Meet Ed Olsen of ReThinc Advertising

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Olsen.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
ReThinc Advertising was founded during the depths of the great recession of 2008. Three corporate dropouts had figured there must be a better way to provide impactful marketing services to forward-thinking clients. They set out to mold their congruent skill sets to form a ‘different kind of ad agency’. As hard work and toil would have it, they scratched out a meager living in their early days and have since grown their client relationships to heights they never dreamed of achieving. Since those early days, ReThinc has been blessed to add incredibly gifted people and awesome brands to its ever-growing family.

Our primary strength is one of positioning. We don’t service our clients; we become employees vested in the success of their company. This gives us the access, insight and motivation to be excellent in all facets of our marketing efforts. It also affords us additional influence on the brand as well. For ReThinc, our key differentiators are accentuated by a business practice that rewards effort, fosters open dialogue, and encourages innovation.

The continued changes in consumer media consumption coincide with a need for a highly customized and targeted approach to one’s marketing strategy. ReThinc Advertising is able to provide clients with an efficient marketing path that digital and traditional platforms can provide when properly executed. We now service clients in Phoenix, Denver, Flagstaff and Seattle. We look forward to continued growth in 2018 and beyond.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth? Not so much … we started the company in the very depths of a historic economic downturn. We literally borrowed furniture and purchased used computers. In addition to this, we opened the doors with not one single billing account.

Five weeks from the day we started the company I took our entire cash reserves (some $12,000) and bought out my business partner.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ReThinc Advertising – what should we know?
ReThinc is a digitally lead but traditional friendly full-service ad agency. We recognize the efficiencies that digital affords our clients but also respect that traditional media can help drive the brand as well. Our digital department is nearly three years old but has already been recognized as the very best small agency SEM group in the state. (Ranking Arizona 2018).

Our creative department routinely wins recognition at the Addy’s and AMA Spectrum Awards. They have also been awarded ‘best design firm’ by Arizona Foothills Magazine (2012, 2013). ReThinc was named the top small ad agency by both entities five times since 2011.

Whereas I’m very proud of these awards, I’m more proud of the tangible results we are able to achieve for our clients. Their success is truly our reward. We work with some phenomenal brands but more importantly, some truly amazing and forward-thinking clients.

I think our key differentiator is our culture. It’s not foosball tables and beer taps … it’s our all-in approach to life. We unashamedly promote a strong work/life balance, we profit share, and we put our talents to work to serve our community.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many people to thank … most importantly our clients who entrust us with their brand. I would want to recognize those who hired us in the early years before we had the accolades, portfolio, or office space like we have now. Most particularly Tom McGill who was the marketing director for Fort McDowell Casino. He was our first big client. He believed in us and we served their brand for over 7 years. His loyalty, coupled with his demands for excellence without lots of lead time fueled the development of our people and the stability of the agency.

Brian North, the owner of the leading real estate brokerage North&Co., is another fiercely loyal client of ours who advocates for us to anyone who will listen. His advocacy has resulted in the acquisition of literally dozens of new business accounts for ReThinc. He is a true partner and a close friend to us all. I would be amiss to not mention
KO’Donnell’s. Jen O’Donnell and her father, Kevin O’Donnell who were the very first client to hire us. We still serve their brand today.

I would also want to single out agency principal Stephanie Riley who has worked tirelessly for ReThinc since our inception. Stephanie handles all of our billing, HR, and office manager needs. She also serves as an account executive on many of our most valued accounts. All of us at ReThinc are indebted to her for her hard work and dedication.

Contact Info:

• Website: rethincadvertising.com
• Phone: 480-268-9588
• Email: ed.olsen@rethincadvertising.com
• Instagram: @rethinc
• Facebook: facebook.com/rethincadvertising

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