indigo insights

Future-proofing digital asset management: How UNICEF is modernizing for the next generation

Sharing critical assets across the globe—quickly, easily, and securely—today and tomorrow.

By Rachel Wagoner, Director of Information Velocity Consulting

In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, organizations face unprecedented challenges in managing and securing their digital assets. This is particularly true for global entities like UNICEF, which operates at the intersection of communication, advocacy, and fundraising across diverse regions and demographics. UNICEF’s mission requires a robust, intuitive digital asset management (DAM) system that not only meets current demands but is also poised to adapt to future challenges.

To address these needs, UNICEF sought to modernize its WeShare Digital Asset Management platform—a central hub for sourcing and distributing high-resolution multimedia content. From photos and videos to publications and branding materials, WeShare supports UNICEF’s global operations by ensuring staff and partners can access and share the assets they need quickly and easily.

The challenge: A platform at a crossroads

As technological advances continue to reshape how digital assets are managed and used, the risks associated with these assets have likewise grown. The need for a secure, agile, and user-friendly DAM platform has never been greater. UNICEF recognized that while WeShare was a valuable tool, it needed to evolve to keep pace with industry standards and the increasingly sophisticated demands of its users.

Understanding the current state of the platform and identifying the key pain points was crucial. To achieve this, we conducted a series of virtual workshops with key stakeholders, including staff members from various departments who regularly interact with the DAM. These workshops were designed to gather insights on the user experience, evaluate the platform’s functionality, and align on UNICEF’s goals for WeShare.

Crafting a vision for the future

The insights gathered during the workshops revealed a clear path forward. UNICEF’s WeShare platform needed to be more than just a repository of digital assets; it had to be a dynamic tool that could grow and adapt with the organization. Guided by industry benchmarks, user personas, and a human experience vision, we mapped out an ideal future state for the platform. This vision was anchored by key performance indicators (KPIs) designed to measure the success of the transformation.

Our strategic recommendations focused on four key areas:

Identifying barriers to full potential: We helped UNICEF pinpoint the obstacles preventing them from extracting maximum value from the DAM. This involved addressing both technical limitations and gaps in user training and engagement.
Modernizing key areas: We identified specific areas within the platform that would benefit most from modernization, including user interface enhancements, improved search functionality, and stronger integration with other systems.
Enhancing user experience: A user-centered design approach was essential to improving the overall experience of WeShare. By tailoring the platform to meet the diverse needs of its users, UNICEF could ensure that staff and partners can find and use the assets they need with greater ease and efficiency.
Future-proofing against risk: As digital assets become increasingly valuable, the risks associated with their management grow. Our recommendations included strategies for mitigating reputational and financial risks, ensuring that UNICEF’s digital assets remain secure and well-governed for years to come.

A strategic roadmap for continued success

While B2C brands have long seen stories as a potential to drive awareness, B2B marketers are The outcome of our collaboration with UNICEF was a comprehensive strategy roadmap, outlining the next steps for transforming WeShare into a future-ready DAM platform. By following this roadmap, UNICEF is well-positioned to increase the return on investment (ROI) from its digital assets, enhance operational efficiency, and continue leading in its global mission.

As technology continues to evolve, so too must the tools and systems that organizations like UNICEF rely on. By proactively modernizing its digital asset management platform, UNICEF is not only safeguarding its current operations but also ensuring it can meet the challenges of tomorrow. This forward-thinking approach serves as a model for other organizations looking to future-proof their digital assets and maximize their impact in a rapidly changing world.

If you’d like to discuss future-proofing your digital assets, contact us at info@indigoslate.com or complete the form below.