With the thought, 'simple isn't easy,' Thomas Blanck (TMBPartners Founder) has assembled a team that embraces this same vision. "Our unique strength is that our team members come from both the client and agency sides of the equation. They are professionals, whose backgrounds include PR, Graphic Design, Web Programming and Design, Corporate Strategy, Line Extensions, Copywriting, and more. TMBPartners has managed budgets and initiatives for companies that range from the mid six-figures to hundreds of millions of dollars. Together, we strive for one common goal, results for our Clients."

TMBPartners is lead by Thomas Blanck and Ritchie Fliegler two experienced professionals with complimentary skill sets, one from the agency side and the other from the client side.

Thomas Blanck
The secret to good design lies much deeper than visual appeal - at least that's how Thomas Blanck approaches the design process.

A designer at heart, Thomas understands that behind every well-executed design is one key element: strategy. Also trained in engineering, architecture and photography, he begins every project by understanding exactly how something works and then uses that information to create the design and the strategy.

Throughout his 16 years in the marketing and advertising industry, companies such as AT&T, Ford Motor Company, Neiman Marcus, PremierGarage and Chevrolet (to name just a few) recognized Thomas' strengths and sought him out to develop campaigns and product launches that resulted in increased revenue, decreased expenses and exceptional brand exposure.

PremierGarage turned to Thomas for help building their brand when the company was a small, home-based operation. Just six years later, after working closely with him to not only establish and develop a brand but to introduce that brand to the nation and then the world, the company was sold for an undisclosed amount. This is just one of many examples of the results that Thomas has created for his diverse group of clients.

Thomas was contracted to develop the communications program for a new product line being introduced by AT&T. His primary role involved marketing and product awareness as well as strategy and functionality of all sales and marketing materials. Prior to his involvement, the sales team did not have the proper tools to successfully introduce and sell any of the products. Thomas developed the necessary sales tools, which resulted in noticeably increased sales.

Thomas has worked with several agencies such as Stevens & Associates, Harley Wagner, Farrar Design Group and Brinton & Cook and lead multiple clients to success. He launched the identity and branding for many companies - in addition to creative work for Ford's launch of the Probe GT.

Thomas' strong sense of design was crucial in the creation of a wide variety of brand development projects including the development of new identities and brandings for numerous companies across several industries. His primary contribution to each of these organizations was the strategic development of their new "look and feel" as well as brand message.

Over the years, Thomas has received numerous Addys and IABC awards for design and communications. These awards recognize his ability to successfully join the design and strategic processes to create a consistently effective finished product.

Functional design equals effective communication - of your brand, your product and your company. Beautiful colors and captivating artwork is one thing, making them tell a compelling story is another - choosing the right partner to effectively combine all three is the first step to a winning strategy of success.

Ritchie Fliegler
A voyage of passion, creativity and discovery has led Ritchie to this important principle: greatness is achieved through critical thinking, responsibility and, fearlessness. Fearlessness is what's needed to be great. Fearlessness is also what's needed to do great marketing. Fearless Marketing is a spirit, a gusto, courage.

Prior to joining TMBPartners, Ritchie was a Sr. VP at Fender Musical Instruments and the Vice President of Marketing at Barrett-Jackson classic car events where his "make it happen" business approach netted a significant and measurable growth in awareness, gate attendance and TV viewer demographics - picking up double-digit growth in the 35 and younger demographic - a major step forward for a business justly concerned with a "graying" audience. In the music world Ritchie has an extensive resume. He is the former Sr. VP of Marketing and market development at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation where he led the charge to make Fender a household name, changing the positioning from a "hardware" maker for guitarists to "The Spirit Of Rock-N-Roll." Ritchie also created and implemented a brand-licensing program that brought in millions of dollars of incremental income from musicians and non-playing "civilians" who were attracted to the brand's rock-n-roll lifestyle.

Previous to his tenure in the corporate side of the music industry, Ritchie was a full-time musician and author of the "best selling" books, "Amps! The Other Half of Rock 'N' Roll" and "The Complete Guide to Guitar and Amp Maintenance: A Practical Manual for Every Guitar Player" both of which are considered expert reference works. He has also written for Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines, in which his "In Gear" column was featured for a number of years. Ritchie also plays a prominent role in the Smithsonian Institute video "History of the Electric Guitar - A Sound Revolution."

After two years studying at New York's prestigious Pratt Institute, Ritchie embarked on a 20-year music career that included extensive recording and touring work with two of his heroes, Velvet Underground founders Lou Reed and John Cale. He also appeared on four gold and platinum solo albums by Babys/Bad English vocalist John Waite, with whom he also appeared on Saturday Night Live. He has played hundreds of sessions for jingles, commercials and film scores, received numerous awards and accolades and has served as musical/video coordinator for numerous cable concert programs, including performances by Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates and Kool & the Gang. And, he can occasionally be found on the local club stages slinging his guitar as a member of the "Saucy Jacks."

Ritchie currently sits on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, of which he is an ardent supporter and where, as Chairman of the Marketing Committee, he is lending his expertise to the development of their strategic Marketing plan.

For companies who are looking to build towards the next level of growth and awareness, Ritchie (along with partner Leslie Nichols) developed the fearless- Your Company, Your Brand™ audit process. Your Company, Your Brand™ is a take-no-prisoners deep dive in to your current brand: its promise; perceptions, both inside and out; brand delivery; advertising and marketing efforts; resource allocations; perceptions; realities and more.

You've started your business because you love what you do. You get up early, work late, and talk to anyone who will listen about what your company does, makes or sells. Yes, that's passion... but it's personal passion. Somewhere buried inside your personal passion is that essential essence that your company really stands for. It's this "outward expression" that when carefully focused, awakens and lures your potential customers and clients.


Expensive, right?

In today's heavily segmented and fragmented media world, Marketing is no longer a luxury - it's a necessity. This is especially true for emerging companies. Depending on the specific projects and time investment necessary, TMBPartners will design a program that works for you.