National Geographic is a well-loved and respected brand that is 125 years old. Like many media companies, the organization seeks continued relevance in a world in which print magazines are disappearing.

From the beginning the National Geographic Society has been a membership-based organization. The Society wanted to re-imagine membership: expand its reach, connect with a young, global audience, and build the foundation for an engaged social platform.

Signals were everywhere: new forms of storytelling, citizen science, teaching and learning platforms, meeting up for fun and social change. The signals suggested a model of engagement connecting members to:

+ other members
+ explorers
+ research
+ content
+ the diversity of life
+ events
+ the society and
+ the future

From this engagement model, a number of projects followed: an online member center, a real-time member database and a SaaS architecture in which services could interact, and ultimately, the creation of a membership platform to support rich member experiences.

Imagining NatGeo as a platform for community storytelling.

Understanding trends shaping the business environment.

Creating a Member Center as the foundation for a digital membership platform.

Connecting members locally through groups, Meetups, and projects.