Jennifer Terbosic

Having worked in digital asset management for over a decade, Terbosic has worked and re-worked to improve company processes and build efficiency within the DAM system.

What companies/organizations have you worked for as a DAM professional? What was your role at each?

I am presently the Digital Asset Manager at DePuy Synthes; this is where I began my career in DAM and I’m still currently employed.  I started as a Digital Imaging Specialist bulk uploading content, testing different hierarchy scenarios and experimenting with metadata. In my current role I help to manage/coordinate projects and document processes around our DAM system.

How do you describe digital asset management to others?

In the DAM world or to someone who is new and interested in DAM I explain it as a database used to classify and organize assets.  A powerful tool for any company who wants to easily organize assets and utilize the power of metadata behind each asset.

For my friends and family I explain it as a digital library or database that organizes our electronic assets.

How did you learn DAM? Any recommended sources?

I learned DAM mostly by just learning our DAM system and working closely with our IT team and exploring the business needs.  I also like to attend Henry Stewart DAM conferences to stay connected in the industry as well as learn from other DAM administrators.

Few other resources:

• Another DAM Blog http://anotherdamblog.com/
• Journal of Digital Media Management http://www.henrystewartpublications.com/jdmm

I recently purchased the newest DAM book Digital Asset Management: Content Architectures, Project Management, and Creating Order out of Media Chaos by Elizabeth Keathley.

What’s the most important thing for someone new to DAM to understand about DAM?

You need a dedicated resource, and as your system grows your team needs to grow as well.  Also connect with and include the business, ask them questions and try to meet their needs and involve them; this will greatly help with user acceptance.

If you weren’t doing DAM as a career, what would you be doing?

I have a background in photography and photo restoration and a love for music, so my dream job would be a concert photographer.  I also love fashion and could maybe see exploring DAM in that industry as well.

What is your ongoing greatest challenge with DAM?

Currently it is getting all the right processes in place and making sure you have the right people in place to help define these processes.  The end result is you want your DAM to run like a well oiled machine and to getting to that point takes time and patience and lots of communication.

What is your vision for DAM? What will it look like in 5 years?

I think DAM will finally begin to be recognized as a powerful necessary tool for most companies.  I also think the power of metadata and search will continue to expand from DAM to external channels with DAM being the localized source of data.

What was your biggest mistake with regard to DAM?

I don’t really have a perfect example of this I would like to think of the mistakes made as lessons learned.  I was part of the day one of implementing DAM at our company and we have made mistakes along the way, but I like to think each one came with a valuable lesson.

What was your biggest success with regard to DAM?

I think my biggest success is being part of team that brought DAM into a DAM-less organization and being part of its growth and acceptance.

What more would you like to learn about DAM?

I would love to learn more about how DAM is fully utilized in other industries.  Maybe even learn more about the backend of DAM and explore the consulting side of the industry as well.

This interview originally appeared on DAM Guru on Mon, 19 May 2014. For more DAM News interviews, see the interviews index page.

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