A Pilgrim’s Progress

It’s been 3 decades since we established Mediaware as a software service for ad agencies. And here we are, still relevant after 3 decades!

We launched in the 1990s as a next-gen software for advertising. And during our long journey, we have applied strategies  to go from pathbreaking, to iconic to iconic-cum-genZ. Here’s a list of successful strategies that we applied/are applying to counter  the changes in business environment, technology, economic cycles & generational behavior changes!



 

Mediaware was launched as a B2B SaaS software for ad agencies in 1995. (That’s right, we had launched a form of SaaS before the advent of the Internet, couriering diskettes & CDs to customers.) We first tasted success in the era of baby boomers. By 2005, we’d changed our product roadmap for today’s millennial. And in the 2020s (during Covid,) we pivoted again to woo GenZ users!

 

Our journey somewhat resembles the proverbial pilgrim’s progress,  full of obstacles, with many twists, turns. How can an existing brand  even hope to stay iconic & modern after decades? How do we  maintain  high quality,  yet remain accessible? And manage 3 generational changes, spanning over 3 decades? 
Of the numerous strategies that were tried (& mostly failed) here a few that got us results.

1:  We finalized our positioning relatively early.

We understood that our software met a real market need (viz. quick & accurate agency billing).   Meanwhile, businesses were quickly adopting accounting software. This made us realise that no business would run without software in the future. So although our focus was on building the product & support system, we were able to understand the need for “quick & accurate billing for ad agencies”. But as businesses realised the importance of software, they created a position of IT Manager. Soon, we positioned Mediaware as “Software partners to advertising agencies” which was later upgraded to “IT partners to advertising agencies.”

 

Although software vendors sold their packages as capital expenditure, we offered Mediaware as a service comprising of:

 

  • Software Package Modules
: We built a reliable software product of good quality. Provided support of even higher quality which addressed the much-needed requirement for quick & accurate client billing – a problem that most ad agencies face even today.
  • Monthly Software Releases: Much before the advent of the Web, we used to courier floppy disks (later CDs, Web downloads & now via CI/CD pipes) to update each month, the software installed in hundreds of PCs & local servers of our clients.
  • Media & Vendor Master Database Fortnightly Updates:
We set up a team who built & updated a database media masters & vendors on a daily basis. These were couriered via floppies & CDs. A stint in our Database Department was the first stop for all new joinees – to impart basic domain knowledge of media &  advertising.
  • Software Customization Service:
We set up a team for customising our software to meet individual clients’ needs.
  • Customer Support: Initially, our senior developers would each take charge of a group of clients & ensure that their issues were addressed regiularly. Later. (when we could afford it,) we  set up a separate team under a Manager.

We built an inclusive model to offer our clientele.  We didn’t just modernise the large agencies. We were accessible to the hundreds of small agencies which were sprouting all over the country. with a pricing model that was based on no. of users, branches/SBUs, &  functional  modules. This made it feasible for SME agencies to sign up.

2: We helped ease the daily grind of ad agency staff - creating positive word-of-mouth

Our goal was simple: to make Mediaware a must-have accessory for any agency. We achieved this with our product design, coupled with module-based pricing, high quality, and assured support.

 

Over time, our focus shifted to become a must-have, standard equipment for all new agencies. (By this time, our users would ensure that Mediaware was installed in their prospective employer’s office, whenever they chose to switch jobs!) Our strategy was successful when ad agencies started adding “Knowledge of Mediaware a must for this post.” to their Vacancy ads! 

3: Created a shared  media & vendor master database to add value

During the initial years, in response  to our clients’ suggestion, we set up a separate team to build, track & update a Media Master Database. In 2025, although the utility of rates has dropped, this still serves as a useful Master Data which cuts implementation time & adds value to our users!


The Mediaware Master Media Database was what the boomers relied on back in the day. Today, Gen Z also appreciates a ready Master Data for its sheer utility value!

4: Started investing in Global Solutions for Gen Z 

It takes a long time to build genuine brand positioning. And much longer to change it. Here’s what we did to make ourselves “modern, yet iconic”: 
Invested in cloud computing to build a new platform to address the expectations of today’s users. 
Added many small and big features for digital advertising Powered by a team of an eclectic mix of Baby boomers. Millennials & Gen Z folks, we set about our work. 

5: Built deep integrations with online vendors like Google, Meta

After establishing deep links with Google & Meta which reportedly service 80% of digital marketing budgets, we’re adding other platforms too.

6: Experimented at the cost of profitability  

After establishing deep links with Google & Meta which reportedly service 80% of digital marketing budgets, we’re adding other platforms too.

Some examples:

  • Auto reconciliation of Google, Meta vendor bills. – Once a digital plan is approved by a client, agency planners constantly tweak plans to ensure performance – sometimes every day. The commercial team has no clue of these changes. So reconciliation of vendor bills typically involved a whole week of fervent activity involving planning & commercial teams. Hyper automating the reconciliation process saved 80% of the tedium. This is required to pass vendor bills which are the base for client billing. 
Note: This is a critical operation even if agencies bill some clients & collect payments upfront.
  • One touch client billing including advance billing. – For those clients who were billed after the campaigns, we made it effortless for agencies by linking vendor bill reconciliation to client billing.
  • Currently filing how we can add value to the Connected TV market.
- Over the past few years, connected TV (CTV) has shown great promise for advertisers. We are examining how Mediaware can bring value to clients with automation for CTV.
7: Helped mitigate our clients’ financial risks
  • Real time check for when actual commitment to Google, Meta exceeds approved plan.
- Digital agencies are run by their planning teams, who plan & execute online campaigns, modifying plans routinely to optimize campaigns. In this process, the rest of the  agency remains unaware if any line item has exceeded the approved budget. This can create objections by client during billing. (In case of advance billing, it can impact the agency’s margins.)

We are currently finalising an Alert System which will track & report any excess to stakeholders twice a day.

 

  • Resource Utilization Report -
Agency in-house manpower resources are not cheap. But we understand the sheer complexity of optimising resource allocation. At the same time we realised that agencies appreciate info on how well each of their (expensive) manpower was utilised for Value Added Services like Building Websites, Apps, Content, Creative. So we decided to build a system to track how agency resources are being used.
8: Created dashboards for top management to track business performance
  • Dashboard for top management – In the past, we focused on making life easier for BAU users. Now, we have included the top management / owners in our focus – starting with a reporting dashboard which shows real time operating margin by medium, activity, SBU & team.

Currently we’re integrating AI into our workflow.
Just an example: A Billing Manager could “instruct” the MW agent to “bill clients for  selected vendor P.O.s  by specifying the parameters.” (Currently, our users would have to open each Estimate and select the entries for the shortlisted vendors that need to be billed to client.) With the support of our AI agents, each team member can manage multiple tasks – to cut short delivery cycles with no errors. We want to make life easier for our clients. 

Have some feedback? Happy to discuss. 


biswajitdas@mediaswareonline.com

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