Emily Gottschalk, Founder/CEO, TGG, Inc.

Emily is an experienced leader in package goods marketing and promotion and a passionate pioneer in the creation and development of branded digital media content. As the driving force behind TGG for the past decade, she has been responsible for building the company from a small sole proprietorship to an influential and well-respected industry captain that has produced over 125 million units of digital media for some of the world’s largest corporations.

Emily began her career in the hotel industry as a Sales and Marketing Director for Marriott and Four Seasons Hotels. From the hotel industry, she moved into the retail environment as Marketing Director of Zany Brainy, the well-known retail chain that sold educational toys and multi-media products aimed at children ages 0-12. The stores offered daily events such as workshops, concerts, and author appearances, which were Emily’s “brainchild” and her first solid introduction to the creation of engaging, interactive programs for parents and their children. Following her years at Zany Brainy, Emily created the Teen Marketing Division and managed New Business Development for Market Source Corporation, a premier provider of integrated sales and marketing solutions to Fortune 500 companies.

She founded TGG in 1998, based on her recognition of the emerging need for traditional companies to partner with interactive entities to further their own awareness. Her recognition now that content is the currency of the digital age is the inspiration for and vision behind the expanded business model that will catapult TGG into its new role as an industry captain in the constantly growing home entertainment category.

Joshua Simons, COO, TGG Inc.

Joshua Simons is a marketing pioneer in the realm of entertainment marketing. He built the first music marketing company – Rockbill – which went on to become EMCI, the leading entertainment marketing firm in the country, through the creation of a new business and branding template for both the corporate and creative industries. This effort led to 300+ corporate brand partnerships with leading music, TV and film personalities that included pairing Budweiser with Journey, Jovan with The Rolling Stones, and Pepsi Cola with Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Tina Turner and Michael J. Fox. From EMCI, Joshua went on to create and manage a new lifestyle firm, Performance Properties for Clarion Marketing and Communications (now ARC). After his tenure there, he became Global Marketing Chief for WorldSpace, the parent company that launched XM Satellite Radio.

Most recently, Joshua redefined engagement, buzz and touchpoint marketing while serving as COO of Buzztone, Inc., now recognized as a 21st century online and offline entertainment buzz marketing pioneer. His career highlights to-date have also included the development of the first non-traditional media placement for product commercials on DVDs, front-of-trailer commercials in USA movie theatres, and compilation audio/CD disks.

Gary Eckes, Executive Vice President, TGG Direct

After 11 years in this business growing BCI from a small VHS company into a major independent in the sale of value priced Anglo and Latin CD's and DVD's, Gary has had exposure to significant retail customers including close associations with Wal*Mart, Circuit City, Target, Ross Stores, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Blockbuster, Ingram, B&T, Borders, Sam's, AAFES and others. Gary has also worked with Best Buy, in the past and various other buyers in their DVD area.

In addition, Gary has also worked closely with some ancillary Accounts, such as Barjan, KSG, Anderson News, Transcontinent, Texas Bookman, Tuesday Morning, Island View etc. as well as a vast net work of contacts within the closeout community.

Michael Stillman, Vice President of Sales, TGG Direct

With over 20 years in the industry Michael can easily be considered a “video” business veteran. His initial inroad was with Eddy Entertainment, one of the first independent sales organizations selling videos, where he started by running a 40 person telemarketing staff and ended up as VP of Sales. There, Michael developed many of the sales techniques still considered industry benchmarks today. After his tenure at Eddy, Michael went to American Home Entertainment to create both a sales team and to develop new programming. By the time he left, he had acquired over 1000 titles and had secured contracts for numerous licensed programs, including “Champions Forever”, a boxing title used as a premium by Sports Illustrated, and the rights to Frank L. Baum’s silent film collections of the Wizard of Oz.

Prior to joining TGG, Michael was the head of Special Markets for BCI, a division of Navarre, a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products. Within 2 years, he brought the division from $160,000 in sales per year to over $5 million. He also helped develop the $1.00 DVD program which became one of the biggest selling national budget programs in the past 5 years, with placement in Dollar General, Family Dollar and most “Dollar Store” chains in the United States.

Ben Bonart, Managing Director, TGG Digital Media

Ben is a hands-on marketing pro with a reputation for being an out-of-the-box thinker and accomplished producer who builds brands and makes sales happen. He possesses a unique combination of talents and skill sets as a strategic thinker, creative catalyst and team leader to solve marketing challenges and capitalize on marketplace opportunities. Ben’s work captures the soul of brands and the imagination of its consumers/customers through the creation of media-neutral integrated programs that deliver measurable results. He has been responsible for dynamic B2C and B2B communications and brand promotions, from program strategy and concept development to retail marketing, merchandising and implementation. His experience encompasses a variety of product categories from packaged goods, retail, and entertainment technology, to telecommunications, financial services and healthcare. He has served in successively senior level executive management positions at agency giants, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Interbrand, Saatchi, & Saatchi Rowland, and American Consulting Corporation.

Ben’s client roster includes such industry leaders as AT&T, Wendy’s, Pay By Touch, Avaya, BASF, Wachovia, Procter & Gamble Beauty Products, Emerson Climate Technologies, General Mills Green Giant, Organon, DuPont, Xerox, Canon, Black & Decker, Guidant, World Business Forum, Exxon Mobil, Showtime, Multimedia Entertainment and Pitney Bowes.

Jeffrey Schillen, Executive Vice President of Sales, TGG Direct

Jeffrey Schillen brings over 20 years of experience in Sales and Marketing, specifically within the Retail environment. One of Jeff’s primary business philosophies is “Customer is King” and as a result he has been able to maintain stellar, long-term relationships with nationally known major retailers as well as alternative market distribution channels.

Jeff’s extensive customer base includes retail accounts such as Wal-Mart/Sams, Walgreens, Fred Meyers, Meijer, Trans World Entertainment, Dollar General, Ross Stores, NWL, and leading mail-order accounts such as Starcrest, LTD Merchandising/ABC, Seventh Avenue, and Winston Marketing. He works directly with each customer to create unique products that meet their needs for special events, in-store promotions and general day-to-day sales. Prior to joining The Garr Group, Mr. Schillen was Co-Chairman, Co-CEO and Executive Vice President of Diamond Entertainment Corporation, a publicly held corporation specializing in DVD/video value priced product.

At Diamond, Jeff was responsible for all facets of Sales and Marketing including strategic market planning, product acquisition and development, sourcing and pricing, and marketing and sales management. He was solely responsible for revamping the corporate strategy from video to DVD allowing the company to continue with strong sales in a changing market.

Jeff was responsible for negotiating licenses and acquiring and developing an extensive catalog of DVD titles. Jeff was also involved in sourcing product and negotiating rates in US, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Ann Mayle, Vice President of Sales, TGG Direct

Ann has an extensive and successful background in the entertainment business. Her dedication and passion for the music and film business has allowed her the opportunity to work in both mediums as a bridge from the artist to the consumer. She brings her enthusiastic fan based approach to marketing and delivery of quality content.

Ann works closely with the retail community in providing unique and creative ways to deliver movies and music products. Ann's "value added" approach to the retail community creates strong partnerships and builds successful sales campaigns. Ann's most recent experience in the post production field provides her with the tactical knowledge required to turn creative ideas into award winning promotions.