Mitch Bader, executive vice president of finance and operations, Mercury Media
Bader
Mercury Media, a direct response marketing company based in Marlborough and Santa Monica, Calif., recently convinced Mitch Bader to move across the country from Texas to the local office. Bader is a finance and operations expert with experience working for companies including PepsiCo, Disney, Dell, Molson Coors and Arco. In this Q&A, he talks about the challenges of pushing the company forward as the economy struggles.
Age: 53
Residence: Austin, Texas (soon to be moving to Worcester area)
Family: Wife, Jill, three children, Matt, 22; Bridget, 20 and Russell, 17
Education: Bachelor's in political science, Reed College; MBA, University of Pennsylvania
Previous job: Partner at Tatum LLC; SVP and Chief Financial Officer at InPulse Response Group
Start date at new job: Oct. 12, 2009
Q. How are you settling in at your new office?
A. We have offices in both Marlborough and Santa Monica, and during my transition from Texas to Massachusetts I am travelling every week. I've enjoyed getting to know the Worcester area and look forward to relocating here after my youngest graduates high school next year.
Q. What's the biggest surprise you've had in starting the job?
A. I am actually already pretty familiar with Mercury Media's business segment, as my previous role at InPulse Response Group introduced me to the direct response industry. I think the biggest surprise is probably how much of an opportunity there is to grow this business.
Q. What challenges do you see in your new position?
A. Clearly the overall economic market and the impact that has had on consumer response and media rates will be the biggest challenge to overcome. However, competitive pressures are always a challenge and I look forward to working with our teams on both coasts to drive our market position in the right direction.
Q. How different is this job from your previous position?
A. The biggest difference is that Mercury Media has a distinct business on each coast and driving the synergy between the two operations is a different challenge for me. Understanding the ever-changing nuances of media buying is always a challenge, and I am looking forward to learning the all the fine details of Mercury Media's business.
Q. How close is this to what you imagined in high school you'd end up doing?
A. Ha! My career has been a journey, so I haven't ended up with anything yet. I will continue to seek greater challenges. My approach ever since the beginning of my career has always been to be opportunistic. I view Mercury Media as another step in a continuous development process. All I knew in high school was that I wanted to go to college.
Q. Where's the best place to get lunch near your new location?
A. We have a fantastic deli on the main floor of our office at 225 Cedar Hill St. in Marlborough, and I'm there every day.
Q. What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
A. I hope I'm continuing to contribute to both the success of whatever business I am in and in the success of the people running it.
WBJ Web Partners
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