Al McWilliams: Graduated Versions of Everything

By Bud on December 13, 2007 TrackBacks (1) Comments (2)

Al McWilliams has collected all of the componets of his media business and is now driving toward execution.

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Filed under: Al McWilliams | Ann Arbor, MI | Finding Gaps | Publishing | Quack Media | Twelve Month Goals

In this 6 minute segment (download iPod compatible, 38MB), Al McWilliams describes how Quack Media became the mini media conglomerate it is now and what he would like to do with it in the next twelve months. Up until two years ago, Quack was focused on educational videos. Then, it signed the band Tally Hall two years ago. Six months later it started distributing Found Magazine, adding the final leg to its mix of video, music, and print. The idea is that there will be synergies between the three, e.g., people who like the print publications Quack produces will also like its artists' music.

Al now feels he has the right mix of media. In the next twelve months, he would like to strengthen the current base. He aims to refine his new music distribution model and augment his traditional print distribution model.

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TrackBack URL for this entry: http://michiganinnovators.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/fpgibson/MI/mt41/mt-tb.cgi/101

» Quack Media from Sarah Gerstenberger

I was watching this video on Michigan Innovators about Al McWilliams. I found it interesting that a company that started with educational videos is now representing bands and Found Magazine. Al sounds like he's really laid back guy who has... Read More

Tracked on December 14, 2007 8:15 PM

2 Comments

Kelly Daniels on November 16, 2008 6:51 PM
I have known of Quack Media for sometime now. I remember when the band Tally Hall signed with you and what that did for the company. Do you attribute your success to Tally Hall? Listening to your interview online was exciting for me because I remember when the company was small and it was struggling to get by. My friend used to work for Quack and I’m not sure if he’s still writing for your company or not. It’s great to hear all that you have in store. I hope that this economical situation that Michigan is in does not interfere with your up and coming projects. Thank you for being presenting your ideas on Michiganinnovators.com it has really helped in my journey of deciding if I would like to be an entrepreneur. I’m still working on my business degree at Eastern Michigan, and I hope to be successful like you someday. If you would like to respond to any of my questions my name is Kelly Daniels and my email is kdaniel3@emich.edu.
Brandon Cholette on November 17, 2008 5:47 PM
Your business seems like a great idea. I like how you combined video, music, and print because like you said, they all help each other out. I have not before heard of Tally Hall or Found Magazine, but I am intrigued to learn about them. Do you have any other bands that you wish to work with? Ann Arbor is a good area to find young, local talent, so it looks like your business is in a great location. You have done a lot in four years with the expansion of your business. What would you say was the most difficult part of expanding? Are there any other parts of media that would like to cover in the future? I am majoring in sport management and I am learning about endless media opportunities in athletics. This might be an area you could pursue in order to further reach out to customers. There is a huge demand for little league, middle school, and high school season videos. These videos can be made for memorabilia purposes as well as highlight tapes for scholarship seekers. Gaining customers from this market could help you locate even more local talent and would also expose your magazine and bands. You seem pretty young to have started your own business. Do you have a college education or is your education in retailing strictly from experience? I look forward to returning to this website to see the advancements your company makes in the future. Good luck to you! If you would like to respond to my questions, my name is Brandon Cholette, a student at Eastern Michigan University. My email is bcholett@emich.edu. Thanks.

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