You’re a team-oriented individual with a bent toward strategy and a strong identity skill set, but you should have outstanding design chops across all media, from packaging through digital.
You’ll need to be strong in developing a concept and able to implement it as well—we are a small and flat organization. (You should also be comfortable getting dirty on a volunteer project to rebuild trails in the Boise Foothills or helping rearrange furniture to accommodate a speaker’s event in the office. We’re a collaborative place, we work hard, and there’s no job too big or small for anyone.)
You’ll have a strong desire to change the world and will have demonstrated an active pursuit of social purpose in your career, which could come to life through volunteering, advocacy, past work for social enterprises, or perhaps even something else. Tell us about it!
You must have strong communication and presentation skills. Emphasis on presentation—you will need to present your ideas at the same high level of quality as the work you have created.
You’ll likely have 10+ years professional experience. While an agency or professional services background is preferred, it’s not a must.
A few months ago we got word that Carew Co. was on the hunt for a Relationship Manager to join their team, and recently we discovered that they found the person they were looking for in Pat Brubaker.
In their words:
He’s a whiz at client and customer management. He’s a master at agency flow and schedules. He’s able to see the big picture and develop processes that work. He figures out people’s best qualities and plays to them. And he’s a smart strategy guy.
In other words: He’s a catch.
This also reunites Brubaker and Carew Co. founder Paul Carew, who worked together at Oliver Russell in the mid-2000s.
Last month, Oliver Russell announced that they’ve joined Carol Cone’s The Purpose Collaborative, a growing collective of the foremost purpose-oriented agencies and consultants created by one of the world’s purpose pioneers, Carol Cone.
Oliver Russell is the first Idaho-based company to join The Purpose Collaborative, and is among more than 37 agencies and subject matter experts with significant experience in–and an authentic commitment to–purpose. The Purpose Collaborative’s services include the discovery and definition of an organization/brand’s purpose, culture development, employee and customer engagement, sustainable product sourcing and innovation, social issue identification and partnerships, storytelling and marketing communications, multimedia and digital activation, and program effectiveness analytics.
The vacancy was short-lived, however, as SMG recently announced that Jaime Ekman has taken the helm of the company as president and COO. This marks Ekman’s second go-around with the company originally founded by her father, Ken Stoltz. She most recently spent the past eight years with Castor & Pollux, now a Nestle Purina brand.
Shortly after taking the reins, Ekman appointed Kate Holgate creative director, and announced that Crissie McDowell will be rejoining the agency as associate creative director. Holgate has been with SMG for 16 years, progressing from art director to associate creative director and now to her current role. McDowell rejoins the agency, having been an art director from 2006 to 2015.
The second ripple: Duft Watterson
Shortly after their departure from Stoltz Marketing Group, Duft Watterson emerged as a new addition to the agency lineup in the Treasure Valley.
According to their website, Duft Watterson is led by Ward Duft as co-founder, CEO and creative director, and Jill Watterson as co-founder, COO and head of client service. Joining them are two other former SMG colleagues, Marc Cowlin as director of content and digital, and Tony Hart as associate creative director.
Rounding out the Duft Watterson team is designer Madeleine Godwin, Kesey Badgett handling branding and digital, accounting specialist Talia Spencer, and Lisa Cloyd as account manager.
Duft Watterson is based in Boise, and also has a presence in the San Francisco bay area.
The Oliver Russell connection
How does Oliver Russell factor into all of this, you ask? The answer, of course, lies in the moves outlined above. At the end of her first stint with Stoltz Marketing Group in 2015, Crissie McDowell departed to join Oliver Russell, where she’s spent the past three years as a senior art director.
Time will tell what — if any — other fallout there will be as a result this shakeup in the Boise-area agency scene. Is there more to the story? Most definitely. But those are details that are best left to the parties involved to share (or not share) as they see fit.
On a personal note:
As some may know, I spent several years at Stoltz Marketing Group, and have worked with many of the people mentioned here. That being said, I’ve done my best to be as impartial an unbiased as it relates to these changes. Hopefully it came across that way.
Brandon Stoker joined Oliver Russell as a graphic designer. He brings experience in app design, paper goods, branding, illustration, video editing, print design and sculpture. He’s helped clients like Yard House, Olive Garden, Scholastic, Boise State University, Corkcicle, Full Sail University, as well as a string of startups. Most recently, Brandon worked as a Junior Art Director at Push, a digital creative agency based out of Orlando, Fl. He also spent nine years at Apple, teaching customers how to use Apple products and gaining valuable insight into the mind of the American consumer.
Shawna Samuelson
Shawna Samuelson has been promoted to Account Services Director. Previously, Shawna worked as a Senior Producer at Oliver Russell. In the new role, she will apply her 10-plus years of client experience to handling all aspects of contract execution, managing the agency’s account services team, and playing a greater role in business development. Shawna graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2006.
We’re looking for a graphic designer with an intentional bent toward social impact and 5+ years’ professional experience, preferably in an agency environment. Must demonstrate strengths in identity and interactive—a rare duo, but we’re looking for a rare individual. Motion graphics experience is a plus. Please send resume and portfolio link to info@oliverrussell.com.
A number of new faces have been showing up in various shops, so it seemed fitting to do a quick run-through of new hire news we’ve come across over the past few months or so. In no particular order:
Jenni Kimball has joined Rizen Creative as an account manager. Before joining Rizen, Kimball was director of marketing for 43rd State Holdings in Boise.
Over at Oliver Russell, Caitlin Copple Masingill recently joined their team as public relations director. Masingill is a former Missoula, Montana city councilwoman, a longtime communications consultant and a former journalist. Most recently, she worked in the Boise office of a public affairs firm. Masingill holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Montana and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Idaho.
Also at Oliver Russell, Holly Conti joined the team in March of this year as an account coordinator (and we were remiss in noting it). Update: Shortly after publishing, we discovered that Holly has since been promoted from account coordinator to producer. Congratulations Holly.
How do you write a job description for your replacement?
It’s an interesting question, and a challenge, no doubt. Think you might be a good candidate? Read more about the position, and contact our friends over at Oliver Russell if you feel so inclined.
Oliver Russell founder Russ Stoddard recently celebrated the release of his new book, Rise Up—How to Build a Socially Conscious Business.
The book provides social entrepreneurs with a helpful guide and sets the stage for a powerful business trend where companies create profit for stakeholders through products, services, and business models that create social impact and public benefit alongside a financial return.
A special, early edition edition of Rise Up is now available for purchase at www.russstoddard.com. The book, which is being published by Elevate Publishing, will be released nationally in September 2017.
We’re on the hunt for an Account Coordinator to join our team and to provide a necessary conduit between the account group and the rest of the agency. Along with having a passion for all things creative, we expect you to have an outgoing, motivated personality and be willing to bring your unique style to the table.
You will have a hand in the following:
Managing the day-to-day account relationship with clients
Developing and managing production schedules and estimates for client projects
Gathering and assembling background information for strategic planning, creative brief development, etc.
Providing logistical support for meetings
Trafficking projects between account and creative teams
Proofreading copy and artwork
Compiling and relaying client feedback to the creative team
Participating in and documenting discussions during client meetings and conference calls
