Company address: 648 N. Plankinton, Suite 270 Milwaukee, WI 53203
Company Web site: www.zizzogroup.com
Industry: Marketing and advertising
Number of employees: 30
Company’s annual capitalized billings: $40 million
Education: B.A. in journalism at Marquette University
Family: Three sons
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“2007 was an exciting year! We targeted major, national companies such as U.S. Cellular, Fifth/Third Bank, U.S. Bank Championship, HCA, Hearst Corp. and Tribune Company, and added them to our prestigious roster. In anticipation of bringing these clients on board, we asked ourselves tough questions. The result? We blasted into 2008 with the appropriate talent, resources and momentum in place to take our company to the next level.”
What’s new at your company?
“Clients and personnel. Most recently, two of the region’s top branding and public relations pros have joined our company. Mike Stefaniak came on board to lead our strategic planning and B-to-B practice areas. Mike was an equity partner in another local firm before joining Zizzo Group Advertising & PR, and has formulated branding strategies for 50 companies over his career. It is a real coup to have Mike join our team as a senior vice president. Lisa Ninmer joined us as our PR director. Lisa is the immediate past president of PRSA, and is wired into Wisconsin’s various PR professional networks.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“Yes. We are in an aggressive growth mode and anticipate tripling the company’s size by 2010. We are actively seeking to acquire boutique public relations, interactive, on-line media and web development firms. Milwaukee will remain our headquarters, and we will continue to anchor our operation in the heart of downtown even as the focus of our business development efforts becomes more national in scope. Our firm has come to be counted on by many economic, social service, arts, health care and philanthropic organizations through out the region. We remain committed to investing in greater Milwaukee, celebrating the region’s offerings and making this the best place it can be to run a business and raise our children.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Staffing – finding and recruiting the top talent in this tight labor market.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Online media space is no longer ‘non-traditional,’ and it is emerging and changing rapidly. Many companies are scrambling to determine the best methods and sites to market their organizations with on the Web, and how to measure the results of their online investments.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Treat others the way you expect to be treated.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“George Dalton, a true entrepreneur and one of my mentors. George is inspirational because he remembers his beginning and the humbling experiences that come with building a business out of his suitcase. Mary Ellen Stanek, blazing trails as one of Milwaukee’s most committed leaders. Mary Ellen reached out to me several years ago and has done the same for countless other women without our ever asking her to do so. She has inspired me to give back, helped me get involved by opening doors and is someone I count on as a true friend.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Be fearless.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spend time with my boys and friends, volunteer, learn about wines, recreate in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, travel (anywhere), work out, putz on various house projects, golf and read.”
