L&S Unscripted

You’ve landed on this page – we hope we haven’t failed to entice you to read about our riveting marketing practices that you’ve come here instead.

Our role as moderators of L&S Unscripted is as follows:

• We are housekeepers – we will prevent or remove obscene or other inappropriate content and try move off-topic posts to more appropriate forums.
• We are movers and shakers – we will be posting new topics and issues each week, and we will try to answer your questions or point you in the right direction.
• We are volunteers – this blog is not part of our everyday responsibilities here at Lawrence and Schiller. We are serving in this role because we believe in the power of social media and we hope to offer solid marketing advice to you, our clients, as you meet challenges today and in the future. If we fall behind a little bit or miss a day, please don’t lash out at us — our tardiness only means we are busy assisting the many clients of our agency. We are committed to L&S Unscripted and we will return promptly.

We will be posting each week and inviting special guest contributors as well. Feel free to join us in our marketing discussions!

Robin Temple, Billie Jo Waara

Moderators

Robin Temple

I’m the Director of Digital Marketing for Lawrence & Schiller and manage the Deadwood office. Our Digital Marketing team focuses on building innovative, comprehensive online marketing plans and executing these ideas with precision. Plan components include search engine optimization, search engine marketing, online display advertising, dynamic e-mail marketing, social media, web analytics and evolving technologies. I look forward to collaborating with you in these areas and unrelated topics just for fun.

Prior to joining Lawrence and Schiller in April 2007, I worked for Black Hills State University as Director of Online Marketing for the University and Internet Marketing Specialist for the Center for Tourism Research. Prior to moving back to the Black Hills, I gained valuable experience in various areas of marketing, design and advertising in Denver, CO while working for a branding firm (Monigle Associates), a large technology company (5280 Solutions, a division of Nelnet) and a web consulting firm (NeoForte). The common theme: always searching for innovative ways to resonate messaging with key audiences and embrace new technologies.

I graduated from Black Hills State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with minors in Business and Speech Communications. I earned my master’s degree in Business Administration / Marketing from Regis University in Denver, CO.

To sum it up: I’m a creative techie (yes, there’s such a thing), love a challenge and like to get things done. I enjoy time with friends and family - especially spending time with my two busy little boys, who add great joy to my life. I grew up on a ranch in northwest South Dakota and currently live in Sturgis, SD, home of the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. When not working, you’ll find me out enjoying the awesome recreational activities that the Black Hills have to offer. I look forward to our virtual dialogue!

Billie Jo Waara

I’m the Director Account Planning and Research for Lawrence and Schiller. Essentially, our team focuses on consumer insights research from a variety of secondary and primary sources, such as blog posts, ratings and review sites, trade publications, etc. We want to help our clients better understand their unique competitive environment and know their customer. I also have the honor of co-leading a number of business outreach programs to showcase the unique talents and marketing expertise of our Lawrence & Schiller team. Contact me anytime about research, strategic planning or business development efforts.

Prior to joining Lawrence and Schiller in February 2008, I was the Director of the South Dakota Office of Tourism. With a marketing budget $11.1 million, we worked to increase visitor spending in the state. With the power and influence of the Internet, I’m proud of the fact that the Office’s web marketing efforts grew to leverage analytics, online consumer behaviors, social media and mobile devices.

I previously worked in marketing at Wells Fargo, and I also gained an understanding of public finance and local government issues while serving as the Minnehaha County Treasurer, aka “local tax collector.” In my past life, I was also Public Affairs and Research Manager for the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce where I led market research, public relations and marketing efforts. I graduated from Augustana College as a double major in Business Administration and International Government and received my master’s degree in Business Administration (MIS emphasis) from the University of South Dakota.

My life story begins in Seoul, South Korea. I was adopted and grew up with three brothers in Milbank, South Dakota. The strong Norwegian influence of my geography explains my “love” for lefsa, wool sweaters and wrestling. My husband Clint and I have two children and we live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We are currently planning to remodel an older home this spring so this blog will be a great outlet for my stress when traditional retail therapy fails. I’ll keep you posted on my current reading list as well as my favorite “du jour” web sites.

Guest Bloggers

Krista Gussiaas

I’m an Internet Marketing Assistant based in the L&S Deadwood office.

Prior to joining L&S in August 2008, I worked for the Rapid City Journal as publisher of the Meade County Times-Tribune in Sturgis, SD. I have a degree in news editorial journalism from South Dakota State University (go Collegian!), and currently live in Spearfish with my husband, Mike, and our fabulous mutt Cooper.

I love hiking and drives in the beautiful Black Hills, as well as digging for the “next new thing” on the web.

Julie Flannery Allen

I’m an Associate Creative Director/Copywriter for Lawrence & Schiller. My day includes concepting, brand development and the execution of work that integrates creativity with the client’s strategic plan and overall marketing goals.

After graduating from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a degree in Advertising Design, my first job out of school was as an Art Director at Hal Riney. While there I jumped into interactive and won some awards. I loved my job but I was jealous of the copywriters so I switched over. And I’ve been writing ever since. Some of my favorite national clients that I’ve worked on include Land Rover, Jaguar, Saturn, Mattel, Palm, Apple, and Mirage Resorts.

Natalie Eisenberg

Hi, I’m Natalie Eisenberg, Account Executive at L&S. My role is all about getting deep with clients to understand and focus brand identity, determine goals and objectives, and organize the plan of attack.

Prior to joining L&S in 2004, I wrote for City Style and Your Health magazines and worked in sales for Ann Horwitz Jewelers. I have degrees in Communication and Spanish and a masters degree in Contemporary Media & Journalism from the University of South Dakota.

My husband Troy and I live in what I like to call midtown Sioux Falls and love to travel, cook and entertain.

Jeff Hanson

Thanks for visiting our site. My name’s Jeff Hanson and I’m Director of Public Relations for Lawrence & Schiller and have been branded as an in-house idea guy.

My mantra is that “markets are conversations” and my role is to use all of the tools to put our clients at the center of those conversations…even if it means blowing up the tallest building in the state! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7118529355131061026

As a seasoned veteran of PR, gosh that sounds better than old; I’ve had opportunity to work with brands large and small in about every industry imaginable. Prior to joining L&S, I was a vice president with a global PR firm, helped manage Gateway’s PR from before the spots through Y2K and cut my teeth in the cable industry before ESPN was on the air.