From Left: Elise James-Decruise, Adri Maisonet-Morales,Heather Hoerdemann, Kaliym Islam

As the digital advertising space blossomed in 2007, many marketers needed to learn how to use the new tools available to negotiate and purchase digital media.

To meet the growing demand, Elise James-DeCruise, senior director and head of global training for digital technology firm MediaMath Inc., created the New Marketing Institute. Now the educational arm of MediaMath, NMI provides customers with customized learning to help clients navigate the world of digital advertising by addressing whatever skills gap may arise that could hinder technological innovation across the digital marketing industry.

NMI programs include in-person and remote courses featuring live facilitator-led sessions, self-directed e-learning, one-on-one coaching and thought leadership through industry blogs and events. It employs a flexible, customized approach with in-house training to meet the individual needs for each client, partner, employee or student group.

NMI also includes post-certification testing. After completing a certification class, students take exams; if they pass, they receive a certificate and badge to post to their LinkedIn profile and résumé.

As a result of NMI, MediaMath has shortened the length of time it takes new clients to spend their media budget on its product platform. In 2014, the company trained 2,339 external marketers, a 61 percent increase from 2013. At time of publication, more than 1,300 have been trained this year.

In light of new industry challenges brought on by the Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina sought to restructure its corporate mentoring program, BlueXchange, to better retain talent at all levels of the organization.

Under the leadership of Adri Maisonet-Morales, the company’s vice president of enterprise learning and development, Blue Cross bolstered BlueXchange to support employee development through a suite of structured and consultative services. These services include cohort-based, one-on-one mentoring for entry-level employees, experienced professionals and managers; consultation for strategic mentoring initiatives; and on-demand resources that support employees’ individual mentoring relationships.

Since improving the mentoring program, Blue Cross’ attrition rate for program participants is just 2.3 percent compared with 10 percent for the organization at large.

Further, in 2014, 14 percent of BlueXchange participants received promotions, compared with the organization’s average of 10 percent, while 37 percent of participants transitioned to a new role with the company.

Under the leadership of Heather Hoerdemann, the company’s vice president of talent, Synopsys Inc. launched two executive development pilot programs targeting business acumen for its technical leadership. Participants in the newly designed program reported significant improvement in three areas: working and networking with peers, risk-assessment ability and improved financial management skills.

—Frank Kalman

Kaliym Islam, vice president of learning for the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. implemented the agile methodology in the company’s learning organization. The effort produced new data that demonstrates how DTCC’s learning arm supports the broader business strategy for 300,000 clients who use its learning assets annually.