Spotlight on...
Jenn Greacen
Founder, Executive Director
Red Frog Marketing.
Largo, Florida
Years in this position: 7
Years in marketing: 13
What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing?
For entrepreneurs or “business curious” people like me, Marketing gives you the opportunity to be involved in a variety of businesses and share in the most fun part of those businesses- the creative and making money.
What do you like most about marketing?
The fulfilling part is consulting with clients and helping them get past a road block they may be experiencing in their businesses. Then we move into the really fun part which is strategy and great creative-watching those two come together to deliver great results is a rush.
How do you measure your success?
I'm not going to give you the world peace answer, let's be honest here we are marketers- money matters for sure. Especially when you know you are being paid for a job well done. But if you came to me and offered me a bag of money to do something I just couldn't enjoy, I wouldn't even look in the bag to start counting. The core of this financial success stems from working with great people and feeling like you are really doing something that is going to make a difference or be recognized creatively. At the end of the day when I look at my four gorgeous children at the dinner table and my oldest daughter says, "Mommy I saw your commercial on TV today and it was cool." I really dig that.
What has been your greatest marketing accomplishment?
Tough Question. Starting and growing my own brand, my own company. Our industry is challenging on its own but then throwing that into owning your own firm is probably the definition of insanity. But, I'm addicted now there's just no turning back.
What do you think is the biggest mistake companies make when marketing?
Starting without a plan or pulling out too early. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you get there and once you are on the road if you pull over before you've arrived - you just wasted a lot of gas.
What is the most interesting trend you see in marketing?
Everyone is going to say social media. But I would go a step further and say that in small to mid size businesses I find it fascinating how uneducated people really are or maybe they are brainwashed about social media? When I ask people what they are doing in the social movement and they tell me they have a Facebook page (and that's it) I cringe. Facebook is just a tool in the tool box folks. Saying you’re involved in a social media campaign because you have a Facebook page is like saying you are building a house and your main progress is that you’ve bought a hammer.
How do you stay on top of your field?
There is so much information out there on a daily - make that hourly - basis I honestly don't know how much I do, there is always something else to learn. But, like most folks probably reading, e-news alerts, etc. I probably spend more time just being engaged with my clients and their customers - what their customers are looking for - then I go out and make it happen.
What marketing resources do you recommend?
People. I believe in people - opinions, voices, shared experiences and thoughts. Listen to people and they will tell you what they want then give it to them.
If you could give one piece of marketing advice to Tampa Bay companies, what would it be?
Ask why, not how. Before you spin off in frenzy with all these great ideas your creative team or agency brings your way - make sure it aligns with your mission role and goals. Great ideas are fun - and we always want to be quick to get on them but make sure they make sense for you first and have the self control to table them for another day if they don't.
Do you know a marketing professional or entrepreneur who should be in the spotlight? Email me with his or her contact information!
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