A year after its merger with Butler/Till, Digital Hyve has expanded its leadership team. President Keith Betz is charged with ushering the Butler/Till subsidiary into a new chapter of growth.
Betz, who previously was vice president of client management at Butler/Till, will focus on growing Digital Hyve by providing more sophisticated, tech-enabled digital marketing offerings with scale and flexibility, officials say.
“Keith has an impressive track record of growing new business units, fueling business development, and forging relationships,” says Kimberly Jones, president and CEO of Butler/Till. (Jones also is a Rochester Beacon board member.) “We are confident that his experience and commitment will help transform our clients’ businesses during these uncertain economic times. His leadership will also drive engagement in our workforce, thereby empowering our teams, profitability and sustainability.”
A 15-year veteran of Butler/Till, Betz played a key role in establishing the marketing agency’s health care business. Today, Butler/Till employs roughly 310 employees; more than 50 people work for Digital Hyve. Betz believes employment will continue to grow—15 percent to 20 percent—over the next year.
“I’ve spent the last 10 years leading the development and growth of new business units for Butler/Till. For example, increasing our health care portfolio by nearly 3,000 percent,” Betz says. “I’m excited and confident that in my new role as president of Digital Hyve, I can help lead the charge in taking DH to the next level by continuing to help businesses and organizations drive real business outcomes, all while maintaining a highly engaged and committed crew.”
The Rochester Beacon posed a few questions to Betz on his appointment and the possibilities for Digital Hyve. His responses are below.
ROCHESTER BEACON: It has been a little over a year since Digital Hyve merged with Butler/Till. How has the move benefited Digital Hyve so far?
KEITH BETZ: In the first year since the acquisition, Digital Hyve has been able to grow in so many new and exciting ways. We’ve been able to leverage the expanded resources and expertise that Butler/Till provides: talent, capabilities, process, technology, and professional development opportunities. Having a best-in-class office in the heart of downtown has given our crew based in ROC a new home. Perhaps the biggest benefit of all has been the opportunity for all DH team members to become employee-owners, a title that has been proven to increase productivity, improve job security, provide greater wealth, and promote overall happiness!
ROCHESTER BEACON: What were some of the key accomplishments for the subsidiary in the last year?
BETZ:
■ New clients and/or expanded relationships with Bonide Products, Five Star Bank, Northeast College of Health Sciences, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, Maguire Automotive, Rochester Philharmonic, and Lollypop Farm.
■ Launched a new service offering: market research.
■ Recognized on Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies list for the third consecutive year
■ Named an Inc. 5000 company for the fifth year in a row.
■ Financial Times list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies for the third consecutive year
A recipient of the 2021 Economic Champion Award by CenterState CEO
ROCHESTER BEACON: Would you say your appointment to the president role is part of the process of being part of a larger business? Why did the agency think it was necessary to have this role, and what do you hope to accomplish?
BETZ: Yes, part of the need to appoint a president was to support scaling the business. We believe the growth potential is so significant that having a dedicated leader to support the existing talented Digital Hyve leadership team will expedite that growth. Our leadership is now spread between our two office locations in Rochester and Syracuse, a president in our local Rochester region and a managing director in Syracuse, to shore up our commitment to serving and growing business across all of Upstate New York.
ROCHESTER BEACON: Digital Hyve’s strengths lie in the small-to-midsize business arena. What are these businesses most concerned about today as they look to grow?
BETZ: Coming out of a pandemic with a looming recession ahead, SMBs are looking for partners that take the time to understand their business’ challenges and can demonstrate a strong return on their investment. Understanding how and why their marketing activities are performing has never been more important. And since DH is a performance, data-driven, digital marketing agency that is committed to delivering results that help our clients’ businesses grow, we’re in a unique position to help SMBs navigate these challenging economic times. And of course, they also want partners that are responsive, easy to work with, and overall share their values—something at Digital Hyve that is equally as important to us.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name.
Looming recession? I believe that for the average person that statement rings with experience. Everyday products are on the rise and some (I won’t mention the Party) appear not to be concerned because, even though we have reached the definition of recession, there are some extenuating issues that keep us from calling it, recession. The busines world sees it, feels it and if not prepared it will devastate them,….Digital Hyve is apparently well aware and taking this issue to heart. Good for them. I wish them continued success.