Damian working on the next marketing revolution...
Damian Rintelmann, the Director of Interactive Business Development for integrated marketing communications firm Hart Associates is the June 2009 Black Rucksack Polestar!
There are some guys that from the moment you meet them, you know they have what it takes to succeed. I met Damian back in 2000 at in Internet company in East Lansing and knew immediately that he was one of those guys. And for the past nine years, he has proven to be exactly that. Damian is an industry leader in digital marketing, a well-regarded community organizer and one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen on the ice.
Damian’s Website: http://breakawaydigital.com/
Damian on Twitter: http://twitter.com/drintelmann
Professionally, what drives you?
-Continually pushing to innovate and push the limits of creativity. Growing up playing hockey instilled the need to always push myself harder; always. Hockey is a sport of creativity, and hustling… every goal you score is going to be different, the best goals are the ones that people wouldn’t think you’d score. No matter what you do in practice, it comes down to what you do in the game. I was never the biggest guy but I was fast. That speed allowed me to work hard and be creative with the game.
What is the best advice that you’ve ever received?
-Some of the best advice I’ve ever received but the hardest to accept.
“It is OK to fail.” That is a hard concept to accept but when you are pushing yourself it is bound to happen. You have to pick yourself back up and keep going. If you are failing then that means you are actually doing something. If you’ve never failed then you probably aren’t trying hard enough.
What do you find is the best way to unwind, relax and chill?
-I love a good night in with my wife and dogs. A perfect night would be with a good movie, something like The Da Vinci Code, great beer like Newcastle Ale, and a comfy couch. Movies that mix some good action, with an intriguing story really move me.
You’re grilling out on a Saturday afternoon with your favorite brew in hand… what food do you throw on the grill?
-I love a great steak with some grilled veggies. The steak has to be seasoned with just salt and pepper. Needs to be cooked to a nice medium… mmm. (That) makes me want to throw some on right now. (All of) that really lets a good meat shine. I think too many steaks are over seasoned.
What is one adventure or event that you’ve experienced that shook you at your core?
-I love being outdoors, which led me to backpacking. I love getting to remote places in the world and just taking it all in. There was one trip in particular that shook me to my core. I was backpacking with a relative out in Arizona. We were up in the mountains, 60 miles from the closest town and there was an unexpected snowfall. We didn’t have the right gear, and found out really quickly what a mistake it was.
We lost the trail for a whole day and navigated by topo map and compass. Cell phones didn’t work up there either, so we really had to suck it up. We were getting picked up in 2 days at the trailhead and we just had to make it there. But a lot can happen in 2 days when you are in the middle of nowhere getting pounded by rough weather. Obviously that taught me to be prepared for the worst, but it also made me a stronger person mentally. You just have to focus on the task at hand and reach your goal.
What is your number one motivation in life?
-You know life is short, and for me it boils down to happiness. I love my life. Sure I’ve had struggles but you have to squeeze all that you can into a day. The next day isn’t given to you, so live in the now. Sometimes I get caught up in the stress of the day, then I get home my dogs go nuts to see me or I see my wife and you realize what life really is. Just like when step onto the ice and realize that it doesn’t matter. You have to get over it, do what you can to fix things and live life for that happiness.
As an avid hockey player, what lessons, if any, do you take from the ice to the office?
-I’ve been playing hockey since I was 3 1/2. It’s been in my life as far back as I can remember. The biggest thing that I have always known is the importance of a solid team. Sure you can have a couple of superstars but they won’t win you games. Every person on the ice has a purpose they serve and they all have to pull their weight. If one of them isn’t the whole team will suffer. When I build a team, that is exactly how I look at it. I’m a big team player, and every person I add to that team plays a role.
Who was your childhood hero? Do you still idolize this person?
-I’d say Wayne Gretzky would have to be it. Gretzky had this great quote that I love to this day. “A good player plays where the puck is, a great player plays where the puck is going to be.” That is so true in hockey but also relates to great business leaders. The visionaries play where the business is going, not where it is right now. They are always thinking one step ahead. I want to be that type of business leader.
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?
-Wow that is a tough one! There are so many cool people that I’d love to meet. I love learning from other people. We all have our own unique perspectives on life, and even if I disagree with a person’s opinion it has insight on the subject that I might not have had. I would love to meet President Obama, but I have a feeling I am not alone there.
But there is one other person that really comes to mind, that would be Teddy Roosevelt. I’ve read a lot about him, and he really shaped a lot of things in this country. You want to talk about a visionary he had the foresight to setup the nature preserves in the U.S. He saw the growth of our cities and wanted to make sure that our country could still show the beauty of this country to our children. I would love to pick the brain of a past visionary like that because as we’ve seen many times history does repeat itself. If we can learn some things from out past maybe we can have a brighter future.
What piece of gear is most important to you and why (examples: tech gear, hockey gear, watch, phone, camping gear, music gear, car, laptop etc.)?
-I’m sure you know I am a “gearhead.” If I were to single out one thing, it would have to be my iPhone. It really was a perfect marriage of an extremely diverse communications device, and a music device. I love being a communicator but I really love good music too. So in once piece of gear I can have both.
You’re married, have two wild dogs, play a lot of hockey, work as the Director of Interactive Business Development at Hart Associates and are involved in many social media and social marketing efforts… where do you find the time?
-LOL… yeah I’m busy but I am sure as time goes on I will only lose more time. (It) really comes down to priorities; being able to schedule time and use it effectively.
(I have a) true secret, and I am sure many people do this. It’s harnessing your emotions and going with it. I can’t describe that feeling of motivation or creativity but when it comes over you… I just have to go with it. So it might be early in the morning, late at night or during some meeting. I just try to run with it. That is why I always try to carry a notebook with me. If I get some inspiration, I whip it out and go. Then I ride that wave as long as I can.
What’s the most unique and memorable travel destination you’ve been to? Would you suggest our readers venture to it?
-This isn’t really unique but I love how we did the trip. I took a trip to Italy with my wife and we flew into Milan, rented a car then drove down to Rome. We made a few stops throughout Italy. We went to Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and Rome. It was a great trip, I felt like I was really able to see Italy. The European culture as a whole is great. They really appreciate time and try not to take life to seriously. People in the U.S. really could learn a thing or two about how to appreciate life from the Europeans. I would highly recommend spending time in Italy.
What skill do you think every man should have?
-I’ve had friends that look at what I do, and say “wow, I wish I that I could do what you do.” I say, “so do it.” Nothing is stopping you, but yourself. I got to where I am by saying I want to do that, and working my butt off to get there. I’m motivated by trying to be the best at whatever I do. I don’t want to look at something and say “wow I really didn’t give that my all.” I try to make sure I pour everything I can into whatever it is that I am doing.
I’m a firm believer that if you put your mind to accomplish something, you can do it. Sure there might be people out there that are smarter than you, or faster but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. You’ll fail… I have, but keep going. So, I guess that skill that every man needs is perseverance.
What’s next for Damian Rintelmann?
-I can’t give away all of my secrets, but I am working on a few new ideas for clients that I hope see the light of day. I’m focusing a lot of energy on mobile technologies and social networking. I think that mobile technology gives us a great opportunity to communicate on the go, and connect us in ways that weren’t previously possible.
I love my job, I get paid to dream. Good job for a kid that stunk at school because all I did was day dreamed, doodled or wanted to be playing hockey. Hopefully I can share those ideas soon.
Thanks again for the opportunity!
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