President/CEO
To say Debi Hammond is passionate about what she does would be an understatement. When she likes an idea, you’ll know it! So will everyone else in the room when her arms start flailing and the excitement emanates from head to toe. A poker player she is not…
Debi is founder, president and CEO of Merlot Marketing, Inc. , an award-winning full-service agency specializing in advertising, public relations and brand strategy. As a result of helping numerous clients build their brands and businesses through strategic marketing strategies and execution, Merlot Marketing has experienced tremendous growth. Since its founding in 2001, Merlot Marketing has been listed in the Sacramento Business Journal’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies three years in a row and has won numerous awards for its work both locally and nationally. An award winner herself, Debi was named PR Person of the Year by the Sacramento Public Relations Association (SPRA) and has been recognized as a leader in the business community (see additional awards and associations). Debi has authored numerous articles on marketing and is currently a contributing writer for the Sacramento Business Journal.
When not working, which isn’t often, Debi enjoys wine tasting (merlot, of course) and hiking with her husband, kids and their dog Syra (a beautiful black German Shepherd).
Contact: debi@merlotmarketing.com
AWARDS
2008
- Sacramento Advertising Club: ADDY Awards (Gold/Silver)
- International MarCom Creative Awards: 8 total (Platinum/Gold)
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
2007
- Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, Sacramento Business Journal
- Sacramento Advertising Club: ADDY Awards (Gold/Silver)
- International MarCom Creative Awards: 8 total (Platinum/Gold)
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
2006
- Top 25 Fastest-Growing Companies, Sacramento Business Journal
- Sacramento Advertising Club: ADDY Awards
- International MarCom Creative Awards: 8 total (Platinum/Gold)
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
2005
- Sixth Fastest-Growing Company, Sacramento Business Journal
- Sacramento Ad Club: ADDY Awards
- International MarCom Creative Awards: 7 total (Platinum/Gold)
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
- Int’l Assoc. of Business Communicators: CRYSTAL Awards
- American Marketing Association: DOTTIE Awards
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: PR Person of the Year
2004
- Sacramento Ad Club: ADDY Awards
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
- Int’l Assoc. of Business Communicators: CRYSTAL Awards
- American Marketing Association: DOTTIE Awards
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Outstanding Women Leader (OWL) Award
2003
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
2002
- Sacramento Public Relations Association: CAPPIE Awards
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ASSOCIATIONS
- American Marketing Association, Sacramento Valley Chapter (AMASV), Member (Former Board of Directors, VP, Publicity)
- Sacramento Public Relations Association (SPRA), Member
- Sacramento Advertising Club, Member
- San Francisco Advertising Club
- International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Member
- Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Member
- National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), Member
- Sacramento Advocates for Girls Empowerment (SAGE), Volunteer
- National Association of Professional Women (NAPW)
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

KNOW WHAT YOUR’RE SELLING TO SUCCEED
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on August 7, 2009.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

TWEET IF YOU WAN TO INCREASE CUSTOMER TRAFFIC
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on May 29, 2009.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

MESSAGE GOES OVER BETTER WITH LESS NOISE
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on April 3, 2009.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

REACH A NEW AUDIENCE WITH A BUSINESS BLOG
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on February 6, 2009.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

WEB IS CHOCK FULL OF CHANCES FOR NETWORKING
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on November 7, 2008.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

YOU MIGHT BE OUR FIRMS BEST MARKETER
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on November 7, 2008.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

STICK TO YOUR STRENGTH TO WEATHER STORM
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on July 4, 2008.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

A MARKETING RESOLUTION FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on January 4, 2008.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

AIMING FOR THAT CORNER OF THE BRAIN
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on March 7, 2008.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

KNOW THYSELF, THEN ADVERTISE
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on April 20, 2007.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

CREATE A PLAN TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on June 15, 2007.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

SERVICE CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR BUSINESS
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on August 17, 2007.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

PR CAN HELP GET THE WORD OUT FOR LESS
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on October 19, 2007.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR BUSINESS
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on November 17, 2006.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

FOLLOW THESE FIVE GUIDELINES TO CREATE INDELIBLE BRAND
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on July 16, 2004.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

CLEVER ADS CAN BURY ESSENTIAL MESSAGES
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on May 9, 2003.
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES

FIND HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES IN A SLOW ECONOMY
Published in the Sacramento Business Journal on Auygust 16, 2002.
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