What is your history with Switch?

In 1980, I was one of the original founders of Busch Creative Services Corporation, which became Switch in 2002, when Mike O’Neill, John Nickel and I purchased the company from Anheuser-Busch.

Current clients/projects?

I have the privilege of touching almost every project and client either through legal, financial, insurance, IT, admin and/or HR.

How did you first get involved in this industry?

My undergrad degree is in radio, TV and film. I was also involved in theater as an undergrad. My second job out of college was as a print/radio/tv copywriter. Over the years, I have worked as a copywriter, creative director, audio-visual producer, film producer, project manager, tech director, sales manager, production manager, general manager, VP, and now part-owner and EVP of Switch.

What about your personal background (education, hobbies, interests) helps to inspire/enhance your professional life?

Inspiration comes from my love for my wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren. They are never-ending sources of joy. Our time and adventures together make life incredibly beautiful.

Education-wise, my Washington University MBA is one of the most valuable personal investments/enhancements I have made. I use the concepts and precepts every day.

So too with my black belt in Kenpo Karate. I have been exposed to martial arts in different ways (Musashi, Sun Tzu, Tae Kwon Do, Kendo …) and apply the personal focus, self-discipline and creative problem-solving used in the martial arts to business.

Other hobbies and interests include travel, wine, food, history, geography, geology and languages.

Is there any project in particular you would consider a “breakthrough?”

Switch has produced thousands – maybe hundreds of thousands – of projects. Each grew from breakthroughs in thought, process, technology and/or design. Our field sampling expertise grew via a multi-disciplinary approach to field hiring, managing, vehicle/site leasing, client messaging, etc. that allows Switch to provide our clients very high quality, measurable, consumer brand engagement and trial. It also helped us to develop our proprietary measurement system – SMRT™ (the Switch Mobile Reporting Tool) for events, field sampling and even business meetings. This ability to work and measure against KPIs holds terrific promise for our clients.

What are the current challenges you’re facing in the industry today?

Switch’s challenges are to help our clients accomplish their goals so that we are both successful and both feel good about our relationship. Anything else is whining … we deal with it and we move on.

To reach Kevin, drop him a line at KevinQ@theswitch.us