“Marketing Isn’t Optional—It’s the Second Half of the Job” — Don Manigly Gets Real About Growth

Cut The Tie Podcast with Don Manigly
What happens when you hit the ceiling with your current approach and need to think bigger? In this dynamic episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich welcomes Don Manigly, VP and Director of Creative Development at Boathouse Pictures, an independent motion picture studio that specializes in both production and strategic distribution.

Don dives into the critical importance of not just creating great content, but ensuring it gets seen—because making something amazing is only half the battle. The real challenge, and where Boathouse Pictures truly excels, is getting films and projects into prime distribution channels like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

About Don Manigly:
Don Manigly is the VP and Director of Creative Development at Boathouse Pictures, an independent film and TV studio with a unique dual capability: production and strategic distribution. Over its 13-year history, Boathouse has developed narrative and documentary content while also supporting commercial marketing and advertising projects through their sister company, Spruce Hill Partners. Don brings expertise in not only creating cinematic storytelling but also in navigating the complexities of marketing, distribution, and scaling the business.

In this episode, Thomas and Don discuss:

• Why distribution is your Ferrari
  Don emphasizes that filmmaking without distribution is like owning a Ferrari you never drive outside your neighborhood—it's impressive but unseen.
• Scaling beyond your comfort zone
  He shares the importance of shifting focus to bigger clients with more significant budgets to avoid stagnation and achieve sustainable growth.
• Building relationships first, pitching second
  Don highlights the necessity of nurturing relationships, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, to create meaningful business connections rather than rushing into a sales pitch.
• Learning from past opportunities
  Don reflects on missed opportunities, including one with a global hotel chain, underscoring the importance of consistent follow-up and relationship management.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t let great work sit in the garage
  Exceptional content deserves equally exceptional distribution—don’t sell yourself short.
• Big vision means bigger clients
  To scale sustainably, you must step outside your comfort zone and target clients who match your long-term vision.
• Relationships are your currency
  Authentic connections lead to referrals and lasting partnerships, outpacing cold outreach.
• Follow-up is critical
  Growth often lies in consistently nurturing existing client relationships rather than solely chasing new ones.
• Visibility accelerates growth
  Personal connections at live events create deeper bonds and generate opportunities faster than virtual interactions alone.

Connect with Don Manigly:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-manigly/
🌐 Website: www.bhpictures.com/

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut the Tie Group
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
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