Traditional marketing tactics fail to wow consumers, Boomn startup says
June 6, 2018 | Elyssa Bezner
If an idea doesn’t prompt a “Heck yeah!” response from the team at Boomn, it gets an “Um, no” verdict, said Ryan O’Connell.
A data-driven and performance-based digital marketing company, KC-based Boomn works primarily with ecommerce brands. Such clients range from food and beverage companies to TV and YouTube personalities, said O’Connell, Boomn’s chief operating officer.

Ryan O’Connell
Founded in early 2017, Boomn operates with a tight-knit team of nine and has serviced more than 30 clients in its first year, he said.
TV and Youtube personalities are a different animal compared to more traditional markets, O’Connell said, with those clients coming pre-packaged with large fan bases and engaged customers.
“It allows us to not spend as much time on hyper-targeting and identifying audiences and allows us to be creative in how we’re monetizing and engaging with their audiences,” he said.
The marketing industry is an ever-changing landscape, O’Connell said, with companies like Boomn tasked to manage shifting platforms and conduct effective use of those platforms while acquiring customers.
“Fortunately, we’ve put together a collection of uber-talented individuals that understand how fast-paced the industry is and know how to stay ahead of the curve so that we can keep our clients ahead of the curve,” he said.
That requires Boomn grab customers via two traditional routes — outbound and inbound marketing — at once.
“Relying on just outbound marketing efforts such as paid customer acquisition or setting up a proper inbound funnel with organic content and social media isn’t comprehensive and complete enough of a strategy anymore to effectively market online,” said O’Connell.

2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Small biz could be solution to supply chain woes, says Children’s Mercy CEO; Why shared economic prosperity catalyzes innovation
Editor’s note: The following story was sponsored by KC Rising, a regional initiative to help Kansas City grow faster and more intentionally, as part of a campaign to promote its CEO-to-CEO Challenge on supplier diversity. It’s all about the ripple effect of outcomes, said Paul Kempinski, diagnosing the community health potential (and business case) for supplier diversity efforts. Corporate…
Mary Shannon’s two words to describe the complexity of supplier diversity: Competitive advantage
Editor’s note: The following story was sponsored by KC Rising, a regional initiative to help Kansas City grow faster and more intentionally, as part of a campaign to promote its CEO-to-CEO Challenge on supplier diversity. Don’t try to fake your way through diversity initiatives for optics, advised Mary Shannon, noting half-hearted commitment to efforts like supplier diversity — which…
Why a social network for basketball players bounced off court to recruit STEM, solar players
In an industry where connections can mean as much as talent, DeMarcus Weeks envisioned a LinkedIn-type network to create exposure for athletes — specifically basketball players from historically Black colleges and universities, as well as other small schools. Put in his words: to give the small guys a voice by providing them a network to connect…
Plot builds momentum as its new-to-market tool digs into construction communications tech gap
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…
