: Dan Zifkin, CEO Address: 990 Grove St #300, Evanston, IL 60201 Email:
[email protected] Telephone: 847.328.1519 Website: www.zephyr-media.com 1702CA69