Team
Our backgrounds are diverse, but our expertise is uniform. We’ve assembled the best of the best – including Google and Yahoo! certified paid search experts, SEO specialists who have driven significant online campaigns for multi-million dollar companies, account executives who have managed some of the world’s most prominent companies, and creative writers, designers, and programmers who have created and launched global brands online. We have also leveraged our expertise to help start-ups and mid-sized companies reach their goals. In addition to Internet experience, key members of our team have significant experience in direct marketing and traditional media. Our collective experiences help to shape innovative marketing strategies that generate growth for each of our clients.
Our Executive Management Team
- Michael B. Stalbaum – Founder and CEO
As CEO, Michael B. Stalbaum is the leader of Unreal Marketing and directs the company with a focus on future planning. Michael assists in client acquisitions and growth strategy, oversees the accounting and financial health of the company, and manages overall profitability.
Michael developed his passion for marketing while attending law school, where he worked to create marketing campaigns and promotions for local restaurants and charitable organizations. He left his career in law and started Unreal Marketing Solutions in 1999, with a mission to help companies build and maintain a strong presence in the burgeoning online arena.
In addition to his role as CEO of Unreal, Michael dedicates some of his time educating audiences about search engine marketing. He has spoken about SEM and entrepreneurialism at a variety of colleges and conferences, as well as on National Public Radio.
Michael holds a law degree and an MBA from Temple University and a B.S. in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University.
- Bob Rothenberg – Managing Director
As Managing Director, Bob Rothenberg oversees the day-to-day management and operations of Unreal Marketing. He spearheads the strategic direction of the account & media services groups and works with senior staff & clients to increase ROI and profitability. Mr. Rothenberg also serves as the brand steward for clients and the company, guiding all marketing-related initiatives both internally and externally, and orchestrates proposal development across all client acquisitions and growth strategies.
Prior to joining Unreal, Mr. Rothenberg was the owner and operator of RHR Marketing, a Sports and Entertainment consultancy that grew out of his tenure at GSI Commerce where he headed up Marketing & Business Development focused on providing e-commerce and multi-channel solutions to the world’s leading brands, retailers and other consumer-centric organizations. Mr. Rothenberg has also held a management position with the Consumer Products Group at the National Basketball Association handling the Direct to Consumer initiatives via catalog, e-commerce website, and a database partnership with Sport Illustrated as well as other DTC campaigns
Mr. Rothenberg received an MA degree from Adelphi University with a concentration in Business Administration, and a B.S. from Stony Brook University.
- Lauren Ferst – VP, Client Services & Strategy
In her role as VP, Client Services and Strategy, Lauren’s responsibilities include the ongoing effort of both developing and maintaining momentum of our current client relationships and growing the new. In addition, she manages the account services team, heads-up the competitive research practices group and supervises Unreal’s new internship program “Unreal University”. Lauren plays an integral role in driving the strategic direction of all client-marketing initiatives while overseeing their execution. She is also highly proficient at assisting clients with managing the integration of their online and offline campaigns offering a synergized marketing solution across all consumer touch points.
Before joining the Unreal Marketing team, Lauren spent 7+ years working for David’s Bridal in a Direct Marketing capacity. Her marketing prowess touched many initiatives across multiple brands within the Bridal Group. Her responsibilities there included developing marketing strategies and planning, creative development, campaign optimization and project management, media planning, e-commerce site development, ongoing vendor relationship management as well as financial reconciliation and analysis.
Lauren earned a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Michigan.
Our Senior Staff
- Richard Kalson -- Director of Business Development
- Melissa Kielty – Director of Marketing Technology
- Rob Young – Director SEO & Creative
- Dominic Saullo – Senior Manager, Marketing Strategy