Doug Payne
P A R T N E R
Director of Strategic Charge
Doug has done nearly everything there is to do in marketing at both ad agencies and marketing departments of all sizes. From strategic planning and risk communications to massive branding projects and creative direction, Doug provides quiet and supportive leadership that leads to big, noisy successes. When he's not marketing stuff, Doug’s wrangling twins with his (much) better half, helping his oldest with his new venture, visiting historic sites, and – occasionally – riding his vintage G&S Warptail skateboard around the neighborhood. Doug met Brian and Jay when they worked together on huge re-branding projects for SOAR365 and Fishburne Military School.
Jay Sandusky
P A R T N E R
Lead Strategist of Spark & Story
Jay is a writer, creative director, strategist, published cartoonist, one-time journalist, and morning DJ on 97.3 WRIR in Richmond. For longer than he cares to admit, he’s been creating marketing – in every category imaginable – that kicks ass in every imaginable way, boasting never-before-achieved results, best-ever responses, ridiculous click-thru rates, and landscape-shifting ideas. From Miami to New York City and now in Richmond, his advertising career has been a wild ride. And after years of working with Brian and Doug on large-scale marketing projects he’s thrilled to partner with them to create Plug.
Brian Thomson
P A R T N E R
Creative Vision Engineer
Brian is a designer, art director, creative director, big thinker, fiddler, American Roots Music aficionado, collector of arcania, and cycling enthusiast. After graduating from VCU’s Communication Arts and Design School, he has worked with the biggest names in Richmond advertising on one high-profile client after another, bringing an uncommon level of taste, elegance, commitment, and surprise to every project. Brian doesn’t see the world the same as the rest of us; what he sees is way more interesting. Prior to conceiving Plug, Brian, Jay and Doug worked together on two, years-long rebranding projects for SOAR365 and Fishburne Military School.
C O L L A B O R A T I N G P A R T N E R S
BRANDING / RESEARCH
Ethan Decker, PhD President
Applied Brand Science, Boulder CO
Ethan is a brand strategist and marketing expert who has spent 20 years doing award-winning brand strategy, advertising, and market research for some of the world’s biggest brands. A scientist by training but a marketer by trade, he lives in the intersection of science and creativity.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Nathan Markey President
Seablaze Web, Richmond VA
For more than 20 years, Seablaze has brought a collaborative approach to client services. You will benefit not just from their technical expertise, but from their strategic business mindset. By partnering with Seablaze, you can have access to its portfolio and expertise to meet your website and digital marketing needs.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Lucas Krost Director
Alexandra Krost Producer
The Branching, Richmond VA
The principals of The Branching, a videography studio in Richmond, VA, are Lucas and Alexandra Krost. They founded the studio, which has quickly become an award-winning production company known for its quality cinematic work and compelling visual storytelling.
MEDIA PLANNING & BUYING / DATA ANALYTICS
Aurelia Lewis President
Lewis Media, Richmond, Dallas, Atlanta
A trusted partner with the expertise to make sense of it all, Lewis Media develops inspired, insightful media plans that drive sustainable growth. As subject matter experts, Lewis Media is flexible and self- aware, finding what matters in data and the relationships that power it.
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