Mike Messenger joins Advantage Systems

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The former Director of Sales for Cox Media, has joined Advantage Systems as a Revenue Development Manager.  Messenger’s experience in leading a Cox Media sales team who sold across 12 states to grow revenue by focusing on local direct business is what attracted him to Advantage Systems.


“[It’s] a unique concept that has proven fruitful – in fact growing revenue 15% year over year,” said Messenger.  “I am very excited to help advertising sales professionals grow their revenue.  What Advantage Systems offers to local, small and mid-size businesses is unparalleled in the industry.  This is a unique opportunity for me at the right time in my career to do what I love to do: help businesses grow their client base and make more money, while helping sales professionals improve their income.”

Messenger will be working with sales teams and managers to help strengthen their local direct strategy and maximize digital sales to ultimately generate sustainable growth in their individual markets.

“Media organizations and local advertisers are going to love working with Mike Messenger,” said Frank Kulbertis, Vice President of Sales for Advantage Systems, Inc.  “His experience and enthusiasm make him the ideal person to help us expand our business in the broadcast and cable TV industries, while continuing our extensive work in the radio industry.  I am thrilled that we were able to add someone of Mike’s caliber to our organization.”

“A key advantage to our Advantage Systems program is the strengthening of the sales team so that we can help our media partners grow their revenue not only thru focused sales programs but all year round.  We feel Mike has what it takes to help all of our media partners exceed their sales goals,” said Mike LoConte, President of Advantage Systems, Inc.

“We also admired Mike’s foresight,” LoConte added.  “He was growing sales revenue by adding digital solutions like Text Messaging in 2007.  We have included digital solutions for advertisers for the past three years and have seen a tremendous response.  Combining digital with traditional advertising just makes sense for the local direct client and keeps the advertising revenue in the local marketplace instead of going on-line.”

Messenger’s talents have been recognized as he swiftly climbed the ranks of sales organizations.  As Local Sales Manager for Cox Media, he was awarded the “Leader of the Year” for 2001 and the CAMY Award for “Local Sales Manager Outstanding Performance” in 2002.  He went on to champion a team of 5 radio stations and 1 television station for Journal Broadcast Group growing team revenue by 3% in a zero growth market at the beginning of a recession.  For the next three years, he exceeded monthly, quarterly and annual revenue goals as the General Sales Manager for Cox Media.  He was then promoted to Statewide Director of Sales largely due to the success of improving his sales team.  He accomplished this by individual mentoring, cold calling development, setting goals and by including advanced sales tools with Text Messaging and Digital Advertising opportunities.  After performing well overseeing the state of Arizona, Cox Media promoted him to Director of Sales to lead an innovative sales team focused on small and medium sized businesses.