LISA FALLER - Bad Request
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 18 COVER STORY Lisa Faller 8 One Liners 22 Feature – Bluewater Media 28 Profile – Bonnie Strickland 30 Entertainment – Invigorating a Florida Staple 32 Special Section – Economic Development 40 Great Places and Spaces 44 The Good Life 52 Mansions on the Market 53 20 Questions With … Lynda Remund 60 On the Scene 64 The Experts TBBW 6 Publisher’s Note 56 CEO Connect with Vick Tipnes Invigorating a Florida Staple Page 30 4 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
Create Opportunities CLA assembles the team you need for high performance. WEALTH ADVISORY | OUTSOURCING | AUDIT, TAX, AND CONSULTING 201 North Franklin Street, Suite 2500 Tampa, FL 33602 813-384-2700 Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 5 LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. ©2019 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP CLAconnect.com
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER CEO & Publisher Bridgette Bello It’s Getting Hot in Here BY BRIDGETTE BELLO It’s the halfway point of the year. We’re hot, we’re humid, and on their doorstep? Even if you’ve forgotten what could be in it. we’re getting more and more “out of office” messages, but rising #Primenesia. It’s a thing! tides in our thriving business community takes no vacations. Interested in increasing your company’s footprint in the When I launched this magazine I had a mission to lift up and European market? The Bradenton Area Economic Development share stories that shine a light on those companies and individuals Corp., in partnership with Enterprise Florida, is planning to lead an that are passionate about Tampa Bay and all it has to offer. export sales mission to the Netherlands for Florida manufacturers This issue also follows this mission. and service providers to further trade relations between the United We put together a roundup of some of the economic development States and the Netherlands. highlights from our business community, starting off with a chat If that’s an international market you’re considering expanding with Tampa Bay Wave’s Linda Olson. in to, this is a great opportunity to get in front of the right people. As the founder and CEO of Wave, Olson and her team support Do you know “Aunt Lisa?” Boy I’m glad I do. more than 150 tech startups and more than 250 entrepreneurs to Our brilliant, radiant and fun cover star this month runs a little build, launch, and grow breakout tech businesses. advertising agency in Clearwater. You might have heard of it. In this issue, she shares how her childhood influenced her career FKQ Advertising and Marketing, led by Lisa Faller, has a path, the joys and challenges of working with tech startups, and seasoned history of not only pulling in major clients like Hertz and what she sees as the future of entrepreneurship in the region. Tampa General Hospital, but they are so dedicated and talented, Speaking of the future and moves in the right direction… they retain these major clients for decades. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority was recognized And honestly, if you ever just need a friend, or an “Aunt,” Lisa’s at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s “Future of the arms are wide open with a smile on her face. This is a woman you Region” awards for its partnership with the Pinellas Suncoast want to know. Transit Authority, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Time is running out to join our Editorial Advisory Board. Authority, and the Florida Department of Transportation in Staffed only with CEO’s and decision-makers, using their input creating expanded bus access to Tampa International Airport. to make certain we are delivering great content to you month We all know that mass transit is one of our region’s weaknesses after month. We know how valuable your time is and want to and efforts we take to improve that strengthens our business make certain that reading TBBW is a great use of it. If you’re community. Not to mention helps with some traffic-related interested in being part of this exclusive board, please reach out headaches. to me directly at bbello@tbbwmag.com Big news from Polk County! Until next month, Amazon is planning to invest $100 million on a 285,000-square- Bridgette Bello foot air cargo complex at Lakeland Linder Airport and is predicting CEO & Publisher the creation of up to 1,000 jobs. The deal will add to Lakeland’s TBBW Amazon presence. Who doesn’t love seeing that box with a smile bbello@tbbwmag.com 6 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
ONE LINERS hillsborough ►Sinclair Broadcast Group bought 21 regional sports networks, including Fox Sports Florida, from Disney in a deal valued at $10.6 billion. ►The University of South Florida received a $5 million gift from Monica Wooden, co- founder and chief revenue officer of transportation management systems ►Gunster received an award for outstanding law firm for pro bono provider MercuryGate contribution from the Hillsborough County Bar Association for its efforts International, for the USF in the Project HELP program. Foundation, to benefit students and faculty in the Muma College of ►Hill Ward Henderson Business. shareholder Timothy “Tim” C. Ford has been ►Hillsborough County appointed to serve a three- hired Timothy Dudley Jr. year term on the governing as director of the office of committee of the American emergency management. Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law. ►Frontier Communications renewed its “Pewter Partnership” marketing deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for another five years. ►Raquel Ramirez Jefferson, a lawyer with Phelps Dunbar in Tampa, was elected to the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts board of directors. ►Jesse Coraggio was ►Dana G. Andrews, a managing named vice president of partner at Kelley Kronenberg’s community impact at the ►Carlton Fields named David Tampa office, was elected Community Foundation A. Karp a member of the firm’s president-elect of the 2019-20 of Tampa Bay. appellate practice and trial support board of directors for the U.S. practice group in the firm’s Miami Tennis Association of Florida. and Tampa offices. 8 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
from art director to senior art director, and added Aroushad Tahsini as its newest public relations account executive. ►Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano ►Charles Gowland and Katherine L. Koener joined Kelley Kronenberg’s Tampa received the President’s office as partners. Global Leadership Award from University of South Florida President ►Continental Wholesale employment law firm AquaVenture’s Quench Judy Genshaft at the Diamonds moved to 1401 Thompson Sizemore and Seven Seas Water USF College of Arts N. Westshore Blvd., Suite Gonzalez & Hearing, subsidiaries. and Sciences afternoon 100, Tampa. with attorneys who handle commencement ceremony. both private and public ►Roy Rogers, a Western- ►Fintech, a Tampa-based sector cases, to work at themed quick service ►Richard Gonzmart, of company that specializes in GrayRobinson’s office in restaurant chain, selected the Columbia Restaurant business software solutions downtown Tampa. Tampa-based SiteZeus Group recieved the 2019 for the beverage alcohol to support the company’s Distinguished Citizen industry, appointed Roy ►Chef Chris Ponte, expansion throughout the Award from the Greater Kemper chief financial who is also behind Café Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Tampa Bay Area Council, officer. Ponte in Clearwater and Boy Scouts of America. On Swann in Tampa, will ►Eric Pérez was named ►Life Storage, a Buffalo- open a yet-to-be-named president of Spellex, based self-storage facility restaurant in Midtown a software company in company, acquired Tampa. Tampa. Seminole & Heights Self Storage’s 634-unit ►Masonite International ►McKibbon Hospitality, personal warehouse project Corp. (NYSE: DOOR) a Tampa hotel at 1011 E. Martin Luther named Howard C. development, management King Jr. Blvd., Tampa for Heckes president and and renovation services $6.93 million. chief executive officer, company, named succeeding Fred Lynch, Inger Oliver vice ►Tampa-based who previously announced president of revenue HealthAxis Group plans to retire. management, Lauren acquired the stock and Bowles vice president of assets of Analytics ►United Landmark communications, Ben Hom Partners, a data and Associates in Tampa vice president of human risk analysis company named David Downing resources and Scott headquartered in branding president. McDowell regional vice Jacksonville. president of operations. ►Brian Miller was ►GrayRobinson entered named senior vice ►ChappellRoberts, an an agreement to form president and general Ybor City-based advertising a strategic alliance with counsel of Tampa-based agency, promoted Hunter ►Shaun Kwiatkowski Tampa-based labor and AquaVenture Holdings Taylor from account The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Ltd., and corporate executive to senior digital Tampa named Shaun secretary for Tampa-based strategist, Pat Floyd Kwiatkowski general manager. www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 9
ONE LINERS sarasota/manatee ►For the sixth consecutive year, Neal Communities, a Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder, earned the Builder of the Year award from the Florida Green Building Coalition. ►The Lakewood Ranch President of Information $925,000, to be the future Business Alliance named Technology Rob Conti site of a midlevel parking Dominic DiMaio president and Senior Vice President garage in Palmetto. and CEO. and Treasurer Calum Middleton. ►PGT Innovations, ►First Watch, based in a window and door University park, appointed ►The Palmetto manufacturer in Venice, three senior executives Community appointed Rachel Evans to its leadership team: Redevelopment Agency as vice president of human Senior Vice President purchased a 1.93-acre resources. of Brand Strategy and property on the corner of Innovation Matthew Fourth Street West and ►Peter Hemstead Eisenacher, Senior Vice Ninth Avenue West, for has been named chief ►J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., a Venice-based commercial construction company, broke ground on an 1,800-square-foot state-of-the-art educational seminar facility for John Russo, a private practice periodontist at Russo Periodontics and director of Russo Seminars. 10 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
operating officer at Conference Innovation in Doctors Hospital of Workforce luncheon at Art Sarasota. Ovation Hotel. ►United Way Suncoast ►Sarasota Memorial named three new board Healthcare Foundation members to the Manatee appointed Robert Pettit as area board for the 2019 vice president of finance term including Cheri and operations. Coryea, acting county administrator of Manatee ►Sarasota-based Le County government; Karen Macaron French Pastries Droz, senior vice president plans to open more than 10 and senior development locations, through franchise consultant at Fifth Third partnerships, in Texas and Bank and Cynthia already has more than 50 Saunders, superintendent locations across the United for the Manatee schools States. district. ►Search Wizards, a talent ►Real estate broker Teresa Witte ►The University of acquisition and recruitment opened Dream Star Vacation South Florida’s Sarasota- firm based in Sarasota, Homes & Real Estate, a vacation Manatee campus was announced that founder ►Conservation Foundation of rental management company named CareerSource and CEO Leslie O’Connor the Gulf Coast named Lee Ann serving the Sarasota-Bradenton Suncoast Education will retire and ownership of Rodriguez its new director of area. Partner of the Year during the company will transfer to philanthropy. the 2019 State of Talent COO Miranda Hinshaw. ►Florida Senate President Bill Galvano appointed Angel Colonneso, the Manatee County clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, to serve on the executive council of the Florida ►Badger Bob’s Services, a company specializing in heating, ventilating and air conditioning, Clerks of Court Operations appliances and plumbing in Sarasota and Manatee counties, acquired Venice-based Allied Corp. Cooling & Heating, with all Allied employees retained. www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 11
ONE LINERS pinellas ►St. Petersburg beach bar Caddy’s has announced it will begin hosting weddings at its four Tampa Bay area locations through a partnership with Treasure Island-based Simple Weddings. ► Waterfront Realty, a South Tampa, are offering in charge of technical real estate company that a new developer sales development and leading focuses on the barrier program, which extends its the organizations’ broad islands of Pinellas County, platform to all builders and depth of competitive and opened at 15235 Gulf developers. recreational soccer teams Blvd., Madeira Beach. across all five campus ► Tampa Bay United locations in the region. ► All Bay area Engel Rowdies, the youth affiliate & Völkers offices, program for the Tampa Bay ► Marcus & Millichap including those in Belleair, Rowdies, named Tiffeny (NYSE: MMI), a Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Milbrett director of coach commercial real estate Madeira Beach and and player development, investment services firm with offices throughout the United States and Canada, facilitated the sale of Blue Skies Apartments, a nine- unit property in St. Pete Beach, for $1.3 million. ► Bishops, a barbershop from Portland, Oregon, is moving into the Green- Richman Arcade at 689 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. ► The Global Technology Distribution Council, an international consortium ►Pyper, a marketing agency of technology distributors in St. Petersburg, promoted in St. Petersburg, named Catherine “Cat” Lim to creative ►Jodi McLean was named Frank Vitagliano CEO. team leader to lead team growth director of strategic initiatives at and development while continuing The Symphony Agency in St. to create content for clients. Petersburg. 12 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
► St. Petersburg College ► Dwell Real Estate, a ranked first in Florida and Sarasota-based luxury real sixth in the nation among estate firm, expanded to associate colleges for downtown St. Petersburg sending students abroad, and added Liane according to the Institute of Jamason, a St. Petersburg International Education real estate agent who 2018 Open Doors Report, generated $24 million in with more than 150 SPC sales volume in 2018, to its students having traveled roster of agents. to other countries while earning college credit ► Enable Me, a St. during the last year. Petersburg provider of technologically-advanced ► Catalent (NYSE: movement therapy devices, CTLT), a contract drug promoted Amy Gress to manufacturer with a plant chief operating officer. in St. Petersburg, agreed to buy Paragon Bioservices ► The Blackstone for $1.2 billion. Group has acquired the Verandahs at Brighton ► MarineMax, based in Bay, a 381-unit multifamily Clearwater, promoted Vice rental complex in St. President of Information Petersburg, for $65.2 Technology Shawn Berg million. to chief digital officer. ► St. Petersburg launched ►Burgerim, which translates to “many burgers” in Hebrew, will ► Suncoast Credit a new Entrepreneur-in- open on the ground level of ONE St. Petersburg. Union’s newest branch Residence program, a opened in downtown St. two-year pilot program between the city and the Presssman, founder and Petersburg at 1022 Central to position a local entrepreneurial community, CEO of Presence, to fill Ave. entrepreneur as a liaison and named Reuben the role. ►HCA Healthcare’s Largo Medical Center named Wyatt Chocklett its chief operating ►Berkadia arranged a $13.57 million refinancing of Promenade at Edgewater, a 188-unit officer. multifamily property in Dunedin, on behalf of buyer Pensam Capital. www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 13
ONE LINERS polk Trust of Florida, a $730 million-asset bank, and acquired the Florida assets of First American Bank of Iowa, which operates in Southwest Florida; after both deals close, pending regulatory approvals, the combined entity will boast $4 billion in assets, $3 billion in loans, 1,100 employees and 63 full- service branches. ►Highland Homes, a 23-year-old homebuilding company in Lakeland, founded by father-son team ►Global outdoor clothing company L.L. Bean highlighted Take a Kid Fishing, a Polk Bob and Joel Adams, County-based nonprofit, in a marketing video for its new campaign, “Welcome to was sold to a subsidiary of the Catch,” which features founder Will Dunn and two teens he has mentored, his Berkshire Hathaway. neighbor Camran DeLong and Tye Harriell. ►Dr. Brad E. Hollingshead was ►Robert Weech was Cvejic, who provides care from Watson Clinic appointed by Florida named the interim fire comprehensive sleep Main at 1600 Lakeland Hills Southern College chief for Polk County Fire medicine services from Blvd., Lakeland. President Anne Kerr as Rescue. the Watson Clinic Sleep provost and vice president Disorders Center, and ►Blackton, an Orlando- for academic affairs at the ►Watson Clinic has Folayan B. Fatade, a based supplier for the Lakeland college. two new additions to its member of Watson Clinic’s home building industry, was team of board-certified radiology department; both awarded a contract from specialists: Mara physicians provide patient D.R. Horton to provide flooring products worth an estimated $500,000 for Orchid Grove, being developed in Polk County; that follows a contract worth more than $3 million to provide flooring materials for Enclaves at Festival Towns, coming soon near the Osceola-Polk county line. ►Webber International University in Babson Park ►Jeff Cusson, will offer a new Bachelor of sales Associate at Science degree in sports Saunders Real Estate performance, health and in Lakeland, brokered fitness. the sale of a 3,641+ citrus property for ►The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation board of directors ►Lakeland-based $29,134,905. elected Lakeland businesswoman Alice Hunt, a marketing, office MidFlorida Credit Union management and customer care specialist at Hunt Construction of merged with Ocala-based Central Florida, as its new chair; the new vice chair is Jack Harrell III, Community Bank & senior vice president of marketing, sales and research development at Harrell’s in Lakeland. 14 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 | 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. Indulge in the bold flavors of the world all within the comforts of Centre Club! Join us as we explore the tastes of exceptional local-vendor wines and delight in the classic delicacies of different cultures. Voted 2018 Centre Club Event of the Year! Centre Club's Charity Classic benefits Augie's Quest, Employee Care Partner Foundation and a local non-profit selected by the Presenting Sponsor Join the adventure Today! Register at CentreTampa.com/CharityClassic For sponsorship $ 100 per person opportunities contact: Lorraine Chon-Qui, Member Relations Coordinator lorraine.chon-qui@clubcorp.com | 813.498.4281 www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 15
SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION BRADY DIGGS SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MODERN BUSINESS ASSOCIATES (MBA) MARTINIS RAISE MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION FOR CANCER RESEARCH Q: Tell us about Bay Area Advisors and why you are involved A: Bay Area Advisors was founded 15 years ago by a group of local professionals, for local business owners. Since inception, we have become a non-profit organization focused on sharing networks, exchanging ideas and giving back to the Tampa Bay community. We subscribe to the philosophy that trusted contacts and referrals are invaluable and rare. Therefore, we work to establish strong contacts in the business community that we can leverage with other professionals throughout the market to support local charities. The organization and its members are committed to everyone’s professional and personal success. Q: Tell us about “Martinis for Moffitt” A: “Martinis for Moffitt” is one of Tampa’s crown jewels when it comes to fundraising and is the summer’s premier party. With the A: Tax Deductions: generous support of corporate sponsors and more than 1,000 attendees According to the IRS website, “you may deduct charitable contributions each year, “Martinis for Moffitt” has raised more than $1.5 million of money or property made to qualified organizations if you itemize for cancer research programs at Moffitt Cancer Center. In 2018, Bay your deductions.” Several small businesses have even made charitable Area Advisors donated $260,000 from “Martinis for Moffitt” to benefit contributions a part of their business model and donate a percentage of both the Advanced Prostate Cancer Collaboration (APCC) and the each sale to a specific organization they support. Please consult your Adolescent and Young Adult Program (AYA) at Moffitt Cancer Center. tax advisor for specific advice regarding tax-deductibility of charitable Q: What can one expect while attending “Martinis for Moffitt” contributions. A: An amazing time with over 1,000 of your soon-to-be closest A: Employee Benefits friends! The 14th-Annual “Martinis for Moffitt” will be held at the The market is very tight when it comes to recruitment and employee Straz Center on July 20th. VIP/Sponsor’s Reception starts at 6:00 retention and employers are doing whatever they can to get an edge PM and general admission at 7:00 PM. The event is filled with over the competition. Many companies are starting to offer Employee networking opportunities, elevated business and social conversations, Giving Programs to help with recruitment and curb employee turnover. entertainment, dancing, a top-notch silent auction and is a “who’s who” Employee Giving Programs entitles employees to support their favorite of Tampa Bay. Most attendees are walking up as doors open, and a few philanthropic organization. This can be accomplished by paid time off hundred of them attend the after party. to volunteer, matching donations, or in-kind donations. Q: Why is corporate giving important? A: You Will Feel Good About Yourself: A: It is a privilege to work for Modern Business Associates (MBA), Aside from public relations, tax deductions and employee benefits, you a company that puts an emphasis on community involvement and has will realize that a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction can be a strong sense of corporate giving. We’ve called Tampa Bay home found in helping others. I encourage to you find an organization that for 22 years and the business community has been very kind to us. resonates with your team and get involved. We feel that is our responsibility to pay the kindness we’ve received forward and support organizations both philanthropically and with our Brady Diggs is the Senior Business Development Manager for Modern volunteered time. Business Associates (MBA) where he is responsible for the company’s Q: Why should other organizations get involved with corporate giving? growth strategy. MBA offers customized services designed to give A: Public Relations: business owners flexible, cost-effective HR solutions and reduce the The publicity that surrounds volunteering or the sponsorship of a non- burden of non-revenue generating tasks. MBA’s experienced team profit event spans far beyond the event itself. Find an organization that members are dedicated to delivering accurate, strategic, solutions to resonates with your team and get involved. Be sure to have your team more than 30,000 employees across the country. take pictures of your team volunteering/attending an event and share Please email Brady Diggs (Modern Business Associates) at brady. them on social media. Your customers (and soon to be customers) will diggs@mbahro.com if you are interested in learning more about see that your company is community conscious and is committed to Modern Business Associates (MBA) or the 14th Annual “Martinis for making a positive impact on our society. Moffitt.” 16 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
14TH ANNUAL MBA offers customized payroll, tax, benefits, risk management and HR consulting designed to give business JULY 20th owners flexible cost-efficient solutions. Our comprehensive suite of services reduces the burden of non-revenue generating tasks. Modern Business Associates (MBA) is a proud supporter of the Bay Area Advisors and Martinis for 2019 Moffitt. We are pleased to offer two (2) VIP tickets to this year's event. Please email Brady Diggs at Brady.Diggs@mbahro.com if you are interested in attending. PREVIOUS BENEFACTORS INCLUDE THE ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER COLLABORATION & THE ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM AT MOFFITT CANCER CENTER MartinisForMoffitt.org www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 17
COVER COVER STORY STORY FKQ: DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES SINCE 1961 BY JO-LYNN BROWN | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL McCOY Walking into FKQ Advertising + Marketing, visitors most likely will be greeted by a screen welcoming them, by name, to the offices. Attention to detail is one of the qualities that allows FKQ, with headquarters in Clearwater, to compete with larger global firms. “FKQ is not the biggest. We don’t want to be the biggest,” says Lisa Faller, president of the agency and daughter to founder Bob Faller. “We’re big enough to do anything we want to do. We go up against every major global agency, no problem. Because we know what we do, we know our positioning.” Faller stands about 5-foot-2, but she is a powerhouse of enthusiasm and passion. She’s particularly solemn when she speaks of her father, who died in 2018. Lisa Faller, President FKQ Advertising 18 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
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Lisa Faller at FKQ The Early Years York, you traveled to Florida as often as you brick and mortar buildings to serve clients,” “I have just an incredibly blessed life jour- could,” Faller says. “At the time, I wasn’t she says. “Our offices were strategically lo- ney, and it’s because of my parents,” Faller thinking of moving here, but I got a job at cated based on brands that we served,” Faller says. “I grew up surrounded by the business. WFLA, News Channel 8.” says. “It was cool. FKQ had a jet and we’d We had clients over all the time.” In 1984, when it came time to open the fly all over.” Faller attended Ithaca College in New FKQ office in the Tampa Bay area, Faller In persuading cream-of-the-crop talent to York for communications. While she was says it was a natural progression to be at the relocate, Faller says Tampa Bay was an ob- interested in the family business, she wanted agency full-time. vious choice. “When my father opened this other experiences, too. location, we didn’t have to twist anyone’s “I did not have in my head that this is what Real-Life ‘Mad Men’ arm to relocate to Florida,” Faller says. I was going to do or this is what I was des- Faller was born March 1, 1961, in Buffalo. Faller describes her father, Bob, as a mentor tined to make happen,” Faller says. “I was It was the same day her father, Bob Faller, and hero, saying they had a special bond. “He absolutely very interested. I thought it was an established FKQ. made his whole mantra, that we all still live by amazing industry and a tremendous opportu- He purchased a 15-acre wooded estate today, as ‘whatever it takes,’ ” she says. nity to help many different brands grow and and converted the home to an office park— be successful. That part intrigued me … but with a house, tennis courts, a swimming pool, The Faller Way I also wanted to try other things.” horseshoe pitch and basketball courts. “His Faller runs her company with a work- Before, and during, launching the Tampa concept was to attract the cream of the crop hard, play-hard mentality. The office is both Bay location of FKQ, Faller worked at Tam- to live in Buffalo, New York,” Faller says. kid- and pet-friendly. There are refrigerators pa’s NBC television affiliate. FKQ later opened offices in Charlotte, stocked with just about any beverage one “We had traveled here since I was in North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Toronto could want, including wine and beer. Food is kindergarten. Growing up in Buffalo, New and San Francisco. “At the time, you needed brought in on a regular basis to keep her team 20 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
COVER COVER STORY STORY sated. The presentation for special meetings advocate, and supporter, of are done with thought and attention to detail, the charity. Their partnership including matching napkins and placements, has generated millions of dol- real glassware and silverware. She even pro- lars of media exposure for the vides a basket of Listerine strips at the end nonprofit organization. of the food line. FKQ also supports Junior Faller owns a Sea Ray boat, which she also Achievement, which Faller is uses to entertain her team and clients. “We’re on the board of, the Special always trying to make sure we’re hosting, Olympics, Habitat for Hu- and doing the right thing, and making sure manity and the YMCA. The people are happy. That’s why I bought [the agency has also worked with boat],” she says. the Tampa General Hospital Finding top talent, and retaining them, is Foundation for about 20 years. a large part of the success story of the com- pany. “We sell our people, their brain power “Aunt Lisa” and their talent. So, we spend a tremendous Faller has no children of her amount of time and energy recruiting the own, but gushes over how she right people,” Faller says. loves to be “Aunt Lisa” to her Then there are the “boomerang” employ- sibling’s kids and grandkids, ees—the ones that leave, usually because of her team’s children and pret- family needs, and then return. “We’re happy ty much anyone who needs about that because they were rock stars when an aunt figure in their life. they left and they’re even bigger rock stars She laughs as she explains, “I when they come back. Right? So, we em- think my neighbor’s daughter brace that,” she says. FKQ employs in excess believes I really am her aunt.” 80 team members in Tampa Bay. “I love having everybody at Most of FKQ’s clients are on retainer, with my house whenever possible. capitalized billings in excess of $80 million. As they grow up, they all drive, These clients include Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and they bring their friends and Badcock, Melitta, Essilor, Tampa General then all their friends call me Hospital, Visit Tampa Bay, among others. Aunt Lisa,” Faller says, smil- Lisa Faller shows off her team’s awards Many relationships span three decades. ing broadly. There are boomerang clients, too. “We’ve She likes to spend time near or been involved many times where there’s in the water and owns three connected prop- Mercedes and a notorious driving record. large global brands that believe they proba- erties on Clearwater Beach, creating guest She believes most successful people bly have to go with the larger entity because houses so she can continue to be surrounded are more aggressive drivers. “We’re busy they think the footprint will facilitate a better by family and friends. and we need to get to places and get things execution across every level,” Faller says. “It’s peaceful to me, although it sounds done,” she says with a laugh. “They’ve come back to us and said, ‘We like there’s a lot of action, to be on the wa- “For years when we would recruit a new thought that was the smart way to go, but we ter. There’s something that’s very calming team member, we would make the recruit were wrong.’ ” to me,” she says. drive to lunch or drive to dinner. And I will While Faller maintains a special bond to tell you, you learn a lot about people that Giving Back her father, she and her mother have become way,” she says. Generosity is a large part of what FKQ closer since his death. She makes a point to Faller’s life is undeniably integrated does and a large part of the culture and fabric see her often and has Friday night dinner with her business. Whether it’s supporting of the agency. dates when she is in town. her team, her clients or her family, she lives In May, the agency received the Award for She also admits she has “a need for to please others and to enjoy life. Excellence from Ronald McDonald House speed.” She owns two cars and loves to “When I die, I want to come back as Charities of Tampa Bay, days following TB- drive them, fast. She attributes this to her an FKQ client,” Faller says as she laughs. BW’s interview. FKQ has been a longtime father’s influence. She has a Maserati, a “This is where my heart is.” ♦ www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 21
Members of the Bluewater production crew & CEO Andy Latimer pose with celebrity talent Anne Burrell and noted TV pitchman Beau Rials after a shoot. Over the past three years, the company has grown Bluewater Media: more than 900 percent and has a total annual revenue of more than $100 million. Ask Bluewater CEO and founder Andy Latimer Destination Creative about the company’s campus and he’s quick to point out that this attention to detail is just the beginning of what Bluewater Media does to keep on point Convergence with today’s marketplace. His company doesn’t just produce, he says, they position. “We witnessed a disconnect early on with the traditional model of the creative agency,” Latimer says, speaking of Bluewater’s infancy. Latimer and BY AMY HAMMOND his wife started the company 15 years ago as a creative agency and it didn’t take long before the need to A trip through Bluewater Media’s 33,000-square- innovate became obvious, he says. foot space in Clearwater is a travelogue on advertising’s “We couldn’t optimize the way we wanted to,” he hallowed ground. says. “Any commercial we produced would just go to There’s the Billy Mays Memorial Studio which different entities and we wouldn’t have the capability pays homage to the late legendary pitchman with a to mold the message based on the public’s response. plaque reading: “Life’s a pitch, and then you buy.” There was too much separation between production Staged sets range from living rooms to kitchens where and media buying.” approximately 100 commercials are filmed each year. Convergence thus became the name of the A five-camera niche with podcast and streaming marketing and advertising game at Bluewater Media. capabilities ready to launch the next big thing. The company is malleable, like Gumby, in the ever- 22 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
FEATURE FEATURE changing advertising and marketing landscape, paid media management. This piece of the Bluewater anticipating what’s to come and molding messages puzzle merged with DNA Response, an Amazon.com accordingly. From viral Sodastream campaigns to management company, in 2016. Today, this Amazon high-profile campaign successes for brands such as specialist house manages $25 million in sales. Blackstone, KitchenAid and the MagicJack internet Blending the parts necessary to foster campaign phone service, the Bluewater team seems to know what success, with expertise like Zahalo’s, results in more the customer wants before they do. than just a one-stop-shop business model. Latimer is Latimer says this is not an accident. It’s a result quick to point out that it takes more than mere proximity of the convergence strategy the firm’s clients, which to be effective. It takes the synergy of collaboration, range from startups to established worldwide brands, the creative experts, the media buyers and the digital benefit from. The agency does take on a la carte experts working together for better positioning. Speed projects; employees’ understanding of the lifecycle Behind the scenes and efficiency in message dissemination, he says, is of a brand or product makes it possible to jump in at of a fitness shoot, also paramount, as is knowing the public’s response. BWM CEO Andy any stage of development. Still, convergence is in the He considers Bluewater a producer and marketer’s Latimer is joined DNA of Bluewater itself, with its multiple departments by UFC star Chuck toolbox. Reach inside and you’ll find all the parts vertically integrated to best craft targeted positioning Liddell and Kim necessary for effective campaigns, he says. Lyons, IFBB Pro strategies through digital, television and more. “Marketing and advertising companies have to put and star of seasons Take Zahalo, the agency’s digital arm that specializes 3 and 4 of “The a good amount of focused content out consistently,” in direct-to-consumer marketing as well as online and Biggest Loser.” he says. “We have the speed and efficiency to do that.” www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 23
FEATURE Digital requirements, social media, television and more, coupled with data that Gordon Ramsay poses with team shows what makes campaigns “stick,” is members after what Bluewater specializes in. Thanks to a successful its multiple capabilities it’s possible to test infomercial. a campaign, make the necessary changes and buy more media accordingly and efficiently. Being on the cutting edge of message consumption is imperative, too. “We can hire focus groups before we produce a commercial or run a campaign, sure,” he says. “Or we can take data we already have and see how the spot performs in the public space—the ultimate focus group— and then tweak it immediately, thanks to real-time results, after that first run.” Latimer says Tampa Bay businesses employee base is spreading as well; the Bill Engvall flanked by BWM should know the future of advertising company now has employees in various CEO Andy Latimer (nearest) and producer Brandon Anthony (far) and marketing is right in their backyard. states and Canada. in between takes of a recent Historically, he says, brands have looked The synergy—and optimism—are shoot. to places like Los Angeles for high-level exciting. “There’s such energy here,” he integration of direct response strategy with says of his Bluewater team. “When we see online content and product distribution. something that’s working, we can attack it But Bluewater’s client roster is global. Its [quickly].”♦ 24 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
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SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION BENJAMIN OLDER FOUNDING PARTNER AT OLDER LUNDY & ALVAREZ FAMILY LAW & PERSONAL INJURY HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IN A DIVORCE INVOLVING ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE The issue of drug and alcohol abuse in divorce is all too defeated the allegation, but have also gained respect of the common. But how do these issues affect you in your divorce? court and cast a question as to the other parent’s credibility. Almost exclusively, addiction and abuse is relevant only to It’s a double win. your children, or more specifically, as to the timesharing (we If you do have a problem with drugs or alcohol then, used to call it child custody). It is not a moral issue, and the submit to testing and seek counseling and organizations like courts don’t treat it as one. Someone who can’t maintain Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. If you want sobriety while caring for their children poses a risk to the to have reasonable and unimpeded time with your children, children’s safety and the courts will not tolerate it. Because you have to stop using illegal drugs and submit to a random of this, allegations that a parent poses a threat to the children drug screening regimen for some period of time. However, because of drug or alcohol abuse can cause great expense in if your problem is alcohol, there are two ways to go. Either divorce litigation, however this expense can be avoided. (i) agree to stop drinking completely and submit to random It does not matter which side of the issue you are on, alcohol screening or (ii) agree to at least prove you are not or frankly, whether the allegations are true or false. What drinking when you are with your children. There are multiple matters most is that you deal with it head on and with complete remote devices that do this. I prefer one called the SCRAM transparency. If you are the accused, then either (i) prove the device. It is a discreet device you carry with you that is about allegations are false or (ii) admit you have a problem and get the size of a cell phone. At the times you are scheduled to be help with your addiction while proving you are going to be with your children it will alert you, telling you to blow into sober when the children are in your care. Conversely if you it. The device then sends the reading to a remote location are the accuser, then focus on proving the allegations true, seek where an actual human being is monitoring the report, and if the court intervention to insure that (i) your spouse gets the you have not been drinking you have proven yourself sober. help they need and (ii) that they are sober while around your Judges love a success story that proves how much you care kids. When it comes to children, the court system will always about your children and that you are willing to face adversity be as cautious as possible to be sure that children in real or and deal with it. Again, it’s a double win. imagined danger are protected. The good news is there are It does not matter if you do or don’t have an actual issue with ways to do all of the above with a fair amount of surety and drug or alcohol abuse. Don’t spend unnecessary attorney’s thereby limit the cost of your divorce case. fees fighting those allegations with endless court hearings. If you are falsely accused of having an alcohol or drug Give the court cold, hard testing data. It will save you a fortune problem, submit to testing. If the allegations are related to drug in the end. abuse, agree to a reputable random drug screening regimen for a reasonable period of time. If the allegations relate to alcohol Benjamin Older is a founding partner of Older, Lundy & abuse, it can be a bit trickier. Alcohol is legal, so where is the Alvarez. In addition to his practice as a marital and family line between acceptable use and dangerous abuse? Proving law attorney, he also heads the firm’s community outreach and that you consume alcohol but don’t engage in binge drinking professional liaison efforts. Benjamin has a great passion for is the best way to thwart an allegation of alcohol abuse. And his family law practice, but he has a particular passion for and the experts know how to read and evaluate test results and expertise in litigating cases involving drug and alcohol abuse, testify accordingly in court. Once you have proven you don’t and specifically how those issues affect children. Benjamin can have an issue with drugs and alcohol, then you have not only be reached at bolder@olalaw.com or 813-254-8998. 26 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
Welcome to the team. MARITAL & FAMILY LAW • PERSONAL INJURY & CIVIL LITIGATION WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATE & GUARDIANSHIP • BUSINESS & TAX WWW.OLALAW.COM • 813.254.8998 1000 West Cass Street, Tampa, Florida 33606 www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 27
PROFILE Bonnie Strickland Shares Her Secret Real Estate Sauce BY JO-LYNN BROWN After years of buying, selling and in- college and I really wanted to get back into country, they could have opened an office vesting in homes and properties in the St. real estate full time. anywhere but they chose St. Petersburg and Petersburg area, Bonnie Strickland formed I started out slow and began by buying our firm. They said, “We know where our Strickland Property Group in St. Petersburg. some short sales and foreclosures. I bought clients want to go and we need to be there Raised in a family of brokers, investors, in neighborhoods I knew instinctively to be ready to serve them. The Tampa Bay contractors, and architects, she developed would come back over time. Networking is area is where they want to go.” And here we an appreciation and an understanding of the key. People I know in the community start- are now, working together since February. real estate industry early in her life. ed approaching me to help them sell their Since 2010, her career volume has been homes because they saw my hard work and You mentioned you love St. Pete. $567 million, with $147 million in 2018, my dedication to bring property values back Why? alone. up and my genuine care factor for real estate I could write a book on why I love St. She spoke with TBBW about her experi- and our community. When I got so busy and Pete. I have watched it change from a re- ence in the real estate industry and why she successful that I had to turn people down, I tirement community to an amazing vibrant loves life in the Tampa Bay area. started to build a team and trained them to city with everything you could want. It is a serve our clients the same way I had been fabulous community of people, both locals Let’s talk about how you came to be doing. We were under a national franchise and people who have moved here from all in this industry. Where are you from and grew to the top in four years. over the world. It is such an honor to live originally? I opened my own brokerage in January and work here. I have also been a big pro- I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. 2015 on Beach Drive in St. Petersburg. Our ponent of bridging the bay. I love that we Growing up, I was lucky to have a strong, business continued to grow and thrive under have a water ferry and can travel between successful entrepreneurial businesswoman our own brand. It’s hard to believe that I both Tampa and St. Petersburg. I also love as a role model. My mother was a real estate actually started my real estate career in the how our art community is thriving here and broker and had her own company. She was middle of the recession. When other new am very excited about our new pier. also one of the first women residential build- agents complain that this is a hard industry, ers in St. Petersburg. I grew up watching I laugh because I not only started in a reces- What keeps you up at night in your her passion for real estate and her passion sion but we had that horrible BP oil spill at industry? for helping people buy and sell real estate. the same time. Perseverance is key. When things you cannot control cause I have the same passion to serve my clients problems. It is a very competitive busi- with honesty and integrity in a community Talk about the decision to partner ness and I have seen other agents do crazy that I was born and raised in. with Douglas Elliman. How did it things for the commission check. I trained come about? my agents to always have the “care factor” You were able to stay afloat of the I never thought about selling, but other come first and not to worry about the com- recession. What was that period franchises approached [and] I always turned mission check. If our clients feel we care, like for you? What did you do differ- them down. I was introduced to Douglas they will trust us. If they trust you, they will ently than your competitors? Elliman through a co-worker who watched refer you, which is why 99 percent of our I was originally licensed in 1987. Even them be very successful on the east coast of business has been repeat and referral. I’ve though we had no cellphones or comput- Florida and other places across the country. even had clients leave me in their will, say- ers—and interest rates were 18 percent—I After many discussions, they indicated they ing, “if something happens to me and the still had a passion for real estate. It was hard, would let me continue to run the company family needs to sell the home, call Bonnie but I loved it. When I had my first child, I with the honesty and integrity and care fac- and her team.” decided to be a stay-at-home mom and help tor that I started it with. We both felt that The best advice I ever received was to re- my husband start his construction business. this could be a win-win to expand their very member it might take 20 years to build a rep- When the recession hit and the worst hous- successful brand to the west coast of Flor- utation and only five minutes to lose it, so we ing crash came to be, my youngest went to ida. As third-largest real estate firm in the always do the right thing no matter what. ♦ 28 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
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ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT Polo: an amazing event that sparked interest in the sport.” A “triple crown,” of sorts, that requires a trifecta of wins for victory. The Gauntlet Invigorating a could conceivably go years without a recipient. But one was crowned in April—in its first year—when the team Pilot won the U.S. Open Polo Championship, as well as Florida Staple at the two other Gauntlet events, the C.V. Whitney Cup and the USPA Gold Cup. The tournaments were held in Palm Beach County and hosted fans, players and horses from around the world. BY AMY HAMMOND “In Renaissance times, ‘throwing down the gauntlet’ was a term to represent a formal It’s Sunday at a Florida polo field and challenge,” Cummings says. “Millions of hooves click through perfectly manicured people worldwide watched that challenge grass. Riders swing mallets with seemingly play out on-air and online.” effortless athleticism, spectators raise The Gauntlet story also represents the mimosas in toast and the “sport of kings” trend of polo welcoming female players. takes on another moniker: Sunshine State (Mia Gray, a female Pilot athlete, competed favorite, for some. during the event.) Though polo historically With this year’s debut of “The Gauntlet is dominated by men, women continue to of Polo” and other engagements, polo is both join the ranks of major teams. A high-level invigorating the spectator experience and example is Maureen Brennan, a player who having significant economic impact. serves as USPA governor at large, and high “This was our first year offering the goal committee chairman. Gauntlet in which a team that wins the three This pivot from all-male squads is likely signature events is awarded a $1 million prize to continue as Cummings’ vision comes to purse,” says David Cummings, president and fruition. Looking to the next generation, he CEO of Global Polo Entertainment. “It was hopes to provide more opportunities for more people to get involved. Polo spectatorship is accessible to the general public and increased consumer education is giving fans a deeper appreciation for the game. It’s no secret that Floridians already love horses. Here, the equine industry is a vital economic force that contributes more than $3.6 billion to the state economy. It sparks the creation of more than 73,000 jobs. The American Horse Council Foundation reports that when the ripple effect of the horse industry is considered, the impact rises to $6.8 billion. The popularity comes as no surprise to Cummings who began playing polo 30 years ago and went on to build a robust licensing program throughout the years, to benefit the sport. Whether people own horses, spectate or just appreciate them, he hopes they’ll go 30 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
one step further: head out to the polo fields to experience intense competition. “There’s more to come,” he says about the push toward more audience interaction in the form of social media and other platforms. “Our continued success is not rooted in yesterday, but in the future.” Besides The Gauntlet and the horse- centered village of Wellington, in Palm Beach County, Tampa Bay area residents are just over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from the Sarasota Polo Club, which itself experienced a record-breaking 2019 season. Polo season typically runs December through April to take advantage of Florida’s best weather. For 22 weeks in 2019, Sarasota Polo welcomed some 45,000 fans, players and pros to their club. It was a season of improvements and change with new ownership, a highlight. James and Misdee Miller acquired the club in June 2018. James is an accomplished polo player and Misdee, the great-granddaughter of Chicago chewing gum magnet William Wrigley Jr., is an accomplished horsewoman. She won the U.S. Equestrian Team’s four-in- hand team gold medal at the World Equestrian Games. New ownership has completed extensive improvements to the club’s seven polo fields and renovated of 72 horse boarding facilities. By 2020, Sarasota Polo will focus on expanding the spectator experience. The organization takes great pride in its accessibility to the general public and fans are taking notice. The club that bills itself as having “a remarkable legacy filled with stories of timber, cowboys, cold Milwaukee beer and chewing gum” that is “decidedly un- stuffy and welcoming.” For newbies, Ron Trytek of the Sarasota Polo Club has a few suggestions. “Visit the club’s Facebook page,” he says. “Learn about the teams and rules of the game. Enjoy the camaraderie of the match. And join the masses at halftime to replace patches of grass on the field displaced by the horses. Filling in the divots,” he says, is fun. “We look forward to welcoming you to the thrill of ‘the fastest game on four feet,’ ” he says. ♦ www.tbbwmag.com • JULY2019 31
ECONOMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT RIDING THE WAVE TO A VIBRANT ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM BY SARA MAUDLIN-FELDMAN Growing up in St. Pete Beach, Linda Olson watched her father run a small com- mercial art business out of their home. It was valuable early exposure to entrepre- neurship for the woman who today is help- ing shape the future of entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay region. As the founder and CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, a nonprofit organization with a mission to enable and support high- growth web and mobile technology start- ups throughout the region, Olson and her team support more than 150 tech startups and more than 250 entrepreneurs to build, launch, and grow breakout tech businesses. When Olson started Tampa Bay Wave in 2008, she was trying to get her own tech business off the ground but was running into a lack of resources, support and talent. She believed that with the right support, the region had the potential to be the next Austin, Texas, or Seattle. Wave partnered with the University of South Florida and landed a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch the Linda Olsen, CEO of the Tampa Bay Wave 32 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
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ECONOMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT FirstWave Accelerator program and open an my father ran a business out of our house, Arthur Anderson in the business consult- innovation space in Tampa. Since its launch so I got exposed very early on to someone ing group, which helped clients solve in 2013, companies in FirstWave have raised running a business. My father had a very technology problems. Within a couple of more than $8.4 million in early-stage invest- old-school perspective that college wasn’t years, I was running multimillion-dollar ment capital and created more than over 200 for women. But I wanted to be in control of technology projects. But it wasn’t enough. jobs. my destiny and not let how I was brought Something was missing. After talking with Not bad for the self-described “beach up control that. My mother squirreled away friends, someone said I would be really girl,” who was the first in her immediate fam- money and we found a way for me to attend valuable to tech startups. So, I took a job ily to attend college and went on to earn an Florida State University. with a tech startup in Boston and was there MBA from Columbia Business School. Read I decided a business degree would help me nearly four years. On paper, the company on as Olson shares how her childhood influ- figure out how to be in control of my future. I looked great with Ivy League-educated enced her career path, the joys and challenges left with a degree in accounting and a minor executives and experienced leaders, but of working with tech startups, and what she in information technology because I was in- we did not have a profitable working busi- sees as the future of entrepreneurship in the trigued by systems and technology and what ness model. We were losing money every region. they could do for companies. month. It was such an intellectual chal- lenge for me to have educated leaders and How did your family shape the leader How did you get involved in technol- top firms backing us and all these custom- you are today? ogy startups? ers, and yet it wasn’t turning into a massive Neither of my parents went to college, but Right out of college, I took a job with financial success. We ended up selling the 34 JULY 2019 • www.tbbwmag.com
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