Dennis Collins
Chief Operating Officer

Dennis brings almost 30 years of client and agency marketing communications experience, most of it in the technology sector, to Tech Image and its clients. He provides strategic business planning, messaging development and media coaching along with supervising the daily operations of the agency. The innovative messaging matrix approach that Tech Image uses for its clients was created and refined by Dennis over the last six years. He also developed the customized courseware that is used for executive media coaching, tying in principles from messaging to create a coherent platform for spokespersons. He has provided strategic messaging platforms and media coaching for more than 60 companies, and is a frequent moderator for messaging workshops at Northwestern University and the ITEC-Evanston technology initiative. He also serves on the Marketing Committee for the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world's largest network of independent public relations firms.

Prior to Tech Image, he was the founder or a member of the start-up team for three other businesses. Previous accomplishments include directing the overall marketing communications efforts of a pioneering digital video manufacturer and serving as a corporate director through its acquisition, supervising the advertising and PR for an international technical and computer book publisher, directing advertising agency efforts for McDonald's in Indiana, and conceiving, operating and selling a gourmet dessert café business.

What is Your Favorite Success Story?
The 2005 Chicago White Sox - they showed how a real team can be greater than the sum of its parts. We strive to emulate that here at Tech Image. On a more personal note, watching the Hersey High School marching band perform at the Illinois State competition in 2004 was a thrill. The band placed 2 nd in the state, behind 25+ year perennial winner Prospect High. But considering that just four years earlier, Hersey cracked the Top 10 for the first time in decades, this achievement was spectacular. The combination of musical performance and precision marching was awesome to witness, especially when you realize that these were high schoolers who did it for the sake of enjoyment only. It really drove home to me that a commitment to excel can yield tangible results, but not necessarily right away. As a footnote, in 2006 they finally won the title outright.

What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?
Listening to music and (to a much lesser degree these days) playing drums are my main interests. I have an extensive album and CD collection, ranging from obscure Euro-Art Rock to newcomers only heard on XM radio or MySpace. Architecture and design continue to fascinate me, along with contemporary crafts in glass and porcelain.

What is the Title of the Last Good Book You Read?
Jarhead by Anthony Swofford really depicted the insanity that is war. It also shed brutal clarity on the testosterone-fueled world of life as a young military recruit. Reading it evoked a mixture of disgust, awe, empathy and laughter, based on the page. That alone is a testament to a good writer, but the subject matter was also compelling. The fact that the book was written straightforward, sans political agenda, was also a plus. The movie doesn't do justice to the injustices portrayed in the book.

And now for something different... Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand still holds on as a definitive read about the strength of an individual and the challenges that settling for mediocrity can create, even for an entire society.

Who are Your Favorite Recording Artists?
Current heavy rotation artists include my old standards Gentle Giant, Yes and Genesis , and newer bands, such as A Perfect Circle , Heernt , Porcupine Tree and Tool . I'm also listening more and more to my son Devin, a percussion major at Berklee, who is composing jazz tunes and performing improvisational free music with many killer musician friends in Boston.

Why Are You a Good Fit at Tech Image?
My messaging experiences and my problem-solving business skills combine to bring value to clients and to our company while satisfying me. Being energized by my work is important to me, and I feel fortunate to be in that situation at Tech Image. And with our acquisition by SmithBucklin, I now have many additional opportunities and responsibilities that will keep the energy level high.