At Red Dog Media, being a Problem Solver is a core value, but values only matter if they show up in how we actually work. The first Red Dog Media Hack-a-Thon was built to do exactly that.
From Idea to Execution
The idea started within the Middle Manager Retreat, where Ryan T. brought up past experiences at other companies with a Hack-a-Thon, an event aimed at collaboration, cross-departmental communication, and innovation. Hack-a-thons created space to move faster, test ideas, and work on problems that would not normally make it into day-to-day workflows.
The Hack-a-Thon turned into more than an innovation sprint. It became an opportunity to challenge how teams typically work- independently, in parallel – and replace it with something more collaborative.
Ryan T. partnered with Heather Y. to bring the event to life.
“After researching how other top tech companies structure their Hack-a-Thons, I developed a custom itinerary for leadership approval… launched the Idea Board, and handled communications to build as much ‘hype’ as possible,” Heather Y. explained.
The structure was simple:
Two days. Real problems. Cross-functional teams.
Before the event, employees proposed ideas and formed groups organically around problems they wanted to solve. During the Hack-a-Thon, teams aligned on what was achievable within the time frame, divided responsibilities, and built toward a final deliverable that showcased both progress and future potential.
Collaboration Changes the Outcome
“The goal was to provide a unique space for people to collaborate with colleagues outside their usual circles… while brainstorming innovative solutions to real-world challenges,” Heather Y. said.
That shift was immediate. “Getting to bounce ideas off of other people and getting a new insight into how we should approach an idea was nice,” Barry A. shared. “It was nice to be able to interact with people outside my department.”
Problem-solving changes when perspectives change. The problem you think you are solving is not always the real one until someone with a different background challenges it. That dynamic played out across teams throughout the event.
“I was thrilled by the level of organic collaboration. It was inspiring to see so many people step outside their comfort zones for the sake of their team’s project,” Heather Y. said.
The strength of that project came from the team itself.
“Everyone brought their own skillsets to the table, and we were able to use everyone to their full potential,” Daniel F. said. “Matthew was the predictive model genius… Randy was our marketing professional… Dustin’s technical skills helped with implementation planning… Andrew was our application guru.”
“Bringing together minds from our Conversion and Development departments, we were each able to approach the challenge from a different perspective,” Dylan D. said. “We shared a collective focus on site optimization and overall experience improvements.”
What it Means to Be a Problem Solver
That is what being a Problem Solver looks like at Red Dog Media. It is not isolated. It is not limited to one role or department. It is collaborative, iterative, and often messy. “The biggest challenge was making sure not to ‘boil the ocean.’ There were countless directions we could have taken, but only so much time to get things done. We had to make sure we were communicating well, sharing ideas, and working toward a common goal,” Dylan D. shared.
“I think the biggest challenge we faced was determining the best approach given the range of ideas we had,” Barry A. added. That tension is part of the process. It forces teams to prioritize, communicate clearly, and align quickly. It also builds a deeper understanding of how different parts of the business think and operate.
Recognizing Our Top Innovators
We are incredibly proud of the hard work, seamless teamwork, and truly innovative ideas that every participant brought to the table during these two days. While every team delivered impressive results and pushed the boundaries of what we can achieve together, these groups stood out for their exceptional execution and impact:
- 1st Place – Han C., Connor M., Stephan J., and Bruce L.
- 2nd Place – Dustin B., Daniel F., Randy O., Andrew A., and Matthew B.
- 3rd Place – Aaron G., Paul J., Dylan D., Chad W.
More Than an Event
Beyond the work itself, something else stood out. “I enjoyed the sense of community it created. We all took the time to work on a project that we normally wouldn’t. Seeing everyone get together and share their ideas was fun,” Barry A. said.
“It was really amazing seeing everyone from around the company step out of their comfort zone and usual responsibilities and try working on new things that they wouldn’t have otherwise,” Daniel F. added.
That is where culture shows up, not through statements, but through the behavior of our teams. The Hack-a-Thon reinforced that people are trusted to contribute beyond their immediate scope, experiment with new ideas, and work across teams to solve meaningful problems.
“Events like this prove that leadership truly values our input. It demonstrates a commitment to giving us the autonomy and the tools we need to experiment, expand, and grow,” Heather Y. said.
By the end of Day 1, the level of engagement made that clear.
“Seeing how seamlessly the teams were working together confirmed that everyone was fully ‘all in,’” Heather Y. shared.
What This Unlocks Moving Forward
The long-term impact goes beyond a single event. Success would mean this becomes part of how Red Dog Media operates, where ideas are continuously shared, teams form naturally around problems, and participation spans across departments.
“Success would be seeing this become a cornerstone of our culture, a recurring launchpad for new ideas where the spirit of collaboration continues to grow with every event,” Heather Y. said.
The Hack-a-Thon did not just generate solutions. It showed what happens when Problem Solvers are given the space to work together. More importantly, it sets the expectation that this is not something reserved for an event; it is how we move forward.