Nogales, AZ, January 13, 2011 — The changing media landscape where “one size fits all” no longer applies means marketers are looking for more effective and less costly ways to reach customers. This has led a long-time marketing consultancy to add a new expert to its roster.
Viva Global Marketing, LLC (VGM) of Arizona has announced the addition of media expert Erika Anne Lopez to its international team of strategic marketing managers. Lopez, with more than 15 years in the media industry, is a former Associate Publisher and Manager with Penton Media (publishers of Supermarket News and other trade publications). At Penton, Lopez managed a team of seven sales personnel with revenues of around $5 million and more than 200 clients west of the Mississippi.
Lopez left the industry due to what she termed “the sea change” in media that has occurred over the past couple of years and formed a public relations consultancy with emphasis on special events. Lopez will bring her special-event planning expertise to VGM as needed, as well as assist with other special projects.
“We experienced the slow death of mass media around the mid-2000s,” said Lopez, “This not only led me to be a leaner and meaner media manager, but also forced me to learn about the new social media and how to make it an integral part of a B2B or B2C campaign.” Lopez, who relocated to Arizona from Los Angeles in 2009, will be working from VGM offices in Nogales when not on the road.
“We’re excited about this opportunity and lucky to have found Erika,» noted VGM president Veronica Kraushaar, “She brings us the ideal mix of media savvy with proven, professional customer service skills. She can help our clients plan and buy media more efficiently to achieve their marketing objectives.”
Additionally, Kraushaar says Lopez will be called in to help clients’ customers (retailers) develop sales campaigns, such as in-store or on-cart media, etc. “It’s another service we offer to help distinguish our clients from competing retail suppliers.”
Lopez is one of the “handful or more” independent retail and sales experts who contract with VGM in North and South America to meet specific client needs. This is the first time the company has brought in a media expert.
VGM, formerly Vanguard Marketing Strategies, has, since 1995, focused on developing marketing programs for the perishable foods and produce industries, with special focus on retail merchandising. Prior to founding her firm, Kraushaar was in account management at major ad agencies, such as Publics, DDB Needham, and Ogilvy & Mather. VGM clients range from large USDA-managed commodity groups to small growers and processors in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Source: Viva Global Marketing, LLC
