Meet Eric

Greetings from the homeland — Naples, Italy. Now rockin’ Fairfax (Virginia, USA). For non-locals, we’re 20 minutes west of Washington DC. Grab a traditional resume, or stay for a colorful read below.

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I grew up in an italian household, on the planet of New Jersey. Class clown, budding artist, honors student, state-recognized athlete, and fashion marauder for the formative years of high school. College-educated at the University of Richmond (Virginia, USA) in the former capitol of the Confederacy, ranked #27 among liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. Accomplished songwriter who performed on the same bill as the great Joan Jett. My last record (elove) was endorsed by Grammy-winner Van Hunt. Currently, I live and work in Fairfax, whose 0.14 sole proprietors per capita ranks in the top 1% nationwide. The city has ranked #3 per “Top 25 U.S. Towns to Live Well” by Forbes..

Wow, so a yankee like you must have a big fan club down South eh? Not exactly – but folks don’t seem to mind picking my brain for ideas! Since 1993, i’ve developed an unusually diverse array of marketing services.

I’ve served clients on five continents, including some of the most established brands in the world — Pfizer, Absolut Vodka, Mitsubishi, Saab, Sotheby’s, American Red Cross — each with 75 to 275 years in business. I’ve also been recognized for excellence by the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), the Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA), PR Week magazine, International Webby Awards, and Washington Business Journal. Spotlighted on WTOP Radio (Washington DC) by Bob Madigan, 2009 Edward R. Murrow Award winner.

Earlier in my career, I listened as headhunters struggled to find a container for my talents. In recent years, i’ve grown comfortable with the lesser-traveled path of a renaissance man, a creative tour de force — a “supercreative,” as coined by the urban dictionary. It provides an edge over one- or two-dimensional marketers. They say that a jack of all trades must be a master of none. Well, foolish me. I’ve made it my life’s calling to acquire and leverage a growing list of business disciplines. Both of my parents worked as teachers, so i’ve got a knack for learning. So yes — the education will continue, as I try to stay ahead of the curve and pass along my knowledge!

Hear me in action through a variety of forums and media below.

Panelist reel (29:50) / Washington Area Music Association’s “Marketing Music on the Internet” (2009)
Noted entertainment attorney Kenneth M. kMaufman introduces my segment

College talk & critique (40:42) / NVCC communications design department (2010)
at the invite of “Technology in Education” award-winning professor Julia Turner

Radio feature #1 / WTOP 103.5 FM Washington DC / Edward R. Murrow Award winner (2009)
“Man About Town” Bob Madigan features one of my ventures (nova bca)

Radio feature #2 / WTOP 103.5 FM Washington DC / Edward R. Murrow Award winner (2009)
“Man About Town” Bob Madigan features one of my ventures (nova bca)

Radio guest spot (38:42) / Blog Talk Radio (July 2010) / “Inside Out” show with D.A. Williams and April Sims / topics: pricing implications, social media etiquette, honest communications, and more

Master of ceremonies (4:35) / “Meet the Doggetts” concert (2010)
live from Jammin’ Java, one of the top 100 music venues in the world — Pollstar magazine

My music / five songs i’ve composed as 9Davine (©1992-2008) / all instruments and voices performed by Eric S. Townsend / engineered by award-winning producer Jeff Severson

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Innovation Timeline:

(1994) Combines discarded scraps from a professor’s studio with other found objects to create a series of sculptures that outsell the professor’s finished works. (1997) Partners with Gold Medal Products(a furniture company founded in 1895) to add back and neck support to their beanbag chair line – which directly impacts the design of today’s video game loungers. (1999) Pioneers Influence Point Analysis (IPA) and Brand Development Scripting (BDS), associated with the touchpoints buzz of the last three years. (2001) Creates a leaner, profiler format for annual reports – first embraced by Pact (a non-profit founded in 1971). (2004) Launches a unique sales campaign called “Simplicity is the Key” that lands a design firm (SQN) on the Washington Business Journal “Book of Lists” top 25. (2005) Launches a one-stop, ahead of the curve resource for indie recording artists, small labels and others (SplashKit) to “produce, package and promote recordings like the pros.” (2009) Develops The Business Growth Suite, a refreshingly resource to help small and mid-size businesses to survive (and thrive) during the worst recession in over 70 years. (2009) launches a one-of-a-kind sports venture (NOVA BCA) that attracts the media and leading players from the Washington DC area. (2011) Cuts through the market with two fresh approaches to search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) services: “SEO Primed” and “From Backyard to Bangkok” respectively. (2012) Launches a new paperless publishing arm for the business called Go Booklets, and releases the first two projects “Bizkus: Dragonfire for Business & Life” and “Telling Ain’t Selling: Play Catch With Customers” on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Specializing in .nobi, .epub and .pdf formats for e-readers, tablets and smartphones.

The Secrets to My Success?

It started in college, where i studied Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. i was drawn to their stories — visual artists who challenged themselves to also master architecture, science and poetry. My passion for acquiring new skills has remained strong in the fifteen years since. The fact that I’m a quick study has aided my professional growth tremendously. I listen to what more experienced practitioners have to offer. I’ve been blessed with a 150+ I.Q. and take care of my brain…no rugby, lots of vitamins, no drugs!

Most importantly, I’ve stayed hungry and typically find another gear where others lean on cruise control. I guess you could say that my curiosity is insatiable — since I’m constantly wondering what more I could be doing. It’s all about attaining a deeper understanding of why things work the way that they do. I pursue nirvana through fusing old world knowledge with my instincts in the moment.

ESTmktg clients span five continents.

Perhaps there’s a need I could fill with your organization? If you’re ready, then let’s get started!

Graciously,

Please also visit Eric S. Townsend at these pages:

Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Google + / Behance Network / Issuu / NOVA BCA / 9Davine

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Additional Features:

Bonus #1 — Leonardo da Vinci multimedia center: courtesy, Discovery Channel
Take a quiz to see how much of a renaissance man or woman you are. Watch videos of experts building various inventions he sketched throughout his career. Scan a timeline of his accomplishments.

Enjoy the Leonardo da Vinci multimedia center.

Bonus #2 — a virtual tour of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and “Last Judgment” wall mural: courtesy, The Vatican
I’m hugely passionate about art and its history. That should abundantly obvious. I couldn’t resist providing the following content for enjoyment at my profile page.

Visit the site of one of the great accomplishments in the history of art — without leaving your computer! Vatican City…a beautiful choir sings for you…a view without boundaries…as it would have appeared when Michelangelo completed his contributions. No italian police will interrupt or rush your enjoyment. No crowds will contend with you. This is your own private viewing, any time you want to indulge yourself with it.

Take a self-guided tour of the Sistine Chapel here.
Download a diagram of the paintings to assist your tour.
It’s a truly impressive “green” use of the internet.

Why do I underline “green” in this instance? Above is an etching of the Sistine Chapel in 1480, before Michelangelo’s two contributions were painstakingly rendered. Personally, I can’t imagine losing his additions. In the late 20th century, an extensive restoration was completed that did more than just bring the paintings back to life in glorious color. It showed just how fragile the work is, and just how much damage we have brought to it. The work was originally applied through a method called “fresco,” which involves mixing paint and plaster. Of course, plaster cracks and flakes over time. It’s been five hundred years since this Michelangelo work was revealed!

If you enjoy the virtual tour here, and don’t feel the urge to still visit the Sistine Chapel, then you’re reducing the amount of pollution caused by breathing in the confined area. Believe it or not, that’s the number one threat to the site. Some things are worth preserving, and not subjecting to the lighter side of tourist pursuits. If you’re truly serious about the experience, then absolutely make the pilgrimage. Nothing replaces the real thing!

Bonus #3 — Leonardo da Vinci & Michelangelo documentaries: courtesy, The History Channel
To view the videos in full screen mode, click the icon at the lower right of each. Press play at the lower left behind that. To return to the selection of videos here, hit the “esc” button on your keyboard.