FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Marketing industry veteran Michelle Venus joins graphic design and marketing agency Toolbox Creative as the firm’s dedicated business development goddess.
Venus has extensive advertising, marketing and production experience representing international brands including Sony, Met Life, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, Sprint, TJ Maxx and Saturday Night Live. Working with major East Coast agencies as well as small, local firms, Venus produced everything from Super Bowl commercials to targeted direct mail pieces over the last 25 years.
She eventually formed her own consulting business, Michelle Venus Associates, to provide high-level marketing strategy for Colorado growth companies and nonprofits. During the last year, Venus collaborated with Toolbox Creative to develop and fulfill marketing strategies for local clients Custom Blending, McKee Medical Foundation and Poudre River Public Library District. The success of the partnership convinced Venus and Toolbox owners Dawn Putney and Tom Campbell to officially join forces under the Toolbox name. “I’ve had my eye on Toolbox Creative for years,” said Venus. “They produce award-winning, rock star graphic design, and their guerilla marketing tactics and promotional campaigns are strategic and successful.” Business is booming at Toolbox, and Putney and Campbell feel fortunate to be hiring at a time when many companies are cutting back and laying off employees.
“Michelle’s industry experience is amazing,” said Campbell. “Bringing her on board will help us better serve clients as we continue to grow.” Hiring Venus also allows the husband and wife co-owners to dedicate more time to the local arts community and to provide continued leadership for initiatives they helped establish such as Art Lab, ReFresh NoCo and Ignite Fort Collins.
“Nobody in Northern Colorado is doing what Toolbox is doing,” said Venus. “They are so much more than a terrific design studio – they are branding Northern Colorado as a major hub for creative talent and strengthening the regional marketing industry. It’s exciting to be part of such a powerful, creative movement.”