Today we’d like to introduce you to Dick Didow.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dick. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I sold my publishing company in 1998 and was looking for another business and decided there would be an opportunity in the photo industry as it transitioned from film to digital (wow was that right on!). Decided to use digital photography at events using green screen technology. We received a patent for back-lighting to obtain better quality. To this day we are the premier green screen company throughout the U.S. and the go-to company for many national marketing agencies. Our business is nationwide. Recently we recognized that our social events and public events needed different messages so we divided into two divisions. CTM Events for our private corporate and social events and CTM Interactive for our national tours and public events. We have invested heavily in developing a way to utilize user generated content (the almighty selfie!) into a platform that creates benefits for our big brand clients as well as entertainment for our social events. Activ8 Plus(TM) is transforming the way events are activated with photos and displayed right on site. So a new wave of technology is unfolding for events of all sizes and objectives and once again we are leading the way.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We were on a fast growth pace (made the INC.5000 list of fastest growing companies 4 times) and then 2008 hit. There was so much negative press about the shamefulness of companies that would have events when so many people were being laid off, that many companies stopped their own marketing efforts using events and that severely hurt our business. When the business came back a few years later it was a totally different animal. New software and lower cost hardware allowed much more competition. That is when we split into 2 division to meet the competition head on in the markets we served.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Catch the Moment – what should we know?
We provide entertainment (social and corporate private events) and marketing services (nationally sponsored tours and public events) using digital photography on a nationwide stage. In the past our specialty has been green screen with, along with our patent for back-lighting, one of the largest green screen libraries in the world. We have now added other digital services which include slow motion, GIF’s, morphing, 360 video, augmented reality, social wall displays, interactive graffiti wall and much more. Now with the development of Activ8 Plus(TM) we are setting ourselves apart by utilizing the camera that everyone already has and turning into fun and a meaningful event activity.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important characteristic of successful companies is their willingness and ability to listen to their customers. One thing we have always said is that your customers will make you better. They will have requests that you may not have thought of because of the perspective they bring. We have listened and are much better for it.
Pricing:
- Events can start as low as $200.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 8850 Jameel Rd.
Suite 170A
Houston TX 77040 - Website: www.ctmevents.com
- Phone: 713 255-4500
- Email: rdidow@catchthemoment.com
- Instagram: @catchthemomentusa
- Facebook: ctmevents@seemyself
- Twitter: @dickdidow
Image Credit:
CTM Interactive
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