Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Okonowsky.
Stacy, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my life as a school teacher…and as I often say, I used to work with little kids and now I work with big kids! Looking for a career “working with people” I ended up at DDB advertising in media research making even less money than teaching for the first six months!
We used to say that “DDB was a great place to work if your parents could afford to send you there” but it was an incredible learning experience. I learned about media, creative, production, finance, client service and worked my way up through media to account service…After seven great years, I left to start my own company (for the first time).
My company SHOBIZ Productions produced and promoted special events, with an emphasis on charity fundraising. Starting a company from scratch was very difficult and lonely at times but I was proud of the work we did and the business I built.
KEARTH, KIIS FM and KBIG radio were some of my clients and I was offered an opportunity to run the marketing department for KBIG FM. After I few years I transitioned over to Television with KCAL-TV, which at that time was owned by Disney. After eight years with KCAL-TV, I wanted to spread my entrepreneurial wings once again. I partnered with Davis/Elen advertising to create Millennium Marketing, a marketing and promotional company and soon merged with the Anschutz Corporation to form ko/Envision, which also included naming rights. When the company’s major shareholder decided to take 100% control of the company I knew I wanted to control my own destiny and left to form my current company, Omega Marketing. We are entertainment marketing consultants and focus on partnerships, promotions and licensing programs. I am proud to say that this past June we celebrated our 20th Anniversary.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting a small business can be a very hard and sometimes lonely journey. With my first company, I initially had to supplement my income by substitute teaching until I built my business up to a place it could sustain itself. The hours are long and even when working on a project, you’re thinking about where to find the next one. I have been very lucky that my clients have stayed with me for the long-term. My “youngest” client has been with me for seven years and my longest-term client has been with me for over 19 years.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Omega Marketing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What sets my company Omega Marketing apart from others is when you hire my company, you’ll benefit directly from my experience, knowledge and work ethic. I made a conscious decision years ago to keep my company small so that I could contribute directly to each client. We specialize in bringing brands/companies together with entertainment properties for promotions, marketing and licensing partnerships. We’re a “matchmaker” of sorts, identifying the initial partnership and bringing the two parties together for mutual benefit. We handle the negotiations and stay involved through the contract execution and often through program implementation.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love most things about LA…I grew up here and love the people, the many things the city has to offer and our diversity. Where else can you play tennis one day, go to the beach the next and go skiing on the weekend? My biggest complaint about the city is the traffic…it is often unbearable.
Contact Info:
- Address: Omega Marketing
4335 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 313
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 - Phone: 818 728-8300
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Symantec
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