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Who is BrightBlue?
BrightBlue Marketing is made up of a team of people supporting a vision for a full service marketing agency full of fun, bright ideas, positive attitudes, extraordinary customer service and whose purpose is to help businesses and their partners grow. Candace Lopez Candace Lopez founded BrightBlue Marketing, Inc. in 2005 and leads the company as CEO as well as Managing Creative Director. She is the Executive Director of the Dallas Chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI), is the past Executive Vice President of Programs and Events for the American Marketing Association, Dallas Fort Worth Chapter and serves on the board of Bridge of Blessings, a North Texas non-profit organization financially assisting cancer patients. Candace is also a member of the Collin County Community College Advisory Council for Business Management and Marketing. Candace's past employment includes her tenure as national director of the channel marketing team at Oracle Corporation. Prior to Oracle, she built and led the professional services marketing team while managing the Corporate Events team for Software Spectrum. Candace is co-owner and state contract license holder of a second business, Air Comfort Company, the oldest air conditioning and heating company in Richardson, Texas. Candace earned a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising from the University of Texas in Austin. Candace's Story "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." I was raised in a loud world. All my life I've had to find ways to get heard without raising my voice. What I've learned is louder is not always better. Finding creative, smart and sometimes subtle ways to express myself have helped people hear me above the din. I apply my experience and means of expression to today's world. BrightBlue quietly utilizes smart marketing, creative campaign techniques and consistent messaging to stand out among the noise, clutter and advertisements. And that's a bright idea worth shouting about. Melissa Womack Melissa Womack is an experienced, entrepreneurial business leader. For more than 20 years, she has successfully started and managed new business units and launched new products. She spent ten years with Sabre in Product Marketing, and was a co-founder of Travelocity, one of the leading travel brands on the Internet. She spent 10 years with Software Spectrum in Marketing and Business Development, managing the merger with Insight Enterprises and subsequently retiring in 2008 as Senior Vice President. As the Marketing Director and Virtual CMO at BrightBlue Marketing, she works directly with key accounts in crafting their messages, developing strategic plans and creating website visions. Melissa has an MBA from University of Texas at Dallas. Melissa's Story "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." I have a vision of you succeeding. I ask you what you want, where you want to be, what you want to do. As you answer, I envision you there. I can see how you can get there even when you can't. This is why I love to strategize and then hang around to execute. I have a history of sticking with something because I like to see it go from vision to reality. It may take twists and turns along the way, but nothing is more satisfying than making something happen because you planned it. Dyanne Koithan Dyanne brings 20 years of marketing, advertising and operations experience to BrightBlue Marketing. Her unique combination of creative communication expertise coupled with knowledge of advanced technologies helps her clients expand their brands and spheres of influence. She has built successful marketing programs for Albin | Harrison | Roach Attorneys at Law, Brooklyn's Pizzaria, GlobeRanger, Ericsson, Emerson Energy Systems and NetPower Technologies. Dyanne has worked for award-winning, renowned agencies The Richards Group and Saatchi & Saatchi where her clients included Home Depot, MetroCell, Motel 6, Continental Airlines, Kodak, Haggar and Eyemasters. Dyanne has won several marketing and advertising awards including “Golden E,” PCIA Marketing Wave and Exhibitor Magazine – Best Remembered Exhibit. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology. Dyanne’s Story "We build too many walls and not enough bridges." One of my colleagues says that I’m “both-brained” vs. left- or right-brained. I enjoy the visual, creative process – like the vibe at advertising firms. But I also love engineering and high tech concepts, like that of most of my technology clients. My specialty is being able to bridge the distance between supercreative and technical by having a foot in each camp. A company can have the best product, service or idea in the world, but if there’s no collaboration and clarity, success can be limited. I can translate between the creative and the technical to create real magic. Rebecca Bohan Rebecca heads up BrightBlue Marketing's event division in addition to acting as a national strategic account director for our clients. Rebecca's background includes expertise in Oracle Partner Marketing. She successfully ran an entire marketing department for an Oracle Certified Partner while working closely with the Oracle team to enhance the partner's offerings around Oracle. In 2002, Rebecca established her own strategic marketing events and consulting firm that included some of the following clients and accomplishments: DARC, BrightBlue Marketing, Magnetic Office Products, Operation PUSH, City Year, 3L Corporation and WebMD. She partnered, directed and managed client event logistics for the quarterly Oracle North Central User Group (NCOAUG), OAUG and Oracle OpenWorld annual conferences. Rebecca's career also includes the role of International Project Director for Samsung for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Rebecca teamed up with BrightBlue Marketing in 2005. Highlights include acting as the strategic account director for Fujitsu America where she led the BrightBlue Marketing team in branding and marketing their new service offering. She also created the new member communication plan for Oracle's HCM User Groups' conference in 2009. Rebecca's Story "Happiness gives us the energy which is the basis of health." I have been described by many as having "endless" energy. It is my belief that being physically, spiritually and mentally active is a necessity in life. This mindset has assisted me through many of life's challenges, keeps me balanced and affords me the ability to keep up with my large family, friends and community. BrightBlue Marketing's Team shares this philosophy, and our clients get the benefit of our energy so that we can create exciting, memorable materials, programs and events. And have a little fun while we are at it! Tracey Jackson Tracey Jackson is the Marketing Manager and Lead Copywriter for BrightBlue Marketing, Inc. She brings a wealth of marketing, communications and writing experience to the team. Tracey's past employers include Software Spectrum, CIGNA, Worldwide Relocation Management and EMS, Inc. At Software Spectrum, Tracey served as project manager for on-site corporate events which included responsibility for the marketing budgets and partnering with all levels of management within Software Spectrum, Microsoft and IBM. Tracey is the co-founder of the Austin Food Allergy Parents Support Group and is a PTA Board Member at her son's school. She lives with her family in Austin, TX. Tracey has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a dual minor in English writing and literature from Texas Christian University. Tracey's Story "Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light." I love to read; books, websites, newspapers, cereal boxes. If it’s got words on it, I’m gonna read it. I feel that being an avid reader makes me a better writer. When I read an especially elegant turn of phrase, or hear a song lyric that speaks volumes with few words, I am transported and I learn from it. I try to bring my love of reading and writing to the BrightBlue table and use the power of well-chosen words for the benefit of our clients. Erik Swanson Erik began working with BrightBlue Marketing in 2005, designing the BrightBlue logo, business card template and website. He provides graphic design and art direction for many of BrightBlue Marketing’s clients. Erik has worked both for advertising agencies and in-house corporate creative departments. He spent 14 years as Senior Art Director at Software Spectrum, where he did award-winning work for clients like Microsoft and IBM. Erik holds a Bachelor of Art degree from the University of North Texas and has had work published in Communication Arts magazine. Erik's Story "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." What do I most like to design? Album covers—my own, of course. The creative mind finds ways to express itself. In my case, it’s through graphic design and music. Some ideas are best expressed visually, others are more abstract and emerge as a melody or series of chord changes. Either way, it all comes from the same place and the same energy. My goal is to funnel that energy and vision for the benefit of BrightBlue’s clients, creating visual rhythm and harmony that brings brands to life and which distinguishes those brands in the marketplace. Now if I could only add dance to the mix. Kim Pannell Kim’s previous longtime role as Administrator for a national dance convention encompassed sales, marketing and events management experience. Her expertise in growing a small business from conception to corporation offers clients a vast menu of knowledge and abilities from which to benefit. Kim has worked in banking, member services for a regional hospital association, in contracting for managed healthcare, as an adolescent counselor in a psychiatric hospital, and as an administrator for a youth soccer association. Her affinity for assisting others in manifesting their vision is a common thread. As an artist, Kim’s life-long passion for photography has enabled others to see themselves in a light previously unseen, and to create images that communicate ideas. While preferring to be behind the camera rather than in front of it, Kim has also been a professional dancer, actress and model. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Human Resource Management, a Master’s degree in Education/Marriage and Family Therapy, certification in mediation and dispute resolution, and has served as a volunteer for many organizations including the Contact 214 Crisis Center and VNA Hospice. Kim lives with her husband and 2 children, ages 14 and 18, in Southlake, TX, where she dances, photographs, paints and indulges in occasional kickboxing and yoga. Kim's Story "In the long run, we only hit what we aim at." From a very early age, I was fascinated with TV commercials. My family reports that I would leave the room when the show came on, but race in to see the advertisements. Even though I was too young to read, I memorized the clever jingles and sat in awe of how each product or service was presented. I believe this early inclination flourished over time into creating, well, pretty much anything. I realized that one has to have a focused goal; an outcome in mind, an important message to say to the world and then bring that message into existence. Whether I am creating a perfect photographic image or grocery shopping, this philosophy has served me well. My experience has given me both pieces; the ability to set the intention and the proclivity to materialize it. When I came to BrightBlue Marketing, I felt like I had arrived home. We are a team of exciting, accomplished professionals with diverse yet unique skills, and mine is hitting that bull’s eye of getting to the message our clients want to convey. Cassi Rinehart Cassi began work for BrightBlue Marketing in March 2008. She provides marketing support for all employees and clients, and serves as the account manager for Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI). Cassi specializes in project management, event management and customer outreach through online tools. She is currently a student at University of Texas in Arlington, where she is working toward a marketing degree. Much of Cassi’s experience comes from her involvement as General Manager of LBR Ranch, a family owned business involving educational animal exhibits at State Fairs and schools across the United States. Cassi's Story "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Growing up I learned the value of hard work, much earlier than most people. Not that I was involved in child labor, but I did work with my beloved ponies (that’s a whole other story. Feel free to ask me about it!). I learned the easy way is not always the best way and sometimes you have to get creative and make your own path. I love mountains, not because they are nice scenery, but they are a challenge put in front of us and one must find a way to get around, through or over. In the marketing world, I am surrounded by mountains of clients that challenge my creativity. And with a little bit of hard work, I get to create paths not just for myself, but for others. Rhonda Block Rhonda began work for BrightBlue Marketing in December 2008. She brings more than 10 years of experience in project management, business-to-business telemarketing & telesales, lead generation, database cleanup, and operations support. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Psychology. She currently lives in Carrollton, Texas. Rhonda's Story "I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." My son is my hero. Since being diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, he has had many obstacles to overcome, and struggles with many things others may take for granted. His strength and perseverance have taught me to never give up! I am a stronger and more compassionate person because of his will and desire to learn. We all face obstacles in life and business. Success depends on how you choose to overcome them. Jessica Vowell Jessica is a recent graduate of The University of Oklahoma where she received a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Her role at BrightBlue includes marketing support for all employees and clients. Jessica specializes in project management, event management, public and media relations. Her past work experience includes internships at The Richards Group in Brand Public Relations, the John Sparks State Senate Campaign and The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Public Relations. Jessica's Story "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes." It can be so easy to get bogged down in the negative of what's around you and allow your attitude to suffer. I am a big believer that attitude can make or break a person whether it be in terms of spirit, relationships, goals or even a career. A great attitude can be not only personally helpful and allow you to get through a tough day or an unfortunate circumstance. A positive attitude can also be professionally appealing; a great attitude can create a pleasant work environment that produces energy, creativity and team efficiency. By choosing a positive attitude, much like the positive side of a magnet, you'll draw good things toward you.
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