Gary Kretchmer

Hi, I'm Gary Kretchmer, career direct marketer gone trumpetblowingly crazy.

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GARY KRETCHMER is a direct response specialist, developing risk-free lead generation campaigns for business-to-consumer advertisers. Gary's marketing expertise spans across several media channels, with the goal of generating high quality, cost-effective sales leads for advertisers, and non-traditional revenue for broadcast and print publishers. For over 21 years, Gary was an owner and principal executive at Target + Response Inc., a direct marketing agency specializing in performance-based advertising. This includes per-inquiry, pay-per-lead, pay-per-call and cost-per-action programs. Gary helped grow Target + Response to a leadership position in per-inquiry radio advertising, and expanded its services to include yellow pages, email, print and other risk-free media opportunities. Specialties: Per-Inquiry Advertising, P.I. Radio Advertising, Pay-Per-Call Yellow Pages Advertising, Cost Per Action Email Advertising, Creative Strategy and Development, Direct Response Media Strategy, Pay-Per-Lead Media Placements, Broadcast Media Placements.

Owner/Managing Director at Target + Response Inc.

October 2010 - June 2011

President at Target + Response Inc.

April 2008 - October 2010

Per-inquiry, pay-per-call, cost-per action and pay-per-lead direct response advertising. Specialist at generating quality sales leads through radio, yellow pages, email, and print.

Vice President/Partner at Target + Response Inc.

October 1989 - March 2008

Direct Response Radio Advertising Specialist, placing all ads exclusively on a per-inquiry basis. Expanded into pay-per-call yellowpages advertising, cost-per-action email advertising and pay-per-lead print advertising, with an emphasis on generating quality, risk-free sales leads for consumer-based direct response advertisers.

Account Executive at A. Eicoff & Company

November 1987 - September 1989

Managed eleven retail and direct response television accounts, all designed to generate immediate, measurable results. I also participated in new business prospecting for the agency, resulting in four new client relationships.

Media Buyer at A. Eicoff & Company

November 1984 - November 1987

Agency's specialist in infomercial buying during the pioneering days of 30-minute television advertising. Managed the media operations of three DRTV accounts on over 200 TV stations and cable networks.

Account Management Trainee, Ogilvy & Mather Promotions at Ogilvy & Mather

April 1986 - June 1986

Initiated 14-week Account Management Training Program, reporting to Director of Client Services.

Media Assistant / Biller at A. Eicoff & Company, a division of Ogilvy & Mather

December 1983 - November 1984

Supported two media buyers with four retail and two direct response television accounts.

Analyst Assistant at VMS Realty

October 1982 - November 1983

Prepared market and demographic profiles of commercial and residential real estate properties throughout the U.S.

Owner Emeritus at Target + Response Inc.

July 2011

After selling Target + Response in June, 2011, I've been enjoying life as a marketing consultant, business advisor, copywriter and college guest lecturer. I'm also redeveloping my jazz trumpet proficiency while I keep my eyes open for the next exciting opportunity.

Syracuse University

1978 – 1982

Bachelor of Science

Concentration: Dual Major: Marketing and TV-Radio Management

New Trier East High School

1974 – 1978

Rock and Jazz Trumpet Player