Richard Agata
VP of Business Development
Champion Motorsports Marketing, LLC
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| Richard Agata |
At the same time, Rich took graphic arts in junior high and later devoted himself to journalism in high school; where he sold and designed ads and produced his school's weekly newspaper. He parlayed these passions into a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Southern California where he rose to SoCal Magazine Editor, Production Manager of the Daily Trojan, disc jockey on the fledgling university radio station KSCR and ultimately published and edited his own magazine ("it's our turn now") as a senior. All the while, he was writing and recording his original songs.
Rich was running his own Creative, Marketing and Advertising Agency called Agata Grafx since 1995. Some of his clients included: Straussberg Advertising & Design (Automobile Club of Southern California), Dick Clark Productions, The University of Southern California, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Grammy People), Sony Films, The American Heart Association, Campbell's Soup, Ruby Tuesday, Bed, Bath & Beyond, TJ Applebee's, Binney & Smith (Crayolas) and Progressive Insurance.
After stints as Art Director for weekly industry icon newspapers Radio & Records (where he also served as Sports on Radio Editor and interviewed Hall of Famers Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Howard Cosell), and later the Los Angeles Business Journal; Rich recently served as the Director of Advertising & Marketing for the Rusnak Auto Group - the only auto dealership in the world to sell Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, Maybach and Volvo. Being true to himself and his vision, Rich has just released his debut CD: "let's call it hope" on indie label R-Turn Records. The 10-song CD features the immense talents of multi Grammy nominee Peter Case and session guitarist/producer extraordinaire: Greg Leisz.
Rich has taught Advertising at his alma mater (USC) within the prestigious Annenberg School for Communication and has made many influential friends within the marketing, publicity, advertising and academic communities. He was also an instructor at The Art Institute of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, where he taught Typography, Print Production and Publication Design. Additionally, he has taught numerous design and career-related courses at Brooks College in Long Beach, was awarded Outstanding Graphic Design Instructor of the Year there, and for several years participated as both a judge and mentor for the California State University, Northridge Graphics Department's Annual Portfolio Review. Furthermore, he is honored to be a member of the Platt College Advisory Board.
Rich serves as CMM's VP of Business Development. Taking CMM's to new heights, Rich at all times is looking for ways to utilize CMM's client roster to bring much needed higher ROI to potential sponsors. Much like CMM has diversified in marketing across the spectrum of entertainment, so has Rich with his vast career of marketing and teaching.