About Us
MAKING A PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR WORK EACH AND EVERY DAY.
Our Team
THE DRIVE OF WARRIORS. THE HEART OF PARTNERS.
We are a team of individuals, each dedicated to the work of our agency and the missions of our clients. Lean but fierce, our team members come from unusually unique backgrounds and are equipped with unique experience sets, both personal and professional. We bring those individual dynamics together that feed a collaborative and driven culture.
Lindsay Matush
Founder & CEO
Lindsay Matush
Founder & CEO
With 15 years of experience in directing brand and marketing strategies across a broad range of companies and industries and 10 years in the nonprofit sector, I bring a creative, outside-the-box approach that is grounded in strategy and focused on achieving client results and sustainable impact.
As CEO I aim to lead Vario with an unrelenting commitment to excellence, matched only by a deep love for our team and our clients. While guiding vision, business strategy and talent acquisition for the firm, I specialize in immersing myself in a client’s industry, market, and unique opportunity, quickly pinpointing insights that will unlock growth, impact, and sustainability. I also enjoy using the craft of public speaking to inspire, challenge, and advance industry.
I’m tremendously proud of our people and our portfolio of work that reveals an uncanny ability to meld strategy, creative, and philanthropy to build brands that strengthen companies and drive results, and to empower impactful, sustainable philanthropy.
I am a graduate of the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. When I’m not hatching an exciting client concept, I can be found running off mountains and chasing records around the world as a paraglider pilot and scheming about my next adrenaline or entrepreneurial adventure.
Thomas Hudder
SVP, Chief Creative Officer
Thomas Hudder
SVP, Chief Creative Officer
I've been an art director/creative director since graduating from Art Center College of Design/Pasadena. My 25-year career has journeyed through several leading agencies: Tracy Locke, DMB&B, GSD&M, DDB/Rodgers Townsend, and FleishmanHillard (FH). I have had the honor of leading several creative departments, most recently as Senior Partner/Executive Creative Director at FH for five years.
I’ve produced work locally, nationally and internationally. And I’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible variety of clients, including: Anheuser Busch, Enterprise, AT&T, Dell, Pearle Vision, Frito Lay, Hartford Insurance, Nestle Purina, Phillips Petroleum, Microsoft, General Motors, Samsung, Scottrade, Monsanto, Pepsi, Brinker, Boy Scouts of America, Taco Bell, Outer Space Sports, BJC, and Walmart.
My work has been honored by numerous industry awards, including: One Show, Cannes, New York Art Directors Club, National Addys, Communications Arts, Graphis, and Archive. And I have judged many award shows, including the prestigious Communications Arts Advertising Annual.
I am married, have two kids, 3 dogs and 250,000 bees.
My professional work can be seen at thomashudder.com
My photography can be seen at tomstakes.com
Diana Frazier
Director of Operations
Diana Frazier
Director of Operations
I bring over 15 years of experience in building brands, simplifying strategy and communications, and optimizing results. I believe that in the ever-changing media environment, clarity in communication and a great idea will always cut through the clutter. I have a proven track record of shepherding trackable, revenue-driving tactics as part of an integrated marketing strategy.
I am a graduate of the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, I served as an account supervisor at Rodgers Townsend in St. Louis, where I worked with clients including AT&T, The Hartford Insurance, Spectrum Brands, and Humane Society of Missouri.
When I am not planning and analyzing you’ll often find me outside adventuring with my husband, our sons Luke and James, and our two boxers who genuinely believe they are our kids.
Kim Plank
VP, Business Development
Kim Plank
VP, Business Development
I search for the kind of amazing clients we want to build lasting, productive relationships with.
I spent the last three years as the general manager of the Cambridge Innovation Center in St. Louis, helping develop the Cortex Innovation District. I consulted for many contractors, real estate developers, and economic development teams from across the nation trying to do the same in their cities. I also helped large corporations figure out how to increase their rate of innovation and connect them to startups around the world.
Prior to CIC I worked with the economic development team of the St. Louis Regional Chamber, recruiting bioscience and health science companies to our region, and helping them find ways to attract and retain the right workforce through strategic partnerships and focused messaging.
In my civilian life I have an awesome husband who’s put up with me for 27 years and two grown Kansas grads (Rock Chalk!), and laughing is my favorite thing. I’m also lucky to serve as an ambassador for St. Louis in places like Argentina and Israel, often helping host visiting international groups. I’m a serial entrepreneur who loves making jewelry, raising Labradors, and mentoring single moms.
Marianne Welsh
Account Director
Marianne Welsh
Account Director
Problem solving is in my DNA. I love digging into a good challenge and finding an unexpected way to approach a solution.
Before joining the Vario team, I spent the previous several years as an Account Director at Cannonball Agency supporting a broad range of clients including Schwan’s Foods, Bayer, Missouri MOST 529, Boyd Gaming and Siteman Cancer Center.
What I love about my job is being knee-deep in the process which begins with thoughtful strategy that informs an idea, that sparks great creative, that exceeds the expectations of clients and helps their business grow.
When I am off the clock, my family keeps me busy! My husband, three kids and our black lab, George, present plenty of good problems for me to solve. As a passion project, I co-authored and published two children’s books aimed at getting kids in the kitchen cooking at a very early age. Healthy habits start young! I also enjoy reading a good book, cooking and hanging out with anyone who makes me laugh.
Grace Stansbery
Account Executive
Grace Stansbery
Account Executive
I’m a big picture thinker, accustomed to wearing many different hats. As account executive, I manage client projects with an eye toward strategy. I have always enjoyed the power of the written and spoken word and often assist the team with copy and creative writing. Before joining Vario, I worked as a writer and marketer at a children’s toy company, where my team supported product lines selling at national retailers.
I have also prepared data analysis, performed operational duties, and managed web presence for a professional development and communication consulting firm. In addition, I interned with a boutique publishing house and syndicated radio program to support my bachelor’s degree in English criticism from Truman State University.
When I’m not hammering away on a keyboard, I spend my time “hanging out” in the air underneath a paraglider canopy, or on the ground with my dog, Francis, who is the subject of many quickly scrawled poems.
Nicole Feltes
Account Executive
Nicole Feltes
Account Executive
I am energized by integrating efficiency, creativity and strategy into all of my projects.
I bring over 10 years of experience in nonprofit and association management to the team with a strong focus on project management, program development and evaluation. Before joining the Vario team, I worked for a couple of years as the director of programs at The Haven of Grace, a nonprofit organization in North St. Louis, where I developed, implemented and evaluated housing programs for homeless moms and their children.
I’ve also worked as a program manager facilitating the overall operations of several trade associations including The National Christmas Tree Association, International Fruit Free Association, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. For each client, I executed communications, marketing, membership, and educational plans.
On the home front, I live with my husband, four kiddos, and a dog. And try to manage the chaos but putting my skills as a registered yoga teacher to good use.
Robb Blackwell
Production Designer
Robb Blackwell
Production Designer
I’m a designer, retoucher, typographer, proofreader and thinker with 20 years of agency experience. I came to agency life a bit sideways after studying journalism at Southeast Missouri State University. Out of college, I spent time working as a reporter and editor for a few years before finding I could help the advertising department. I then left newsprint behind to work at advertising agencies — first at Momentum Worldwide, then at DDB Rodgers Townsend, Brighton Agency and Miller Zell.
I’ve produced a variety of marketing materials from brochures to direct mail to print ads to outdoor to retail signage. Some of the clients I’ve supported include AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise, State Farm Insurance, Citizens Bank, Monsanto, Procter & Gamble, The Hartford Insurance, BJC Healthcare, Centene, Smoothie King, Saint Louis University and The Black Rep.
Originally from southeast Missouri, I now live in southest Saint Louis city where I enjoy home DIY projects and maintaining my gigantic backyard. I’m also a huge fan of concerts, community/marching bands and road trips— and especially excited when those passions overlap.
Our Clients
We are honored and privileged to serve the clients we work with. Each and every one of them.
Whether small or large, local or national, we never forget our clients are the reason we exist as an agency. And the reason we work endlessly as a team.
Our Past Clients
WE ARE GRATEFUL AND PROUD, INDIVIDUALLY, TO HAVE WORKED WITH SOME AMAZING BRANDS IN THE PAST.
Naturally, we share and apply our past client experiences toward tackling opportunities and managing challenges of Vario clients.
Are you a fit?
Welcome.
You are here because you’re curious if we’d be a good fit together as partners or if you’d be a good fit as part of the Vario team. Whatever the case, we are thrilled you are here to see how we think, how we work and what we believe in.
WORK WITH US.
We select clients who are looking for strategic partners. Not vendors. Clients that are growth oriented and not afraid to make some big bets and take some calculated risks. And clients that aim for purpose beyond profit and a desire for greater impact. If this sounds like you, and you like what you've seen here, we would love to meet with you to discuss your specific needs and how Vario might be able to help you achieve them.
WORK BESIDE US.
We are a team that focuses on enduring relationships, both with our clients and our team members. A team that delivers meaningful differences through our work. A team that is comprised of top-tier talent with considerably varied industry experience. And quite simply, a team comprised of good people. As we grow, we're always looking for smart, passionate people to grow our team and what we can offer our clients. We'd love to meet you.