How To Become Next Year’s Communicator of the Year

By Jamie Cole, Red Barn Media Group

Want to know how to become 2024’s next Communicator of the Year? We asked this year’s winner, Jamie Cole of Red Barn Media, what his secret is, how he won the award this year, and the impact it has on his career.   

1. How do you become the Communicator of the Year?

As our organization grows and evolves into its second century, we are all going to be called upon to be multi-platform “communicators.” I appreciate the distinction from the MarComm perspective, but all our “categories” are meshing, melding, and melting into one another. Every discipline and platform is in play for reaching audiences these days. Clients demand it, and so do audiences… If you’re not on the platform where they live, they will engage with someone who is.

So everyone in our business, whether marketing or editorial, will need to learn to wear many hats. Ag journalists are used to being called on for writing and photography in the field, but video isn’t even a novel thing anymore. Besides collecting the assets, editing is a whole other skill set that shapes the stories we tell. We all need to at least understand that language to be effective communicators.

2. How does this award help your professional career and ACN career?

My clients definitely notice when Red Barn Media Group gets recognition like this. I’m so grateful to iconic brands like Massey Ferguson, Gleaner, Fendt, Bayer, DTN/Progressive Farmer; I don’t take it lightly that they trust our shop with their content.

3. What tips or tricks do you have for ACN members who want to receive this award as well?

I’m sorry to pull out a cliche on this one, but… You can never stop learning. No one in the media business can afford to be comfortable; if you are, you’re likely behind. Soak up every relevant professional development opportunity that you can. Get out and try stuff, even if you’re not tasked with it or getting paid. Expand your skill set, even if it only makes you more conversant with others in the field, and keep working toward becoming a platform-agnostic storyteller. I’m convinced that’s what success looks like right now.

4. Why do you enjoy being a member of ACN?

I will always say that the greatest benefit of being an ACN member is connection and friendship. But as the organization has evolved, I’ve been excited and challenged by the exposure to the work of other members and the glimpses I get “behind the scenes” of said work. Their talent and resourcefulness inspire me to be better for my clients, and that’s besides the more formal professional development opportunities. I can honestly say, too, that my small business gets opportunities for work directly from being a part of this organization. It doesn’t get better than that.