Hello, and welcome to HireGary.net. My name is Gary Radke, and I'm a creative marketing/PR/advertising guy with over a dozen years experience. I originally launched this site in May of 2005 when I was downsized from a gig at a world class performing arts center (see below)

I gained some local notoriety as the guy who took out a billboard to find a job. You can view pictures of it by clicking here. It was up during July, 2005, generated a lot of buzz, and ultimately a position as Director of Marketing with ERA Titletown, REALTORS.

Why am I searching again?
Well, until June, 2005 I was a Marketing Director at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts here in Green Bay, WI. You may (or may not) have read of the financial struggles they are experiencing of late. As part of the strategy to turn things around, they were forced to cut staff... darn near the entire staff.

Cut to October, 2006... The ERA Titletown job came to a screeching halt due to the slumping housing market. I was one of about a dozen folks let go over a two month span. So, downsized twice in a year and a half, and now working retail (for a really great company, by the way), I'm looking to get back into the creative side of things.

Why the billboard and website?
I'm a marketing guy by trade, and I figured what better way to promote myself than with the media I've worked with to promote Broadway shows, minor league baseball and a host of other things. Superbowl commercials were a tad pricey, and I don't really fit any one radio demographic, so outdoor and internet seemed like a great fit.

Doesn't this smack of desperation?
On the one hand, it allows me to demonstrate some of my design, copywriting, media buying, promotions, public relations and general creative skills in a real world example. On the other hand, yea, probably a little.

So what now ?
Excellent question. I'm looking for something new. As the billboard and the front of my site state, I'm looking for a stable company, one I enjoy working for and believe in the mission of. Where they value their employees and the folks working there take pride in what they are doing. This is harder to find than you might think.

I enjoy the challenge and variety that being a Marketing Director for a small to medium size company brings: A mix of management, design, copywriting, media buying and creativity. Call me a jack of all trades, master of some.

I plan on keeping the Blog up and running, with sporadic posts about employment issues, marketing topics and other random stuff I find interesting. Please check back regularly. As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated.