Tentpole NY's Jon Paul Buchmeyer and Susan Martin
Photo: Brad DeCecco for BizBash
In good company: Before striking out on their own, PR industry vets Jon Paul Buchmeyer and Susan Martin logged plenty of hours for other firms. Collectively, the two claim more than 30 years of experience in marketing and communications roles at companies including Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, Susan Magrino Agency, Ketchum, and Condé Nast titles such as Condé Nast Traveler, Teen Vogue, and House & Garden. (Buchmeyer alone spent close to seven years as director of communications and television programming for Traveler; Martin worked alongside him there for three and a half years.) Longtime friends even prior to their Condé work, the two had discussed going into business for years; last September, boutique communications firm Tentpole NY was born.
From soup to nuts: Tentpole specializes in developing large-scale—and often long-term—strategic branding and event programs. Recent work includes Traveler’s yearlong social-responsibility initiative, which spawned the magazine’s Five & Alive Fund as well as its World Savers Congress, an industry gathering of more than 200 C.E.O.s that addressed issues of environmental responsibility and poverty alleviation. “They do it 360, everything from PR to event management,” says Anjali Saigal, Condé Nast Traveler’s associate publisher for marketing services, who also has high praise for Tentpole’s ability to secure top speakers, participants, and attendees. (A video from Bill Clinton welcomed guests to the World Savers Congress.) “We had C.E.O.s of major companies [at the congress], the kind of people whose calendars fill up way in advance.”A meeting of the minds: The pair pride themselves on being honest with partners—instead of “yes-ing” a somewhat flawed idea, they’ll offer more strategic solutions. “We naturally think alike,” Martin says. “We’ll be in meetings together and we just inherently know what the other one’s thinking, so we’re able to do things very quickly.” She also applauds her partner’s ability to think on a grand scale. “And I trust Susan enough to tell me, ‘That’s crazy! We’re never going to get there,’” Buchmeyer adds.
Repeat business: The year is already looking busy. Tentpole will develop and expand Traveler’s 2008 social-responsibility program, and they’re also the minds behind a new, still-confidential initiative for The Economist.
From soup to nuts: Tentpole specializes in developing large-scale—and often long-term—strategic branding and event programs. Recent work includes Traveler’s yearlong social-responsibility initiative, which spawned the magazine’s Five & Alive Fund as well as its World Savers Congress, an industry gathering of more than 200 C.E.O.s that addressed issues of environmental responsibility and poverty alleviation. “They do it 360, everything from PR to event management,” says Anjali Saigal, Condé Nast Traveler’s associate publisher for marketing services, who also has high praise for Tentpole’s ability to secure top speakers, participants, and attendees. (A video from Bill Clinton welcomed guests to the World Savers Congress.) “We had C.E.O.s of major companies [at the congress], the kind of people whose calendars fill up way in advance.”A meeting of the minds: The pair pride themselves on being honest with partners—instead of “yes-ing” a somewhat flawed idea, they’ll offer more strategic solutions. “We naturally think alike,” Martin says. “We’ll be in meetings together and we just inherently know what the other one’s thinking, so we’re able to do things very quickly.” She also applauds her partner’s ability to think on a grand scale. “And I trust Susan enough to tell me, ‘That’s crazy! We’re never going to get there,’” Buchmeyer adds.
Repeat business: The year is already looking busy. Tentpole will develop and expand Traveler’s 2008 social-responsibility program, and they’re also the minds behind a new, still-confidential initiative for The Economist.
