About

Our mission is simple: Create and manage the development and marketing of digital and direct campaigns in a simple, highly effective and frugal manner with an eye on long-term solutions.

Oh boy, do we ever hate to make things more complicated than they are.

We take a hard-line stance against silly practices, especially those that waste our customers money. Too often, agencies offer ludicrously slow turnaround times, inflated planning processes and ineffective short-term strategies.

We have a novel approach, we listen to our clients, about their business. Then we come up with a plan. Last but not least, we execute.

We use open source software to keep costs down and stay on top of the latest services and technologies allowing us to execute faster, smarter and better.

Brent's background is in Marketing. With both BBA and MBA degrees in Marketing Management (from University of Iowa and Northern Illinois University, respectively), Brent's background has been working in a Marketing or Sales capacity for over 22 years. Brent has experience working in Retail - both Sales and Management roles for a national chain, followed by experience in media - starting in advertising sales for Chicago area newspapers. His role expanded and set the course for today when he became the first Internet Marketing Manager for Copley Newspapers, launching their first website ever. This newspaper site later won the IPA's best newspaper website in the State of Illinois. After growing the Internet department to a successful, profitable group managing newspaper websites, client web design, and online advertising, his role was expanded to include management of the Direct Mail and Direct Marketing for the newspaper division. Not long after, Copley Chicago newspapers were purchased by the Chicago Sun Times group. Brent's role expanded further as the Director of Marketing & New Media for the Sun Times Group - which includes over 100 newspaper titles in Chicagoland and Indiana. Responsibilities now included Market Research, Internet Marketing and Online Sales, and Direct Marketing. Brent's role gave him experience in managing a variety of web design projects, both internal and externally, direct online ad campaigns using banner ads, rich media and PPC ads, manage direct mail campaigns and market research, while building a division with a 7 figure bottom line.

Brent left the newspaper industry to work in the travel industry for OAG Worldwide. Brent was the Director of Marketing & Advertising for 3 years with OAG, directing Marketing campaigns and product research and marketing for OAG offices in the U.S. the U.K. and Singapore, rounding out his marketing experience with global product and revenue responsibilities.

The next move was going from global to local, with the launch of To Eleven Marketing with Nate and Paul. Brent enjoys this role the most, working personally with businesses from those that are local to Chicagoland to those national in scope. Every client is unique, but the goal remains the same: providing honest, experienced and creative expertise in Marketing to help our clients grow their business.

This partnership has let to many succesful client projects for To Eleven Marketing, blending the critical components of marketing strategy and creative design. We take the knowledge and experience we have used to literally make millions of dollars for other companies, and share that with our customers, providing a level of expertise that is not found in many other agencies.

Nate was the inspiration behind To Eleven Marketing. From putting the gang together to suggesting we are one better. Just like Nigel Tufnel's amplifier in This is Spinal Tap, we go to eleven while everyone else stops at ten.

Nate has been involved in marketing for 17 years. Being a "now" person Nate jumped onto the digital wave that was rolling in the mid 90's and has been surfing ever since. Due to his adaptability, Nate has become a knowledgeable professional in marketing communications, web development and digital sales. He has experienced these elements from both the management and staff sectors. These attributes and his ability to reflect on all possible scenarios has combined to make sound marketing decisions for our clients.

Digital marketing is ever changing and it's the best who react the fastest while staying levelheaded.