The OMD Growth Academy

Supporting BIPOC, Women-Owned and Values-Driven Businesses

The Growth Academy

About OMD

OMD is the world’s largest media network with more than 13,000 people in over 100 countries. OMD remains the most medaled media agency at Cannes with 38 Lions in 2021. Named Adweek’s Global Media Agency of the Year in 2019 and 2020, OMD is currently ranked the world’s most effective media agency network in the Effie Effectiveness Index.

Growth Academy Mission

The Growth Academy affirms OMD’s commitment to social and racial equity by providing BIPOC, Women-Owned and Values-Driven organizations with the additional tools, resources, and insights to empower and elevate their businesses.

How It Works

The OMD Growth Academy provides FREE educational sessions for small and mid-sized businesses so they may access the knowledge and consultative media services critical to growing their businesses in the digital landscape.

The Growth Academy Curriculum

Each session is led by subject matter experts from OMD. Workshops are approximately 1 hour. All sessions are free to qualifying organizations.

Marketing Foundations

How do you capture attention in this fast-moving, attention-deficient world? What are the fundamental questions you should be asking to grow your business? In this session we will provide:

  • Guidance on how to outline your objectives, identify audiences, and determine measures of success
  • Quick tips on how to garner positive Ratings & Reviews
  • Overview of differences between paid and organic search, and whether you need both
  • eCommerce best practices
  • Cheat sheet to social media platforms – which should you use when and why

Organic Search 101

Organic Search or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most fundamental means to drive potential consumers to a website, and because it is free, it is a tactic easily utilized by businesses of any size and budget. In this session we will review the best practices to influence Google’s results in your favor:

  • How Google works to deliver answers to consumers
  • Basics of keyword search and why ranking is so important
  • Review of Google Search Trends and how to apply them to your business
  • Best practices to structure website content
  • Real-life example of how SEO best practices can be applied

Paid Search 101

Have you ever noticed the leading results of a Google search are tagged with a small “Ad” label in the top corner? Those paid search ads are one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to capture hand-raisers looking for information about a product or service you may offer. In this session we will learn:

  • How Paid Search works
  • Basic understanding of costs to advertise
  • Key word sets, and practice writing ad copy
  • How to set up a Google Ad Words account for your business

eCommerce 101

Technology and current events have fast-tracked eCommerce growth, and elevated consumers’ expectations. Shoppers are looking to rediscover the retail experience online, but how do you compete when companies like Amazon set buyers expectations? Learn the art and science of creating a presence online:

  • eCommerce platforms and opportunities that will work for you
  • Getting started on your online store
  • How to maximize sales and grow your brand’s presence
  • Staying ahead: What’s next for commerce

Social 101

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter. Audiences and strategies differ depending on the platform and just because somebody follows your business does not guarantee that they will see your posts. In this class we will discuss who to target; the difference between earned, owned, and paid social media; and the best placement and timing to achieve your goals. We will cover:

  • Overview of Social Media landscape
  • Role of influencers and content creators
  • Tools available to manage and monitor campaigns across platforms
  • When to spend money to achieve your objectives
  • Which platform is best for your business

Getting Creative with Social Media

Livestreams, polls, behind-the-scenes peeks, weekly series, takeovers, contests, giveaways, reposts and content curating. There are countless ways to keep your audience engaged, dancing and sharing; and the way you express your brand, product, or service matters. Join us as we brainstorm how to bring your business to life on social!

  • Fundamentals of building a campaign
  • Choosing the right platforms for your goals and understanding their unique capabilities
  • Strategies to maintain and grow followers
  • Free resources for inspiration, analytics, trends, and best practices

Session Date

Session Title

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Marketing Foundations
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Organic Search 101
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Paid Search 101
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
eCommerce 101
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Social 101
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Getting Creative with Social Media
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 @ 4:00 ET
Getting Started with TikTok - Live chat with creators

To find out if your organization qualifies, please complete this brief survey.

If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected]