Rob Dalton President, RocketFuel Marketing Mentors
Rob Dalton’s 35+ year career includes creative leadership positions at advertising agencies Young & Rubicam (New York), Cole & Weber (Seattle), and his own shop, Dalton Sherman (MInneapolis). His work has been featured in advertising publications, college text books and national award annuals. Clients Rob has served include: The Wall Street Journal, Timex, Federal Express, Lee Jeans, Boston Scientific, Target, Boeing, Ford Lincoln Mercury, Dunn Bros Coffee, General Mills and SuperClean.

Rob has developed unique and valuable methods of creative problem solving, channel integration, and resource/talent management. Rob's entrepreneurial passion is evident in another company he owns, Write On Riot, LLC. Write On Riot creates "fill in the blank" party products that sell through major national retailers and boutiques as well as online.

Jeff Brown Promotions Specialist
If you need to fit a square peg into a round hole, Jeff can do it. Jeff is an out-of-the-box thinker who can take a vision and turn it into reality, and turn reality into profit. And if the vision isn’t there he can help you create it. His style is empowering and his ideas are sound, creating maximum lift to any project.

Jeff’s 35 + year career on both the corporate and agency side has given him extensive experience in business development and sales promotion. Jeff has played a leading role in new product launches and multifaceted promotions for a diverse collection of employers and clients including: Disney, Apple, Symbol Technologies, Lockheed Martin, AT&T, Dell, Sprint, Chrysler, USGA, NASCAR, Heinz, RJ Reynolds, Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, General Mills, AOL, Intel, Mondovi, and Oracle. He has also shared his skills with several non-profits such as Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Cancer Kids Fund.

Jeff makes rapid assessment of diverse situational challenges and develops and drives the resulting action plans. His bucket list includes helping clients where they are stuck, tapping his experience, knowledge, successes and failures in the acceleration of their business objectives.

Cindy Bielke News and Now Media Content Specialist
With nearly 30 years as a professional marketing and public relations professional, Cindy Bielke understands how to use words to influence, build communities and garner positive attention. She has national public relations agency experience at Burson-Marsteller in Washington, D.C. and Weber Shandwick in Minneapolis and has worked effectively with local and national news organizations, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today and Good Morning America. She has trained many clients on working with the news media and regularly presents on this important topic at professional gatherings.

In addition to her agency work, Cindy has served for nearly ten years as the director of marketing and communications at two private universities. She also has worked in several corporate settings, including banking and technology.

Cindy is an experienced freelance and “Now Media” (social media/web site) writer. Her articles have appeared in local business and lifestyle magazines. She also ghostwrites for business clients and has authored two books in this capacity. She is the recipient of six Awards of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. She currently is co-owner of C-Change Strategies, a creative consulting firm primarily focusing on business-to-business and higher education clients.

Eric Block Brand Strategist
Throughout his 25+ year career, Eric has used his rare combination of business acumen and creative thinking to build powerfully effective ideas which build strong brands and inspire customers to action. He has broad experience in all facets of marketing agency operations, including new business and business development, finance, administration, international operations and global brand management, account management, integrated marketing and creative services.

Currently, Eric is Managing Director at Haberman — a media + marketing firm in Minneapolis. He joined Haberman in July 2010 after spending two years as an independent branding and marketing consultant to clients and agencies in the advertising, public relations, design and healthcare industries with specialist expertise around the growing practice of sustainable branding.

In 2004, he was one of the founding partners of Duffy & Partners, the internationally recognized branding and design firm, where he led operations and business development efforts as well as being a senior strategist for branding initiatives for clients such as Coca-Cola, Panera Bread, Mars, Aveda, Thymes, GMAC, HandsOn Network and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. His work experience includes seventeen years with Fallon Worldwide, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. At Fallon, he was the chief architect of the company’s global expansion and broadened integrated marketing capabilities.

Eric has developed highly effective branding solutions for a wide range of global clients including United Airlines, Federal Express, EDS, McDonald’s, International Trucks, Jim Beam Brands and Mercury Marine. He led the team that reinvigorated the venerable Purina Dog Chow brand, a case history that was recognized with the American Marketing Association's Grand EFFIE.

Eric Erickson Retail Marketing and Resource Management Consultant
Eric Erickson has spent nearly 30 years in retail advertising and branding, including 17 years at Target, where he was Vice President, Creative Director. While at Target, Eric was responsible for directing creative for advertising, package design and in-store signing and worked with numerous agencies, including Wieden+Kennedy, AKQA and Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners. In addition, he headed up a 150+ member in-house Creative Studio comprised of copywriters, art directors, designers and interactive developers. The author of Target’s “Expect More, Pay Less” brand promise, Eric and his teams have won numerous creative awards. He is a 2007 inductee into the Retail Advertising Hall of Fame.

Currently, Eric is the owner of Erickson McGee LLC, a creative consultancy with retail and non-profit clients. He has a passion for the creative process and creative people and believes the key to marketing and business success is in building respect between right- and left-brain thinkers.

Paul EngebretsonWorkflow Process Specialist
For more than thirty years Paul Engebretson has made sure that procedures and systems work for both organizations and individuals. Paul’s background as both an agency creative services and production director combined with his experience working on the client side of the equation allows him to solve problems across the marketing spectrum.

Answering questions from “why do I need a creative brief?” to “will print-on-demand solve problems and save money?” always with an eye towards the specific needs of each unique situation. Paul’s experience includes serving national consumer products such as Frigidaire and Stoneyfield Yogurt as well as in-house marketing in the Medical Device industry.

Arik Hanson Online Marketing and Digital Strategist
Arik Hanson is the principal of ACH Communications, a digital communications firm focused on fostering meaningful online interactions, driving digital relevance and building measurable growth through social channels. Over the years, Arik has worked with a variety of clients including Fortune 500 brands and household names like Select Comfort, Deluxe, RSM McGladrey and the Mall of America as well as smaller and local organizations like YouthLink, Fairview and Metro Dentalcare. With more than 14 years of experience in marketing, communications and PR, Arik has played a lead role in many digital projects and online initiatives–both locally and nationally–over the last few years, including: Founding Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) and the first-ever Minnesota Blogger Conference and organizing the Social Media Business Summit at BlogWorld in Las Vegas each fall. Arik's blog, Communications Conversations (www.arikhanson.com), has received numerous industry accolades including being named “Required Reading” by PRWeek and one of “The Top 25 Blogs to Follow” by PRWeb. Arik is also a regular contributor to the PR Breakfast Club, Ragan.com, PR Daily and MinnPost.

Rose McKinney Public Relations Specialist
Throughout her nearly 25-year career in public relations, Rose has provided exemplary work for a number of leading PR companies to serve the needs of Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller, local organizations. Rose has spearheaded integrated marketing communications, branding and positioning development on behalf of numerous consumer, business-to-business and non-profit clients, including American Composers Forum, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Leeann Chin Chinese Cuisine, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Onan Generators (R/V division), Orange Julius/International Dairy Queen, Polaris Industries and Vision-Ease Lens.

Prior to partnering with Risdall Advertising Agency in 2006 to form Risdall McKinney Public Relations, she was vice president at Karwoski & Courage Public Relations. A passionate advocate for public relations, Rose is an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University and is active in the Women Presidents’ Organization and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), having served as president of the Minnesota chapter. In 2006, Rose was named one of the Business Journal’s “25 Women to Watch”.

Stevie Ray Presentation Skills Specialist
Stevie Ray has been a nationally recognized speaker and trainer for nearly 20 years, helping Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike to improve commuication skills, teamwork, and customer service. He is the Executive Director of Stevie Ray’s Improv Company in Minneapolis, a company that has provided training and entertainment since 1989. He is a professional member of the National Speakers Association. He is also a nationally syndicated columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers and author of five books, including; Keep Your Mind On Your Work, What We Laugh at…and Why, and Speaking in Public without Sweating in Private.

Ivan Stegic Technology and Web Strategist
Ivan Stegic is a developer, tech-nut, husband, dad and the president of Ten 7 Interactive, a web development studio in Minneapolis that strives to create flawless, interactive experiences — on the web, on mobile devices and in email. He started Ten 7 after running the day-to-day technology operations of software startup company Nazca Solutions, and holds Bachelor's Degrees in Physics and Psychology. Ivan is dedicated to collaborating with designers–and creatives of all kinds–to implement their visions as a reality online.

In spite of his highly technical background, Ivan transfers knowledge with clarity and patience: a trait not found in most tech consultants and strategists. Ten 7 has five employees with global headquarters in the North Loop neighborhood of Downtown Minneapolis.

Dan Wallace Marketing Strategist
Dan Wallace works with clients to develop and implement marketing strategies. Core experiences include branding, product development and marketing communications — with growing expertise in online and social media marketing. Dan started his career working at Fallon with Rob Dalton and has since worked as a copywriter, marketing agent and product innovator. Clients range from start-ups to the Fortune 500 firms.

Lyle Wedemeyer Creative Skills Specialist
Lyle Wedemeyer was a key creative leader at Martin|Williams in Minneapolis for 25 years. Starting at the agency as a copywriter, he was ultimately promoted to Partner/EVP/Executive Creative Director, helping the agency build a national reputation. Adweek Magazine named him Midwest Creative Director of the year in 1994. Lyle has won two Cannes Film Festival Lions, and been recognized by The One Show, Communication Arts, Kelly Awards and Clio’s.

His client experience includes: Staples, L.L. Bean, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Cargill, Target, CompuServe, Minnesota Dept. of Health, Polaris, Syngenta, U.S. Bank, Mercury Marine and 3M. Lyle is a past president of the Art Director/Copywriters Club of Minnesota and adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, where he created the first Advertising Portfolio Development class. He is a graduate of Iowa State University.