On Advertising Champions, our host, Tony Stanol, interviews bright and engaging members of the digital advertising and media community. On this segment, Tony speaks with Deena McKinley of Maverick Marketing Solutions LLC.
Short company description:
I help restaurant brands, agencies, and tech partners achieve transformative growth through digital innovation and strategic excellence to maximize guest engagement and increase ROI.
In an era where digital presence dictates market dominance, I bring a track record of unparalleled success in elevating brands to the pinnacle of their potential. My expertise is not just in driving results, but in redefining what success looks like in digital strategy and guest engagement.
How do you define success?: To me, success is about creating measurable value that aligns with a company’s strategic goals. It involves not only driving brand awareness and generating interest, but also nurturing a deep connection with consumers that translates into sustained business growth. I define success by an ability to use data-driven insights to continually refine strategies and achieve a clear ROI, ensuring that every campaign contributes positively to the bottom line. Ultimately, it’s about building a strong, consistent brand that resonates with consumers and stands out in a competitive market.
How did you get started in your field or work?:
When I was a high school English teacher, I spend summers working. I realized my love for marketing during one of these summer jobs and made the transition.
What’s one thing we should know that makes your company unique?:
I am a certified life coach, and in addition to my marketing and advertising expertise, I help busy professionals avoid burnout so they can find balance, happiness, and be productive and successful in their lives and careers.
What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in your business?:
I joined a restaurant company that had just filed bankruptcy (as part of the turnaround team), was losing customers, got bad PR for closures and layoffs, and through a data driven approach to strategic planning, digital programs, focus on loyalty, segmentation, and other targeted initiatives, I was able to drive $7M in EBITDA, grow loyalty database, increase guest engagement, and increase guest feedback scores.