November 18, 2025
The world of digital signage and AV is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means understanding not just the technology but how it’s used in real-world environments. Recently, 22Miles has been sharing its expertise through a series of podcasts and webinars for AV professionals and digital signage users, offering insights on everything from CMS selection and content strategy to AV project management and accessibility best practices.
In these sessions, 22Miles’ leaders, including Kathy Isaacs, Kevin Kwasneski, and Tomer Mann, dive into the challenges and opportunities facing digital signage professionals today. From navigating complex AV installations and ensuring ADA-compliant content to leveraging data-driven content and API integrations for maximum engagement, these conversations are packed with actionable advice for AV teams, higher education IT professionals, and anyone involved in digital signage deployments.
Below, we highlight some of the key takeaways from these recent podcasts and webinars, offering a look at 22Miles’ approach to thought leadership in the AV space and the lessons learned from real-world projects.
Choosing the Right CMS Partner: Insights from the Field
Selecting a digital signage CMS partner is about more than just technology; it’s about aligning strategy, workflow, and long-term support. Kathy Isaacs, Vice President of Sales at 22Miles, shared her perspective on this process in her recent appearance on the Digital Signage Today Podcast with editor Judy Mottl.
Many organizations underestimate the importance of a structured assessment and evaluation process before committing to a CMS. Kathy emphasized that choosing a CMS is not just about picking software; it’s about finding a team that can understand your goals, anticipate challenges, and provide guidance every step of the way.
A lot of companies make the wrong choice and then need a new provider. Kathy shared practical advice for avoiding that pitfall:
- Think about capabilities upfront: “Some people will come to us and say, ‘We have a CMS, but it doesn’t do wayfinding, video walls, etc.’ So think of that early, future-proofing is key.”
- Include all stakeholders: Marketing, facilities, IT, and don’t forget the end users. “They might not be in the decision-making process, but they will be the ones using it.”
- Request real-world demos: “Make sure the demo shows live examples, something you can see working in real scenarios, not just a polished presentation.”
Kathy drew on her eight-plus years leading projects at 22Miles, working closely with clients to develop tailored proposals, coordinate with partner vendors, and ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget. Her advice for enterprises is clear:
- Understand your needs first: Identify content types, audience requirements, and operational constraints before evaluating platforms.
- Vet partners thoroughly: Look beyond features — consider expertise, support processes, and long-term service commitment.
- Prioritize assessments: A CMS evaluation is not just about software capabilities; it’s about workflow, scalability, and integration with existing systems.
Organizations that skip these steps often face frustration and unmet expectations, even with the most robust platforms. Kathy emphasized that a thoughtful, structured approach helps brands not only avoid pitfalls but also maximize the ROI of their digital signage investments.
This discussion underscores 22Miles’ philosophy that technology is only part of the solution — effective digital signage requires strategy, planning, and collaboration with the right CMS partner.
Listen to the full episode here: Digital Signage Today Podcast | Kathy Isaacs on CMS Selection.
Lessons from the Field: When AV Projects Go Sideways
Clients don’t always have the tech-savvy language — but AV professionals need to interpret it and get it done. The key is to understand their worldview, take the time to restate what they’ve said, and work together to find the right path forward. It’s tempting to jump straight to the solution, but that’s often where things can go sideways. In higher education, especially, conversations tend to revolve around standardization, yet the real challenge lies in translating expectations into actionable results.
That balance between communication and execution was a major theme in 22Miles’ Kevin Kwasneski’s recent appearance on the AV Life Podcast episode “War Stories: When AV Projects Go Sideways,” hosted by HETMA. The discussion explored the unpredictable nature of AV installs; the late nights, last-minute pivots, and teamwork that make every successful deployment possible.
As Kevin shared, sometimes project schedules move faster than technology readiness. “The Monday before I was supposed to take PTO, I got a panicked call. The client had decided to push the install up two weeks,” he recalled. “This wasn’t a small job. We were talking about a 5×3 video wall with hardware calibration and testing still in progress.”
With the client off-site and Kevin’s team remoted in through security cameras, they worked into the night to get the system live. “It came out of left field. If we’d had even two more weeks to prepare and test experimental content, it would have made a world of difference,” he said. “Sometimes the cart gets put before the horse, but you learn, adapt, and get it done.”
Not every challenge happens under normal circumstances, either. One of Kevin’s most memorable installs kicked off on New Year’s Day, after a red-eye flight into Atlanta. “Let’s just say the airport set the tone; someone was absolutely retching in the bathroom of the otherwise silent airport as I landed,” he joked.
The project included three different display types: a projection onto a 3D model, a 180-degree curved projection wall, and an interactive touchscreen. “The projectors weren’t lining up with the 3D model, and the curved wall made the approved video content literally motion-sickness inducing,” Kevin said. “We had to pivot fast, reworking everything into static visuals that complemented the space. It was one of the trickiest installs I’ve ever worked on, but in the end, it looked incredible. It reminded me just how much our platform can do.”
Reflecting on his decade in digital signage, Kevin emphasized the importance of communication and empathy in the field:
These stories, from unexpected deadlines to experimental display setups, showcase not just the flexibility of 22Miles’ platform but the people behind it. Kevin’s experience underscores how resilience, communication, and teamwork turn even the most chaotic projects into success stories.
Listen to the full episode here: War Stories: When AV Projects Go Sideways | The AV Life Podcast
Check out more of Kevin’s AV horror stories, along with some actionable advice on how to avoid them, in our blog How to Keep Digital Signage Installations on Track: Insights from 22Miles’ Product Delivery Specialist.
Content Strategy and Accessibility: Takeaways from D=SIGN Power Hour
Digital signage success goes beyond flashy screens; it starts with strategy and purpose.
Tomer Mann, CRO at 22Miles, recently joined Samantha Powell of AVIXA, along with other AV professionals, Amedeo DiVirgilio of Telecine and Jim Nista of Motv Experiential, on the D=SIGN Power Hour episode “Content is King: Winning Strategies for Digital Signage Success.” The conversation focused on creating content that grabs attention, sparks engagement, and drives measurable results.
Tomer emphasized the power of API integrations to keep digital signage dynamic:
“We all know content is king, but API integrations are queen. Content creation is time-consuming, plus it can get stagnant, but API integrations keep your screens fresh, relevant, and automated. The data integrations that you are using daily — like weather, news, finance, social media feeds, even emergency alerts — can be pulled directly into your signage software to deliver dynamic, real-time information to your screens.”
Accessibility was another major theme of the discussion. Tomer highlighted that ADA compliance starts with content strategy, not hardware:
Other key insights from the session included:
- Form Follows Function: Start with your goals, who is your audience, and what actions do you want them to take? Define purpose before design.
- Location Matters: Hardware placement impacts visibility and engagement. Screens should be at eye level, bright enough for the environment, and built to withstand the elements.
- AI is a Game Changer: Artificial intelligence can accelerate content creation, but human oversight is essential to maintain accuracy and avoid “hallucinations.”
- Make the Journey Meaningful: Design content that creates a purposeful, engaging experience for your audience.
- Plan for Growth: Choose an ecosystem — hardware, software, and workflows — that meets today’s needs and scales for the future.
This session highlights 22Miles’ approach to digital signage: blending dynamic, data-driven content with accessibility-first strategies to deliver engaging experiences that meet real-world needs.
Watch the full conversation here: Content is King: Winning Strategies for Digital Signage Success | AVIXA D=SIGN Power Hour
Stay Ahead in Digital Signage and AV
These recent podcasts and webinars showcase how 22Miles combines real-world experience, strategic insight, and innovative technology to help AV professionals and organizations succeed. Whether it’s navigating complex installations, selecting the right CMS, or creating engaging, accessible content, the lessons shared by Kathy Isaacs, Kevin Kwasneski, and Tomer Mann provide actionable takeaways for anyone in the digital signage space.
Ready to see how 22Miles can elevate your digital signage strategy? Book a demo today and discover how our solutions can streamline your workflows, enhance engagement, and future-proof your AV deployments.
