Ancient History [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

I first met D.J. Allen, the founder of Imagine Marketing, back in 1997. We both served on the marketing and Heritage Days committees of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. Committee members have a tendency to “talk a good game” but not produce anything tangible. D.J. was one of the few people who did what he said he was going to do. I remember commenting to my wife that I had met a “sharp young man” – yes, I really talk like that – and I had a feeling we might work together someday. I’m not exactly known for my psychic abilities, but that was a good call.

At the time, I owned a small Henderson-based firm called In-House Advertising (because it originally started in my house). D.J. worked for the now-defunct “Henderson Home News,” managing the display advertising department and, if memory serves (which it sometimes doesn’t), doing a weekly sports column. I had begun writing novels on the side and, in the back of my mind, started toying with the idea of selling my ad biz. D.J. seemed like a logical candidate. Over the next couple of years, we kicked this idea around over a series of lunches. We may not have accomplished much, but we always ate well.

Of course, things don’t always work out exactly the way you planned. Rather than buying me out, D.J. decided to open his own company and bring me in as an occasional consultant. My first advice involved what to name the new venture. I recommended going with marketing instead of advertising (“advertising” being too limiting), and not to name the business after himself (so it wouldn’t be too closely identified with one person). He cooked up “Imagine Marketing” on his own. I like the name; it accurately captures his vision of creating a different kind of firm. I know everyone says that, but we really mean it. (Honest.)

In 2000, D.J. ran Imagine part-time out of his house while still keeping his day job. In early 2001, he called me to say he was ready to jump in with both feet. We met for a really long lunch at Charlie Holder’s on Boulder Highway, where we scribbled our ideas down on napkins and placemats. I’m sorry I didn’t save those for the Imagine archives.

I won’t go into all the milestones (we’ve put together a timeline for that), other than to say that, slowly but surely, I got more and more involved with the Imagine team. In 2005, our companies officially merged and I became a partner. In 2008, D.J. – a huge sports fan and UNLV alum – got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to handle the marketing and PR for Coach Lon Kruger and the Runnin’ Rebel men’s basketball program. To make this happen, he asked me to manage the day-to-day operations at Imagine. So he went off to live the dream. And I took over the corner office.

It’s been a challenging couple of years for us (as it has for everyone). Almost immediately, the economy went south and Imagine had to reinvent itself to better serve our clients. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. In my three decades plus in this business, I’ve never worked with a smarter, more dedicated group of professionals. They’ve answered every challenge with a remarkable team spirit that is truly contagious. As we enter our second decade, we’re a stronger organization, with our team and our capabilities fully-intact, and with big ideas for the future.

As for me, this is my last hurrah in the marketing game. When I finally get to ride off into the sunset, it will be with a sense of knowing that I was part of something very special. And that makes me a lucky guy.

Brian Rouff is the managing partner at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Brian at brouff@imnv.com

20 Lessons from the Past 10 Years [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

There are a lot of things we have learned over the past 10 years. If you don’t mind, we would like to use this platform of the 10th anniversary celebration of Imagine to share 20 of those lessons:

1. Stay patient, stay humble.
2. “Cash” and “flow” are the two most important words in business.
3. Tragedy plus time equals comedy.
4. Success is a process – not an event.
5. When in doubt… more white space.
6. Every meeting is a sales meeting.
7. Don’t hire new employees – recruit them. (Poor hiring practices are the No. 1 mistake made by most businesses.)
8. Crave partnerships. If I want to help you as much as you want to help me, we’re going to make magic happen.
9. If you surround yourself by people better than you, you can all accomplish great things.
10. Write thank you notes.
11. Read Socrates and Franklin. (Those cats knew what they were talking about.)
12. Be the One.
13. Marry up.
14. Seek good coaches to help you in life.
15. Don’t give the people closest to you the remains of your day. (Thanks, Rick.)
16. Sometimes saying “No” now is better than saying “I’m sorry” later.
17. We’re all special needs kids. After all, we all need love.
18. Make plays for your teammates.
19. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. (Thanks, Rick. A different Rick.)
20. Imitate Jesus.

To all of those who have supported us throughout the years, thank you. It has meant more than you will ever know. Peace.

D.J. Allen is the founder/head visionary of Imagine Marketing.
Contact D.J. at dallen@imnv.com

42 [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

Imagine marketing is a place I have dedicated myself to for the last 10 years. Collectively, we have always thought of and treated Imagine as more than just a place to work. We put into our company what we put into life.

I’m proud of what we, as a team, have accomplished over the years and of the people who call our firm their professional “home” as well. I’m proud of the caliber of clients we have and that we have survived a brutal economy with dignity and perseverance tempered from the hard work of some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. I truly believe the people at Imagine Marketing get “it.”

But what is “it” really? What is the purpose of “it” all? Why do we come to work every morning?

In the hilarious book titled, "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," authored by Douglas Adams, there is a moment when a famous question is posed: “What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything?” After inputting the question into a super computer, the answer that was provided was “42.” The computer, noticing the confusion its answer caused the people, explained further to say that the true problem is that nobody really understands the question. Hence, the reason they also did not understand the answer.



I think I’ve found the right question. I’ve listed the process I went through to find the correct question to the meaning of life below.

1) Are you happy?
2) Do you laugh daily?
3) Are you loved by someone?
4) Do you love someone?
5) Are you challenged daily?
6) Are you proud of your work?
7) Are you proud of your choices?
8) Can you trust the people around you?
9) Can you solve problems?
10) Are you contributing to the life of others?
11) Are you a good person?
12) Are you doing your best?
13) Are you teaching?
14) Are you learning?
15) Are you part of the solution?
16) Do you have empathy?
17) Do you try to make a difference?
18) Do you make time for yourself?
19) Do you hold the door open for others? (Symbolically and literally.)
20) Do you try to experience other cultures?
21) Do you try to surprise yourself?
22) Do you wonder why things are the way they are?
23) Do you work to live, instead of live to work?
24) Do you do things that are hard?
25) Do you tell people what you like about them?
26) Do you allow yourself to have your mind changed?
27) Are you able to manage your ego constructively?
28) Are you brave enough to try to understand the pain of others?
29) Have you ever helped a stranger?
30) Have you ever attempted to create art?
31) Have you ever shed tears of pride and joy?
32) Do you appreciate what you have, no matter how little?
33) Have you ever expressed your true self to anyone?
34) Have you ever stood up for someone who needed help?
35) Have you ever forgiven an enemy?
36) Have you ever given help anonymously?
37) Do you ever make time to notice something beautiful?
38) Do you try to improve the lives of those around you?
39) Do you listen?
40) Do you see?
41) Do you lead by example?
42) Do you share what you’ve learned?

Finally, I think that the real question to the answer of life, the universe and everything is this.

How many of these questions can you answer “yes” to? If your answer is “42” then you’ve figured out the answer already.

We will continue to do our best in work and life in the years to come. We hope you will join us on our journey. Thanks for an amazing decade. Here’s to many years of success in the future.

Alex Raffi is a shareholder and the creative director for Imagine Marketing.
Contact Alex at araffi@imnv.com

Lessons from the office apply to everyday world [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

A freshman in college at the time, it’s been two-and-a-half years since I began my career here at Imagine Marketing. Now, just months away from graduating with my bachelor’s degree in business from UNLV, what I’ve come to gain from my experience at Imagine are not the traditional lessons a person learns while at the office.

Instead what I learned are lessons that are applicable to every area of life. And, in celebration of 10 strong years at our firm, I’d like to share with you 10 lessons Imagine Marketing has taught me:

1. Be precise – By being precise, mistakes are eliminated and results are improved. One of my fellow team members that I admire most is Melissa. She is dedicated to perfection and has an eye for detail.
2. Share happiness – The supportive atmosphere is one of my favorite parts of working at Imagine. Everyone is eager to spread happiness, even in the simplest ways. People like Gail and Amber share in my happiness daily when I show off pictures of my beautiful niece.
3. Smile every chance you can – Megan always has a smile and her upbeat, positive attitude is part of what makes her great at her job.
4. Seize every opportunity – One of the great things about working at Imagine is how everyone is so willing to teach each other. I admire Alex because he is constantly trying something new and eager to share it with everyone on the team.
5. We all need moms – It is amazing how you need a mother figure even when at work. Sue is always there to make sure everything works right, everybody is on schedule and most importantly, to offer hugs when needed.
6. Dress for success – I don’t think I have ever seen Wes in a single mismatching outfit, ever. He is the perfect example of dressing the way that you want to be represented – something I am learning to do every day.
7. The simplest way is probably the best way – Beth has taught me one of the most important lessons. If there is a simple method of doing something, do it. There is no need to overcomplicate anything, be it daily work or planning a wedding as she is doing now.
8. You can do it all – I have always wanted to do it all. From bus driver to pediatrician, I find it all fascinating and the idea of committing to one thing for my entire life scares me. Imagine has shown me that you can do it all. Ehsan, for example, is able to be a successful marketing professional and moonlight as a great real estate agent.
9. Make your dreams come true – Brian is one of the few people I have seen who is able to successfully run a business and fulfill his passion of writing books.
10. Have fun – The Imagine team has shown me how to have fun in everything. Whether at work or home, a little bit of fun goes a long way. Be it through a juicing party during lunch, creating spontaneous dance videos or hosting impromptu office Olympic contests. Imagine knows what fun is.

Morgan Doyle is a junior account executive at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Morgan at mdoyle@imnv.com

Dress for success [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

"Dress for success" is an often used phrase that has been repeated over and over by professional for years. To help carry-out Imagine Marketing’s 10th anniversary blog series and 10 years of success, I'd like to offer my own personal 10 style-tips to help other male professionals “dress for success,” in this case, from toe-to-head.

1. Gym shoes belong in one place, the gym. If you've been around long enough to remember when Converse were gym shoes, note that this doesn't apply to Converse.
2. Socks should be an extension of the pants. Black socks work with black pants, brown socks with brown pants, grey with grey and so forth. White gym socks... you guessed it, go with gym shoes.
3. A fair number of our blog readers are likely wearing pleated pants at this very moment. I encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and suggest flat front pants. If you don't agree that they make you look slimmer than wear your pleated pants proudly.
4. Belts should match your shoes in color and when possible in texture. This is true whether you're wearing black patent leather or purple crocodile.
5. One needn't limit themselves to white and blue dress shirts. If venturing out for the first time consider light shades of purple and gray since they are closer in color to your familiar palate.
6. The "trendy" tie width ebbs and flows almost as frequently as the tide itself. Try to follow along, but never toss out a quality tie. It might be the cat's pajamas tomorrow.
7. Your tie's knot should be proper for your shirt's collar type. To get around this rule I never buy spread collar shirts, because I can't tie a Windsor knot if my life depended on it.
8. Yes, there's even a style tip for undershirts. First, I always recommend wearing one. (Your other shirts will thank you.) Second, I propose the grey (heather, oatmeal) undershirt for wearing with light shirts. Middle school science taught us that white reflects light while grey absorbs it. So that white undershirt is visible, even under that white dress shirt, where the grey one will not be, thereby making your “look” appear more polished.
9. Even if you are fortunate enough to work in an office where every day is casual Friday you will at some point need at least one suit. If it is just one, make it a quality and conservative one. If it's more than one, you likely know more about suits than I do.
10. Style is about confidence, not vanity. Breaking style rules and tips is how you create a style uniquely yours. So be confident in how you dress and success will surely follow.

Wes Thurman is the art director at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Wes at wthurman@imnv.com

Changing Lanes: From student to professional [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

Seven years ago I was just like any other soon-to-be college graduate: scared and desperately in need of a job. I had no idea that my interview for an intern position at Imagine Marketing the summer of 2003 would lead to more than just a job – it would become my career and a lifestyle of choice.

Most job interviews last an hour or so, unless you’re an intern. During my three-month “job interview,” I had the opportunity to learn “the ropes” of marketing, all that is Imagine Marketing and fine-tune my own skills as a professional. It was during this time I realized I no longer simply wanted a job post-graduation; I wanted a career. More importantly, I wanted a career with Imagine, knowing it would allow me the opportunity to make an impact in the community I live and work within.

My memory of Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, is as clear to me as if it were yesterday. After our holiday dinner, in true Imagine Marketing laid-back fashion, our team decided to take in a movie, “Elf.” (Of which to this day is still quoted within our office.) That evening ended with the pinnacle moment: I was officially extended an invitation to join the team full-time, permanently. I had been granted the opportunity of a lifetime.

As the fifth employee hired at our firm, I entered an all-hands-on-deck experience, spending my first year as a combination of an office manager, public relations coordinator and an account manager. I was forced (willingly, I might add) to learn and grow at a fast pace – “baptism by fire” if you will. However, the most important thing I came to learn about myself was my passion to help our clients through personal, creative and effective interaction.

It’s been nearly seven years since I was welcomed into the Imagine family. The environment, which is much more than your everyday 9-to-5 job, has since seeped its way into every part of my life, changed my perception of what “work” is and has given me the chance to express my passion for life both professionally and personally through organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and IABC/Las Vegas.

I am very proud of our team and how far we have all come over the last decade, together as a company and as individuals. Most of all, I’m proud to be part of a truly dynamic team of professionals – the most passionate, creative, genuine and hardworking people I have ever met. They continue to make me laugh, they stand behind me no matter what happens and drive me to be the best “me” I can be, period.

I look forward to many more years of success. The sky is the limit.

Megan Lane is an account executive at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Megan at mlane@imnv.com

Where’d All the Good People Go? [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

In reflecting over the past years leading up to the 10th Year Anniversary of Imagine Marketing, I thought of the one thing I enjoy most about this place. It is all essentially summed up by one element … the people.

It’s no secret by now that I’m a big music guy. It is one of my favorite things. Whether it is listening to music on an iPod, enjoying it while driving in a car, using it to create emotion in a movie or commercial, or trying to make it while hanging out with some friends and our instruments, I think music is one of the best things that exists, and can essentially be used to explain any topic, so here it goes.

As my good friend Jack Johnson sings in one of his songs, “Where’d all the good people go?” I’d respond with Imagine Marketing. We have a great team. We mesh well together, we work well together, we get along well together … Heck, we even don’t get along well together! And you’d think we’d better, right? It’s a fact that I see these people way more than I see my own family. I spend hours after hours with them, and at the end of the day, we continue to chug along and have fun in the process. That is a key element to our success. We understand business and we understand how to better it with one another both professionally and personally.

This not only branches internally, but it exists outside of our office as well. It’s not just my fellow coworkers that are these “good people.” I am surrounded by good people. My clients, our vendors, the media, my friends and family. With the exception of a few … and you know who you are … I’m kidding of course … or am I? ... oh I digress … The people around me are great. I’ve made many relationships and friendships over the eight years here and I am grateful for that.

They say, “you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.” Well then frankly, I think I’m pretty darn great. Thanks everyone!

Ehsan Kaveh is an account executive at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Ehsan at ekaveh@imnv.com

“Imagine.” I mean, that’s John Lennon, right? [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

I moved to Nevada from Kalamazoo, Michigan in October of 2007. While in Michigan, I had worked at the same job for 20 years – as the office manager for one of the largest academic departments at a major Michigan university. Although the College of Business was big, our staff functioned like a family. Between lunches, potlucks and celebrations, we always helped one another and were there for each other no matter the “ups” and “downs” of our business and personal lives. When I retired, it truly was like leaving family behind.

After getting settled here in Nevada in early 2008, I realized that it was time I find a new job in my new home. It had been decades since I had actually looked for a job. What a nerve-wracking experience. Luckily, I ended up here, at Imagine Marketing.

As you can imagine, it took me a while to feel “at home” here; after all, it had been 20 years since I had been the “new person” at the office. But there were clues along the way to feeling at home that made me think this may just be an alright place to be.

Most notable was the name of the company: “Imagine.” I mean, that’s John Lennon, right? Any company that names itself after a Lennon song can’t be all bad. Then, there was the guitar sitting on a stand in one of the offices. (Another good sign.) There were framed movie posters on office walls – even a framed Woodstock poster. And, as a child of the sixties, any reference to Woodstock just makes me feel a little more comfortable. Throw in the little orange stuffed animal that sits on the sofa in our Art Department’s office and I was convinced this must be a good place for me.

What I eventually came to realize about Imagine Marketing is that this office, much like the office I had left back in Michigan, also functions like a family. It is comprised of creative, interesting and intelligent people who work together to help clients and one another – including picking up each other’s slack when needed and ensuring every job gets done. Most importantly, they know how to have a good time and make each other laugh. It’s the frequency of the laughter around here that makes it a great place to work. And I believe that it’s the genuine enthusiasm and caring, mixed with imagination and creativity, that makes any company work successfully.

Gail Orta is the media relations assistant/receptionist at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Gail at gorta@imnv.com

When everyone plays their part, magic happens [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

I’ve been wondering for a while now about what I would write for my 10th anniversary blog. I’d been given broad topic suggestions and ideas, but, for whatever reason, the “right” story relating to Imagine Marketing just wasn’t coming to me. Writer’s block’s a [enter suitable word for print here] when you’re on a deadline.

Finally, just two days before it was requested I submit my blog, it came to me – at church, in fact. (A divine intervention, perhaps?) It was fitting really, considering a church function was what led to my employment at Imagine Marketing, which began five years ago this July.

There I was, sitting in Praise Team rehearsal at church. I was thinking about the fact that people often marvel at how our Praise Team – which ranges anywhere from 10 to 20 singers plus band members – operates without a conductor. We have a leader, of course, but during church he sings with us and is usually playing an instrument as well. So other than giving us clues as to when we’re done signing the chorus and finally wrapping up the song, he simply trusts us, the Praise Team, to stay together, come in on cue, change keys when appropriate and sing the right notes. We all just inherently know how to stay together – and sound good together (most of the time, I hope) – without consciously thinking about it.

This, of course, reminded me of Imagine Marketing. History has shown that most people who come to work for Imagine Marketing never leave. Considering we’ve all been working together for the last three, five, seven (you get the idea) years, we work together well. We’re like one body, with each of us being a limb. Or a puzzle, with each of us being a piece. Or a tool box …

Point being, we all know how everyone operates. We know one another’s strengths and weaknesses, talents, joys, fears, traits, etc. We work together as a team, helping each other when needed but also making a place for ourselves to shine as individuals. Working together for the benefit of our clients and for the sake of doing good, solid work is our way of doing business, and we do it naturally.

Just like in Praise Team, we have a leader – someone to make the final decisions and keep the big picture in mind, but we don’t have a “conductor” telling us when to come in and how to play our parts. We’re all simply trusted to get things done, how they should be done, when they need to get done. And I like that. In my opinion, it’s what makes Imagine Marketing special and it’s why people like to work with us.

Melissa Rothermel serves as director of media relations for Imagine Marketing.
Contact Melissa at mrothermel@imnv.com

It sounds like you need a mom. [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, okay, it was a dark and stormy day, a few days into 2005, when I first stepped into the offices of Imagine Marketing. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I saw the ad in the Boulder City News – very nicely done, by the way – since it only gave a phone number for contact. So I Googled it (does anyone remember exactly when Googled became a verb?) and there was Imagine Marketing. In all its glory.

And though D.J. had started the firm just a little over four-and-a-half years before, there was glory. The Imagine webpage gave me a snapshot of the company, and having retired from working mostly in public service it was refreshing to read about real people doing real things and seeming to like it! I also found other bits and pieces on the internet about D.J., already a dynamic part of the Henderson community and seemingly an all-around good guy.

I made a phone call and spoke with the “voice of Imagine Marketing” Megan Lane. Of course I didn’t know who she was until I was invited in for an interview where I was met with her smile – and the strongest cup of coffee I’ve ever tasted. The smile continues to this day. The coffee we’ve toned down a bit.

While I waited for the team to assemble to begin the grill…er interview, I read the plaques on the wall. They weren’t the normal vanity plaques. No, they were Imagine’s mission statement and values, and by the time I read through them, I knew one thing. I wanted to be a part of Imagine Marketing.

The interview went well, as interviews go. I was nervous. They weren’t. But one thing became very clear, and a remark I made regarding that insight has followed me for half a decade. Although the team – only five of them at the time – had done remarkably well in the clerical department, when they had the time, it was time to bring in a pro. Did I tell them that? Oh no. What I said instead was, “It sounds like you need a mom.” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why “Company Mom” is now printed on my business cards. Cards I proudly hand out to anyone who wants one. Cards that bring chuckles and sometimes strange looks when people look closely.

Do I feel like a mom? Yes and no. D.J., and then Alex and Amber were in at the start of Imagine. They began a tradition of bringing in dynamic, talented people with Ehsan and Megan, and continued to expand as time and talent permitted. Brian, Wes, Jeff, Melissa, Nikki, Beth, Gail, Morgan, all joined our team, and we’re soon going to welcome another talented professional. Many of the team members are younger than my own children, so it’s hard not to be “mom-ish” at times, but it’s a good kind of mom-thing. I get to take as much pride in the accomplishments of our team as I have in the accomplishments of my own children. And I don’t have to remind them to hang up their towels.

I don’t think there has been a day at Imagine Marketing that I haven’t felt grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable group. Chances are that I’ll retire for good in the next few years, but I’m pretty sure they’ll invite me back to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Until then, congratulations to a great company and its talented team for all that you’ve accomplished in the last ten years.

With love, Mom

Sue Burkholder is the company mom for Imagine Marketing.
Contact Sue at sburkholder@imnv.com

Having the “Right People” [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

It’s often been said by human resource and business experts that “People are our most valuable resource.” It should be restated to read, “Having the right people doing the right jobs is our most valuable resource.”

One of my favorite business books, “Good to Great,” authored by Jim Collins talks about having the right people (employees) on the bus, putting them in the right seats (skill sets for certain jobs) and then choosing your direction or destination (company goal).

Most entities tend to operate the other way: They choose their destination, put the passengers on the bus and then assign them random seats. The point is pretty simple: If you have the wrong passengers on the bus sitting in the wrong seats, it doesn’t matter what direction you head because you will never reach your destination.

The last decade at Imagine Marketing has been about putting the right people on the bus and assigning them the right seats.

As we get ready to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, our firm has gone from a one-person, home-based business to a fully integrated 14-person marketing and public relations firm. Along the way, employees have been personally selected by owner/founder D.J. Allen and senior partners Alex Raffi, Brian Rouff and Josh Griffin for their varied talents, personalities and motivation to make the firm a success.

Imagine Marketing is compromised of dreamers, realists, optimists, pessimists, leaders, followers, conformists and non-conformists. To a lot of companies, such a diverse group of people sounds like a recipe for disaster. For us, it’s quite the opposite. Our selective hiring process focuses not only on the potential employee’s professional background, but his/her personality and ability to fill a skill set that we may not yet possess. This process has had a huge impact on the consistency of the product that we supply to our customers and the internal balance that is required to run the day-to-day operations.

As we embark on our second decade, we realize that while we are still a long way from our ultimate destination, our bus is filled with the right passengers and we are continually striving to make sure they are in the right seats. It’s what will take us from good to great.

Jeff Jensen is the chief operations officer for Imagine Marketing.
Contact Jeff at jjensen@imnv.com.

The Intangibles [10th Anniv. Special Edition]

I admit, I’m not a huge fan of comics. Perhaps it’s the realist in me that finds them unbelievable. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like the idea of superheroes.

As a society, we need superheroes – people we can believe in and trust to do the right thing, who go above and beyond, who are proud to carry out acts of selflessness often without a passing nod of appreciation. If you ask my 2-and-a-half-year-old what he thinks, he’ll tell you superheroes exist and that they’re cool. I agree.

Doing business in marketing can be a tough gig. In an industry that is subject to constant criticism and one everyone seems to think they’re an expert at, due to its subjective and creative nature, the ability to accomplish an impactful marketing program can take a group of superheroes to carry out.

In light of Imagine Marketing’s 10th anniversary, I’d like to celebrate our team of superheroes. These are the people behind the scenes, all of whom have their own set of superhero powers, who have been helping our clients succeed in business over the last decade. We are: The Intangibles.

Iron Man (a.k.a. D.J. Allen) – A self-made superhero who possesses superhuman capabilities in all ways imagineable.

Blade (a.k.a. Brian Rouff) – He has superhuman reflexes and the ability to react faster than a normal human.

The Thing (a.k.a. Alex Raffi) – He stands out from a crowd, has a heart of gold and is the rock upon which Imagine Marketing stands.

Beast (a.k.a. Josh Griffin) – His superhuman senses give him the ability to see, smell, taste, feel and/or hear more than a normal human.

Metamorpho (a.k.a. Jeff Jensen) – He can alter the elements around him by changing one substance into another by rearranging its structure.

Captain Comet (a.k.a. Ehsan Kaveh) – His chameleon-like ability gives him the power to adapt and evolve to environments many cannot.

Phoenix (a.k.a. Megan Lane) – A central figure in our cast, she is caring and nurturing. But, don’t be fooled. She’s an omega-level mutant with cosmic forces.

Dawnstar (a.k.a. Sue Burkholder) – With a superhuman pathfinding ability, she can trace an individual or object through supernatural means.

Cyclops (a.k.a. Wes Thurman) – He carries the ability to generate or transform various forms of ideas and energy into a solid or cohesive structure.

Storm (a.k.a. Melissa Rothermel) – She possesses the empathy and skill needed to sense the overall well-being and conditions of someone’s immediate environment.

Flashback (a.k.a. Gail Orta) – A temporal duplication specialist, she can bring past and future versions of oneself back to the present.

Rogue (a.k.a. Morgan Doyle) – Just as in X-Men, don’t let her beauty fool you, as she possesses the ability to permanently absorb skills and powers from others.

Supergirl (a.k.a. Amber Stidham) – She’s invulnerable and has the ability to be immune to many forms of damage, making her a frontline superhero fighter.

We’re the people behind the scenes, making others look great. A team of marketing experts that have extraordinary powers they use for the greater good. Now you know their true identities.

Congratulations Imagine Marketing. And thank you, for letting my inner “geek” shine through by posting this blog.

Amber Stidham is the director of strategic planning at Imagine Marketing.
Contact Amber at astidham@imnv.com.