Our Team of Senior Living Marketing Experts
Wendy O’Donovan Phillips has provided clients with marketing consultation since 2000. Wendy got her start in the field by freelancing at marketing agencies in Los Angeles and Denver. In 2004, Wendy joined a Denver brand agency and was named Junior Partner. Today, as president of Bloom, Wendy offers branding consultation and marketing strategies to senior living communities nationwide. She speaks across the country on how to take the guesswork out of marketing. She was named one of only 61 winners in the 2011 Make Mine a Million competition, a program dedicated to helping women grow their businesses. Wendy’s work has been published in The Hollywood Reporter, The Washington Times, several Tribune Company newspapers and The Denver Business Journal, among other publications. She has been recognized by The American Marketing Association and The Colorado Association of Black Journalists for excellence in writing.
As General Manager, Molly assists Bloom's CEO in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency. She is responsible for managing the agency budget, implementing strategic initiatives and reporting systems, maximizing human capital, monitoring utilization and project profitably, as well as overseeing the production team. She originally started with Big Buzz in 2011 as a copywriting intern after graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Denver Daniel’s College of Business. The majority of her time to date at Big Buzz has been utilized in project management, ensuring all client projects move throughout the agency on time and on budget. As General Manager, she now takes those same ideas and implements them agency-wide for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga, playing with her puppy Finley and rooting for the San Francisco Giants.
Melinda received her Master's Degree in Strategic Leadership in Healthcare from the University of Denver in 2017. After working as an Admissions and Community Relations Director for six years within various skilled nursing and assisted living communities, she joined the Bloom team to share her education with clients nationwide. Melinda dedicated her education to uncovering how to improve the quality of life for older adults. Melinda ensures her clients are receiving the highest ROI possible so they can provide their residents the care they deserve. In her spare time you can find her riding single track on her bike, playing with her dogs and going on adventures with her husband.
Casey received his Master's in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver in 2016. After seven years in a range of marketing roles, he joined the Big Buzz team as Manager of Marketing Strategy and Analytics. As an undergrad at Creighton University and the University of San Diego, Casey was a pitcher. He received All-American honors and was drafted by the NY Mets in 2009. He continues to enjoy staying active, playing sports, enjoying the Colorado outdoors and traveling when he can. It is his philosophy that every brand, big or small, has stories to tell — stories that will not only engage, inform, surprise, delight, and impact their audience, but that will also deliver on measurable business goals. As a digital marketing professional, it is his goal is to act as the conduit between brand and consumer.
Stephanie has experience throughout the realm of digital and print design including focus on user experience and user interface design. A love for typography, album covers and concert posters inspired my career path from a very young age and motivated her to gain a higher education in design. She moved to London, England to begin college, and spent three years heavily dedicated to the creative efforts of illustration, photography, and graphic design. After moving back to her hometown of Denver, Colorado, she received my B.F.A. in Communication Design from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. At Bloom, she collaborates with her team members to help bring clients real results through graphics that communicate their brand in ways that will align with their customers' values and aspirations.
Alexandria received her BS in Marketing through Iowa State University in 2016. She consistently displays a strong-work ethic, with an amazing ability to multi-task. She has proven skills in project management, organization and research with a background in social media marketing and branding.
Wendy O’Donovan Phillips
President
Wendy O’Donovan Phillips has provided clients with marketing consultation since 2000. Wendy got her start in the field by freelancing at marketing agencies in Los Angeles and Denver. In 2004, Wendy joined a Denver brand agency and was named Junior Partner. Today, as president of Bloom, Wendy offers branding consultation and marketing strategies to senior living communities nationwide. She speaks across the country on how to take the guesswork out of marketing. She was named one of only 61 winners in the 2011 Make Mine a Million competition, a program dedicated to helping women grow their businesses. Wendy’s work has been published in The Hollywood Reporter, The Washington Times, several Tribune Company newspapers and The Denver Business Journal, among other publications. She has been recognized by The American Marketing Association and The Colorado Association of Black Journalists for excellence in writing.
One word to describe me, and why: Opportunity. There are opportunities everywhere to create new businesses, grow businesses, create new jobs. Even setbacks are opportunities when we learn from them.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: Making lemon-meringue pie with Grandma Tully in her kitchen in Williamsburg, Virginia. She made the highest peaks on the top of the pie!
If I was a brand, I would be: Coca-Cola. Refreshing. Classic. High-energy.
In my spare time, I like to: Ski. Take long walks. Do yoga. Spend gads of time with my sweet husband and darling daughter. Write. Read. Meditate. Sleep.
Molly Watkins
General Manager
One word to describe me, and why: Optimism. I believe in unicorns and rainbows and sparkles and Santa. That the glass is half-full. That you can turn a frown upside down. That when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: Getting my sweet tooth from my great grandmother, who we called Nanni. She always had lemon drops at her house. It’s not a huge surprise that I spent my whole childhood calling candy “nanni.”
If I was a brand, I would be: Disney. Bright, happy, cheerful, with a dash of whimsy.
In my spare time, I like to: Eat, drink and be merry.
Melinda Gisbert
Account Management Lead
One word to describe me, and why: Spunky. I’m determined, an avid believer of taking chances, and I love to make those around me laugh.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: My grandmother had a mole she called her “I Love You” button, and every time I pressed her mole she would say, “I Love You!” Also, whenever we rode in the car, I remember feeling so grown up sitting in the center seat between them. There was always a Werther’s underneath.
If I was a brand, I would be: Etsy. The brand for brands. Etsy provides the necessary platform and tools for new or small businesses to grow.
In my spare time, I like to: Spend time with my husband, pets, ride bikes, woodworking, and anything craft related.
Casey Schmidt
Online Marketing Strategist
One word to describe me, and why: Inquisitive. I love diving down rabbit holes, investigating and trying new things. This is probably what drives my serious case of wanderlust.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: They used to let me drive the golf cart out in Aiken, South Carolina when I was a kid – mostly when no one was looking. Gave me the love for golf at a young age.
If I was a brand, I would be: SmartWool. Sustainability, athletic, adventure, and local vibes.
In my spare time, I like to: Hang with my dogs, friends, and family, play squash, piano, curl, golf, hike, travel the world and snap landscape photography.
Alexandria Garcia
Marketing Assistant
One word to describe me, and why: Diligent. I research and then research again, always going through everything with a fine-tooth comb.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: Spending time with my little sister at my grandma’s lake house in Minnesota. We would scrapbook, bake cookies and run around with the dogs.
If I was a brand, I would be: Google. Analytical with the ability to multitask while still having fun and being creative.
In my spare time, I like to: Hike, play with animals, cook, travel and be with friends and family.
Stephanie Vecchiarelli
Art & Media Intern
One word to describe me, and why: Self-sufficient; intellectually and emotionally independent. I value learning and collaboration; however usually only need guidance when first being introduced to a project or task.
Favorite memory of a grandparent: Helping my grandmother cook traditional Italian meals.
If I was a brand, I would be: Ikea; modern, functional, personable.
In my spare time, I like to: Read, paint, learn languages, spend time with my family and cats.
