News crew certified in multimedia marketing [The Hutchinson News, Kan.]

June 09--Seven members of The Hutchinson News' Marketing Solutions team have become company-certified multimedia marketing consultants.

These marketing professionals completed the six-month "Virtanza" training program in 2012-13 to improve their consultative client relationship skills and knowledge of the use of multimedia products to grow business for Hutchinson News clients. Training included classroom study, field coaching, satisfactory completion of individual goals and a final exam.

Marketing Solutions is the new name for The Hutchinson News' advertising department, recognizing that the newspaper's marketing consultants provide a wide array of business marketing services, including the print and digital Hutchinson News, email, online and mobile promotions, magazine, and numerous niche print publications and websites. The News also has partnered with LogicMaze Inc., which provides custom website development and full-service advertising agency functions.

Those recognized for certification on June 5 were:

--Tammy Colladay, who started at The News in advertising customer service in 1985. Originally from Hutchinson, Colladay attended Hutchinson Community College and has more than 15 years' experience in advertising sales.

--Shelby Dryden, who has almost seven years of experience at The News. Originally from Lyons, Dryden attended Hutchinson Community College and worked in advertising at newspapers in Junction City and Newton before coming to The News. She lives in Hesston.

--Brad Evenson, who has been at The News for four years, working in digital sales and customer service. A graduate in marketing at Dort College in Sioux Center, Iowa, Evenson currently is the digital marketing strategist.

--Mitch Hixson, a six-year member of The News' advertising team. Originally from Colby, Hixson earned an advertising journalism degree from Kansas State University and an education degree from Emporia State University. He worked as a schoolteacher and in marketing for Lowen of Hutchinson before joining The News.

--Anita Stuckey, marketing solutions manager, who has 37 years of experience at The News. Stuckey started part-time operating the switchboard, then moved into advertising. She has about 30 years of experience in classified and retail advertising sales. Stuckey is a Hutchinson-area native.

--Tom Sullivan, who has been at The News for three and a half years, originally as the sales representative for the Bee. A Hutchinson native, Sullivan graduated with a marketing degree from Kansas State University and also worked at Conklin Cars.

--Sam Wilk, who has been at The News in advertising for six years. A Hutchinson native, Wilk went to Wichita State University and has also worked in the insurance business in Denver.

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