Watauga Group has more than 30 years of combined experience in marketing and media planning and buying, and they’re ready to bring their insight to your business vision. Whether you need media planning, acquisition, or management, or even a complete strategic marketing campaign, the staff at Watauga Group knows how to make your brand the center of attention.

We’re experienced in an array of fields, from hospitality to real estate to banking. We’ve worked with clients including The Breakers, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, and Core Research, just to name a few. And we have the strategic partners to bring just about any media vision to fruition.

No worries. We’ll make you look fabulous.

Leslie Osborne, Media Director - Orlando and Partner

Leslie manages media planning and buying for agency clients. She analyzes media options and recommends the best channels, as well as oversees all broadcast, print, online, and out-of-home rate negotiations.

During her six years at Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (YPB&R) she supervised media for clients like Gaylord Hotels, Colonial Williamsburg, Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts and AmeriSuites. Leslie's professional experience includes clients in the travel, group meetings, hospitality, real estate, financial and medical fields.

Leslie is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a major in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration.

Neil Romaine, Director of Strategic Marketing and Partner

Neil is responsible for strategic planning and marketing for all agency clients. He also takes a major role in maintaining client relations. Neil ensures what was promised is delivered.

Previously, he was media director for Medical Hair Restoration. He supervised a direct marketing campaign, in-house group of planners and buyers.

Prior to MHR, Neil was senior vice president, media director of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, where he supervised the composition, negotiation and measurement of all media plans developed on behalf of the agency’s clients. While there, he supervised the development of media programs for a diverse array of clients in every aspect of the travel and leisure industries including lodging, transportation, destination promotion, theme parks, gaming, vacation ownership and travel services. He was also a key member helping over see YPBRI, the agencies internet department.

Prior to joining YPB&R, Neil served as a media strategist with Kobbs & Draft in New York where he developed and implemented successful media and direct marketing programs for such clients as HBO, Fidelity Investments and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Neil was a member of Toastmasters and sat on numerous media panels over his career. He received a B.S. in Management Science from SUNY Geneseo, New York.

Erin Hartman, Media Director - Atlanta

Erin manages our Atlanta office, handling the media planning and buying needs of clients and agencies in Atlanta. She prides herself in finding new ways to leave a lasting impression on the target audience.

Erin has experience in retail, travel & tourism, medical, business-to-business, medical, financial and telecommunications, including clients such as Cingular Wireless, Aaron Rents, Orkin, and Universal Studios. She has handled the specific needs of clients, including dedicated efforts for targeting youth & ethnic, negotiating sports sponsorships, and creating & implementing grass roots campaigns.
 
Erin has worked at several advertising agencies, including Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown, BBDO/OMD, Ames Scullin O’Haire, and Mindshare.

Erin graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and a minor in Mathematics. So you can trust her to handle your advertising dollars.

Lisa Mendoza, Media Supervisor

Lisa executes media buying and planning activities, tracks and evaluates media opportunities for clients. She also maintains relationships with media vendors, negotiates media rates, and gathers any necessary research for planning.

Before joining Watauga Group, Lisa was responsible for buying and planning media for the media department of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell (YPB&R). She worked with anarray of top brands: Seminole Hard Rock Casinos, Canyon Ranch Spas/Real Estate, Fairmont Southampton and Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda, Woodstock Inn, and La Casa Del Zorro Resort in Southern California.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Lisa received a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising with a minor in English. When she’s not doing spreadsheets and strong-arming reps for low, low rates, her great love is traveling. She sees life as an inner and outer journey, and welcomes every opportunity for adventure.

Charles Osborne, Operations

Charles manages the business priorities for Watauga Group. He is the chief contact for payables, receivables, and payroll matters. Charles has over 15 years of Hospitality management experience prior to joining Watauga Group. He has worked with Little Caesars Pizza; Kenny Rogers Roasters of East Tennessee; and AMC Theatres. In 1997, Charles helped form and establish Starlight Diners and J. Baxter Holdings of Daytona Beach, FL.

During his tenure in the Hospitality industry, he has managed individual units, supervised district areas, performed corporate support functions, and been an independent owner. This prior experience serves the agency well as a sounding board for what Hospitality operations desire from their marketing people.

Charles is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.