Kevin Bertram, CEO of Distributive Networks, founded the company in 2004. He previously held positions as consultant for Opera Telecom USA, CEO of a successful e-commerce company, Director of New Media with the Information Technology Association of America, and Senior Editor and Publisher of a Gen-X webzine. Amplifier Network recently spoke with Kevin about Distributive Networks and its future.

Amplifier:  What does your company do? 

Bertram: Distributive Networks is a Washington, DC-based company that produces and delivers fresh, clever content to inform and entertain mobile phone users with more than 50 topics that range from Hip-Hop Gossip to Animal Trivia to Poker Tips to Business 101. Our proprietary software platform allows us to deliver these text messages, and to support virtually every other way that organizations of all sizes might want to interact with people via their cell phones, including mobile coupons, real-time polling, browseable data, etc..

Amplifier:  What problem does it solve?

Bertram:  Consumer demand for high-quality mobile content is intense, but in the nascent U.S. market there are few organizations with the requisite experience, scope or technology to scale and serve this market effectively. Distributive Networks provides an efficient “one-stop shop” for content and messaging, with quality standards that are simply unparalleled in the industry.

Amplifier:  What makes your company unique?

Bertram:  Distributive Networks marries best-in-class creative content products with an agile, cutting-edge software platform, allowing us to serve clients that range from wireless carriers to television networks to major league sports teams to presidential campaigns. Our primary investments as a company are in the quality of our content and the agility of our technology solutions. Since our founding, we have had 12 consecutive quarters of profitable revenue growth, with zero external investment and zero debt. 

Amplifier:  When did you start your company?

Bertram:  The business began when I was a technology consultant for Opera Telecom USA in 2004 and saw first-hand that, although mobile text content was at last gaining a foothold in North America (lagging far behind Europe and other international markets), companies were importing virtually all of their content from abroad. Frankly, most of that content was simply terrible. I saw a unique opportunity for a U.S.-based company to produce high-quality content that would drive high subscription renewal rates -- and that had the technical experience to develop the system needed to support scalable, reliable delivery. Everything has grown organically from there.

Amplifier:  How have you funded the company to date?

Bertram:  The company has not accepted any funding to date; our consistent profitable growth provides ample funding for our company’s operations and continued expansion. 

Amplifier:  At what stage of development is your company?

Bertram:  We have been in operation for just over three years, with clients as diverse as AT&T, the American Cancer Society, CBS, D.C. United, Jamster, MTV, Obama for America and Verisign. Our content (a continually growing asset of tens of thousands of unique tips, facts, inspirations, etc.) is sold across four continents to millions and millions of subscribers every day.

Amplifier:  What is your biggest current challenge?

Bertram:  Our greatest challenge currently is expanding into global markets. We are confident that there is demand for our offerings in other countries; we just have to build our network of contracts abroad.

Amplifier:  What would you be doing if you weren't an entrepreneur?

Bertram:  It’s hard to imagine – I think it’s in my blood!  I think you’d find me in another start-up, even if the company wasn’t my own.  I definitely feed off of the unique energy you find in small, creative enterprises, and I know that they bring the best work out of me.

Distributive Networks was named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of 2007’s Great Places to Work in the Washington area. Last week, the company secured the #2 spot on a list of 20 “Rising Stars” in Deloitte’s annual Technology Fast 500 report, recognizing North America ’s fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies. Kevin has been a lecturer at Georgetown University, the University of Maryland and DC Ad Week, and has appeared on local and national television programs, including “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher.