All posts by Robert Payne

Multichannel marketing and communications professional with a proven ability to deliver award-winning campaigns that inspire action from difficult to reach and discerning audiences. • I’ve exceeded benchmarks time and again across programmatic and social media buys. • Empowered sales teams with tightly integrated lead funnels and lifecycle management solutions leveraging Salesforce.com. • Know how to craft a compelling narrative and have won over a dozen video production awards in the past 5 years. • Served on both the interactive agency and client side, and I am a highly capable sparring partner for any marketing professional whether B2B or B2C. Most recently, I helped the Georgia Department of Economic Development attract new business both domestically and in 12 strategic markets around the globe. In the 7 years I ran Georgia’s global marketing efforts, we were selected as the #1 State for Business by Site Selection magazine, and its database of site consultants, for an unprecedented 7 years in a row. Jobs and investment grew steadily YOY due to a healthy pipeline of prospects. In addition, the Department’s commitment to marketing over that same period of time grew more than 300% because the ROI was clear and measurable. I also managed a team of 5 and 4 agency relationships for interactive, pr, traditional and video production. My online marketing career started with the direction of email marketing and web campaigns for Mandalay Resort Group, resulting in several awards for creative execution and exceptional return on investment. This caught the attention of the interactive marketing company, Twelve Horses where I directed their corporate marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts, as well as provided strategic consulting for travel/tourism clients such as Park City, Heavenly Mountain Resort, and America’s Adventure Place. Leveraging my experience with media and multi-channel marketing technology, I went on to lead the marketing and branding initiatives for SAXOTECH (now NEWSCYCLE), a global provider of content management platforms, circulation systems and advertising solutions for the media industry. I’ve worked in sales, marketing, advertising and public relations for a variety of other companies, including Switchback PR & Marketing, Stoel Rives LLP, Preferred Capital Corporation and Patagonia. I have an MBA with a specialization in Marketing and a BA from Clemson University. Side hustle: My photography has appeared in countless ads, brochures, and marketing campaigns.

Small Business Video Awards

Small Business Animation Video from Robert Payne on Vimeo.

My approach to videos has generally been – don’t listen to us, listen to them. And I still believe in that strategy. There is much power in hearing (and seeing) a credible and experienced individual explain how they were positively impacted by a solution of some kind. This type of visual storytelling can of course be supported by animation and infographics if needed.

However, in the case of this small business video I felt that a different approach was needed. Why? Because there are more than 700,000 incorporated businesses in Georgia and 99% of those are considered to be “small businesses.” It could be an aerospace company that makes drones for NASA or a microbrewery. The sheer breadth of industry sectors is staggering.

A pure animation approach with a narrator works in this case because it allows the viewer to get drawn in by the story and whimsy while still conveying some very specific information. What types of businesses they actually run becomes less important.

Others must agree because it recently received a few accolades.

  • 2014 MarCom Awards: Gold Award in the Government Subcategory of Film & Video
  • 2015 AVA Awards – Video for the Web/Government (Gold)
  • 2014 Summit Emerging Media Awards: Leader Award (Bronze)

Site Visits and Video Interviews

King's Hawaiian
Photo credit: Samantha Young

It has been quite a week with a tour of Lockheed Martin’s facility, an interview with the CEO of Mercedes, and a video shoot at King’s Hawaiian.

Above is a video interview with John Linehan, EVP of King’s Hawaiian – great guy and very knowledgable about food processing and business strategy. Note the two camera angles. Generally I like to have someone else ask my questions, so that I can listen carefully and correct or redo as needed. Should wrap up the finished product in a couple of weeks.

IEDC Award for New Media

2014 IEDC Awards Ribbon goldGrowing the life science industry in Georgia has been one of the economic development endeavors I have been working on in recent time. After extensive research and planning, a multi-channel marketing campaign was launched that targets very specific sectors within the life science industry:

  • Cold Chain
  • Fill Finish
  • Hematology and Immunology
  • HIT
  • Medical Devices

The usual suspects of digital marketing, print advertising, events and tradeshows and public relations were employed to generate new leads.

I also utilized social media in the form of a Health IQ quiz that was designed to be fun, informative and interactive. It generated some great results and figured it was worth submitting for the International Economic Development Awards. I am pleased to say that the campaign was awarded Gold in the category of New Media in a population greater than 500,000.

You can learn more about the life science campaign by visiting Georgia.org/LifeSciences.

Thanksgiving in Charleston

Fall light in the woods

Camouflaged patience

Leaves crackle in anticipation

Rain on the coast

Wetsuit feels like armor

Grey waves carry ageless friends to shore

Wood smoke on my sweater

Oyster shells lay empty on the table

Blue crabs whistle in the boil

Food and family laugh in story

Thankful to be together

Charleston stretches out the front door