PPB September 2018

What obstacles have you encountered in starting and running your ownbusiness? The biggest challenge in our business has been the rate of change. The industry, technology and customers’ needs are constantly evolving. We work hard to keep up without losing sight of our original goal: to provide quality and service at a fair price. Howdo you differentiate your business in the marketplace? We are different because we do not sell anyone products they don’t need. We spend the time to make sure the products our customers are asking for are the best to meet their goals. A lot of customers see a product and want it for themselves, but they’re not considering their customers or asking why they would want or keep it. Our specialty is providing a one-stop-shop, because we provide our customers with everything from creative to print, promotional and web services, so we can help themmaintain a consistent brand over multiple platforms. We also produce all our creative design and artwork in-house, which speeds up the development process. Whatmarketing campaigns have beenparticularly memorable for you? In 2014 Xpert Media Management worked on a national drug demand reduction campaign, “Closing the Gates on Drugs,” for the YoungMarines, a national youth organization. The campaign was all-encompassing, including an education curriculum, stickers, tri-fold flyers, pledge forms, slap bracelets, activity books, key chains with a USB drive and feedback forms. Our teamdesigned and produced all the artwork and products and distributed thematerials to Young Marine units across the country. The Young Marines was presented the 2015 Annual Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Education by the Department of Defense, and my partner, Glenn Medeiros, and I were invited to attend the ceremony in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. We also received a PPAI Pyramid Award for the campaign. Whatmotivates you inbusiness? The end result is what motivates me. There is nothing better than starting with an idea and developing it into a finished product. What are your plans for the company going forward? We plan on implementing new processes and applications as they are developed, with the goal of adding more like-minded creative people to our team. What do you like todo in your spare time? I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, along with creating hands-on artwork, such as wood- and metalworking projects. If youwrote a book about your life, what wouldbe the title andwhy? Commercial Artist. In my life I have transitioned from graphic artist to computer graphics professional, designer, prepress and printing expert, operations manager and now, business owner. Terry Ramsay is associate editor of PPB . “We spend the time to make sure the products our customers are asking for are the best to meet their goals. A lot of customers see a product and want it for themselves, but they’re not considering their customers or asking why they would want or keep it.” —TimKupper The Young Marines received the 2015 Annual Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Education for a campaign produced by Xpert Media Management LLC. Pictured from left: Joe Lusignan, Young Marines deputy director west/drug demand reduction resource officer; Tim Kupper, Xpert Media Management LLC; a Young Marine; Glenn Medeiros, Xpert Media Management LLC; and Michael Kessler, Young Marines national executive director. | SEPTEMBER 2018 | 107 CONNECT