THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE BRAND

Every good relationship needs a great team. Learn a bit about the group that wants to work with you.

IT HAS TO BE DIFFERENT

That’s what Kit Sutorius thought when he decided to stir up the worlds of marketing companies and advertising agencies by starting Avocet Communications. With the vision to create “advertising that makes a sound,” he set out to craft campaigns that rose above the humdrum buzz of other agencies. By 1989, the “one man shop” model had expanded to include Kit’s daughter, Lori Jones. Together, the two pitched a regional rental car agency. Two weeks later, on a Thursday afternoon, they got a call back. The potential client wanted to set up a meeting at the Avocet offices the following Monday. There was one problem – Kit and Lori had been working at Kit’s kitchen table for several months and Avocet Communications didn’t have an actual office. In a matter of days, the two scrambled to find an office space. They moved in desks and furniture, and staged a space that looked “settled.” That meeting was more than 25 years ago, lasted for half an hour, and Avocet landed the client. Today, Avocet Communications is proud to be a Top 20 agency in Colorado, and we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

AT AVOCET, WE LOVE WHAT WE DO AND WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT DOING IT WITH EXCELLENCE. WE ARE PASSIONATE, SKILLED, AND HUNGRY TO BE THE BEST

AVOCET TEAM

Avocet’s seasoned team of strategic, account, PR, creative, media, and technology professionals, build strategies and campaigns in a collaborative environment. Each individual brings major brand experience from some of the nation’s largest agencies, newsrooms, and brands. Our collaborative environment creates strong interplay between team members allowing for out-of-the-box thinking which creates marketing approaches that are innovative, “gutsy” and ROI-based.

Andrea Kaufman-Robbins

Senior Account Manager

As a marketing and communications professional, Andrea Kaufman-Robbins’ career began more than 30 years ago in NYC where she worked in account services for AC&R, a Ted Bates subsidiary. From there she transitioned to Denver’s Tracy-Locke, a BBDO subsidiary. During her career Andrea has worked at agencies of every size and has moved easily between the agency and client side, gaining valuable experience from the inside out and outside in. A short list of categories that Andrea has developed strategic campaigns (and so much more) for include sports and fashion, municipalities and nonprofits, transportation and telecommunications, nature and science, and healthcare.

Andrea

Bailey M. Jones

Podcast Producer And Event Coordinator

With an outgoing personality, a flair for what’s trending, and an impeccable attention to detail, Bailey keeps Avocet’s podcasts current and events on schedule. She is quick, nimble, organized, and approachable as she puts Avocet’s speakers, presenters, sponsors, and team at ease even as last-minute changes occur.

Bailey

Bob Berger

Senior Strategist

As a senior communications professional, Bob Berger has worked with both high-growth start-ups and Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. On both the agency and corporate side, he has helped build businesses by running efficient global communications programs that increase brand awareness, generate sales leads, and manage crises for B2B and B2C companies. As part of the Avocet team, Bob brings his high-level strategic insights to our aerospace and high tech clients such as York Aerospace Systems and Ocelot Al software. He has provided counsel to and worked directly with senior executives at Apple, Oracle, Salesforce, Siebel Systems and Intuit.

Bob

Chris Lau

Senior Digital Marketing Strategist

Chris is a seasoned and award-winning digital marketing specialist who excels at all things digital…from paid ads to SEO, from pay-per-click to tagging. He is an expert in driving strategic growth and product visibility by using a broad spectrum of digital mediums and knows his way around analytics, optimization, and the competitive digital landscape. Having worked across multiple verticals, Chris has developed thoughtful strategies and campaigns that have achieved outstanding results for our clients.

Chris

Colin Sullivan

Web & Digital Content Coordinator

Colin Sullivan is a Jack-of-All-Trades for just about everyone on the team. He manages scheduling for the Integrate & Ignite podcast, email development, and marketing automation. He also develops websites and helps coordinate web projects with larger web development teams. Sullivan, a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage, has a degree in marketing and management and is relied upon by the team for his determination, thoroughness, and outstanding rapport with clients.

Colin

Dave Smith

VP of Operations and Client Success

Dave oversees Avocet’s clients, including State and Federal Government entities, and daily operations across all markets. A patient, organized, and strategic leader, Dave thrives on helping solve operational, communication, and branding challenges for both mature and early-stage organizations. He began his career as an officer and Army aviator, commanding a group of specially trained aviators operating attack helicopters off Navy vessels supporting global operations. He has been leading global marketing and advertising agency teams for 19 years. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA from Colorado State University.

Dave

Dawn Keller-Doll

Graphic Designer

With more than 20 years of creative experience and nearly a decade as vice president and co-owner of her own marketing agency, Dawn Keller-Doll has designed, created, implemented, and launched strategic campaigns for countless clients. Her knowledge of and dedication to design has contributed to successful marketing outcomes for numerous clients such as Emerson Electric, F.C. Tucker Company, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Humane Society, Indiana Sports Corporation, IndyGo Public Transportation, Raybestos, RS2 Technologies, Metal Powder Products, Mills Products, Sonalert Controls, Therm-O-Disc, Community Hospital Indianapolis, Indiana Health Care Association, Riley Hospital for Children, Eli Lilly Company, the Lilly Foundation, and Roche Diagnostics.

Dawn

Doug Coupe

Finance Manager

Doug Coupe is more commonly referred to as “The Thinker.” As Director of Finance, Coupe oversees all contracts, develops monthly, quarterly and yearly forecasts, closes out the monthly books and prepares monthly financial audits. He will ensure that all budgets are met and will help prepare ROI reporting. Coupe has five children that keep him and his wife very busy. He has run Fortune 500 Finance Departments but enjoys the small entrepreneurial spirit of Avocet far more. Coupe holds a B.S in Finance from University of Colorado.

Doug

Jim

Jim Brisnehan

Motion Designer

Jim Brisnehan is an Emmy Award-winning artist with over 25 years of experience in broadcast design and animation. The strong design and illustration skills he brings to Team Avocet, along with his ability to combine traditional artistic techniques with emerging digital technologies, make him uniquely qualified to help clients tell their stories. Jim has created show opens and graphic packages for various shows on the Food Network, including the award-winning “Giada at Home” and “Guy’s Family Reunion.” Clients have included the Discovery channel, TLC, Dish Network, Comcast, and Level3.

John

John Hall

Strategic Communications Advisor

John Hall has more than 20 years of experience guiding global strategy and execution of external and internal communications for Fortune 200 corporations, hypergrowth companies, small businesses, not-for-profits and government entities. He counsels C-suite leaders on strategic communications for crisis management, reputation, corporate development, M&A, capital raises, change management, strategic relationships, executive visibility and financial communications. He applies his extensive experience with national and global media, as well as communicating to internal teams across six continents.

Lisa

Lisa Metzger

Public Relations Director

Lisa Metzger is an award-winning senior-level marketing and public relations professional and writer. She has a particularly keen eye and ear for storytelling and for knowing what’s news (and what isn’t!). Metzger has worked with clients ranging from healthcare to airlines to high-tech to food companies in the organic and natural sector. With a heavy emphasis on media relations, content development, and copywriting, she has spent her 25+ -year career developing and managing strategic and integrated communications programs. The campaigns she manages at Avocet are focused on the blending of traditional and social media innovations designed to build awareness, drive demand, build community, position clients as thought leaders, and to directly impact clients’ bottom lines and business goals. She has a bachelor of arts degree in history and art history, and master’s degrees in journalism and in English literature. Metzger has been on the Avocet team for five years. Prior to joining Avocet, Metzger worked at many agencies in the Denver Metro area, working with clients such as Muir Glen, Earthbound Farms, Bonterra Wine, Horizon Dairy, Cascadian Farms, Western Air, the University of Denver, the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education, and many others.

Lesley Johnson

Senior Account Manager

Lesley brings over 30 years’ of experience in all realms of the advertising world, working with all types of clients from locally-owned businesses to global brands. Her experience includes business development, account service and extensive experience in broadcast production. In addition, Lesley is a licensed humor writer and artist for a national party and paper company.

Lesley

John Mayhew

Senior Creative

For nearly 20 years, John Mayhew, Avocet’s senior creative, has developed integrated, award-winning campaigns for powerhouse brands such as Target and in cities across the country. Over the course of his career, John has leveraged this retail experience to help cities and counties tell their story, grow business, and attract visitors with strategic insight, defined concepts, and tactical know-how. A Minnesota native, he was instrumental helping the city of St. Paul achieve a creative Renaissance and the city of Big Lake with its rebrand. His work has won awards and been featured in a myriad of locales, from New York’s Central Park to the Washington Monument in D.C., and is driven by the belief that every encounter — whether in advertising, event, or face-face — is an opportunity to grow the love affair between the customer and a brand. John’s strength is his ability to bring strategy to life in simple and compelling creative design.

John

Jonas Bodin

Senior Strategist

Avocet’s award-winning senior strategist, Jonas Bodin brings 17 years’ experience working with leading agencies in Europe and the U.S. He adds his strategic vision to Avocet’s entire client list, including those in engineering, economic development, and business consultancy. He has worked with such noted brands as Audi, Electrolux, Toshiba, and served as creative director and VP of strategy at Weber-Shandwick, where he advised on strategy and communication for a broad variety of clients including Airbnb, VMware, Kaiser-Permanente, Amgen, and Genentech. Our clients benefit from Jonas’ unique blend of strategic and creative thinking, especially as it applies to our out-of-box earned media storytelling.

Jonas

Lori Jones

CEO & President

With more than twenty-five years of experience in the marketing field, Lori brings the same keen sense of style and level of detail to her wardrobe that she does to her business. As the marketing integration guru, she has knowledge and experience in all aspects of marketing, advertising, PR, Internet and social programs. Where Jones truly shines, however, is her ability to bring each of those areas together. She participates in strategy development and big picture program planning, while the day-to-day management of projects is assigned to specific managers and account coordinators. Her experience with national and local brands such as Big O Tires, Pentax Imaging, Papa John’s Pizza, Arc Thrift Stores, Hain Celestial, Massage Envy and Orange Glo enable her to contribute a strong understanding of the intricacies of today’s consumer and business motivators.

Lori

Melissa Lindstrom

Media & Advertising Strategist

Melissa Lindstrom is a media and advertising strategist with over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career she has been looked upon as a thought leader and problem solver. She has negotiated media on both sides of the desk for clients of all shapes and sizes across different verticals and industries. The combination of creative thinking with factual analysis allows for detailed preparation for every media plan. Lindstrom also has a keen understanding of utilizing research, analytical thinking and strong communication skills as necessary tools when buying media and building successful campaigns delivering results for clients. Lindstrom has been on the Avocet team for four years. Prior to joining Avocet, Lindstrom was the integrated sales manager at 9News and a major accounts manager at the Rocky Mountain News.

Melissa

Sam

Sam Gray

Digital Marketing Manager

Sam Gray, a Colorado native, has been hired as Avocet’s social media coordinator. She will assist the agency’s digital/social team in managing and monitoring all social media channels and implementing Google Adwords strategies. Gray graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2016 where she received a bachelor’s of arts degree in Journalism. Before joining Avocet, she was the social media coordinator for Hampton Inns and Suites, and served as the vice president for PR for her sorority.

Scott

Scott Ostman

Creative Director

Unmatched in his storytelling skills, Scott Ostman brings nearly 40 years of smart strategic perspective to Avocet. As our team’s creative director, he leads diverse creative sessions that routinely result in work that’s memorable and stands the test of time. Firmly believing that you should zig while others zag, Scott asks challenging questions and weaves the stories that result in solid and bold positioning strategies and messaging with a spirited twist. His experience includes working for companies such as SONIFI, Kubota, Sprint CapTel, and Archer Wall Systems, as well as for several state government campaigns, including a long-running and award-winning influenza vaccination campaign and an inspirational effort to encourage businesses to hire people with disabilities. With Avocet, he brings his B2B creative strategies to the work we do for clients such as ViTL and Roccor.

Sunshine Murray

Senior Account Manager

Sunshine is a seasoned account manager and a process-driven leader that brings clarity of purpose, passion, and a keen eye to both detail and Big Picture strategic thinking to the agency. From boutique agencies to Fortune 50 companies, Sunshine has built a reputation as someone who gets things done. She helps keeps the team on track, makes clients happy and drops the hammer (or microphone) when need be. When she’s not at work, you can find her in the kitchen with her kids or on her yoga mat.

Sunshine

Taylor P. Jones

Research Coordinator and Podcast Producer

As Avocet’s research coordinator, Taylor’s ability to focus on the details and extrapolate trends, issues, and important data provides the Avocet team with the thoughtful and detailed competitive analyses needed to help take clients to the next level. In his role as a podcast producer, he tightens all aspects of this weekly production, including developing content and guiding guest relations to create a professional and compelling final product.

Taylor

THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE BRAND

IT HAS TO BE DIFFERENT

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