About Ryan
A marketer who still likes to make things.
I’ve spent 20+ years in marketing, from hands-on design and web work to leading teams and budgets. Today I help growing companies as a fractional CMO, and I run a couple of small businesses of my own.
My story
From design school to the marketing lead’s chair.
I studied design at Iowa State University. That led me to the web in its early days as a web producer, and then to digital marketing roles at Target, PLATO Learning, Lerner Publishing Group and UnitedHealthcare.
Along the way I moved from doing the work to leading it. As Director of Marketing at Questar Assessment, I launched a digital testing platform and led a rebrand. As Head of Marketing at Glympse, I repositioned a location technology company for B2B buyers.
I earned a Master of Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas, and I’ve run Eminence Media, my small marketing business, since 2009.
I never lost the part I love most, which is making things. That’s why my fractional CMO work includes hands-on help, not just advice.
What I bring
Strategy and the skills to carry it out.
Strategy and planning
Positioning, go-to-market plans and 90-day roadmaps your team can follow.
Demand generation
Paid search, paid social, email, account-based marketing and direct response, tied to pipeline.
Brand and creative
Messaging, design and creative direction across digital and print.
Websites and conversion
WordPress sites and landing pages built to turn visits into leads.
Measurement
Simple dashboards and scorecards with the few numbers that matter.
Team leadership
Built and led in-house teams, and directed agencies and freelancers.
Experience
Where I’ve done the work.
I’m happy to share a full resume. Just ask.
2009 to now
Founder, Eminence Media LLC
A small marketing business for local companies
2023 to now
Founder, Eminence Services LLC
A small property care business in the southwest Minneapolis suburbs
2020 to 2023
Head of Marketing
Glympse
2014 to 2019
Director of Marketing
Questar Assessment
2011 to 2014
Digital Marketing Manager, Member Acquisition
UnitedHealthcare
2009 to 2011
Digital Marketing Manager
Lerner Publishing Group
2006 to 2009
Digital Marketing Manager
PLATO Learning
2005 to 2006
Interactive Marketing Specialist
Target
2001 to 2005
Web Producer
Internet Broadcasting
Education
Master of Business Communication
University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business
Bachelor’s in Design
Iowa State University
Kind words
What people I’ve worked with say
“One of the most well-rounded marketing leaders I’ve partnered with.”
Deana Valorose
Sr. Account Executive, HERE Technologies
“Excellent marketing professional and people leader.”
Mary Texer
Helping organizations thrive by developing people and teams
“A pleasure to work with and always set the bar high.”
Eric Rohy
Retired EdTech executive, business strategy consultant and coach
“Highly creative and innovative marketing and design expert.”
Teresa Manzella, CF APMP
Author, speaker and senior proposal operations manager
Things I’m building
My own businesses and projects.
Running my own small businesses keeps my advice practical. These are separate from my consulting work.
Published series
Built to Scale
An 11-book series for home service business owners who want to grow with freelance help. Published through Eminence Media.
In development
Practice Path System
A practice method for busy adults learning an instrument, starting with guitar. I’m building the product, the brand and the books.
Eminence Media is my small marketing business for local companies, and Eminence Services is my property care business. Visit eminencemedia.co or eminenceservices.co.
Outside of work
Guitar, trades and learning.
When I’m not working on marketing, I’m usually playing guitar or learning something new. I have a soft spot for the trades and hard work, which is why I started a property care business.
Next step
Let’s talk about where your marketing is stuck.
Tell me a little about your company. If it looks like a fit, we’ll set up a free 20-minute call.