Businesses today are challenged by explosive change in the digital marketing environment. Using social media to build brands, generate leads, and create audience loyalty is increasingly necessary, but also requires significant investment in tools and staff time. For companies unfamiliar with this territory, digital marketing strategies can be downright intimidating.

With these challenges in mind, Ball State University launched the Center for Digital Marketing Advancement (DMA) in September 2013. This project is a collaboration between Ball State’s Center for Media Design, H.H. Gregg Center for Professional Selling, and Building Better Communities. DMA is an industry-focused research endeavor that creates an external engagement arm to identify and communicate digital marketing best practices and methods for educating future marketing technology workers at all levels.

“Through validated best practices, commissioned research, and professional certification, DMA seeks to demystify digital strategies for small to mid-size companies who want to take their digital marketing to the next level,” said Dave Ferguson, Associate Vice President for the Emerging Media Initiative. “DMA draws from Ball State’s significant strengths in digital research, applications and education, and will strengthen Indiana’s reputation as an international destination for digital marketing tools, design and talent.”

The DMA staff is compiling interviews with some of Indianapolis’ leading digital marketing companies to identify best practices. These best practices are being deployed clients across all business sectors. DMA is validating results and communicating best practices in employee training workshops, conducting best practice research and presentations and will soon have a professional development certificate in digital marketing strategies.