Team

This ain’t our first rodeo

With offices in Boulder, Colorado, and New York, VizioNation trains brands to engage consumers with greater authenticity and increase market share.

We’ve been over the trail a time or two in virtually every category, advising some of the most successful national and global brands out there.

We’re straightforward and we know our business – guiding maverick managers to more profitable product connections and more effective consumer communications.

PRINCIPALS

BARRY ROBERTSON – BOULDER, CO

As a young Boomer Barry left McCann-Erickson’s Los Angeles market research unit to co-found J.D. Power & Associates with trailblazing partner Dave Power. In his subsequent independent consulting career he guides product and communications decision-makers to a deeper understanding of hidden consumer dynamics.

At VizioNation Barry teaches marketers to leverage generational imprinting – the powerful subconscious socio-cultural programming that, silent and unseen, drives consumers’ brand relationships.

MARCUS MATTHEWS – NEW YORK, NY

Marc’s consulting, strategic planning and market research expertise is encyclopedic – from consumer goods, travel, automotive and financial to public and corporate policy assignments for clients in/from the US, France, Germany, Canada, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Russia and Japan.

Born on the cusp of two generations, he is a Boomer/Gen X popular culture expert and ever so slightly enjoys driving his wife crazy by playing his harmonica around the house.

SENIOR ADVISORS

VISUAL STORY ADVISOR: MICHELLE SMYTH – CHICAGO, IL

Michelle’s career has centered on telling stories about people and organizations to spotlight unseen, lesser-known and authentic realities for deeper insight. Most recently, Michelle led her own consumer intelligence company that humanized data about people with selfies, illuminating everyday life in ways that percents alone could not.
Hundreds of media outlets have covered her method for combining real-world photos, data and storytelling, including the Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and MediaPost.
Michelle advises companies on visual research strategies that build transparency, trust and loyalty from the inside out and often speaks at marketing, research and storytelling events such as PechaKucha Night.

SENIOR CREATIVE ADVISOR: CHUCK NYREN – SEATTLE, WA

Chuck Nyren is an award-winning advertising video producer, creative strategist, copywriter, consultant, and author focusing on the over-40 demographic. His 40+ Market consulting portfolio includes AARP, Zoomer Media, The National Association of Home Builders, Harris Interactive, AstraZeneca, WPP and Omnicom Group units.
He consults with The Faith Popcorn BrainReserve TalentBank, on the Advisory Board of GRAND Magazine for Grandparents, a Huffington Post contributing columnist and a speaker at international seminars and conferences in North America and Europe.
A Boomer advertising expert, he has been interviewed by numerous media outlets worldwide, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, CBS MarketWatch, Tiempos Del Mundo and Advertising Age. Chuck’s book, Advertising to Baby Boomers, is a selected Classroom Resource of The Advertising Educational Foundation.

SENIOR PUBLIC & MEDIA RELATIONS ADVISOR: MELODY KIMMEL – MONTCLAIR, NJ

Principal of MK Media Training, Melody Kimmel is a respected advisor in the field of executive-level public and media relations.
After nine years in journalism around the US and UK, Melody moved into public relations. In her more than two decades at leading global PR firms, she has counseled leading brands in such sectors as healthcare, energy, financial services and technology.
Pro bono work has included NYC’s Sanctuary for Families, which aids victims of domestic violence, and the NYC Food Bank. She remains a committed gym rat daily at 5:30 a.m. and is an avid hiker, camper, bicyclist and yogini.
SENIOR ADVISOR / COMMUNICATIONS: CURTIS SIMMONS – NEW YORK, NY
In a career that has always involved effective and meaningful communication at the forefront, New Yorker Curtis Simmons has held diverse positions in the public and private sectors, including stops at the Federal Reserve, several Manhattan newspapers and leading labor unions.
Curtis has been a Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications, and currently serves as a Director of Public Affairs at the NYS Department of Financial Services.
Away from the office, his major challenge is keeping up with his 10-year old daughter.
SENIOR ADVISOR / MISINFORMATION BACKSTOP: DAVID ALLAN VAN NOSTRAND – BOCA RATON, FL
Behavioral scientist David teaches how most consumer research expense is wasted because someone asked the wrong questions of the wrong people for the wrong reasons – key errors in any business category.
At davidallanvan.com, he coaches executive decision-makers how to scope research and allocate resources; how to select and manage vendors; and how to judge process rigor and output quality. He also writes about issues of interest to anyone who uses research at LetsTakeACloserLook.com.
SENIOR ADVISOR / LIFE & CAREER COACH: CHARLES SHILLINGBURG – PHOENIX, AZ
Marketing expert, life coach and entrepreneur Charles Shillingburg trains brands and organizations to be their best and young professionals to soar. His expertise covers a broad range of capabilities and categories, from small and mid-sized businesses to multinationals.
A work/life balance expert, Charles devotes time to FEMA, wilderness rescue and The American Indian Chamber of Commerce. His is also an adjunct professor of strategy, marketing and management at the University of Phoenix.

SENIOR CONSULTANTS

SENIOR CONSULTANT: ANGELA BATTANI – DETROIT, MI

Strategic research and planning guru Angie honed her skills in a 25-year career at Campbell-Ewald, Detroit.
As the agency’s valued Consumer Insights Manager, she developed a unique ability to blend clear-headed market analysis and empathetic consumer back-stories to inspire C-E creative excellence and authenticity in dozens of brand categories.
Today, in addition to her independent market research consultancy, Angie gives back to seniors as a health and wellness mentor and paralegal services provider.
SENIOR CONSULTANT: ANDREA LEVY – NEW YORK, NY

Andrea is an accomplished, multi-talented research and consulting professional with an impressive domestic and international CV.
She is as comfortable advising media clients, financial companies and lifestyle brands here in the U.S. as she is designing and conducting public opinion/policy studies in Central Africa, Sudan or Afghanistan.
A highly experienced focus group moderator herself, Andrea is especially skilled at translating complex consumer input into concise and actionable communications strategies for corporations, non-profits and government entities.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: Aperture Market Research – TAMPA, FL

Founded by cultural anthropologist Vincent Bailey, Aperture Market Research is full service qualitative research firm serving clients in a wide range of categories, with special expertise in travel, tourism, theme parks and automotive.
Having held senior corporate and ad agency positions, Vince knows what leaders need – and don’t need – to make smart decisions.
The company credo: in the era of big data there is, more than ever, a crucial role for qualitative to help understand customers at a fundamentally human level.
CAR-BUYING WOMEN EXPERT: HER CERTIFIED – PHOENIX, AZ
Business professional, automotive journalist and expert in women’s car buying dynamics, Cathy Droz created HER Certified™ programs to train manufacturers and dealerships to exceed women customer expectations and grow profits.
Cathy also consults with marketers, teaching techniques for more productive connections with women car buyers.
A transportation trends expert, she also counsels manufacturers and marketers on the fast-evolving needs and wants of women in the recreational vehicle sector.
PR & MARKETING AGENCY: Girlpower Marketing – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Meet Girlpower Marketing, headed by CEO Linda Landers.
Linda is a public relations and digital marketing agency specializing in consumer lifestyle and financial services brands, with a unique expertise in reaching the most powerful consumers on earth: women.
Based in vibrant and diverse Southern California, Girlpower Marketing has deep experience in content strategy, influencer engagement, brand experiences, social media and design.

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