Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

40 Under 40 - 2010

Michael Coldwell

Managing partner, BRAINtrust Marketing

Michael Coldwell

Michael Coldwell

Age: 36

Current job: Managing partner, BRAINtrust Marketing

Education: Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Bachelor of Arts in radio and television broadcasting; University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Pre-Bachelor of commerce

About Michael Coldwell: To say Coldwell is from a small town, is putting it mildly. To put it in perspective, more people checked into the MGM Grand this afternoon than live in his hometown of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. But he’s gone from a sleepy Maritime village in Canada to a dynamic career in Las Vegas. Coldwell is a thrice-published author, a published poet, a former professional stand-up comic, nationally published humor columnist, newspaper reporter, entertainment publicist, senior-level casino executive and an entrepreneur and small-business owner. He founded BRAINtrust Marketing in 2006 with business partner, Kurt Ouchida. Revenue jumped 350 percent from 2007 to 2008, and another 110 in ’09. “The creation and success of BRAINtrust Marketing is the most significant achievement,” he said. “Growing this business has been the most challenging and rewarding thing with which I’ve ever been involved. When the phone rings if you only make it ring, that’s the true measure of success. Lucky for us, the phone is ringing.” Previously, Coldwell was hired as the public relations director at Caesars Palace at 27, and eventually was named executive director of corporate communications. He is involved with several community, charitable and industry organizations including: Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Child Focus, Urban League MLK Senior Center, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

The most important issue facing the valley: While there are many issues facing the Las Vegas Valley – jobs, economy, water – I believe the most important issue we face is maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit on which this community was built. Las Vegas has always been fearless in its innovation, creativity, vision and imagination. We have always delivered to the country and the world the biggest, the newest and “the next big thing.” Decade after decade, Las Vegas has continually re-invented itself, and we have become a city of perpetual motion. In a down economy, we must resist the urge to “play it safe” and realize that our strength is in the art of innovation. The gaming, tourism and hospitality industries look to Las Vegas to see what’s next. Let’s continue to show them.

My mentor and why: Lately, Bill Lumbergh has been awfully influential to me, but my first mentor was the promotions director from CFTR AM radio in Toronto. When I was an 18-year-old intern he taught me that marketing people often receive free T-shirts. Not exactly the best way to choose a career path, but I was young and impressionable. Eighteen years later and still in marketing, I have been fortunate to have several mentors, and have never hesitated to identify those people I admire and contact them. More often than not, they took the time to meet me and share the secrets of their success. I think we can always learn by seeking out those we deem as successful people and asking them “How did you do it?”

Favorite Web site: www.braintrustlv.com or anything else designed by Max Supera and our Interactive team. Very talented cats!

Hobbies: Golfing (poorly), Writing (rarely), Fretting (nightly)

Fantasy job: I currently have it.

One-word description of self: Jedi

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