This is the story of how a digital advertising company specializing in optimization conversion…read moresaved me in a time of dire need.
I was riding the train to work one morning because my bicycle was in the shop (I detest fossil fuels). Well, one problem with trains is they don't just stop on command. My precious Lily (2 year old dalmatian) jumped out of the door right as it closed. I could not find the conductor (are there still conductors anyway?) to stop the train. I impatiently paced as the train slowed at the next stop. I jumped off the train in a single bound, jumpiing over enraged passengers, as soon as the doors opened and sprinted into the direction of my precious Lily. I was about 9 blocks away but determined. I raced and was even using proper breathing techniques but, ALAS!, I was unable to find her. I yelled "LILY!, LILY!!" but to no avail. Suddenly I realized that I looked like a madman. A taxi swerved around me and a man yelled obsenities at me in Italian from the rear seat. I do not know Italian but I assume his language was obscene. In retrospect he may have been simply greeting me in a loud manner...in any case, I found myself frustrated beyond measure, dogless and panting. I could only imagine how alone Lily must have felt at that moment. At that moment I made a promise to God, Allah, and Martha Stewart Living that I would find Lily and bring her home and would not rest until that liberating moment.
I began, as most likely do, by making shoddy amateur posters. They were almost as pitiful as my state of emotions. The ink was black and running. The saddest part was the lame attempt at a drawing. I thought that if I could only appeal to the heartstrings of passersby they would at least TRY to help. So I drew the happiest moment shared between Lily and I. It was Christmas 2011. She was wearing a pink bow and nestling in a beautiful padded polka-dotted crate. I was wearing a fuzzy christmas sweater stained with eggnog. In any case, the drawing was a disaster. It looked like a first-grader's depiction of an abusive father via watercolors.
After failing to even garner one look from any passerby I was distraught. I was crying while tearing down the posters. My tears mixed with the black ink and ran down my hands. At one point I could not bear (or bare?) to stand. I became dizzy. I sat on the sidewalk and tried to maintain my bearing. Suddenly I heard a bicycle bell...that sound is now ingrained in my memory as one of the turning points of my life. I looked up, expecting a rebuke from a hurried and harried cycler impatiently attempting to pass by, instead I saw something (someone) entirely different...
A tall, handsome man with brown curly locks addressed me.
"Hi, I'm Nat, I couldn't help but notice that you have lost your dog. I can't quite tell what kind of dog you are missing from the poster there, but I can tell that her name is Lily and she means a lot to you. I think I can help."
I was a bit flabbergasted but eager to jump on any chance to find Lily.
I stammered, "Umm..Really?!"
He just smiled. "Hop on", he said.
He had an extra helmet and I hopped on the back of his bike. He must of had the legs of a god because he did not struggle while pedaling and I could have sworn we were going faster than the train from earlier. He took me to a beautiful place called SQ1.
"This is where I work. And these are the people that are going to help you find your Lily".
I was greeted by warm smiles and I even saw that a few of the charming individuals had there own dogs inside, I was completely won over. I was not sure how it was possible, but I trusted that these wonderful people would help me find Lily. And, beyond that, I felt that perhaps I had found a few friends. Nat grabbed me a cup of coffee and led me to a giant LCD screen.
"Have a seat. So, what do you know about analytics?"
I had no idea what he was talking about but he explained everything. Basically Nat said that his company could use search engines, social media, and even location services to get my message out to anyone and everyone who may have information about Lily. There were a few trendy spots in the area and Nat explained that he could partner with them via Facebook and their own websites to ensure that people that were visiting those places or that were likely in the area during the time that Lily and I were separated could be directed to a post about Lily. He worked with me and we created a special webpage for Lily. Luckily, I had a few pictures on my phone (they were much better representations than the ones I had attempted to draw earlier!) We updated the site with my information and Nat worked his magic.
"Usually, I utilize my skills to ensure that top quality brands can communicate with consumers who want their product; but right now I can't think of anything more important than helping you find Lily"
out of space.But WE FOUND HER!!!
