Driving Success for Our Clients: Q&A with our Client Services Director - The Wendt Agency

Driving Success for Our Clients: Q&A with our Client Services Director

Driving Success for Our Clients: Q&A with our Client Services Director

At the core of Wendt’s super service, and hidden behind every perfectly cohesive marketing campaign, is a team of unwavering individuals who, on the daily, suit up and go to fight for our clients’ success. Some call them account managers, others call them plate spinners. But, at Wendt, we know them best as superheroes. And at the heart of this team is none other than multi-tasker extraordinaire, Kattie Meyer – also known as Wendt’s Client Services Director. Charged with overseeing Wendt’s account management team, we sat down with Kattie to get an inside look at what it really takes to drive success for so many of our amazing clients.

1Who is Kattie?

I recently read my Myers-Briggs Personality Type as a type of wine, and it said I would be a Cabernet Sauvignon – which I love! Some highlights of my personality that ring true in describing myself as a Cabernet Sauvignon are I am a strong leader, unfazed by conflict, and full of wisdom. I am not affected by outside forces and can thrive in solitude. I quickly adapt to new surroundings. I’m a great listener and someone people turn to for advice. Yet, still, I like to maintain a little mystery around myself – keeping my circle of friends small and close. Tink! Tink!

Aside from that, I have a big family that I hold very dear. We are fun, loving, and a little bit messy – but I adore them. I am blessed to be a wife to my best friend, Kirk, and a mother to three kiddos who I love raising. I love to cook for my family and friends, and the secret ingredient I put into everything I make is...love. A little fun fact: My kids are all named after places in Montana – Marias, Marshall, and Kristoffer Madisun.

2You wear a lot of hats. What exactly is the role of a Client Services Director?

One of the hats I wear is “Account Manager.” As such, I act as the primary liaison between the clients and the agency. You can think of me as the client's spokesperson within our agency – linking everything together on both sides. My favorite hat to wear, though, is the one that ensures our clients receive Wendt’s Super Service. This requires having an extreme eye for detail and being able to juggle many tasks simultaneously. Finally, I also lead the efforts for our business development team here at Wendt.

3Have you always been drawn toward careers that are people-oriented?

I have had such an extraordinary career and the experiences I’ve had lend themselves to my current role so nicely. If I could share just a snippet of what I have done: I’ve been a private event coordinator, hosted events for the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Timberwolves, worked for the C.M. Russell Museum, been one of only four female general managers in minor league baseball, owned a local boutique, and now I get to be a director alongside four brilliant women running this 94-year-old company, The Wendt Agency. So, yes – for my whole career I have worked with the public, and that has led me to meeting some of the coolest people! Not too bad for an introvert.

4What do you love most about coming to work every day?

I love our team and the collaborative environment. Prior to Wendt, I had always been on a staff of one when it came to marketing efforts. It is inspiring to now work with a team where collaboration is encouraged. Another of my favorite things is being the account manager for 13 of our clients, meaning I get to know and become passionate about 13 different businesses and help each of them succeed. With this in mind, I know that every day is going to be different from the last.

5Do you have any advice for someone wanting to pursue a career in client services?

It’s important to work hard at any job that you have. Show up on time, do the work no one else wants to do, and volunteer. It doesn't matter if you are working in retail or bussing tables at a restaurant; if you are working hard, someone will notice, and doors will open for you.

 

6Lastly, you have to tell us: What is the secret to providing Super Service?

Attention to detail and a “we can take care of that” attitude is integral. I want to make it happen for my clients, no matter how small or big. I take great pride in making my clients look good and seeing them succeed.

 

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CAITLIN CRUMLEY

CONTENT CREATOR

Forever chasing the Texas heat, Caitlin, along with her husband Rob, spend most of their time outdoors soaking in the sun and adventure. We know what you’re thinking…luckily for them, skiing is also a favorite pastime come winter! An adventurous spirit, but a perfectionist at heart, Caitlin brings excellence and attention to detail in all that she does.

Jennifer beisecker

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

  • Confidently approaches every project with energy and a smile.
  • Adept at tracking financials with accuracy.
  • Brings efficiency and a keen eye for detail that exceeds expectations.

Jenn enjoys spending as much time with her family as possible. Her husband, children, and extended family are everything. She also loves the absolutes of accounting; things balance, or they don’t. And she loves making it all add up. 

Haley Thomas

PRODUCTION MANAGER

SHAREHOLDER

Haley has an immobilizing fear of grasshoppers. Not spiders, not snakes — GRASSHOPPERS. It’s surprising to know this, considering how fearless and fierce Haley is when creating efficient workflows. In fact, helping others is what she strives most to do.

Gwen Fleming

CONTENT CREATOR

  • Curious creative who writes powerful copy with bold impact.
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  • Ensures messaging is always engaging and on-brand.

Gwen’s lived from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles-ish; she invariably returns home to Montana … every time. She is passionate about using her experiences to create content that inspires strong impressions. 

Meghan Shaulis

UX/UI DESIGNER

Once her feet hit the floor, and after the coffee has been brewed, on Saturday mornings, you’ll find Meghan happily making breakfast for her family. If it were up to Meghan, she would never part from her husband. Lucky for us, she is also passionate about bringing her talents to the Wendt creative team and our clients. 

Victor Fulcher

UX/UI DESIGNER

Preserving bicycles, trinkets, and books brings Victor joy because he sees possibility in objects others might overlook. It’s this ability to make something from nothing that drives his work too. Being able to meld form, function, design, and code scratches the itch for both sides of his brain. 

Sheena Annala

ART DIRECTOR

Sheena spends every spare moment with her young family. It’s all about having adventures — a philosophy she brings into the office. When at work, Sheena is thrilled to get the chance to do something new and creative every day. 

Johnny ewald

SENIOR DIGITAL DESIGNER

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Tacos! According to Johnny, tacos are the perfect combination of savory and simplicity — the possibilities are endless. Boundless creativity is infinite too. For Johnny, creativity begins as a tiny spark that ignites into form and serves a purpose. 

Jennifer mckee

DIGITAL STRATEGIST

A hiker, a skier, a mother, a wife, a friend, and an optimist, Jennifer cherishes spending her spare time with her husband, Johnathan, and their two children, Cormac and Maggie. 

Merle Mcleish

MEDIA BUYER

Whether it’s genealogy or geocaching, the thrill of the hunt drives Merle. She also has a deep appreciation for art and art history, which is perfect for the creative and artistic atmosphere of Wendt where Merle feels right at home. 

Angela moody

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An avid crafter who thrills at dreaming up new sewing, quilting, and crocheting projects, Angela enjoys spending most of her spare time with her husband, Gene, and her “pittie-kids,“ her pit bull fur-babies, Traeger and Lexi Lou.

Kattie meyer

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When it comes to navigating unsteady waters, Kattie is the captain we’d trust with our lives! Similar to rowing her family down one of Montana’s many rivers (her favorite pastime, by the way), Kattie understands that the key to our clients’ success first starts with pointing the boat in the right direction and then channeling Wendt’s team efforts to reach the desired goal. 

Johna wilcox

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

Shareholder

  • Dynamic partnership builder.
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  • Designs robust strategies to surpass metrics of success.

Johna wouldn’t be stuck on a desert island without Vichy Ideal Soleil Solar Protective Water – Hydrating SPF30 Face Mist — after all, it’s a desert. Duh! But her real energy comes from working on dynamic projects and interacting with clients.

Kara smith

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Shareholder / Director 

Kara is completely enchanted with the Caribbean. The humidity, the teal waters — if only our bustling office were as tranquil! Not just captivated by sandy beaches, Kara is fascinated with understanding what makes people think and enjoys how her work allows her to tap into people’s emotions.

Lorie hager

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CPA

Shareholder / Director 

  • Ethical and diligent financial leader.
  • Ensures financial department meets and exceeds accounting best practices.
  • Always detailed driven, making sure campaigns and projects are billed accurately and timely.

Looking for tricked-out tree houses or Airbnb homes in far-off locales fills Lorie’s downtime. But when she’s at work, she gets a heady sense of satisfaction when our Wendt team overcomes obstacles and celebrates successes. 

CAROL KRUGER

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Shareholder / Director 

Irony is not without a sense of humor. Carol loves London, which is known for high tea, but deep down — Carol is a die-hard coffee lover. When it comes to her work, what excites her most is seeing it out in the world. Billboards to digital ads, strategy to placement, Carol is energized ensuring it all comes together in a final message. 

Jennifer Fritz

PRESIDENT

Shareholder / Director 

Jen brings a sense of adventure and an inquisitive mind to all she does, whether that is sipping on a new tequila or inspiring a culture of learning at the agency. She and her husband Ryan enjoy the Montana lifestyle alongside their two children, Kate and Wren, and their fluffy family dog, Morris (named after a former Gonzaga basketball player!)