LENEXA, KS (May 31, 2013) Beyond Marketing, LLC, the first full-service U.S. marketing CUSO specializing in the financial services industry, announces the additions of manager of client experience Michael Lehr and interactive marketing specialist Jeff Birnbaum. Kat Vorkink receives a promotion to manager of growth strategies. CEO Larry Hayes took the helm in July 2012, delivering on his goal to turn the suburban K.C. marketing agency from good to great – making the firm’s culture its brand.
Since beefing up his marketing team and adding his own heat to the mix, Hayes, in conjunction with Vorkink, successfully launched Beyond Marketing’s merger communication service in November 2012, followed by the April 2013 debut of Socialaunch, a marketing communications service for clientele interested in taking their worthiest content and B2B or B2C social media presence to the next level. The highly anticipated Trackify Dashboard launched just this week. These initiatives have resulted in consistent client growth.
Hayes explains, “It starts at the top. We plan to grow significantly, so I added the right mix of people; pushing them hard to exceed and create advanced new products and services. I ask our people to passionately add one degree of heat to their work lives every day. It has unlocked their hearts and minds in unique ways for our credit union clients. Now our brand is a healthy, rockin’ organizational culture. Even job titles are unique to each person, but very meaningful.”
Lehr joined Beyond Marketing after a stint as corporate communications project manager at a local company, plus 13 years in senior management positions at Atwood Publishing/Ascend Integrated Media. He started his career at Capital Marketing Associates, after earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Birnbaum touts a career in sports journalism developed after graduating magna cum laude at the University of Missouri–Columbia, with a Bachelor in Journalism. Earning his stripes as a sports reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, Birnbaum moved up the editorial food chain covering the Colorado Rockies for MLB.com and freelancing as a sports reporter for The Kansas City Star. He was manager and director of training for a popular, upscale restaurant chain in Kansas City when discovered by Beyond Marketing.
Vorkink served two years as an account supervisor at Beyond Marketing, prior to her promotion. Previously, she was business development account executive at Gragg Advertising for two years and worked four years as classified ad director at Village Voice Media LLC, former publisher of The Pitch. Vorkink holds a Bachelor of Science degree – Public Relations from Northwest Missouri State
About Beyond Marketing, LLC
Beyond Marketing, LLC became the first full-service U.S. marketing CUSO and remains the nation’s only CUSO specializing in full-service marketing for the financial services industry. Its focus centers on providing clients with revenue and results based on ROI. Beyond Marketing offers an array of marketing services to fit its clients’ needs. Capabilities include strategic planning, market research, brand identity development, interactive Web design, print design and production, public relations management, advertising and promotion implementation, media buying, direct marketing, and broadcast production. For more information, visit www.beyondmarketingllc.com.