What have we done in the last 3 years?
In August 2021, Data Revolt turns 3. It is said that for a start-up, the first year is critical, and if you successfully navigate the second year, you position yourself within a select group of companies that have found solutions for sustainable growth and development.
We have reached our 3rd year with our bet on “Data Marketing,” and now is a good time to see how that bet is paying off and how we choose to look toward the future.
First, we look at the people: In 3 years, we have managed to grow the team to 45 colleagues, but most importantly, we have developed specializations in line with our bet: 6 colleagues specialized in Analytics (one of the largest departments in Romania), 17 colleagues specialized in performance marketing and programmatic, an SEO department, and dedicated teams for martech development, design, UX and UI, marketing automation, e-commerce, and platforms.
The DNA that defines our team in thought and action is: honest, reliable, and happy. We are building a team that is honest in managing expectations and the paths to achieving objectives; we are consolidating a team that delivers on its promises and finds satisfaction in a job well done and measurable results.
We also try to draw inspiration from other teams (or inspire them in return): the BMR Team in high-speed motorcycling, our colleagues Carmen and Răzvan – mountain marathon runners, and Andrei – Kendo.
We are also honest about education, understanding that in a field you want to grow, the only option is to be “closer” to the information yourself. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Superweek, Google Digital Champion, Facebook marketing specialist, Growth – export program, and Mixpanel Certified Partner are just a few certifications and events that bring us closer to the knowledge that makes our team stronger.
We enjoy passing on our accumulated knowledge, which is why two of our colleagues held training sessions for Romanian marketers during the Measurement Academy by Google event.
Secondly, there are the projects and the clients we work for: 4 markets, projects involving Romania or the entire Europe (over 20 countries), clients from the multinational corporate category, but also domestic brands/start-ups with high potential.
The diverse backgrounds of the people at DRA help us approach various business verticals: telecom (Orange), fintech (Orange Money), retail (Ecco Shoes), auto (Autoeco), real estate, pharma (Secom), fashion (Murmur), beauty (L’Oreal), B2B (Metro Cash & Carry), and e-commerce (The Home).
Exposure to complex businesses has given us the opportunity to work with different business models: from e-commerce to businesses built around an app, to national and international retail, B2B, or lead generation.
The projects and clients we work for inspire us to try new things, leading us to become certified partners of Mixpanel and Google, implement brand safety systems (MOAT), win awards at national competitions (3 awards at the IAB Mixx Awards), and receive nominations at prestigious competitions across Europe.
We want to grow within a market that, through its professionals and strong businesses, becomes increasingly healthy and mature – the data market (Web analytics). This is why, together with several partners, we launched Re:Think:Analytics – a digital content platform for professionals and business people who believe in data-driven decisions for the businesses of the future. The first “appearance” of this platform was an online event featuring international and local guest speakers.
Thirdly, there are the figures.
The bet on “Data marketing” had a direct influence on our turnover. While 2018 ended with €150k in revenue, in 2019 we reached €700k, and 2020 meant a fourfold increase in turnover to €2.8 million. This positions us 9th in the ranking of digital agencies, according to Forbes Romania.
Over 70 clients and thousands of campaigns carried out over 3 years. We are proud to have participated in the launch of Orange Money and the first 100% digital telecom subscription in Romania, YOXO; that we organized the data side for Ecco Shoes in 21 countries; that we deliver for businesses in Switzerland (Fleurop – the largest online florist in Europe, Denner), and that we help Romanian brands export their products (Murmur).
Current challenges stem from the changes generated by the pandemic. We are preparing for a time of corporate digitalization and shifting consumer behavior (oriented toward online). Soon, more and more businesses will prioritize data-based decisions and move toward an analytical way of working, where automation and measurement will be essential tools for navigating current markets.
And we are building the agency, the team, and the right processes for businesses that want to take steps toward “digital maturity.”
We look at the future from several complementary perspectives: the future through people, the future through data, and the future through quality. We believe that 2021 will represent a consolidation experience for us, both in terms of vision and financial position.
Last but not least – the Data Revolt culture.
- We have fun and make memes.
- We learn from each other and for ourselves.
- We worked remotely and threw parties during online conferences (we stayed together on calls, 40 people strong).
How we maintain the vision and what we want to do in the future
To create a new industry: Data Marketing. A mix between data, technology, and applied marketing – a different way of looking at digital, a new type of specialist, and a different school of thought and approach.