TODD HARFF, President

Roles: Speaker, Trainer, Writer, Consultant, Generational Marketing Expert
Generation: Todd was born between the Baby Boom and Gen X. As they say in the UK, Mind the gap!

Profile: A respected speaker and consultant, Todd Harff is much more than just talk. He combines market insight and pragmatic business knowledge to produce actionable and profitable marketing solutions. He brings a powerful perspective to help clients motivate mature consumers.

In addition to his work with clients, Todd is a featured writer and speaker about marketing to the 40+ adult. He is a frequent contributor to industry publications and has addressed national conferences on a variety of topics related to understanding and influencing mature consumers. Research Todd directed has been featured in Brand Week, Ad Age, Marketing Charts, and Marketing Sherpa.

The National Association of Home Builders hired Todd to write the industry training course on “Marketing to Active Adults.” In 2007, Todd’s expertise in 40+ and affluent marketing has led to a leadership role in creating a new global organization dedicated to this segment, the International Mature Marketing Network.

Prior to becoming the President of Creating Results in 1996, Todd was the Director of Sales and Marketing for the A.G. Van Metre Companies, the Director of Sales and Marketing for a division of Ryland Homes, and worked in London’s financial district for Marsh & McLennan. He started his career racing and captaining private yachts.

Todd holds a B.A. degree from Colgate University and graduated cum laude. He has studied at the University of London and earned an MBA at Georgetown University. There Todd specialized in business and marketing strategy and graduated with highest honors.

Todd can be reached at 703.494.7888, ext 13 or at todd_at_creatingresults.com.

ERIN READ RUDDICK, Client Services Director

Role: Marketeer to Boomers and Beyond, Speaker, “Dean” of Mature Marketing Academy
Generation: Gen X

Profile: Since joining Creating Results in 2005, Erin Read Ruddick has focused intently on Baby Boomers and beyond. She leads the agency’s in-house training program, the Mature Marketing Academy (featured in the Christian Science Monitor). She chaired the marketing/communications committee for the 50+ New England Housing Council for three years. Erin has spoken to regional and international audiences about marketing to affluent consumers.

Erin spent her career in PR and marketing prior to joining Creating Results. She spearheads work for the agency’s regional and travel clients. She also led branding and strategic marketing planning for The Village of Valemount (British Columbia). The new Valemount logo system won a 2009 National Mature Media Award.

After developing her expertise as an Account Supervisor at Cohn & Wolfe in Atlanta, Erin co-founded and served as marketing director for a family online custom-publishing venture. At Cohn & Wolfe, she was the day-to-day manager of the Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Casinos and other travel/leisure accounts. Responsibilities included media relations activities, national radio promotions, new hotel opening support, crisis communications and more.

Her passionate approach to client programs began at Atlanta’s Duffey Communications, where she was part of the award-winning Georgia Lottery account team. Erin provided event management and PR support. She served as writer, producer and even cue-card holder for a series of live television shows that helped establish the Lottery brand. The Georgia Lottery launch garnered the agency a Silver Anvil Award, the public relations industry’s highest honor.

Erin graduated cum laude from Colgate University with a dual major in International Relations and Spanish, receiving honors in Spanish.

Erin can be reached at 401.289.2500 ext 2 or at erin_at_creatingresults.com.

KATHY EAST, Vice President of Client Services

Roles: Marketing Expert, Customer Service Champion, Planning and Positioning Poobah
Generation: Baby Boomer

Profile: Kathy East serves as Vice President of Client Services at Creating Results. She offers extensive experience in market feasibility analysis, price and product positioning, branding, sales environments, and developing and implementing fully integrated marketing programs.

Kathy is a quick study, analyzing a situation and finding creative solutions. Experience from both the “client” side and the “agency” side gives her a greater understanding of what is important to our clients and how we can make their jobs easier and their business more profitable. She directs a talented staff of marketing professionals and oversees the strategic direction of the plans and programs they develop.

With a B. S. degree in Urban Planning from Michigan State University she began her career working for local governments in comprehensive planning. This experience proved valuable as she moved to the private industry, developing feasibility and positioning studies for proposed residential developments throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This market research experience then led to her work with the premier community development firm at the time, Mobil Land Development, managing the marketing for Reston and Broadlands, considered by the industry to be among the best master-planned communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

In addition to her bachelor’s degree Ms. East holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

She is a Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM), serves on the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Sales and Marketing Council, and is Vice Chair of the Greater Washington 50+ Housing Council.

For the past fifteen years, Kathy has “hit the road,” fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society during their annual Walk MS.

Kathy can be reached at 703.494.7888 ext 11 or at kathy_at_creatingresults.com.

MIKE STAKEM, Director of Creative Services

Roles: Brand Builder, Talent Wrangler, Web Designer/Developer
Generation: Gap kid (born between the Baby Boom and Gen X)

Profile: Mike Stakem serves as Director of Creative Services at Creating Results. His high-impact designs have motivated Boomers and Silent Generation consumers, created results for clients, and earned many industry awards.

Mike brought a background in retail to Creating Results nine years ago, which has helped him create award-winning displays and comprehensive interior and exterior signage programs. He now oversees all internal and external creative talent, designers, production artists, photographers, video and radio production as well as all web development efforts for clients ranging from associations to real estate to bed and breakfasts to law firms.

He brings a fresh approach to his designs, while being sensitive to the importance of consistency in building brand recognition. Mike’s designs communicate the intrinsic value of our clients’ products and services while instilling the sense of urgency that drives sales.

Mike continually works to grow his design and web development skills by attending classes at George Mason University.

Mike may be reached at 703.494.7888 ext 15 or at mike_at_creatingresults.com.