Letter from the President & Janet Hewitt's impact on the mortgage industry
            
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In Context Newsletter
   

    

Letter from the President 

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Scott_2.jpgI’ll admit it, I really do look forward to the fall conference season. Between September and October, we’ll see a host of new companies, ideas, innovation; and we’ll hear from the “experts” on those issues we need to be paying attention to in 2017. While this year will be remembered for: fintech labs and partnerships with traditional FI’s; the rise of millennials; and a push for real-time payments; I’ve been thinking a lot about how to gauge disruption and how we should view the messengers.

Disruption in financial services depends on a company’s ability to handle scale. While many claim to have a better platform or process, very few companies can take an idea to mainstream successfully. Alternative lenders are learning more about fraud to their dismay and access to capital. The best quote I’ve heard recently is, “Anyone can lend money. It is the getting paid back part that is hard.” Additionally, fintech or regtech companies looking to sell to or through traditional FIs know that creating sales organizations or a series of productive partnerships takes time and talent.

The media and our business are changing too. This issue includes a lot of information about changes with media, our staff and how content marketing is a growth area.

I hope to see you at a conference soon,

 

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Scott Mills 

 

Janet Hewitt's Impact on the Mortgage Industry

staff_photo_hewitt_j.gifJanet Hewitt, Editor-in-Chief of Mortgage Banking magazine, will retire from MBA this coming September. Hewitt has been working with the mortgage banking industry for the last 30 years, providing her leadership and vision to the industry.She is also the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. 

Her favorite Mortgage Banking issue was the one where they ran a photo of a pair of jeans on the cover.  It was an issue devoted to branding and marketing in the mortgage business. 

In an interview in 2013, Hewitt gave us an inside look at Mortgage Banking Magazine, explaining how the magazine played a role in the mortgage industry. We were also fortunate to interview her for a blog back in 2012, where she talked with us about Mortgage Bankers Association's 99th Annual Convention. She gave us the inside details about what was going to be discussed. Hewitt has made such an impact on both the mortgage industry and our agency. We wish her well in her future endeavors. 

“I want to thank the William Mills Agency for being such a tremendous partner over the years…My last day is September 30. After that you can find me on the golf course or walking my dogs.” - Janet Hewitt

Fintech Media Updates

PR & Content Marketing

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As our agency continues to grow, many of our clients are beginning to integrate PR and content marketing into their overall business strategy. Having a comprehensive public relations program is a great way to build up your company profile and position your organization as a thought leader in the industry. Content marketing also works to strengthen brand awareness and boost lead generation. In our experience, when content marketing and PR are working together, results are maximized significantly.

With an integrated PR and content marketing program, the content side will work to transform your website into a lead generation machine.  Your content marketing team will distribute white papers, blogs and targeted emails to turn strangers visiting your website into strong, viable leads. PR then expands the awareness of your white papers and other downloadable content to boost SEO and increase sales for your organization.

Our integrated PR and content marketing programs are available to all WMA clients. 

Learn how PR and content marketing can help maximize your results here.

If you are interested in PR and content marketing or would like to expand your current offerings, please contact your account representative or Kelly Williams at 678-781-7202 or kelly@williammills.com.

Agency News

William Mills Agency promoted Megan Fort, Stephen Sprayberry, Michael Touchton and K.T. Mills-Grimes. We appreciate all of their hard work and dedication to our company. 

 
Megan_fort_headshot-099133-edited.jpgMegan Fort was promoted from Senior Account Agent to Account Supervisor after being with agency for 8 years. Fort received her degree in Spanish and public relations from the University of Georgia. For more than seven years, she has successfully managed agency clients in the banking, mortgage, insurance and technology industries and demonstrated leadership by overseeing less-experienced employees.  She offers clients strategic counsel on their brand and overall positioning in the market.
 
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Stephen Sprayberry was named Senior Account Agent. Sprayberry has been with the agency for nearly five years and began as an intern. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations with an added concentration in management from Auburn University. In his new role, he will be responsible for media relations, issue trend/analysis, company messaging and branding, speaking opportunities, analyst relations, crisis control and integrating PR campaigns with existing client marketing programs. 
  
Michael_Touchton_headshot.jpgMichael Touchton was named Senior Account Agent. Touchton has been with the agency for four years and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Kennesaw State University. Prior to joining the agency, Touchton worked with the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) to construct a successful campaign to drive and retain membership. In his new role, he will be responsible for media relations, issue trend/analysis, company messaging and branding, speaking opportunities, analyst relations, crisis control and integrating PR campaigns with existing client marketing programs. 
 
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K.T. Mills-Grimes is being promoted to Digital Marketing Manager. Mills has been with the agency for four years and is a third-generation employee. She graduated from the University of Georgia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and classical culture. She oversees agency-wide content and digital marketing activities for William Mills Agency and its financial technology clients. She is also responsible for managing a team that executes strategic planning, website design, social media, sales material creation, SEO and lead generation programs. Mills is also a HubSpot certified specialist.
 
 
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