Skip Gage
Jim Shroer
Mark Zesbaugh


Skip Gage

Skip Gage

Chairman, Magnet 360 / Gage Marketing Group


Having watched the evolution of marketing in the '70's and '80's on the agency side and as a client, Skip Gage was convinced that most marketers were being undeserved by their agencies because of the typical agency's singular focus on broadcast advertising as the solution of choice.

To take advantage of this market opportunity, Skip decided to form a marketing firm with broad functionality, deep expertise and an ability to integrate the various elements of marketing communications, promotion and direct marketing into unified solutions for clients. With that vision, Skip formed Gage Marketing Group in 1992.

His prior experience came in handy. As President of Carlson Marketing Group, Skip transformed the organization from a small trading stamp company to the largest freestanding promotion company in the world. Then, as President and CEO of Carlson Companies, he doubled their annual revenue to $8 billion while moving them to focus their efforts in Marketing, Travel and Hospitality from a diversified holding company.

Skip stays heavily involved in the community and is on the board of several business and charitable organizations. He was recognized by Twin Cities Business Monthly as the 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Career Highlights

  • Started Gage Marketing Group by acquiring four Marketing Services divisions of Carlson Companies, starting up a marketing agency and a marketing consulting company and creating a new integrated marketing company dedicated to developing and executing "integrated marketing" programs.
  • Completed the restructuring of Carlson Companies as President and COO then CEO, between 1983-1991 from a broad, diversified holding company to a company focused in three industries - Marketing, Travel and Hospitality. Grew revenue from $4 billion to $8 billion during this period.
  • Directed the growth of Carlson Marketing Group from a small trading stamp company to the largest freestanding promotion company in the world with an industry leadership position in incentives, sales promotion and travel.