Catherine Mann and Media, Help! contribute media purchasing recommendations that consistently add value to communication programs aiming to achieve optimal bang for the buck. For the State of Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Catherine created a statewide media buy encouraging individuals to call SHIP’s toll-free number for impartial help in choosing a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Her recommendations have added value to the efforts of other organizations within the Valek & Co. network as well.
Catherine worked with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on an enhanced enforcement against drinking campaign and with the Illinois Department of Transportation on a "click or ticket" campaign encouraging the use of seat belts. Other consumer media clients have included WeatherTech, Pioneer Brand Gravy and Biscuit Mix, Beltone Hearing Aids and Car-X Mufflers.
Catherine started working with WeatherTech in 2011 when the company was only in two markets: Chicago and Denver. From there, the company moved into five, then 10, and then 21 select "heavy weather/high automotive involvement spot markets." This advertising effort helped WeatherTech to achieve double-digit annual growth. For Pioneer Gravy and Biscuit Mix, Catherine and her team increased audience delivery by 25 percent on a 35-percent reduced budget, giving the product enhanced visibility outside of traditional markets in Texas and other southern states.
Catherine has done campaigns directed to the Hispanic market for Checker Auto Parts, Walgreens, Auto Nation Car Dealers, Procter & Gamble, Dodge Dealers of Chicago, and Wrigley’s Gum.
Earlier in her career, Catherine worked in Minneapolis, Des Moines, and Chicago for various advertising agencies and media buying firms. Catherine is a superb strategic planner and has a vast array of resources. She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism/advertising from Drake University.