Who is Buzzdog?
Buzzdog Creative is the brain child, perhaps brain puppy is more appropriate, of Mark Rohde; or as we say in the first person: me.
I have been a pressroom assistant, darkroom technician, journalist, photojournalist, DJ, Sports Director, actor and salesman. I have owned my own advertising and marketing agency, photography studio, audio/video production facility, television station and car dealership(yep, not a typo).
I have written a thousand radio, television, newspaper and magazine ads. I have created photos using complicated masks, dodged and burned in smelly dark rooms. I've written on a typewriter. I've done design and layout with the smell of rubber cement and hot wax and nicked myself countless times with exacto blades. I've edited audio tape with an aluminum block and razor blade. I've spent too many numbing hours shuttling video tape to and fro to find "the right shot". I've attended enough marketing and sales seminars in monotonous hotels to believe in the power of positive whatever but not remember which guru said whatever or where.
I confess this not to flaunt a checkered past, or antiquated experiences, but to embrace the present: the digital age. I love it. Never before have we had the tools to communicate so easily, creatively and immediately. It's a cool new world and now every old dog can learn new tricks.
Buzzdog Creative is not just me alone. I rely on a network of friends and peers who are experts in their own fields of marketing, design, web development, SEO/SEM, photography and illustration. Some are relied on more heavily than others and are considered friends and associates so I'll include them here.
Dave White
Dave is a long time friend, advisor, inspiration, fishing and bird hunting buddy. He is both an excellent marketer and photographer. As a photographer, Dave can do more with a white card and a smile than I can with my ridiculously expensive lighting equipment, computers and Photoshop skills. He also out-guns me on the hunting fields. View Dave's portfolio at: www.davewhitephoto.com.
Matt Prindle
Matt is a kick! He is vitally passionate about creative work. He is a Flash wiz, a talented young photographer and filmmaker, designer, illustrator and just one of those people that light up the room when he walks in. Oh, and did I mention passionate and talented? Check out Matt's stuff at: www.mattprindle.com.
And now we come to my partners who console, inspire and tolerate my eccentricities on a daily basis.
Jennie
She's the little buzzer and the namesake of Buzzdog Creative. Her responsibility is to make sure we go on a scheduled walk(her schedule) and provide her with scheduled treats(her schedule). Here, she is hunting pheasant at thirteen years of age. That's 91 in dog years.
Lady
She's the grand dam of the group and her duty is to be the group cop. Like Jennie she must also keep me within viewing distance at all times except when hunting. Here she is registering her displeasure about the indignity of walking in the rain.
Chrissie
Chrissie is very, well, German, she is stoic, non-ruffled(apart from her appearance) and her duties are to be left strictly alone until she demands her attention time. She would not care or notice if someone would think her an "ugly dog". it would be beneath her.
Dulcie
She's the pup. She's enthusiastic about everything and talks with her hands. Tennis balls and sticks are just as exciting as pheasants and grouse. Her primary job is to inject levity into any and all situations.
Frankie
Frankitty Sinatra. Ol' blue eyes. He got the name not just because of the eyes but when he was a kitten he would open his mouth and try and try and try to make a noise but nothing much came out. We figured someday he would sing. His job is to sit on expensive electrical equipment, walk across keyboards and take an occasional lazy swat at the dogs.