Excellence In Action
Count on us for unmatched expertise and strategic insights. Leverage our longstanding, industry-wide relationships. And rely on us for a level of service that will leave no doubt in your mind about our commitment to your success. These are the pillars upon which Excellence Marketing is built, and they’re the catalysts for manufacturers and resellers to connect quickly, deeply and productively.
Past is prologue, they say. So expect us to deliver the same results for you that we’ve provided our customers for more than three decades.
Born in Minnesota and well-established throughout the Upper Midwest region, Excellence Marketing was founded by Ken Simons in 1988. “I created this company to fill a void,” says Ken. “Coming from the manufacturer side of the industry, I saw a need for a firm that could be a true partner to both manufacturers and resellers – one that understood that nobody wins unless everybody wins.”
Technology has changed over time. So have our customers’ needs and expectations. What hasn’t changed is Excellence Marketing’s commitment to mastering the technology and being the partner you need to help your business thrive.
Fun Fact About our Team
We all have the same middle name: “Excellence.”
University of Iowa 1980, BBA, Marketing/Management
1980-1982: Regional Sales Manager, Shure Incorporated
1982-1988: Manager/Account Representative, Mel Foster Company
1988-Present: Owner, Excellence Marketing
1980-1982: Regional Sales Manager, Shure Incorporated
1982-1988: Manager/Account Representative, Mel Foster Company
1988-Present: Owner, Excellence Marketing
University of Wisconsin-Stout 1982, BS: Business Administration
1980-1988: Operations/Sales Manager, EME Audio Systems (Eau Claire, WI)
1988-1996: Account Representative, Mel Foster Technical Sales (Edina, MN)
1996-2007: Co-owner/VP, NetWork Sales & Marketing (Eden Prairie, MN)
2007-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
1980-1988: Operations/Sales Manager, EME Audio Systems (Eau Claire, WI)
1988-1996: Account Representative, Mel Foster Technical Sales (Edina, MN)
1996-2007: Co-owner/VP, NetWork Sales & Marketing (Eden Prairie, MN)
2007-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
Mankato State University 1988
South Central Technical College 1998
Graduated NICET Audio Technician Training, Level 1 Certification
1989-1998: Sales/Audio Technician, Scheitel’s Music
1998-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
South Central Technical College 1998
Graduated NICET Audio Technician Training, Level 1 Certification
1989-1998: Sales/Audio Technician, Scheitel’s Music
1998-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
Certifications: CTS-D, NICET, CSP, CTS, Q-SYS L2
St. Cloud State University 1985, BS: Mass Communications
1985-1990: Radio Announcer/Program Director (multiple locations in MN & IA)
1990-2010: Communications Specialist, Open Systems, Inc. (Shakopee, MN)
2010-Present: Office Manager, Excellence Marketing
1985-1990: Radio Announcer/Program Director (multiple locations in MN & IA)
1990-2010: Communications Specialist, Open Systems, Inc. (Shakopee, MN)
2010-Present: Office Manager, Excellence Marketing
Minnesota State University, Mankato 2015
Bachelor in Science in Sport Administration/Management
2015-2017: Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Sioux Falls, SD)
2017-Present: Office Administration, Excellence Marketing
Bachelor in Science in Sport Administration/Management
2015-2017: Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Sioux Falls, SD)
2017-Present: Office Administration, Excellence Marketing
Rochester Community & Technical College (AFA Music Industry/Music Technology) 2011
Graduated McNally Smith College of Music (Diploma: Live Sound Reinforcement) 2012
Graduated McNally Smith College of Music (Diploma: Live Sound Reinforcement) 2012
2012-2013: Recording Engineer, North Coast Productions (Rochester, MN)
2013-2014: AV Technician, Audio Video Electronics (Minneapolis, MN)
2013-Present: Lead AV Operator, Westminster Presbyterian (Minneapolis, MN)
2014-2017: Instructor/Live Sound, McNally Smith College of Music (St. Paul MN)
2017-Present: AV Operator On-call, Eagle Brook Church (Spring Lake Park, MN)
2018-2019: AV Technician, Excel AV Group (Minneapolis, MN)
2012-Present: Freelance Engineer/Technician
2019-Present: Product Specialist, Excellence Marketing, Inc.
Certifications:
Dante Level 1 2018
L’Acoustics Certificate of Training 2018
DiGiCo Masters Class Certificate 2017
Rational Acoustics Smaart V8 2016
ProTools 11 2015
Midas Digital User/System Engineer 2015
Symetrix SymNet Composer 2014
University Of Minnesota 1980
Certified Sales Professional Designation, October 2007
1973-1986: Full-time touring musician with national & regional acts
1986-1987: Data Coordinator, Control Data Corporation (Bloomington, MN)
1987-1992: General Manager, Knut-Koupee Music Stores (Mpls, MN)
1992-Present: Vice-President, Excellence Marketing
Certified Sales Professional Designation, October 2007
1973-1986: Full-time touring musician with national & regional acts
1986-1987: Data Coordinator, Control Data Corporation (Bloomington, MN)
1987-1992: General Manager, Knut-Koupee Music Stores (Mpls, MN)
1992-Present: Vice-President, Excellence Marketing
Certifications: CSP, Q-SYS L1
2005: BA in Journalism and Graphic Design, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
2008-2014: Marketing Manager, Vaddio
2014-2017: Marketing Director, AVI Systems
2018-2019: NSCA Education Foundation Program Director
2018-Present: Marketing Director, Excellence Marketing
2019-Present: Audiovisual Marketing Consultant
2008-2014: Marketing Manager, Vaddio
2014-2017: Marketing Director, AVI Systems
2018-2019: NSCA Education Foundation Program Director
2018-Present: Marketing Director, Excellence Marketing
2019-Present: Audiovisual Marketing Consultant
