HITS

For Reston, Va.-based Brightspot, the formula for success is simple: offer content management system (CMS) technology that empowers companies worldwide to realize their content strategies at scale.

For 15 years now, Brightspot has been a go-to resource for media and entertainment (M&E) companies in need of a CMS that allows their content teams to work smarter, faster and collaborate more seamlessly.

David A. Gang, co-founder and chief customer officer for Brightspot, spoke with MESA about keeping up with emerging technologies, the importance of being agile, innovative and customer-centric, and what it takes to be a leader in the world of CMS technology.

MESA: How did Brightspot first come on the scene, and what makes its CMS offerings stand out in the media and entertainment space?

Gang: Brightspot first came on the scene after we’d (co-founders David Gang and Lisa Beaudoin) been involved in building many different systems at AOL and WebMD. Primarily, Brightspot was born out of a need for agility in the media and entertainment industry. Traditional CMS systems were often rigid, requiring all requirements to be defined upfront. This made it difficult for businesses to adapt when market conditions changed. Brightspot was designed to be as dynamic as the industry it serves, capable of evolving at the speed of business changes.

We initially focused on the entertainment sector, leveraging our strong network and industry expertise. Our platform is particularly well-suited for organizations with large editorial teams. Features like our rich-text editor and specialized workflow were developed with heavy editorial usage in mind, making us a go-to choice for media and entertainment companies.

MESA: What are the biggest challenges CMS providers encounter today, and what’s needed to keep pace with client needs?

Gang: The CMS landscape is anything but static. New technologies and methodologies, such as headless content and generative AI, are continually emerging. While some may view the space as commoditized, the reality is that it’s rapidly evolving. The challenge lies in staying current without getting sidetracked by every new trend that comes along.

To keep pace with these changes, we actively seek feedback from our clients. This allows us to refine and adapt our platform quickly. Our approach is to be forward-thinking but practical, focusing on innovations that have real-world applications for our clients’ businesses.

MESA: Brightspot boasts dozens of out-of-the-box CMS integrations with commonly used third-party solutions. Speak to the importance of these integrations and are there any for the media and entertainment clients you’d especially point out?

Gang: Predefined integrations serve two primary purposes: they accelerate deployment and offer flexibility. For clients on tight timelines, these integrations can be a lifesaver. They enable rapid launches with third-party solutions that are already compatible with our platform.

Of the many pre-built integrations that we have for customers in the M&E space, I can think of our Brightcove integration as one that’s particularly useful given how critical video is for today’s digital consumers. That one comes ready to go out-of-the-box, along with support for other OVPs like YouTube and Vimeo, so you don’t have to lose time building out these integrations yourself if you’re already using these providers for your video offering.

But speed isn’t the only advantage. Our predefined integrations also demonstrate our comprehensive approach to content enhancement. We don’t just facilitate information exchange; we think through how data and metadata from these integrations can enrich your content. This gives clients the freedom to choose their preferred providers without compromising on functionality.

MESA: Brightspot recently launched its own dedicated developer portal. What benefits does this offer to engineers and developers?

Gang: Our new developer portal is a response to an existing but under-promoted aspect of our business: customer-led development. Many of our customers, like U.S. News & World Report, have been doing their own development for years, either in-house or through third parties. The portal provides them with robust tools and resources to make this process even more efficient.

This is particularly beneficial in the fast-paced media sector. Companies in this space often have strong development teams that want to move quickly. Our developer portal offers the resources and examples they need to do just that, enabling them to make modifications to the Brightspot platform more efficiently.

MESA: What are some of Brightspot’s favorite use case stories to date, where media and entertainment companies made great use of your services?

Gang: We’ve had a range of exciting projects that showcase the versatility and power of Brightspot.

From powering election coverage for POLITICO to enabling fan voting for The Voice in Latin America, our platform has proven its adaptability and reliability in high-stakes, high-traffic scenarios.

Rapid deployment is another area where we shine. We’ve successfully migrated major media outlets like the Los Angeles Times and AP News onto Brightspot in under a year. These projects were not just about speed but also about meeting complex requirements within tight deadlines, demonstrating both the flexibility of our platform and the talent of our team.

One other project that holds special significance for us is our ongoing work with Special Olympics. We’ve been involved with them for years (actually, even before Brightspot was founded).

Our platform powers all their digital experiences, from athlete logistics to coaching guides. This includes the infrastructure for the Special Olympics World Games, an event that impacts 8,000 athletes from over 100 countries.

MESA: What’s next for Brightspot, what advances in your M&E industry offerings do you see on the horizon?

Gang: The media and entertainment industry is undergoing significant changes, with a growing focus on video and sponsored content. We’re committed to staying ahead of these trends by developing innovations that protect and enhance original content. Generative AI and live events are areas where we see a lot of potential for driving user engagement.

Our approach is collaborative; we aim to learn alongside our customers.

By understanding their unique challenges and opportunities, we can better adapt our platform to meet the industry’s evolving needs. This collaborative learning is what we believe will make us and our clients successful in the long run.

MESA: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Gang: Brightspot ensures the process of getting customers live and comfortable with a new CMS platform is smooth and quick. And, when they want, Brightspot can help configure things to ensure the system works exactly as expected, matching business processes and organizational needs as the company grows.

Learn more about Brightspot’s media, publishing & entertainment package on our website.