Leadership Team
Jeff Small
Founder & CEO
Jeff Small founded Strategic Media Inc. in 2000, building the business into one of the country’s leading audio agencies helmed by experts. Personal and professional growth and active learning sit at the crux of Jeff’s leadership style at SMI; employees are encouraged to ask questions, think nimbly, and always go the extra mile.
A goal-oriented leader through and through, Jeff is engaged with all departments at SMI and is involved with client strategy—a testament to a company culture built around collaboration, communication, and comradery.
Jeff’s commitment to upholding the physical and mental well being of his employees comes to fruition with a balanced work culture based on responsibility, accountability, and respect.
For all who work with him, for his wife and grown children, Jeff tries to set an example of true generosity, kindness and love every single day. Over the past two decades, Jeff’s led the charge by donating (and encouraging employees to donate) to such charities as The Travis Mills Foundation, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Preble Street Resource Center, as well as food pantries nationwide. Read more about how SMI gives back here.
Christina Baeten
Vice President, Director of Client Services
An SMI team member for nearly 20 years, Christina leads the Client Services Team where her
repertoire of skills is put into practice managing client budgets, campaign testing, and strategy.
Empowered and inspired by the experts around her, Christina recommends what is best for each client’s marketing budget, employing a balance of proven forward-thinking strategies and customized tests.
Clients’ goals become her goals, which she will relentlessly pursue. In 2023, Christina added “VP” to her job title in a move cementing her expertise in the business of Audio Advertising. Find Christina posted at her laptop in sunny Key West, where she likes to spend her time traveling and enjoying the outdoors with her family.
Bob Leonard
Director of Business Development
Bob joined Strategic Media Inc. back in 2005, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the team. In his role as Director of Client Development, Bob’s intrinsic understanding of the audio landscape empowers brands to reach their full potential.
After nearly two decades into his career at SMI, he’s worked with hundreds of clients and overseen the production of thousands of ads. From chasing leads and securing new clients to directing the creative team to motivate listeners with high-quality ads, Bob’s days are rarely quiet – but his office is always open.
On the weekends, you can find Bob swimming, kayaking, lounging at the beach, or pursuing DIY projects with confidence, optimism, and an emergency tourniquet nearby – just in case.
RHONDA AINSWORTH
Controller
As Controller at Strategic Media, Rhonda’s job comes down to the vital role of overseeing all client & vendor accounts for accuracy and completeness.
An industry expert with more than 15 years in audio advertising, Rhonda has been an integral part of the SMI team since 2007. Far and wide, her favorite part of the job is working with a team of smart, dedicated people.
Rhonda is also an extremely talented cross-stitcher, dedicated parent, and world traveler—turning up in the nooks and crannies of countries few people even know exist. When she’s not indulging her wanderlust, you can find Rhonda doing crossword puzzles and babysitting her grandkids.
Heather Hansen
Media Director
Heather’s extensive knowledge, experience, logic, and no-nonsense planning in every campaign is the foundation of each client’s success at Strategic Media Inc., and has been since the early 2000s.
As the Media Director, Heather’s expertise and knowledge guides her team of buyers through every aspect of a campaign. From superior strategy to flawless implementation to rate negotiations, results review, and more. She maintains great relationships with our top media vendors, which puts SMI’s clients in the best position for the top media placements at the lowest remnant rates.
Heather loves her work, loves her life, loves her family, and is never afraid to speak her mind.
Brooke Murray
Director of Strategic Growth
Brooke approaches her role as the Director of Strategic Growth with the same entrepreneurial spirit that once led her to start her own company. At SMI, she focuses primarily on attribution and strategy, and new business. She is at the forefront of innovation, always looking for new ways to advance strategic opportunities that help clients achieve growth and profitability.
She is a confident businesswoman, constantly collaborating with internal teams to ensure our campaigns are targeted in achieving and conveying actionable results that yield long-term growth.
She drives results here the way she drives golf balls on the course—straight to the goal. She does all this while working remotely from Georgia, where she lives with her husband and two young boys.
Ronnie-Lynn Bell
Human Resources
Ronnie joined the SMI team in the winter of 2007 and has played a pivotal role, in the nearly two decades since, leading the charge in dual roles as Executive Assistant and Head of Human Resources. Her day-to-day at the office is a balanced dichotomy of big-picture strategic endeavors and the necessary daily upkeep of the office.
With duties involving record keeping, policy development, risk management, and administrative support, Ronnie keeps this place running smoothly. Her favorite aspect of the job – besides working alongside some of her dearest friends – is Strategic Media’s strong emphasis on personal growth and professional development.
In the spring and summer, you can find her boating at the lake with her family. Come winter, the mountains and slopes of Maine are where she spends her time. She’s got style, class, sophistication, and never misses an opportunity to crack a joke. An exercise enthusiast and voracious reader, Ronnie’s rich social life makes her a constant source of knowledge and wit.
Alex Foster
Senior Media Analyst
A dedicated data analyst with a talent for presenting information, Alex’s many years at Strategic Media can be attributed to his commitment to results.
Alex leads the Data & Analytics team with progressive reporting projects, as well as the implementation and streamlining of this company’s data visualization techniques.
In a role that has him constantly working through massive amounts of data points, Alex’s technical know-how and intrinsic understanding of numbers ensures clarity in a client’s advertising campaign.
Alex makes it a point to commune with nature every chance he gets, ferrying his family from campsite to kayak to mountain top.
Move The Needle
Our direct response model is based on tracking every lead with clear, concise data. Data transparency and open communication offer our clients a precise look at how their ad dollars are working for them, and we don’t consider ourselves successful until our clients reach their goals.