News & Press Releases (36)

Chief Outsiders Announces Sponsorship of Dallas Vistage Executive Summit

2.9.2015 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Signs as One of Six National Vistage International Sponsors

The 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in Houston

9.16.2014 — They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and even small business is no exception. As the fourth most populous city in America, Houston is home to many companies on this year's Inc. 5000. Boasting a home-field advantage with such industries as health care and energy, Houston is poised for an even bigger small business scene in the years to come. Should you consider Houston for your upcoming launch? For some guidance, here's our list of the top 10 fastest-growing companies in the area: 10. Worldwide Power Products The tenth fastest-growing Houston-based company is also number 910 on the Inc. 5000. It distributes power generation equipment to consumers in the nautical, industrial and petroleum industries throughout America, Asia and Europe. Headed by CEO Mark Perry, it boasts a three-year growth rate of 493 percent. 9. Noah Consulting Founded in 2008 and headed by CEO Amber Ruddy, Noah Consulting provides information management services to companies in oil and gas, retail, trading, and natural resources. It's number 891 on this year's Inc. 5000, with a three-year growth rate of 502 percent. 8. Security America Mortgage Making its debut appearance on the Inc. 5000, this company provides a wide range ofmortgage loans to consumers. Led by CEO Garrett Puckett, it's also among the top financial services companies on the list. It's ranked at number 734, with a three-year growth rate of 624 percent. 7. Cradle Solution Led by CEO Alex Akintayo, Cradle Solution develops SaaS for the home health-care industry, and provides consulting and training for oil and gas companies. It makes its second appearance on the Inc. 5000 this year, ranking number 721 with a three-year growth rate of 629 percent. 6. Chief Outsiders Aptly named, the seventh fastest-growing Houston-based company provides management and consulting services to owners and CEOs of mid-sized businesses, with a special focus on growth and marketing strategy. Headed by CEO Art Saxby, it's added 14 jobs in the last three years, with a growth rate of 863 percent. 5. Cimation Founded in 2009, Cimation automates processes and develops IT systems for clients in the oil, gas and energy industries. Headed by CEO Jonathan Klein, it clocks in at number 517 on this year's Inc. 5000, with a three-year growth rate of 911 percent. It's on the larger side of Houston small business, with 213 total employees. 4. Team Trident Headed by Rod Long, the fourth fastest-growing company in Houston provides oil and gas technicians--trained by the US military--for both direct hire and contract positions. This is the third time the company has appeared on the Inc. 5000, presently ranked at number 372. 3. Southern Green Builders This construction company is number 284 on the Inc. 5000 and the third fastest-growing company in Houston. Led by CEO Sam Seidel, it works to build Craftsman-style homes that also incorporate modern efficiencies. With only seven total employees, Southern Green promises "sustainable innovation," with homes that you can count on being more than just sticks and bricks. Its model is certainly effective: The company's three-year growth rate is 1,610 percent. 2. EPI Engineering With the goal of reducing energy consumption, this business--number 263 on the Inc. 5000--provides a range of engineering services. With only 15 employees total, EPI boasts an impressive 1,751 percent growth rate. It ranks number two on Inc.'s Top Engineering Companies in America, headed by CEO Edward William. 1. PPT Fiberglass The fastest-growing company in Houston makes its first appearance on the Inc. 5000 as number 239. Led by CEO Justin Parker, PPT produces fiber-reinforced plastics and fiberglass grating, which it sells to different industries including waste water treatment, oil, gas, and construction companies. Founded in 2010, its three-year growth rate is a whopping 1,983 percent. The biggest city in an even bigger state, Houston is definitely a location to watch in the ever-growing world of entrepreneurship. (View original Inc. article here.)

Meet the Fast 100: Houston management consultancy embarks on largest national expansion to date

9.11.2014 — By Suzanne Edwards, Houston Business Journal, September 8, 2014, 3:52PM

Chief Outsiders Recognized by Inc. Magazine as 560th Fastest Growing Privately Held Company

9.5.2014 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Recognized For Significant 3-Year Growth Rate Houston, TX (PRWEB) September 5, 2014 Chief Outsiders, LLC, the nation’s leading strategic marketing firm comprised solely of C-level marketing executives has achieved a 3-year growth rate of 863%, giving it recognition as the 560th fastest growing privately held company in the America by Inc. Magazine in their 33rd annual list of companies-the Inc. 5000. Focused on addressing the growth challenges of mid-sized companies, Chief Outsiders offers a range of fractional CMO services that range from coaching to part-time or interim executive roles, to strategic. Since their inception in 2008 in Houston, Texas, the company has expanded nationally, adding new regions, diversified service offerings and a larger team. They are continuing to press the gas pedal on driving more business by serving an expanding number of clients from sectors including technology, industrial and financial services, oil and gas, consumer goods and much more. “We have all heard companies say ‘it is all about our people.’ But in our case, it really is. Working together as a tribe of Chief Marketing Officers, we can bring in great assignments that allow us to do what we love, make big things happen for midsize companies that we couldn’t do and they couldn’t do elsewhere,” said Art Saxby, founder and CEO of Chief Outsiders. “We do this by working together as a “tribe.” We’re continuously learning through each other, by taking our assignments back to the tribe, sharing what we’re doing, inviting each other into discussion and projects and utilizing each others strengths. Each CMO has actively helped build a culture and company that we can enjoy being a part of.” The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 15 through 17, 2014 in Phoenix. Speakers include some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this and past generations, such as Michael Dell, Martha Stewart, host of the CNBC show “The Profit” Marcus Lemonis, Container Store Founder and CEO Kip Tindell, and Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. The Inc. 5000 award is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2010 to 2013. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2010. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies. The minimum revenue required for 2010 is $100,000; the minimum for 2013 is $2 million. About Chief Outsiders Recently listed by Inc Magazine as one of the 600 fastest growing privately held companies in the US and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders, LLC is an “Executives-as-a-Service” firm helping grow mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing and management consulting firms, by working as part of the portfolio company leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis to not only help develop market based growth plans, but to be responsible for implementing the plans within the company. Unlike most consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Everyone at Chief Outsiders has held the position of VP of Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. With 30+ CMOs across the country, we can put exactly the right skill set on the leadership team of any portfolio company for a fraction of the cost of a full time executive. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for businesses seeking marketing expertise, execution and leadership including Riverside Company portfolio companies OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc, Source Capital portfolio companies such as Abutec, and Merrill Lynch Special Situations Group portfolio companies such as EarthColor.

Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby to Speak at Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forum

8.26.2014 — Operational Partners Will Gather for Premier Event at Convene Conference Center in New York on October 21 – 22 New York, NY (PRWEB) August 26, 2014 Entering its fourth year, the Operating Partners Forum has become the pre-eminent peer-to-peer event for professionals in private equity firms who are focused on value creation at the portfolio company level, namely the operating partners. The event provides the opportunity for operational partners to expand their knowledge and expertise of not only how to create value at a portfolio company, but what’s occurring in the larger private equity realm, how technology is changing the way business is conducted, new trends in the global market place and how they impact portfolio companies and the information operating partners need to make an impact on their portfolio company’s bottom line. Art Saxby, CEO and Founder of Chief Outsiders, is a sponsor of the event and will be a panelist at the workshop “Sharing Costs to Optimize EBITDA,” where he will discuss: Outsourcing and long-term value How to evaluate outsourcing options Finding the “sweet spot” between in-house and outsourced capabilities “As the operating partner role in private equity firms is evolving, becoming more central and valuations are increasing, expanding the knowledge and expertise of operational partners is vital,” said Saxby. Saxby started his career in corporate finance with a BS and MBA in finance and various financial analysis and planning roles at LTV Aerospace and Defense and Frito-Lay. He learned his trade in marketing in brand and project management at Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola and Compaq/HP, before getting involved in troubled company turn-around with the Lehman Brother controlled Imperial Sugar and Madison Dearborn Partners controlled Hines Horticulture. He started Chief Outsiders in 2009. About Chief Outsiders Recently listed by Inc Magazine as one of the 600 fastest growing privately held companies in the US and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders, LLC is an “Executives-as-a-Service” firm helping grow mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing and management consulting firms, by working as part of the portfolio company leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis to not only help develop market based growth plans, but to be responsible for implementing the plans within the company. Unlike most consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Everyone at Chief Outsiders has held the position of VP of Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. With 30+ CMOs across the country, we can put exactly the right skill set on the leadership team of any portfolio company for a fraction of the cost of a full time executive. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for businesses seeking marketing expertise, execution and leadership including Riverside Company portfolio companies OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc, Source Capital portfolio companies such as Abutec, and Merrill Lynch Special Situations Group portfolio companies such as EarthColor.

Chief Outsiders Doubles Silicon Valley Presence

8.18.2014 — Karen Hayward and Mark Lange, newest CMOs at Chief Outsiders, bring their extensive technology experience to work with CEOs of growth companies SILICON VALLEY, CA (PRWEB) August 18, 2014 Karen Hayward and Mark Lange, new CMOs at Chief Outsiders, bring their extensive technology experience to work with CEOs of growth companies. Chief Outsiders, LLC, of Houston is pleased to announce that Karen Hayward and Mark Lange have joined the firm. Chief Outsiders is the nation’s largest executive marketing firm focused on implementing market-based growth plans for mid-size and growth companies through fractional or part-time marketing executives. Hayward and Lange will work alongside CEOs and their executive teams of technology companies to accelerate their revenue growth. Having worked with SaaS companies since 2000, Karen Hayward is a pioneer in the cloud computing industry. Among the many areas in which she will be working with CEOs, she specializes in aligning sales and marketing for revenue growth, improving lead generation, executing “go to market” strategies, positioning companies as “thought leaders” and much more. Karen has held executive positions at EarthLink Business, CenterBeam, Accelio, BeyondWork and Xerox Canada. “During my career working with multiple organizations, public and private, international and national, large and small, I have lived the hard reality of the battlefield and am eager to share my expertise, lessons learned and deliver the impact needed to solve CEOs’ organizational challenges,” said Hayward. “Chief Outsiders’ model is unique,” she continued. “It provides marketing help to CEOs at a lower cost and risk but with executive marketers who are at the height of their careers experience wise and are ready to see the results of their labor.” Recent engagements of Hayward include the development of marketing and sales enablement programs at Earthlink, the re-architecting of the services offerings and go-to-market strategy at CenterBeam, which was subsequently acquired by Earthlink, and delivering revenue and profit growth by revamping sales operations, professional services and global market alliance programs at Accelio Corporation, which was subsequently acquired by Adobe. Karen has received numerous rewards and recognitions for her marketing campaigns, sales skills and performance including being named one of the “Power 100: The Most Powerful Women of the Channel.” Lange brings Chief Outsiders a unique combination of early-stage and enterprise-class technology marketing and sales leadership experience, combined with the financial background to develop and refine new business models, secure funding, and support outstanding M&A outcomes. Mark has held executive leadership positions at Nimsoft (a CA Company), SAP, PeopleSoft, BrassRing, K-III (a KKR fund) and was a speechwriter to the President of the White House. “These are exciting times for marketing as a discipline,” Lange said. “Innovations in marketing systems and processes, as well as and digital and social media tools, make it possible to drive demand, revenue and profitable growth as never before. I’m very happy to be joining a group of senior, leading-edge CMOs who will continuously raise the level of my game.” As an entrepreneur, Mark has founded and helped grow innovative web, SaaS and cloud ventures in talent management, healthcare information and social e-commerce, two of which were acquired for over $200 million. Mark currently serves as an Executive Fellow at the Center for Digital Strategies at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where he moderates quarterly roundtables with Global 100 CIOs. “Both Karen and Mark are world class marketers who have enabled companies to become category leaders,” says Pete Hayes, Principal of Chief Outsiders. “They know how to collaborate with CEOs and executive teams to unlock their potential and turn vision into actionable strategy.” Contact Karen Hayward at khayward@chiefoutsiders.com and Mark Lange at mlange@chiefoutsiders.com. About Chief Outsiders Headquartered in Houston, TX, and silver winner of the American Business Awards “Company of the Year,” and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100, Chief Outsiders serves mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time CMO services. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing consulting firms, taking businesses to the next level by working as part of the leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis. Unlike most marketing consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for marketing expertise, execution and leadership for companies such as i2C, AbsolutData, Bethyl Labs, Auto Load Logic and Riverside Company portfolio companies including OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc.

Chief Outsiders Makes Houston’s 2014 Fast 100 List

8.8.2014 — Strategic Marketing Consulting Firm Recognized by Houston Business Journal for High Growth Houston, TX (PRWEB) August 8, 2014 Chief Outsiders, LLC, the leading North American provider of outsourced Chief Marketing Officer services to growth and mid-sized companies has been recognized for the Houston Business Journal's 2014 Fast 100. The award honors Houston’s fastest growing private companies, ranked by a three-year revenue growth from 2011 to 2013. All companies nominated have been doing business for a minimum of 5 years and are headquartered within the 10-county Houston metropolitan area. The winners represent top talent from all of Houston’s industries. Since 2009, Chief Outsiders stands as the only company of its kind –offering strategic business and marketing services to CEOs of mid-sized companies with a nationwide firm of Chief Marketing Officers(CMOs) working on an interim, part-time/fractional, or coaching basis. The CMOs at Chief Outsiders come from a broad range of industries, but all have held the position of vice president of Marketing at one or more operating companies. “We are excited to be a part of the Fast 100 this year and to see our progress recognized. I know I can speak for our whole tribe and say that our growth and progress mirror the client companies we have worked with and that’s something we’re really proud of,” said Art Saxby, CEO and Founder of Chief Outsiders. HBJ will announce the rankings of the winner on September 11 at the Hilton America’s Hotel. Click here to register for the event. About Chief Outsiders Chief Outsiders, LLC, an "Executives-as-a-Service" firm, helps grow mid-sized companies from coast-to-coast with more than 40 part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) who have held positions of VP Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. These individuals' breadth of experience makes it possible for Chief Outsiders to put the right skill set on a leadership team of any company for a fraction of the cost of a full time executive. Unlike other strategic marketing and management consulting firms, Chief Outsiders works with company leadership teams to develop and implement market based growth plans. Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates little value and that the real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Because of its market based growth plans, leadership and experienced team, Chief Outsiders was recently listed by Inc Magazine as one of the 600 fastest growing privately held companies in the US (in the top 10 in Houston) and recognized for the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100. Businesses seeking Chief Outsiders as a premier source include: ErgoGenesis, Five Stone Tax, Summa Technologies, and Riverside Company portfolio companies OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc, Source Capital portfolio companies such as Abutec, and Merrill Lynch Specialties Group portfolio companies such as EarthColor.

Chief Outsiders Adds to Dallas Roster With New CMO, Beth Somplatsky-Martori

3.24.2014 — Marketing executive Beth Somplatsky-Martori of Dallas brings her extensive consumer and industrial experience to work with mid-sized companies across the country. Dallas, TX (PRWEB) March 24, 2014 Chief Outsiders, LLC, of Houston continues its nationwide growth with its newest CMO Beth Somplatsky-Martori. Chief Outsiders is the nation’s largest executive marketing firm focused on implementing market based growth plans for mid-size and growth companies through fractional or part-time marketing executives. As a Chief Outsider, Beth will work alongside growth-oriented CEOs to achieve their goals as a part-time or fractional senior marketing executive. Beth focuses on creating market and business strategies for growth and profit enhancement. Her specialties’ lie in new product development, product life cycle management, consumer and customer segmentation, new media, research and analysis. Her career expertise also includes differentiating brands, products, and pricing across multiple and complex distribution networks for mid-sized to Fortune 100 Companies. “This is the only company I’ve heard of that has this breadth and depth of experience to guide companies’ strategic marketing efforts. I am more than excited to be a part of this extraordinarily knowledgeable team and gain access to peer CMOs to benefit my clients,” said Beth. Beth has had P&L and global leadership responsibility in organizations ranging from $25 M to $1 B in the industrial and consumer products categories. She has consistently increased profitability and gained market share as the VP of Marketing at Niagara Conservation Corporation, Overhead Door Corporation, Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath, and Compass Home. She also served as the strategic marketing executive for Phillips Lighting Company. Prior to joining Chief Outsiders, Beth was founder and president of SocialBiz Maven, a strategic business and marketing consulting firm for mid-size companies. As Vice President of Marketing at the Overhead Door Corporation, the leading manufacturer of garage doors and openers for residential and commercial applications, Beth grew the Company’s dollar share by 1.5 points, reduced operating expenses by over $6 M and increased cash flow by $3 M in the first-year, post-acquisition of Wayne Dalton. Additionally, she expanded her product launch experience by introducing a new garage door opener product line under the Genie and Overhead Door brands through which she added $60M in incremental revenue and increased profitability by $25M. For the Phillips Lighting Company, Beth gained brand exclusivity for the $300M light bulb category at The Home Depot and helped propel the Phillips brand from 65th to 42nd place on the Interbrand list of the world’s most valuable brands in less than four years. Beth developed a strong cross functional perspective from her early career advancement through a series of increasingly responsible rotations in engineering, finance, operations, and supply chain management at Philips Lighting where she reduced the number of North American manufacturing plants from 15 to 10, saving $25 M annually; decreased the number of warehouses from 30 to 6, saving $23 M annually; and lowered inventory by $30 M while maintaining service levels. “Beth’s immaculate track record derives from her willingness to dive into the most difficult challenges head first,” said Pete Hayes, Chief Outsiders Principal and CMO. “With this quality, broad experience and expertise, she’ll lead many mid-size companies in tackling their growth challenges.” Beth earned her MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and received a dual-BS in Industrial Engineering and Mineral Economics from The Pennsylvania State University. Contact Beth at bsomplatsky(at)chiefoutsiders(dot)com. About Chief Outsiders Headquartered in Houston, TX, and silver winner of the American Business Awards “Company of the Year,” Chief Outsiders serves mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time CMO services. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing consulting firms, taking businesses to the next level by working as part of the leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis. Unlike most marketing consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for marketing expertise, execution and leadership for companies such as i2C, AbsolutData, Bethyl Labs, Auto Load Logic and Riverside Company portfolio companies including OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc.

Boston’s Radio Entrepreneurs Program Features Chief Outsiders

3.13.2014 — Interview shares how Chief Outsiders can help mid-sized companies grow. Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 13, 2014 Today, Radio Entrepreneurs host Jeffrey Davis featured Chief Outsiders CMOs Andrea McKenna and Yvonne Brown as special guests. Radio Entrepreneurs shares the stories of entrepreneurs in the interest of giving more exposure to innovative and fast moving companies while creating a knowledge pool for the enrichment of the entrepreneurial community around the world. The segment can be heard here. In the interview, Mr. Davis explored the core values that Chief Outsiders CMOs bring to small and mid-sized companies by providing fractional or part-time marketing executives. Yvonne and Andrea explained how Chief Outsiders operates and how they differ from traditional consultants and the rapidly changing marketing landscape. “We join in and we work a lot on the strategic level and then we roll up our sleeves and help the team implement the changes that we’re recommending,” said CMO Yvonne Brown. “We don’t just give advice and leave.” The CMOs at Chief Outsiders join client companies as part of the management team in order to strategize and execute marketing plans that align with the CEO’s and the executive team’s goals and approach. The group went on to discuss how the field of marketing has changed in recent years, how it effects the ways businesses are operating and the changes needed to stay ahead of the curve. “There has been a tremendous change in marketing overall worldwide with the emergence of all the social tools,” said CMO Andrea McKenna. “In good companies, the focus has always been on the customer or the consumer, but what’s happened is a shift in control to the consumer, where the consumer has so many different ways to engage with brands and companies, and as a good marketer, you have to understand the entire space and all of the tools in the marketing toolkit.” About Chief Outsiders Headquartered in Houston, TX, and silver winner of the American Business Awards “Company of the Year,” Chief Outsiders serves mid-sized companies from coast to coast with part-time CMO services. Chief Outsiders is unique among strategic marketing consulting firms, taking businesses to the next level by working as part of the leadership team on a fractional or as-needed basis. Unlike most marketing consulting firms, Chief Outsiders believes delivering a world-class marketing strategy on its own creates very little value. The real value is created by helping the organization implement the growth vision. Chief Outsiders has been a premier source for marketing expertise, execution and leadership for companies such as i2C, AbsolutData, Bethyl Labs, Auto Load Logic and Riverside Company portfolio companies including OnCourse Learning, YourMembership.com and IDoc.

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