We Build Brands

Murray grew up in Connecticut, where his parents had aspirations for him to become either a dentist or accountant.  Neither seemed particularly appealing since both felt like pulling teeth. Rather than follow the beaten path he embraced the rebellious spirit of the ‘60s, jumped in his Impala SS and set-off west to Berkeley, California.

After a few years of enjoying the California coast, Murray sharpened his teeth working in TV and film production. He eventually tried his hand at PR, working with major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, and publications like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more. A passion for PR eventually translated to intrigue for how organizations develop and communicate their identity.

Never having had much appreciation for “standard procedure,” Murray founded Flying Horse Communication in 1999 and rewrote the rulebook on branding and strategic planning. Fast-forward to present-day and Murray has rebranded and optimized more than 85 organizations. Along the way, he repositioned companies like NorthWestern Energy and BlueCross BlueShield.

When not reading one of the dozens of books on his shelf, Murray may be found writing, hiking or exploring the emerging science of neuromarketing.

Paul’s academic career started close to home at Montana State University. He completed his Masters at Washington State and his Ph.D. at Indiana University with a Doctorate in the area of Mass Communication and Cognitive Science. Paul has been applying neuroscience and psychophysiology for more than twenty years in both industry and academia to help clients achieve “brain-friendly” communications. Paul’s clients have included Disney, The Washington Post, Visa, Merck & Co. and NBC Universal. In addition to serving as Flying Horse’s Director of Neuromarketing Science, Paul is Associate Dean of Research & Graduate Studies at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.

It takes one very special financial wizard to work at a full-service marketing agency, one who deals in the realities of money and finances while navigating the chaotic world of creative and media people. We are extremely lucky, because we have one of those in Deborah. She is the keeper of the key and minds the health of the company so the rest of us can flit here and there, to and fro, creating and researching and planning and such.

Like most of us, she also has a heart for the community. She co-founded a Montessori school with both a preschool and elementary program, then served as assistant administrator, office manager, and corporate treasurer. Talk about a multi-tasker! Deborah also likes spending lots of time in the outdoors. Hey, this is Montana after all.

Most of us can say that we paid our dues in less-than-desirable jobs before landing in advertising. We’ve waited tables, washed dishes and bagged groceries. Rafe dug graves. Relax, it was a legitimate job at the Bozeman Cemetery (he subsequently made sure the grass covering them was neatly trimmed and manicured). Eventually, Rafe realized that, unless you’re Wes Craven, working in a cemetery was not what a young creative individual stayed up nights dreaming about. Because if there’s one thing growing up in the “Deep East” of Montana–shooting potato guns at cows and smuggling illegal fireworks in from the reservation–teaches you, it’s that you’ve gotta love what you do. So he put down the shovel, picked up a Pantone swatch book and never looked back, earning himself a shiny new diploma from Montana State University. Since then, Rafe has kept himself busy volunteering for various non-profit groups in Montana, hiking, hunting, and writing and playing music.

It’s not all fun and games for Rafe, though. Design is his business and business is good. With numerous Montana and regional student ADDY Awards, an America Design Awards gold medal and named one of CMYK Magazine’s top 100 New Creatives in 2010, Rafe has a mind that’s passionate about killer advertising and design. But hey, growing up in Miles City, Montana, and working in a cemetery will do that to you.