Phil Ash, Publisher, Capitol Information Group, Inc., Falls Church, Va.
SIPA: What was your first job out of college and how did you get into this business?
PHIL ASH: It was the recession of the early ’90s, and I simply wanted a job. So I majored in accounting and went to work for KPMG. Despite all the excitement of a 7-year accounting and finance career at KPMG, Young & Rubicam and McDonalds, I ultimately decided that direct mail was even more compelling. And as a member of the Lucky Sperm Club, I was fortunate to have a father who just so happened to own a newsletter publishing company (that’s what they were called then.)
Has there been a defining moment in your career? Perhaps when you knew you were on the right road.
Taking on the challenge of helping open a Young & Rubicam office in Ukraine was probably my greatest period of growth. I quickly learned that no business script ever plays out as intended, and success is built on lots of difficult, heat-of the moment decisions. Ultimately, I knew I was “on the right road” when I packed up my stuff and headed to the airport. But the outpost we developed continues to this day.
In brief, describe your business/company?
We give our customers the competitive edge they need to maximize their potential and improve their quality of life. At InvestingDaily.com, we provide profitable investment advice for smart people. At BusinessManagementDaily.com, we provide actionable advice to help people advance their careers. We are a legacy print publisher that continues to successfully migrate to the online world, and we are about 90% subscription-based.
What are two or three important concepts or rules that have helped you to succeed in business?
– Don’t shy away from difficult conversations;
– Establish goals for each individual and give him or her the autonomy to achieve those goals;
– Engage in deal-making as a mutually beneficial opportunity (i.e., be fair).
What is the single-most successful thing that your company is doing now?
Developing a well-oiled marketing machine that incorporates all marketing channels while being cognizant of the end-user experience with our brands.
Do you see a trend or path that you have to lock onto for 2011?
Email remains king, so we continue to build our lists via paid and organic search. But the time is nearing to further embrace social media.
What are the key benefits of SIPA membership for you and your team?
It’s all about the people. We’ve hired some, done deals with others and received loads of money-making input from the broader community.
Where did you grow up?
Northern Virginia, in the shadows of SIPA HQ.
What college did you attend?
Tulane University
Is there a moment from that time that stands out?
It was a hazy period, and I’m happy to be alive.
Are you married?
My wife and I met when we were three, and we’ve been emailing each other ever since.
Do you have children?
Two small boys without whom I would have no idea who Justin Bieber is.
What is your favorite hobby and how did it develop in your life?
Triathlon. It started 15 years ago as a typical challenge among a group of guys, with the loser having to buy everyone else beer. Regrettably, I would fall for that same bet today.
Is there a book you recently read or movie you saw that you would recommend?
I was only about five years late to finally reading “The Long Tail” by Chris Anderson. It’s one of those business books that takes you three times as long to read as it should because it makes your mind wander in all kinds of money-making directions.
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Upcoming SIPA Webinar: Email Marketing Basics
Thursday, June 30, 2011, 1 p.m. EST
As Phil Ash says, email remains king.
Listen as our panel of experts—including a direct-mail copywriter,
two of your publishing peers and an email service provider—
provides actionable advice on successful email marketing
strategies for your products, events and more.
Register today for the best price!
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