Celebrating One Year of Growth

February 2023 marked a transformative moment in the history of Catalyst Communications Network (CCN) as we proudly celebrated the successful acquisition of Heartland Communications Group (HCG). This month, on our one-year anniversary, we reflect on the journey, acknowledging the complexities, triumphs, and invaluable lessons learned along the way.

Aligning Culture and Maximizing Strengths

Acquiring a company is no small feat; it's a complex dance of aligning cultures and creating a combined entity stronger than the sum of its parts. At CCN, we recognized the unique strengths each organization brought to the table. Catalyst’s marketing and digital expertise merged seamlessly with Heartland's nearly six decades of experience and leadership in specialized markets. Our vision is to create a dynamic force that adapts to the ever-evolving landscape of the markets we serve and pioneers transformative approaches.

"It has been an incredible year, and I find myself reflecting on the heart of our success – our people,” said Shae McBride, CEO of Catalyst Communications Network. “When we founded Catalyst, it was with the belief that success is not just about business milestones but about the people who make it happen. This acquisition has been about more than merging companies; it's been about bringing together individuals, each with unique talents and stories. I am grateful for our employees, clients, and stakeholders who have helped Catalyst thrive thus far, and I am looking forward to what’s to come.”

Navigating the Fear of Change

Understanding that change can be met with resistance, we took intentional steps to identify and maximize individual and organizational strengths. The executive team at Catalyst emphasizes a continuous learning mindset, acknowledging that missteps and failures are not negatives but opportunities to grow and evolve.

Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Change and Achievement

As we navigated new processes and welcomed fresh faces, professionally and personally, we experienced significant growth. Office moves, expanded publications, and the launch of new websites marked tangible milestones. We embraced change, lost and gained team members, and saw individuals stepping into unexpected roles, all viewed as opportunities for personal and professional development.

So, what’s ahead in 2024?

Entering a political year, the landscape ahead poses challenges for our clients. However, we see this as an opportunity to provide expanded and reliable services, helping clients navigate the unpredictable terrain. Our goal remains: to grow alongside our clients and offer a fair-priced, reliable set of services. 2024 is not just a year of obstacles but of opportunities for both our business and our team members.

In closing, we express gratitude to our dedicated team, whose commitment and hard work have been the driving force behind our accomplishments. As we celebrate this one-year milestone, we look forward to the potential and opportunities ahead.

Join us as we embrace growth, learn from challenges, and shape the future of communications. Stay connected, as the milestones reached in 2023 are just the beginning of our journey.

Interested in joining our team? We’re always on the lookout for eager and driven individuals. Check out our career opportunities here.

Sarah Schmidt (Director of Marketing)