They say that challenges are actually opportunities in disguise. In 2010, Sun Valley, Idaho became an opportunity for Metric Marketing Group.

Sun Valley is a remarkable place. The scenic beauty draws people in and the amazing community keeps them there. But Sun Valley was experiencing its share of economic struggles when Christina vacationed there in the Spring of 2010. It was over cocktails with the head of Sun Valley Corporation that Christina discovered that Sun Valley’s patrons are older. The resort, along with the town, was in need of “younger tourists” who would embrace the area and it’s wealth of outdoor activities.

It just so happens that one of MMG’s clients, Breakaway Promotions, is in the business of putting together professional bike races around the region and was looking to expand. A professional bike race just seemed like the perfect solution to Sun Valley’s problems, and a way to help Breakaway Promotions achieve its goals as well. What an opportunity!

Long story short, MMG collaborated with Breakaway Promotions as well as the entire town of Sun Valley to submit a bid to USA Cycling for the 2011 and 2012 U.S. National Mountain Bike championships. And we won! This video captures day one of the 2011 event which went down as the most successful USA Cycling National Championships on record.

In 2012, from July 5-8th, we plan to do it again.

Ride Sun Valley Day 1 from Team i4 on Vimeo.

Ride Sun Valley Day 2 from Team i4 on Vimeo.

Ride Sun Valley Day 3 from Team i4 on Vimeo.

Ride Sun Valley Day 4 from Team i4 on Vimeo.

You dance. You create “Happy Feet.” You enlist 5th graders across a city. You launch a “Mad Hot Ballroom” gala to showcase their talent. Suddenly, you have the most talked about fundraiser in Portland, with students who stand tall, display poise and self confidence. And…you have a new found love of dance.

If student accomplishment weren’t enough, the efforts resulted in new memberships, new board members and publicity that completely rejuvenated a non-profit. The program has been replicated on a national basis. And, that bright yellow sun logo that embodies Young Audiences shines on with a whole new luster.

Kodak Gallery had the concept and budget, but no available talent. MMG stepped in as part of the Kodak product team and executed a complex product launch managing teams in three geographic areas. In less than six months, the Scan Van was making its way across America, scanning thousands of precious family photos. The success inspired Kodak management to rethink their entire scanning program and their program management methodology.

To view the Kodak Gallery Scan Van Press Release, click here.

Mattel owns the American Girl doll line which offers a fashion show program to raise monies for local non-profits. MMG volunteered to manage the Portland, OR show, pro bono, to ensure maximum funds for the hospital. The girls offered to do two shows in one day, to increase the revenues and amortize the expenses. This was not the Mattel model, but, Mattel could not argue with their logic and persistence. 600 young girls and their families attended the American Girl Pre-Event Activity Fair, Luncheon and Fashion Show. They delivered the largest amount raised in the history of the event to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

The girls smiled, the dolls smiled and the kids at Doernbecher beamed.

To view press coverage of the event, click links below:

* Doernbecher Hero News, Summer 2008 (p.17)

* The Oregonian April 14, 2008

The CM Russell Museum had an international following but, a small staff and smaller budget for advertising and PR. So, MMG created a strategic marketing plan for The Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture.

We faxed. We called. We emailed and we nagged. The result: coverage in the top western magazines and a half page article in the Wall Street Journal with an eight page slide show on wsj.com valued at more than $150K in advertising dollars. They know us now.

To view the CM Russell Bison Exhibit slide show on wsj.com, click here.

blackwell@metricmarketinggroup.com

Christina is a twenty-year veteran of Intel Corporation where she spent her career in international product marketing and major accounts.

Her career began as the US Distribution Manager for Intel’s single board computer division where she managed the company’s thirteen US electronics distributors. This included contract and inventory management, sales training and sales promotion resulting in record distribution sales for system products.

As a major account manager for the systems group she was the key business interface with strategic customers including IBM, ATT, Philips Medical, Diebold, ICL Computers and Siemens Nixdorf.

Christina then developed and implemented the first vertical marketing program at Intel. As Financial Marketing Manager she defined the strategy for the sale of Intel’s real time operating system and system products into financial markets. Implementing an international sales and marketing program, her leadership resulted in design wins with the NY Stock Exchange, Prudential Securities, Bloomberg Systems and Diebold. This program was then expanded to include Intel’s leading edge supercomputer products where she managed a joint system design venture with Unisys Corporation.

Intel tapped Christina to create and launch a corporate public relations program to promote its leadership in microprocessor design and manufacturing. This included integrating engineering teams, analysts, media and educational forums to communicate Intel’s superior design and production methods.

Christina received a BA in Marketing and Communications from Lewis and Clark College, Portland Oregon in 1977. She was a Fulbright Scholar finalist. She was an American Field Service scholar to Lebanon in 1973.

Christina’s public service includes: Trustee of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Chairman National Board of the CM Russell Art Museum, Council Member Casey Eye Institute, Intel Foundation, Chairman Oregon Associated Industries Foundation.