Catalyst Marketing Group, a Different Kind of Marketing Firm
At Catalyst, we are part consultants, part creative agency, and part storytellers. We bring our strategic minds, creative hats, and silver tongues to every marketing challenge. And most of those challenges can be boiled down to a fundamental opportunity: People today want long-term relationships with companies and people they enjoy doing business with and feel comfortable placing their trust in.
Conveniently enough, we suspect that's what you want, as well—loyal clients and customers who want to pay you for your products or services and are enthused to tell the world about the experience. How you get there is a matter of strategy and tactics, but whether you're entering a new market, launching your company, inspiring your installed base to become evangelists, creating a PR and social media campaign, or giving your website a facelift, we've been there, done that, delivered results, and are here to help.
Give us a call, send us an email...let's chat. »
Meet Our Team
OUR INVITATION TO YOU
Let's chat live. Give us a call. Drop us an email. Toss us your toughest marketing challenges—the things that keep you up at night—and we will bat around some of our best ideas and solutions. No cost to you, no strings attached—just some free-form brainstorming.
We’re hoping there’s chemistry and perhaps a second date but either way, we will have some fun and get to know each other.
Contact us today! »
Keri LaRue
Keri doesn't just challenge the status quo—she salts it, seasons it, picks out a nice bottle of Napa pinot and has it for dinner. You might say Keri's recipe for success is her love of change. She's inspired by the challenge of learning new things and staying ahead of the pack in a field that is constantly changing. In 1997, after 10 years at Apple working in a variety of roles including WW product introduction specialist, PowerBook Programs Manager and PowerBook Brand Manager, Keri decided the time was ripe to set out on her own. She cofounded Silicon Valley-based Connected Marketing and joined the digital revolution. It was an exciting time for Keri and her company as they tackled projects for clients ranging from dot-com start-ups to corporate customers like Sun, HP, Apple, and Brocade. In 2003, Keri started Catalyst Marketing Group. The goal: to create a marketing company as passionate about projects as the clients are. There's no better reward for Keri than producing high-quality work and helping a client achieve maximum ROI. One of Keri's lifetime goals is to live in Napa or near the coast where she can fall asleep every night listening to the sound of crashing waves.
Causes: Supports all organizations that protect, educate and embrace children.
Favorite word: Can
Least favorite word: Can't
Favorite quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou
Stephen Lyle
As a former executive at Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computer, Stephen brings to Catalyst Marketing Group broad senior management experience in IT sales and marketing, with a solid understanding of information technology solutions and a successful track record in developing partnerships with some of the world’s largest companies. His VP roles at HP included global alliance leadership of HP’s key strategic partners, with Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco, with each alliance driving significant joint business growth. Stephen is a clear thinker and decision maker with the ability to understand complex organizational challenges, make persuasive recommendations, and inspire others for winning results.
Causes: Education, Environment, Entrepreneurship
Favorite word: Make
Least favorite word: Like
Favorite quote: “Whatever you're thinking, think bigger.” – Tony Hsieh
Education: BSc (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Bath, UK
Cynthia Evans
One of the expressions we have at Catalyst is that "Cynthia is in the details." Well, that's not true, but we should have that expression and may be we will because Cynthia defines the essence of a great project manager. Cynthia's strengths are her patience and her inquisitive nature, which help her uncover those ever important details. These are the qualities that have allowed Cynthia to do things like manage the implementation of Real Media solutions for a client's website or to coordinate the detailed management of hundreds of promotions for HP's Small and Medium Business website. Cynthia loves to work with other people and her creative energy thrives on laughter and seeing the passion that others have for their work. Despite the fact that she gets hiccups nearly everyday, Cynthia has managed to train for the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. When she's not on the run, Cynthia loves to recharge her spiritual batteries by taking a swim in Lake Tahoe or spending time with her family and friends.
Favorite word: Lucubration
Least favorite word: Inferior
Favorite quote: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Sir Winston Churchill
Brian Cronin
Brian has worked in marketing/communications for nearly 15 years. As a project manager, account manager, and client services director at Wirestone, he provided strategic and tactical direction for interactive and traditional marketing programs for such clients as HP, ConAgra Foods, and E*TRADE. As a writer and editor at educational publisher Scholastic Inc., Brian played a lead role in researching, writing, and producing edu-marketing materials for Discover Card, AT&T/Bell Labs, the United Nations, and the U.S.D.A. While at Cronin & Associates, Brian has done PR/communications work for Key Bank, Bank of the Cascades, Hewlett Packard, the Kennedy Center, the City of Boise, and Hitachi, including speechwriting, media relations, event planning, op-eds, copy writing and print collateral. Brian also has a rich background in public service and public affairs. In addition to serving as a State Representative in the Idaho Legislature, Brian's advocacy of public policies and his experience working with community boards, non-profits, and political campaigns has provided valuable experience and perspective in understanding the complex nexus between media, government, and public policy.
Causes: Children and Education; Diversity, Tolerance, and Human Rights; Conservation & the Environment.
Favorite word: serendipity
Least favorite word: synergy (it might have worked at one time, but it's overused and trite now)
Favorite quote: "I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really: Get busy livin', or get busy dying." -The Shawshank Redemption
Education: BA in History from Haverford College, PA, 1992; Ed.M. from Harvard University, 1995
Dave Jarrat
Dave started his first company when he was 6 years old and has been an entrepreneur-at-heart ever since. His diverse background includes successful ventures in environmental consulting, technology and marketing communications. In 2003, he founded Jarrat Consulting, a marketing firm dedicated to helping new ventures succeed. Dave created and managed virtual marketing departments for numerous VC-backed startups in enterprise technology, Web2.0, mobile media and CleanTech. He also developed positioning strategies for established companies launching new products and pursuing new markets, including Hewlett-Packard, Micro Focus, Blue Coat, ProofPoint, Focus Enhancements, Green Plum and Calyx Software. In 2009, Jarrat Consulting merged with Catalyst Marketing Group to form the ultimate launch marketing team. For Dave, it is all about turning great ideas into successful businesses. Dave is an avid globe trotter, with connections across Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. He hopes one day to focus on bringing entrepreneurial opportunities to the masses through active involvement in micro-enterprise worldwide.
Causes: Education, Environment, Entrepreneurship
Favorite word: Opportunity
Least favorite word: Pessimism
Favorite quote: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.". – Thomas Edison
Education: MBA, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley; Bachelor’s of Environmental Science, Economics & Politics, Claremont McKenna College
David Murray
David is a risk taker. Whether it's leaving the cushy corporate job for a chance to become a partner in a PR firm or selling his t-shirt company on eBay or travelling and living abroad for several years to pursue his passion for archaeology, the risks that David has taken have provided him with a diverse background in corporate marketing, small business operations, and higher education. Creatively, David is inspired by what he calls "the possibilities". He's an idea guy who is always in search of a better way. He loves websites like Google and Twitter because of the vast informational possibilities they offer for business and personal development. With 4 years of experience in marketing and sales operations at Hewlett-Packard, David was among the vanguard of employees advocating for the use and proliferation of web 2.0 media like blogs and wikis for the purpose of enhancing internal communication as well as external marketing efforts. David loves to travel and he loves learning new languages. He's spent a total of three years living in Scotland, Holland, Italy, Greece, and Spain. David is proficient in Italian, Dutch, and Latin and one day he would like to join the Peace Corp and live in Africa or South America.
Causes: Environmental causes, small business micro-loans, and March of Dimes.
Favorite word: factotum
Least favorite word: just (adv.)
Favorite quote: "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." -The Whole Earth Catalog
Education: BA in Classics, Bowdoin College, 2000. MA in Classics, University of Edinburgh, 2002.
Bob Nelson
For Bob, it's the journey, not the destination. With professional experiences that range from managing sales for consumer products like Swatch, Vidal Sassoon, and New Home Interiors to running a successful financial planning practice, Bob's breadth and depth of experience allows him to understand the challenges of marketing in multiple industries and across different customer segments. Creatively, he thrives on the process of collaborating with others to develop an idea into a finished product. And for Bob, the most important part of that process is working with others, helping them to meet and exceed their own expectations. Whether it's watching people at the mall or throwing big parties or spending time with his family, Bob is a gregarious person, who loves people. After all, Bob would tell you that the most important part of the journey is the personal relationships that you develop along the way.
Favorite word: Passion
Least favorite word: Dull
Favorite quote: "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. " -Vince Lombardi
Education: BS in Business Management, California Lutheran University; MBA, University of Southern California
Abbe Lyle
As a photographer, Abbe strives to capture the extraordinary in the ordinary—finding inspiration in everything from sunsets to water drains. A self-proclaimed free spirit, Abbe applies a similar philosophy to the way she lives life. As a practicing Reiki Master, a former aide to a member of the European Parliament, PR professional, speech writer, and HR consultant, Abbe's background is as eclectic as the photos she takes. In her free time, Abbe loves to fly her plane and watch the world from a different point of view. The constant pursuit of different perspectives is what has led Abbe to have such a passion for photography. She prides herself on capturing the right image for her clients the first time (she's never had to repeat a sitting). She attributes this to having "an eye for the image and a key to the soul".
Causes: Passionate about promoting kindness and ending bigotry.
Favorite word: Passion
Least favorite word: Apathy
Favorite websites: www.wikipedia.com and www.yourserendipity.smugmug.com
Favorite quote: "My religion is Kindness." - The Dalai Lama
Education: BA, Birkbeck College, London University
Jack Pacheco
For some, finding creative inspiration can be a challenge. For Jack, it means plugging into his iPod playlist, grabbing the car keys, and hitting one of his favorite bay area locations (as long as he's back in time for his internet radio show). With 20 years of experience developing television and radio ad campaigns, Jack has never had trouble finding creative inspiration. Jack attributes luck and his desire to make people smile as the key factors of his success. Whatever it is, Jack's career has led him to leave his creative mark on notable promotions like Bartles and Jaymes' Wine Cooler TV ads, Apple's PowerBook brochures, and radio campaigns for BevMo. In addition to his creative exploits, Jack once punched Hunter S. Thompson in the arm and shared the same can of beer with Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Trust me, you can't make this stuff up.
Causes: Alternative energy exploration, tax incentives for companies that provide employment in low-income areas, federal licensing for the purchase and selling of guns and ammunition.
Favorite word: Yes
Least favorite word: Eternity
Favorite sound: My wife's voice
Least favorite sound: My wife's voice
Favorite quote: "The biggest threat to democracy is the belief that we already have it." - George Orwell
Eileen Devlin Diaz
Results, results, and results... it's not that Eileen is single minded, she just knows how to set her sights and achieve what everyone wants, results. More than 20 years of experience developing marketing strategies for IT companies like Apple, HP, Sun Microsystems, Net App and Adaptec, have taught Eileen that: 1) if it doesn't yield measureable results, it's probably not worth doing and 2) hitting objectives requires hard work and dedication. Eileen loves collaboration and she gets excited by the prospect of developing lasting friendships with colleagues who share the pursuit of a common goal. When she isn't increasing her clients' ROI through a unique marketing strategy, Eileen relaxes by reading, working out at the gym, or attending her kids sporting events.
Causes: Education and environmental issues.
Favorite word: Whippersnapper
Least favorite word: Whatever
Favorite quote: "That which does not kill you makes you stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche
Education: BA, UC Santa Cruz
Russell A. Hosking
Russ is a big picture kind of guy, literally. As a freelance filmmaker and the owner of two film production companies (RAH*films and Vino Monkey Productions), Russ has helped produce more than 20 feature films ranging from "The Matrix Reloaded" to "Dr. Doolittle" for production companies like Warner Brothers, Walt Disney Pictures, and Lucas Films (to name a few). Russ is a perfectionist and as a cinematographer he is always in search of the perfect light. For Russ, creative inspiration can be as simple as how the sunlight hits a building or is reflected off of it. He loves the light at dusk and dawn when it's most ephemeral and dynamic. Russ's pursuit of the perfect light recently took him to South America allowing him to combine his passion for film with his passion for travel as the co-creator and Director of Photography for a wine & travel television show.
Causes: Passionate about leukemia research and the preservation of film and film artifacts.
Favorite word: Hope
Least favorite word: Impossible
Favorite quote: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -Gandhi
Sarah Peterson
Sarah is the glue that holds everything together. As Catalyst's admin, Sarah helps keep us organized and on the right track. Coming from a family of bankers and financial gurus, Sarah loves crunching numbers and working with balance sheets. Most importantly, she makes sure we all get paid on time! Sarah loves people and visiting big cities like San Francisco and New York. She is an extrovert who is creatively inspired by hosting parties and planning events. One day she would love to try her hand at wedding planning. Until that day comes, Sarah's most important job is being a good wife and a mother for her husband and four children. As she does at Catalyst, Sarah's keeps everything running smoothly helping her kids balance their hectic lives with school and extracurricular activities.
Causes: Nios de La Paz - an organization in La Paz, Mexico that provides meals, transportation and tuition for children in the area to go to school.
Favorite word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Least favorite word: No
Favorite quote: "Faith, family and friends."