about
Northstar Media & Marketing was founded in 2005 by Sara Elise-Volbert with the idea of delivering
big media agency services in a boutique level package — offering Northstar clients better prices and more accountability.
​With a respect and appreciation for client needs, Northstar Media & Marketing plans, negotiates, places and optimizes linear and digital media budgets for a select group of regional and local business entities.
Additionally, Northstar Media and Marketing can also bring you top class, seasoned marketing and operational professionals that offer keen insight and strategic solutions in your vertical.
Network, National, Regional, Local, Cable, Syndicated and Long Form
Local Spot Radio, Network, Pandora, Spotify, Satellite, Syndicated, Long Form and Traffic
Programmatic, Location Based Advertising, Retargeting, Behavioral, Native, Foot Traffic Attribution
Local Newspaper, Magazine, FSI
Custom Sponsorship, Sports Marketing, Cause Marketing, Sampling, Displays, Sweepstakes
Copy, Art Direction, UI Design, Development tv/radio/print/digital/ooh/logo
UI/UX Design, Content Strategy, Development, eCommerce, Organic SEO, Local List Management
Strategy, Listening, Influencer, Content Development, Community Planning and Management
Billboards, Mall Displays, Bus Wraps, Train Wraps, Digital Boards
services
They're strong negotiations and endless endeavor to find the very best deals ended up delivering us an over 33% increase in additional media coverage for our media budget.
Quincy Armstrong, Marketing Director
Rusnak Auto Group
approach
Media is the tie that binds every touch-point in our client’s marketing ecosystem, enabling the strategy to be translated across all those points to advance key messages.
Our approach also transcends above and below the line challenges as we are able to have line of sight into priorities across our client’s organization including in-store relationships.
01
DISCOVERY AND
ANALYSIS
02
AUDIENCE AND
MEDIA ALIGNMENT
03
CHANNEL PLAN
DEVELOPMENT
04
MEDIA EXECUTION
AND OPTIMIZATION
SARA ELISE-VOLBERT
President
Career of 20+ years in media advertising includes, V.P. of Broadcast Buying for Foote, Cone and Belding, handling over $200 million in ad dollar placement for Fortune 500 clients including Kroger, Taco Bell, American Airlines, So Cal Chrysler Dealers, Kellogg’s, IHOP, Sprint plus others. Sara worked as Smart & Final’s marketing partner and consultant, activating grand openings, planning and buying radio and coordinating retail driven programs with key Smart & Final vendors. For 10+ years Sara sold locally and nationally for Citadel Radio, Radio One and CBS Radio. With her substantial experience as both a “seller of time” and “buyer of time” her clients know they have a media expert who understands “both sides” of the negotiation process and can deliver the most efficient outcomes and outstanding results. At Northstar M2, Sara personally handles strategic planning and media negotiations for Rusnak Automotive, The Ellis Family Stores, Manhattan Beach Toyota, and the rapidly growing Direct Orthopedic Care Clinics.
SALLY HONG FRIAS
Client Services
Sally joins Northstar from Yahoo with over 15 years experience in client service and project management. Her solid work ethic, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal and communication skills make her an invaluable asset to the team and our clients. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and received a Bachelor of Arts Economics degree.
strategic partners
GARY SOMES
Branding / Retail Marketing / Direct Response
Career of 35+ years in Retail and Agency Management and Marketing includes 17 years as VP of Marketing and Advertising at Smart & Final Stores, 10 years VP General Manager at VInokur-Admarketing and 10 years VP of Sales at Buffums Stores. At Smart & Final, was instrumental in the development, launch and growth of the highly successful Extra Store concept which has now grown to over 200 stores and nearly $3 Billion in sales. At Vinokur-Admarketing was associated with National and Regional Chains including Home Depot, Ross Stores, Linens N’ Things, Stroud’s and Lamps Plus. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, the USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Management Program and received his MBA from the University of Redlands.
SHIRLEY AUSTIN
Senior Media Negotiator / Planner
Career of 20+ years in media advertising. Have successfully planned, executed, maintained, and managed campaigns both nationally and locally in spot TV, cable, radio, digital, and social. Extensive experience in client interaction, building relationships, and managing expectations. Possess strong management skills in training, motivating, and supervising staff to maintain and achieve goals in any environment.
MARK EDWARDS
Digital Solutions
Over the past 12 years, Mark has participated in the launch and sale of two mobile start-up companies and most recently led digital marketing for MillerCoors at The Integer Group/TBWA.
His client list has included American Family Insurance, Pepsi, P&G and Starbucks, while his skills span digital strategy, eCommerce / eMerchandising, digital media, programmatic, local based advertising, social, AR / VR experiences, search and commerce innovation.
