I had no idea this is where I would end up- and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I suppose my professional biography starts during university (prior to that it was a whirlwind of cocktailing, serving and bartending gigs) when I was working as Executive Assistant to Robert Masterson, President of Ripley Entertainment Inc., -the powerhouse Entertainment Company that owns iconic brands such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Guinness World Book of Records. 

During that time, Ripley Entertainment Inc. was developing a high-profile water-park resort, which included a major branding and launch campaign. I began to help out with various marketing and public relations tasks and a year later, I was totally hooked and working primarily doing PR and media-based tasks for the opening of Canada’s first waterpark resort, Great Wolf Lodge.  I told my parents about my new passion- which removed law school from the horizon, and Mr.Masterson gave me his complete blessing to move forward into a marketing position within the company. I became the Special Projects Manager for Great Wolf Lodge working closely with Ripley’s corporate marketing team to implement key marketing, PR and media tactics for various Hard Hat and Sneak Peek Events as well as VIP and Media Tours.

After my graduation from McMaster University in the Fall of 2006 (with a BA Honours Double Major: Corporate Communications , English. Minor, Political Science), I became the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Ripley’s Niagara (an entertainment cluster in Niagara Falls consisting of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Ripley’s 4D Moving Theater and Ripley’s Wax Zone).  During that time, I developed several revenue generating programs still in existence today along with a clear communication strategy and creative focus for the attractions on both digital and traditional marketing platforms. A year into my position, I added the revitalization of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Ocean City (Maryland) Marketing Department to my portfolio with the successful development and implementation of a re-launch strategy and the development and implementation of primary marketing campaign and auxiliary revenue programs.

Shortly after the re-launch of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Ocean City Odditorium, I was offered a position at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square in New York City (the largest (Flagship) Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in North America).  I could accepted the opportunity, obtained a TN-VISA and relocated to Manhattan, New York  for the next year. During that time, acting as Director of Marketing, I overhauled the marketing department and its marketing and media strategy- re-launching the website, developing a live performance program, development of industry relations and affiliate partners, developing cross-promotional partnerships with brands such as Gray Line Tours, New York Knicks and Cirque du Soleil. During that time I also developed strategic relationships with the city tourism and media influencers and handled the PR, advertising and designer supply accounts for all forms of image and public communication of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square brand.

During my time in New York, I began to work on a Masters Certificate in Online Marketing from the University of San Francisco. I began to develop a passion for digital marketing and quickly adopted a policy always creating integrated traditional and digital campaigns – allowing Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square to be a platform for digital fluidity and user-generated (organic) content. 

Upon the completion of my VISA, I returned to Canada and began consulting with media and entertainment brands within the tourism/hospitality industry in the Niagara Region.  A month later I received my Masters Certificate in online marketing and launched Flint Brand House Inc with the goal of providing blended marketing and communication solutions for brands (expand).

I began working with Start-ups, (branding, marketing,  creating a digital platform, website design & development) for brands and businesses in an array of industries such as Bella Cakes Luxury Bakery, Doorstep Diva Organic Beauty Products, Bullet Media (Bullet News Niagara), Brock University Property Rentals and LANTEN. I also began to work with well established brands such as Sunstrum’s (Canada Flowers),  Bev Hodgson, Gales Fuels Ltd.,  Storage Niagara and the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation. I also continued to work with the Ripley’s Niagara cluster of brands along with other hospitality brands such as Criminals Hall of Fame and Niagara Helicopters Ltd., Antica Ristorante and Country Inn and Suites.

I recently relocated from Niagara to Toronto where Flint Brand House Inc. is now headquartered. I continue to work with brands and businesses to brand, create media launches, events, marketing campaigns, digital campaigns and everything that generates LOVE, CONVERSATION and ADVOCACY for brands and businesses that allow them to continually expand and grow within their competitive markets.

I specialize in strategic marketing, public relations, promotional communications (WOM + Guerilla), corporate communications (digital, print, outdoor, event, PR, media), digital marketing (strategy), social media strategy, campaign creation, branding (inc. brand launches) and event marketing. As a marketer, I believe it is the most important thing to understand your targeted audience or market- to place yourself in an objective point of view to truly understand that particular target and exactly what makes them tick….only then, can you begin to engage them authentically.

For more information on what I do and projects I have worked on, check out my website – www.flintbrandhouse.com  or please contact me directly at mphillips@flintbrandhouse.com

You can also visit my personal site (which is currently under construction…sorry about that - but feel free to check in to see how it is coming along)

It would also be really rad if we linked up (erase those dirty thoughts from your mind). I’m always up for a good collaboration, conversation or curious question. So click below and let’s connect.

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This Blog’s Disclaimer

Please note that the content of this blog consists of my own personal opinions (and occasionally the opinion’s of others) and does not officially represent the views of Flint Brand House Inc, my clients, colleagues, friends or family in any way.  Feel free to copy, distribute, display, and perform the strategies explained on my blog. However, if you would like to use content in a commercial manner, please contact me first.