"You Bet Your (Expletive)!" Roska Direct Turns 20

The year was 1981. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer Were Married. The space shuttle Columbia embarked on its maiden flight. A brand new Corvette cost just more than $15,000. And everyone simply had to have a pair of Jordache jeans. But that's not all that distinguishes 1981. In suburban Philadelphia, Jon Roska had an idea. Enough with this working for other people stuff. He'd start his own direct response agency. Out of his house.

Montgomeryville, PA (May 10, 2001) – Surrounded by clients, colleagues, and contacts cemented over two decades, Jon Roska took some time out today to celebrate the remarkable growth of the direct-response advertising agency that bears his name.

The relationships weve forged and nurtured over 20 years are at the core of our success. Its important to pause and recognize that," Roska said. Were looking back today and celebrating how far weve come. And were looking ahead – straight at growth strategies for all of our clients and new business opportunities for the agency."

In 1981, Roska quit his day job and started his direct-response agency, working out of his house. Now, nearly 60 professionals spend their days under the roof of the custom-designed, 25,000-square-foot headquarters at which 150 special guests were entertained today. Clearly, twenty years has seen Roska Direct grow by leaps and bounds.

Since its inception, Roska Direct has made advertising history dozens of times over in the pharmaceutical, e-commerce, financial services, insurance, technology, and publishing realms.

Pharma Gets Big

For example, in 1991, Roska Direct stormed the Direct-to-Patient marketing field with an innovative rebate program for a Merck vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.

With our DTP marketing strategy for Merck, we pioneered an entirely new way to achieve a return on investment for pharmaceutical products," said Chuck McLeester, Vice President of Strategic Planning and a 10-year veteran of the firm. It immediately put us on the map as visionaries, and a powerful new specialty was born."

Since that time, Roska Direct has continued to break new ground in healthcare and pharmaceutical realms, branding the Agency as a clients best bet for measurable success in DTP relationship marketing.

Moving On Up

Jay Bolling, Executive Vice President and Director of Client Services, joined the agency nearly eight years ago. He was drawn to Jon Roskas business vision and his clear and present tenacity to bring it to fruition.

We set out to chart new territory – and, for me, to be a part of making that happen isnt just gratifying, its exhilarating," Bolling said. Roska Direct has become a true powerhouse. And thats only the beginning of whats ahead."

Now, closing in on becoming a $50 million agency, Roska Direct has been recognized as one of the fastest growing agencies by the Direct Marketing Association and is consistently ranked among the top agencies in Philadelphia.

At Roska Direct, exceptional work has always been the rule. For two decades, proactive account management, top-flight creative and cutting-edge interactive and database strategies have been set in motion for clients such as Thomas Register, Pfizer, AEGON Insurance, Johnson & Johnson, PetFoodDirect.com, AstraZeneca, Unisys, Merck, Iams, Eli Lilly, Certain Teed, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, and VerticalNet. Accordingly, Roska Direct has garnered most major direct marketing industry awards, including the DMAs prestigious Gold Echo.

The Agency continues to pull in new business from pharmaceutical giants, as well as the most vibrant of B-to-B and B-to-C clients.

The Bottom Line

Roska is most proud of the team in Montgomeryville that makes it all happen. For new business, weve gone up against behemoth agencies and simply blown them away," he said. Because the key to a great agency is having the absolute best people. That keeps us on top."

And will it for the next 20 years?

You bet your (expletive)," Roska said