CASE STUDY
The Reading Agency
Reading Partners’ transformation of their library campaign reporting with a modern stack solution.
Introduction
Reading Partners, a commercial entity affiliated with the Reading Agency, faced challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of their book promotion campaigns. These campaigns aimed to boost visibility and sales for newly released books, primarily for publishers.
The existing manual data collection and analysis process was inefficient and lacked nuanced insights. Datalab offered a transformative solution through technology-driven data management and reporting.
"Datalab helped us understand what we need to do to survive as a non-profit"
David Ballantyne, Head of Finance & Operations - The Reading Agency
Reading Partners' Journey with a Modern Stack Solution
In the competitive landscape of book promotion, Reading Partners, a prominent commercial entity affiliated with the Reading Agency, found itself grappling with the complexities of evaluating the effectiveness of their promotional campaigns.
These campaigns, designed to bolster the visibility and sales of newly released books for their clients—primarily publishers—required meticulous data collection and analysis to gauge success. However, the pre-existing methodology employed by Reading Partners was fraught with inefficiencies.
Challenge
The crux of the issue faced by Reading Partners lay in the handling of data sourced from a variety of platforms and formats. With over 100-150 distinctive campaigns executed annually, the task of compiling, analysing, and reporting on the reach and impact of each initiative became an unwieldy endeavour.
The organization's reliance on manual processes for collecting both quantitative data and qualitative feedback—including written comments and photographic evidence—further compounded the difficulty. This method was not only labour-intensive but also lacked the cohesion and automation necessary for producing timely, insightful reports.
The consequence was a significant bottleneck in the workflow, hampering the organization's ability to effectively communicate campaign outcomes to their clients and make informed decisions for future marketing strategies.
Solution
Recognizing the pressing need for an overhaul, Datalab proposed and implemented a groundbreaking solution designed to streamline and enhance Reading Partners' campaign reporting process. The cornerstone of this solution was the integration of a modern data stack that facilitated the centralized management of diverse data sources and the automation of report generation.
Further enhancing the solution's robustness, Snowflake was utilized as the data warehousing platform, offering unparalleled scalability and performance. This choice allowed for the seamless handling of the varied data types and volumes associated with Reading Partners' campaigns. Additionally, the incorporation of Power BI Embedded within the Reporting Hub transformed the way insights were visualized and shared.
The customizations and integrations extended throughout the implementation phase were pivotal. Datalab meticulously tailored the Snowflake environment to accommodate the eclectic mix of data sources, including dispatch data from Shopify, manually collected survey responses, and a plethora of jpg files sourced from Mailchimp campaigns.
Implementation
By harmonizing diverse data sources such as Shopify dispatch data, manual survey responses, and Mailchimp-sourced images within Azure Blob Storage, Datalab crafted a cohesive data ecosystem housed within Snowflake's versatile data warehousing environment.
The subsequent development of a Power BI-driven data model facilitated the seamless translation of raw data into actionable insights, culminating in the creation of a standardized dashboard accessible via a Reporting Portal. This portal not only exemplified the potential enhancements to the Reading Partner experience but also offered a window into the nuanced performance of individual campaigns
“Significant reductions in manual data handling and enabling a more focused approach to campaign strategy and partner engagement.“
Results
Efficient Insights
The deployment of Datalab's Proof-of-Value stage solution heralded a new era of efficiency and insight for Reading Partners.
Reduction in Data Handling
The once cumbersome and time-intensive process of data management and report generation was transformed, heralding significant reductions in manual data handling.
Campaign Strategy & Partner Engagement
Thus, enabling a more focused approach to campaign strategy and partner engagement.
Operational Streamlining
This shift not only streamlined operational workflows but also equipped Reading Partners with the tools necessary for more informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of their promotional campaigns.
Next Steps
Buoyed by the success of the Proof of Value, the collaboration between Datalab and Reading Partners is poised for future advancements. The roadmap includes the full automation of the reporting process and the development of a comprehensive data strategy for the Reading Agency.
This strategy aims to harness the power of data to drive revenue growth and expand the Reading Partner Network, marking a strategic pivot towards data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency.
Download the Case Study
Related resources
