“Inside a Brick House”

Inside a Brick House

Brick House Partners LLC is a boutique marketing & advertising focused search firm that connects companies and great marketing/advertising talent based on fit.

Inside a Brick House*

BackgroundBusiness founded 2008 by Ralph CutcherMarketing career with senior leadershipClient CMO level marketing roles at Bob Evans, Sherwin Williams, Newell RubbermaidAgency Lowe & Partners, BrokawConsultant (Agency search & relationship) The Rojek Cutcher GroupReputation ResultsEnergyPeople instinctsHigh ethics


BackgroundAverage tenure for a CMO currently is 28 monthsWill this ever approach levels of other C-Suite roles?Marketing has some of its lost luster and influence in executive quartersOnly 7% of most highly compensated executives have marketing in their titleMarketing budget levels reduced Unlikely to return to historical levelsAgency client relationships average 2 yearsAOR?...assignments carry client-agency relationships nowBig reviews for new business (except media) dramatically reducedNew business has gone underground and organicMarketing and agency staffing levels have reduced to historical low ratiosTeams are built in zero base fashion


What Does It mean?Backdrop for marketing and advertising has shifted permanently we are not returning to historical levels of anythingnow its about leading & managing changeGreat work = ideas that impact a business quicklyThe ground is leveled between assorted sized communications resources -assignments based on best ideasDigital capability is assumed and now integration is at a premiumAdditions to staff will be more stringently viewed, created and vetted by:Relationship to revenueCreating new/changing capabilityCultural fitEffectiveness in change managementOne person with great talent who fits will make more of a difference these are transformational players


Build a Better HouseQuestions?Can there be stronger, more impactful relationships between organizations and talented marketing & advertising people which address these issues?Can talent search help?


Build a Better HouseYes - If talent search re-orients toward enduring issuesFocus on fitTrack record and skills and valuesTransition from This is what we do to This is what we believe Focus on transformational players for business impact


Inside a Brick HouseHow we break the mold for executive search Transformational player expertise

What does that mean?Marketing and agency staff are not hired to maintain they are hired to cause change and stimulate growth. The trick is whether or not they can activate and galvanize the organization in pursuit of those changes positively and collaboratively while still stretching the teams view of what is possible.Our expertise is finding and expertly vetting candidates who combine the experience/skill set, right circumstantial experience, cultural fit and personal effectiveness in change management.*

How we break the mold for executive search The best experience is circumstantial. Finding people that have been through what lies ahead of your business is most important.Category experience is over worked - look harder at the relevance in peoples careersHire people for whats ahead versus the issue of nowFocus on what your company aspires to and dialogue with candidates who have been therei.e. Customer service excellence

*Inside a Brick House

Inside a Brick HouseHow we break the mold for executive searchExcellent reputation and network within the marketing & advertising community trusted beyond the space that search firms are allowedDepth and subtle insight for marketing searches garnered from a well rounded marketing career perspective1. CMO level client 2. Agency leader 3. Connected industry consultant 4. Recruiter Fresh, new perspective and talentValuesCreate legacy in work quality and relationships -- Be contrary to same old thingDo the right thing -- Be quick about thingsDo what we said wed do (DWWSWD) -- Demonstrate how to treat peopleApproachFit is keyRelevant circumstantial experience is keyDevelop organizational support for searches

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How We WorkDefining fit - culture & roleFast start immersion internal dialogues with key influencersWe visit your office(s) and absorb the costThe role, search and remit will be more fully supported by the organizationBracketed views on roleBusiness issues ahead for the organizationOrganization uniqueness and challenges for changeOvert and subtle insights will be garnered to influence BHP in securing transformational playersWhat is leveragable our selling strategyPsyMax Solutions success profilePsyMax Solutions is our assessment resource partner www.psymaxsolutions.com Profile is completed with client following internal dialogues


How we workPosition Brief *Company profile snapshot, culture, direction and performanceExecutive team profileJob responsibilitiesPriority experience and skillsPriority personal characteristicsCompensation, travel, relocation

* BHP DeliverableInside a Brick House*

How We WorkSourcing candidates seeking candidates directly and finding best practices companies for targetingBHP network (2,500+) focusing on relevant senior relationships in marketing community, financial services, agency community and media resourcesNets a 80-100 referral network for the searchNew ground network development in best practice and aspired companies-- inside and outside of financial services BHP candidate databaseFor good fit candidatesFor best practices company experiences with relevant target companiesSyndicated databases


How We WorkCandidate interviews/assessment BHP in-depth vetting interface with every candidatePosition brief and success profile serve as fit guideExperience fitBehavioral and cultural fitFocus on building mutual trustAssure genuine interest/intent for company, role, move, compensation, etc.Dig for little deal breakersOn-line PsyMax Solutions assessment Early phase references if neededUnderstand the person and their relevant circumstantial experience


How We WorkCandidates recommendation Target 3 high confidence candidatesCandidate brief* BHP analysis and POV on each candidateAssessment reportResume/CVWork examples

* BHP DeliverableInside a Brick House*

How We WorkInitial client interviews Followed immediately by BHP two-way downloads Develop new or utilize current client feedback toolRecommend a discreet, consistent client interview teamReview download summary with client and candidatesAddress mutual issues


How We Work2nd Phase Client Interviews Interviews with consistent interview teamRecommend some informal social time as part of this phaseRecommend that candidates be asked to prepare their initial thoughts on how they would approach the role based on initial phase visit. This point of view would be viewed as widely/narrowly as appropriate for the client


How We WorkReferences and reference brief* Common themesAssessment against 12 dimensions (i.e. leadership, relationship building, integrity, strategic skills)VerbatimsReferences POV on candidates fit for company, culture and role

* BHP Deliverable


How We WorkEarly pre-qualification of offer parametersAvoid a yes/no response situation to an unknown offer/letterCreate a mutually acceptable tone to the negotiation processDiscover the must haves and bendable issues in the compensation packageProvide early warning to engage back-up candidates or sourcing continuation


How We WorkOffer & negotiationAdvance resolution of professional & personal issuesOfferNegotiation


What To Expect From BHPImmersion into a clients businessFocus on fitFocus on relevant circumstantial experienceFocus on fresh talent pools Candor and points-of-view that carry valueFast pacing and responsivenessAbility to move forward with highly efficient interface24/7 work ethic and accessibilityAttention to detailExcellent communication and updatesNo surprisesOnly A candidatesOnly candidates that are truly interested, will relocate and who have the little deal breakers discussedEveryone who is touched by this search will have respect for your company and how they were treated


PricingContained fee basisHybrid approach which clients appreciate for its ability to provide deep investment and strong service while containing the fee risk and building strong accountability for us to deliver 1/3 of fee @ start of assignment2/3 of fee @ successful agreement with candidateNegotiated % of first year compensation - competitive with contingent firms and below the larger retained firmsNo other costs beyond travel to candidatesNo administrative fees


Inside a Brick House

Appendix

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Inside a Brick HouseRalph Cutcher - Managing PartnerIn 2008, Ralph took his 20+ years of marketing and agency experience and invested them in his own executive search company, Brick House Partners, focused on marketing and advertising assignments. Ralph understands the dimensions of marketing and advertising and the challenges that go along with each role. He has done nearly all of them during his career and adds that valuable perspective to recruitment. Along the way, Ralph has helped some of the best agencies and companies build enduring brands and great teams. Ralph brings a reputation for results, energy, an instinctive sense for people and high ethics. Early in his career, Ralph spent nine years at Interpublics Lowe & Partners. As Senior Vice-President, he managed account groups in Cleveland and New York and worked with a variety of packaged-goods and retail clients. Moving client side, Ralph held senior marketing positions with Bob Evans Farms, Sherwin-Williams, and Newell Rubbermaid where he led new product resurgence and re-shaped marketing organizations. Ralph was principal of the Rojek Cutcher Group Inc., a nationally recognized agency review consultancy dedicated to helping companies, such as KeyCorp, National City Bank, Kemper Insurance, Lands End, Dennys, UPS, White Castle, Delta Airlines and Alltel find and manage agency resources more effectively. Ralph was Managing Partner at Brokaw, a strong regional agency with a growing reputation for smart, outstanding creative work. At Brokaw he led the transition toward a better balanced agency staffed with deeper, broader talent and a healthier national client base. Ralph is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and has attended Wharton and Darden Schools Executive Development.Ralph has helped in the community during his career through Junior Achievement, high school entrepreneurship mentoring, Catholic Charities Board, coaching and parish leadership. He is an outdoors enthusiast.

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Inside a Brick HouseMegan Russo Recruiting CoordinatorMegan Russo joined Brick House Partners in early 2013. Prior to joining the team, Megan spent nine years in marketing and advertising as an account executive working with such companies as Lego, Hasbro, Lance Powersports, Harley Davidson, General Electric and multiple licensing agencies.Megan understands the importance of marketing and advertising as well as recruiting and development of organizations. Megan brings enthusiasm, energy and dedication to the team. She has experience in human resources, recruiting, marketing and advertising. During her career she has achieved numerous awards and recognition for consistently achieving above quotas as well as development of multiple departments within organizations.Megan graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University. She also has a Masters of Labor Relations and Human Resources from Cleveland State University with a focus in Organizational Development and is in the process of completing her MBA from Cleveland State University.Her experience in business, human resources and marketing help herto findthe best available talent for her clients.Megan is an active volunteer for Family Promise of Lorain County, involved in her Parish and supports her alumni foundation. She participates in multiple sports, enjoys playing piano and improvisation.

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What People Say

Jeff Tritt - Chief People Officer, Resource InteractiveIt is rare to find an individual whos technical expertise, leadership abilities and track record for building high performance teams comes together in one single package. As a marketer Ralph has impressive credentials innovating on both the client and agency side of the business. He has an exceptional eye for talent and the cultural instincts to understand fit like few executives do. With a engaging personal style and natural curiosity about what makes people tick, Ralph brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to the recruitment world. We have been consistently impressed by the quality of candidates we interview and hire from Brick House.Kim Bartley - VP Marketing and Product Development, White CastleWhen you work with resource partners it is especially valuable when they have walked in your shoes. Ralph understands how to build a great marketing or agency team, he understands how to build a brand and operationalize marketing. He also understands that all these things are best accomplished with people who have chemistry and fit with a companys culture. Ralphs view garnered from a wide experience base across marketing and advertising makes him a great resource partner in building a team.Patricia Berns - EVP Worldwide Account Lead, McCann WorldgroupThree words come to mind integrity, vision and passion. From the beginning of my experience with BHP it was evident this was a firm unlike the normal Executive Recruiting organizationand I have interfaced with many over the years. Bottom line, if all Executive Recruiters operated like BHP and delivered the same caliber of results, no client would fill any key position without them. It was one of the most positive recruiting relationships I have had in my executive experience and I would recommend BHP to anyone who is looking for a strategically-driven, valuable partner.Mark Goren - President, Point to Point, Inc.Ralph is superior in every way to any recruiting professional I have ever worked with. The idea of putting recruiter next to Ralph's name is a misnomer and can't even begin to tell the whole story. Ralph goes deeper and provides insights and thinking that enhances the entire process. He brings the same level of advice that any excellent trusted advisor brings and he's not afraid to tell you what you need to hear. Need great legal advice, call your lawyer. Need accounting direction, try your CPA. Need people advice and the best skills to understand and find human capital in marketing and advertising, call Ralph Cutcher.Tim Nicholls - President - Global Brands, Berlin Cameron & The United NetworkWhen it comes to significant, potentially life-changing decisions, Ralph brings a professionalism, objectivity and honesty that is both refreshing and reassuring. I will always seek out his opinion.


How To Contact Us

Ralph CutcherTelephone: 440/256-3410 (O) 440/382-8283 (M)E-mail: [email protected]


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“Inside a Brick House”

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