Melissa Lochner
Account Supervisor
Hired October 2006
Two Hats:
Melissa wears two hats at the agency. As an Account Supervisor, she does many client-related service tasks, such as project management, estimates/billing and new business. As an Associate Media Director, she plans, negotiates and provides stewardship on her clients' media schedules.Education:
University of Minnesota - Duluth Major in Marketing
Minors in Communications and Organizational Management
Pre RMG:
Before joining the team at Risdall, Melissa began as a Broadcast Negotiator at Campbell Mithun and Media Planner at Carmichael Lynch.
Notable Accomplishments at Risdall:
In 2008 and 2009, Melissa led a team at Risdall that enabled the four snowmobile manufacturers, Arctic Cat, Polaris, SkiDoo, and Yamaha, to update their marketing for the Snowmobile Sneak Peek campaigns. Each year, the OEMs pool their money to host events around the county to give consumers a "sneak peek" of the next model-year's snowmobiles. In 2008, Risdall had a six-week period to produce a radio spot, plan and negotiate a media buy (in 16-markets), develop a Web site (www.snowsneakpeek.com), create direct mail and posters. It was a lofty goal but it went off without a hitch.
In 2009, Smith System launched a new line of furniture targeted at higher-education markets; it was the first time in Smith's 104-year history that it launched a comprehensive line of furniture and it warranted some over-the-top promotional efforts. Melissa helped lead a team of individuals in the creation of a new brand identity for Smith System to communicate its invigorated look and its continued commitment to support American schools. At the same time, the team launched an endorsed brand, UXL and created a nine-panel brochure and a 25-page catalog to help sell the new line of furniture. Melissa negotiated a media schedule to UXL and Smith System. One of the more creative placements was a polybag with a back-cover ad. Overall, the efforts have led to a 60% increase in the number of quotes requested.
Client Experience:
AbleNet, Advanced Response Systems, American Dental Partners, Catholic Aid Association, Children's Home Society & Family Services, Earth Exchange, Food Perspectives, Greenback Street, Healthways, Hickory Tech, JKW Translations, Metro Dentalcare, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Northern Forest Products, Premier Mounts, Redwood Dental, Shield Technologies, Smith System, Snowmobile Manufacturers' Sneak Peek, Spanlink, Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, VistaTek, Western National
On a Personal Note:
While Melissa studied abroad in Australia, she traveled through New Zealand for three weeks by herself, with nothing more than what she could fit into her backpack.