Small Firm. Big Ideas.
Watauga Group has more than 75 years of combined experience in marketing and media planning and buying, and they’re ready to bring their insight to your business vision. Whether you need media planning, acquisition, or management, or even a complete strategic marketing campaign, the staff at Watauga Group knows how to make your brand the center of attention.
We’re experienced in an array of fields, from hospitality to real estate to banking. And we have the strategic partners to bring just about any media vision to fruition.
No worries. We’ll make you look fabulous.
Leslie Osborne, Media Director – Florida and Partner
Leslie manages media planning and buying for agency clients. She analyzes media options and recommends the best channels, as well as oversees all broadcast, print, online, and out-of-home rate negotiations.
During her six years at Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (YPB&R) she supervised media for clients like Gaylord Hotels, Colonial Williamsburg, Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts and AmeriSuites. Leslie’s professional experience includes clients in the travel, group meetings, hospitality, real estate, financial and medical fields.
Leslie is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a major in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration.
Neil Romaine, Strategic Marketing Director and Partner
Neil is responsible for strategic planning and marketing for all agency clients. He also takes a major role in maintaining client relations. Neil ensures what was promised is delivered.
Previously, he was media director for Medical Hair Restoration. He supervised a direct marketing campaign, in-house group of planners and buyers.
Prior to MHR, Neil was senior vice president, media director of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, where he supervised the composition, negotiation and measurement of all media plans developed on behalf of the agency’s clients. While there, he supervised the development of media programs for a diverse array of clients in every aspect of the travel and leisure industries including lodging, transportation, destination promotion, theme parks, gaming, vacation ownership and travel services. He was also a key member helping over see YPBRI, the agencies internet department.
Prior to joining YPB&R, Neil served as a media strategist with Kobbs & Draft in New York where he developed and implemented successful media and direct marketing programs for such clients as HBO, Fidelity Investments and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Neil was a member of Toastmasters and sat on numerous media panels over his career. He received a B.S. in Management Science from SUNY Geneseo, New York.
Erin Hartman, Media Director – Atlanta Market
Erin manages our Atlanta business, handling the media planning and buying needs of clients and agencies in Atlanta. She prides herself in finding new ways to leave a lasting impression on the target audience.
Erin has experience in recruitment, retail, travel & tourism, medical, business-to-business, financial and telecommunications, and has worked on clients including The Home Depot, AT&T Wireless, Orkin, Universal Studios and Stevi B’s pizza. She has developed campaigns for targeting youth & ethnic, negotiating sports sponsorships, and creating & implementing grass roots campaigns.
Erin has worked at several advertising agencies, including BBDO/OMD, Ames Scullin O’Haire, and Mindshare.
Erin graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and a minor in Mathematics. So you can trust her to handle your advertising dollars.
Jenny Williams – Media Planner, Orlando
Jenny handles the implementation of media plans – once strategy is decided, she collects and analyzes research and proposals to negotiate the lowest rates for clients. Jenny handles multiple clients schedules and budgets, ensuring campaigns go off without any glitches! In addition to traditional media, she handles numerous online campaigns – from placement to recommendations and optimizations, as well as reporting that clients can easily understand. Accounts range from hospitality, food & beverage, consumer goods, financial, and law offices to name a few.
Jenny graduated from the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration.
Kimberly Weems – Media Planner, Alabama
Kim does traditional media planning and buying for agency clients. She analyzes media options and recommends the best options.
Previously Kim was the media supervisor for Medical Hair Restoration, were she managed traditional direct marketing media plans and buys.
Prior to MHR, Kim was a Media buyer for Thompson and Company Advertising Agency in Memphis, Tennessee, were she worked on a variety of clients that included banking, beverage, finance, fast food, gaming and sports.
Charles Osborne, Director SEM Strategies and Partner
Charles manages the SEM deployments and business priorities for Watauga Group.
Charles is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. His time building circuits and networks with BellSouth and Sprint allows him unique knowledge how the mechanics of SEM works. He works to make sure that SEM plans perform and can be implemented smoothly.
He is also the chief contact for payables, receivables, and payroll matters. Charles has over 15 years of Hospitality management experience prior to joining Watauga Group. He has worked with Little Caesars Pizza; Kenny Rogers Roasters of East Tennessee; and AMC Theatres. In 1997, Charles helped form and establish Starlight Diners and J. Baxter Holdings of Daytona Beach, FL.
During his tenure in the Hospitality industry, he has managed individual units, supervised district areas, performed corporate support functions, and been an independent owner. This prior experience serves the agency well as a sounding board for what operations teams desire from their marketing people.