Introducing Nick Kurtz, Marketer Extraordinaire
Nicholas Kurtz, Senior Paid Media Project Manager
Since growing up in Traverse City and then graduating from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations, I’ve found myself marketing both in-house and at agencies for a wide range of products and services on local, regional, national, and even international levels.
Industries that I’ve excelled in marketing for include health/medical, higher education, automotive service, entertainment, live music, retail chain and many more. One major career accomplishment includes heading up the marketing department for an international electronic cigarette manufacturer; managing, developing, executing, optimizing and reporting on end-to-end marketing campaigns that were always required to follow the ever-changing advertising regulations of such a heavily regulated industry – all while keeping my head on straight.
In addition to specializing in paid media, I’m also a professional photographer and videographer specializing in live music, festival, product and fashion content for over nine years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with major names like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Griz at incredible venues like Lollapalooza and Red Rocks Amphitheatre and even had my work published with Rolling Stone. In the end, no matter where my creative efforts are focused, it all boils down to advertising in some way or another!
What’s your average day like at Oneupweb?
My average day at Oneupweb consists of to-do lists. Okay, maybe more than just that. Typically, I’m monitoring active paid media campaign performance, optimizing them, reading and learning about new advertising tools/news and writing reports, all to continuously get better at being an advertising professional because there’s no such thing as being done at getting better!
What is your best trait, and how do you use it to help your colleagues and clients?
No matter the situation, I strive to ALWAYS find a positive thing and a lesson to take away. It’s allowed me to live the happiest life that I can by not dwelling on things that are out of my control. What is in my control? The way that I react and what I take away. This way of thinking has allowed me to understand that everybody makes mistakes and can continue to improve, so long as they learn from it.
What do you like most about Oneupweb?
I’ve clicked with EVERYONE that I’ve had the pleasure of working with at OUW. Coming in as a new team member, I was welcomed with open arms and never made to feel like an outcast. That meant a lot in my book.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work, I’m at work. Really, though, I don’t ever really stop working. When I’m done with my work at Oneupweb, I’m typically either headed to shoot a concert/music festival, editing photos/footage, designing graphics or responding to emails inquiring about more work. I LOVE IT, though.
What are life’s simple pleasures?
Learning to love yourself, finding joy in loving others, and music.
Describe yourself in three words.
Empathetic, Comical, and Tired.
