nxtConcepts Marketing

The brains behind the name...

Sam is a catalyst. She started nxtConcepts and myMarketingGuide.com with a mission. This mission is a collaborative mix of strategy, communications, design and technology that are the company's cornerstones. Sam's penchant for great strategy, big ideas and up-tempo client service is ideally suited to the vigorous, entrepreneurial environment that small businesses operate in.

Samantha started working in the ski industry in 1996 as the Marketing & Sales Director at Mad River Mountain, OH. For 7 years she was an active force in creating integrated marketing & technology programs. Many ski runs and an armful of awards later, she won a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing thinking and program development. Before Mad River, Sam developed and oversaw the centralized sales and marketing department for a $20 million commercial cleaning company. Looks like that Political Science degree from the University of Dayton has come in real handy!

In 2004 she transitioned from her management position at this Peak Resorts facility to President of nxtConcepts. She has successfully managed hundreds of campaigns using both traditional and new media. Including: targeted loyalty programs, Gen X & Baby Boomer programs, group programs, frequent guest programs, first time programs, joint marketing programs, and internet marketing programs.

Campaign results in the double and triple digit growth categories are not uncommon in Samantha's portfolio. Samantha is not only used to getting results but also recognition. The following campaigns that Samantha developed and managed went on to be recognized within the ski industry for their originality and results:

* Awarded Best Sales & Promotion Campaign Using the Internet from the National Ski Areas Association (Mad River Mountain, May 00)
* Awarded Best Sales & Marketing Program, "Develop New Skiers" from the National Ski Area's Association (Mad River Mountain, May 01)
* Awarded Best Sales & Marketing Program, "Develop New Skiers" from the National Ski Area's Association (Mad River Mountain, May 03)
* Provided the sales template and MTM program direction to Hidden Valley Resort, MO which increased their sales numbers 40% in the first season and led them to win the Best Sales & Marketing Program, "Develop New Skiers" from the National Ski Area's Association (Mad River Mountain/Peak Resorts, May 03) in their category.
* Provided the concept and program direction to Snow Trails, OH for a Website Based Viral Marketing Campaign which led them to win the Best Sales & Marketing Program, "Best Program to Increase Overall Frequency of Existing Participants, May 06) in their category.

As the President of nxtConcepts she has been the driving force behind developing the company's goals, objectives, policies, and initiatives for the short term and long term growth and profitability of the organization. Besides keeping a hand in the day-to-day work, she also directs the business development, marketing, sales, and human resources.

Samantha is a great believer in giving back to the community. To further skiing in Ohio she has acted as the Ohio Ski Reporter every winter since 1998. She has also served on the Board of the Greater Columbus Habitat for Humanity as the PR Director and the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association as the VP of Communications.

In addition to working with clients, she is also a published author and an active and outspoken public speaker on Interactive Marketing.

Dominic Russo - Creative Director
Artist, Dad, Ideas, Values, Spirit, Tenacious, Boy Scout

Dominic is responsible for spirited creative. He has twelve years of agency experience and over twenty years of experience in advertising and graphic design. His unique background which includes print, photography, corporate identity, web, and broadcast makes him a seasoned Creative Director. Dominic's inspirational fountain is fortified daily by his wife Christine and his four "highly creative" children.

Dominic received his BFA from The University of Dayton, and his Post-Baccalaureate in Education from Cleveland State University. Dominic's painting work has been show cased in The May Show (Cleveland Museum of Art) as well as local galleries. His advertising work has been awarded an Addy by The Cleveland Advertising Club. He is a contributing member of AIGA Design Education Association, which comprises educators at the college and postgraduate levels who address issues of curriculum, school accreditation, program development and teaching standards; as well as The Icograda Education Network (IEN) which brings together the worldwide community of graphic design educational institutions - for exchange, sharing, collaboration, and advancement of teaching methods and research opportunities.

He is also an adjunct faculty member at Notre Dame College, OH.

Jim Rufo - Operations Director
Loyal, Follow-thru, Spreadsheet Master, Mixologist, Golfer, Skier

Jim keep everything moving at nxtConcepts.  Whether its invoices, trade shows or processes, he makes sure to see it through until the very end.  Another University of Dayton graduate, he hung around a few years longer to go to Law School. 

He's the "go to" guy for alcohol and beverage mangement.

Bill Gavin - Media Buyer
Storyteller, Spark, Planner, Candid

Bill builds custom radio and tv networks designed to take advantage of the top rated media outlets in each market that fit each client's demo and footprint of their trading zone. "Bill knows radio".  Here's just a few of the places he's been before we knew him.
*   Director of Sales, Radio Networks, Midwest at Clear Channel Corporate
* General Sales Manager at CBS Radio
* General Sales Manager at Jacor Communications
* Sales Manager at Jacor Communications
* Account Manager at Nationwide Communications
* VP & General Manager at Gavin Dist. Company

Jody Ruhl - Marketing Assistant
Ideas, Energetic, Self-reliant, Contagious enthusiasm, Organizer, Passionate, Spirit, Skier

An Ohio native with a "second home" in Colorado, Jody knows details and how to keep a project on track.  Have a mailing to go out?  Need quotes?  No matter what the detail, Jody always has it under control.

In between her regular visits to Aspen to ski, she assists clients with the day to day details of their marketing and sales campaigns.  She's also a key driving force in coming up with new and exciting programs that focus on kids and families.

Justin Turner - Sales Director
Born in the Bronx , raised in New Jersey, schooled in California, Justin now calls Ohio home.  His Dad even had a farm in upstate NY. That meant in the summers he'd take on the job as a farmer (he can shovel cow crap with the best of them). It was college that called him to the West Coast to go to UCLA on a wrestling scholarship.  But his wife Molly that brought him back to NJ and eventually Ohio.  Justin's sales experience is quite impressive.  When he worked in the steel industry, he was used to closing million dollar deals.

Justin keeps the sales programs and materials on track for nxtConcepts.  Famous for his 30 minute sales calls and very high close ratios, he's fond of reminding us, "Just say your piece and SHUT UP."  Although part-time, (we couldn't afford him any other way) Justin's experience and talent are evident in the tremendous sales growth nxtConcepts has seen since his arrival.

Michael T Kiehl, Technology, Selectus Consulting Partner
Doer, Catalyst, Leader, Tireless, Bold, Strategic, Family Man, Gadgets, Skier

Mike is an expert at guiding companies through the complicated maze that leads to technology strategy and systems integration. As leader of the nxtConcepts technology practice, Mike provides IT business strategy, planning, organizational development consulting, Web development and implementation that meet the needs and goals of clients and their customers. Mike focuses a lot of his time and energy on educating business leaders so they can make informed decisions about today's technology tools.

Mike has been in the technology industry since 1987. His international experience with web hosting, systems integration and his various designations across multiple platforms give him a broad base of knowledge and incredible insight. Besides working for world class companies like Siemens, he's created or been a part of teams that have developed numerous, one of a kind applications and systems. At home either on the slopes, or in a boardroom, Mike's the "go to guy" for anything with a processor or a plug. Mike is a devoted husband of 14 years who still likes to regularly bring his wife flowers. He's also the lucky and proud father of three beautiful young ladies. Women definitely rule his house!

Todd Brown, Support, Selectus Consulting Partner
Entrepreneur, Fun, Sea Captain, Self-Reliant, Demanding, Values, Scrapper, Spark, Intuitive, Justice

Todd's diverse background in both the corporate world which includes working for the State of Ohio, Gold Circle Stores, and Wendy's International combined with the private sector have given him the expertise to handle any project at any size. He's right at home finding the right people for the job. He manages the placement of IT people in a commercial environment, having formerly done it for AEP and Nationwide Insurance. Although, he's most used to working with people, he's right at home installing new software packages, working with production control, programmers for production issues, and negotiating sales with leading suppliers as an authorized re-seller.

Among some of the many accomplishments Todd can call his own include: the winning bid for the City of Cleveland Y2K Contract and forming the Distributed Computer Services group whose employees were responsible for installing and maintaining both the Novell and NT networks.  He attributes his greatest success to surviving his long time friend, Mike.

For questions contact us 888-215-0820 or for a free marketing analysis go here.