Strategic Marketing Partners

Jeff Rouse

Minneapolis, MN

As a senior partner at SMP, Jeff has over 20 years experience in this industry, including VP of Interactive Media at Ingram Entertainment. His experience spans sales, marketing, merchandising, and operations of Video games and accessories, PC, DVD, and Consumer electronic products. Jeff works with both key retail and distribution partners in the Mid-West, including Best Buy, Target, Navarre Distribution, COKeM, and Ingram Entertainment.

Jon Jackson

Dallas, TX

Jon, a Senior Partner with SMP, is based in our Plano, Texas headquarters. Jon joined SMP in 2001 and has over 20 years experience in buying and selling software and interactive technologies. Before joining SMP, Jon was the Director of Sales-Central Region for Mattel Interactive. He has extensive experience on all sides of the sales transaction: buying, distribution, and publishing, at both the Director and VP level. He is a Wal-Mart Retail-Link expert, and a two-time Software Vendor of the Year at CompUSA. Jon’s account base include Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Office Depot, Hastings Entertainment and AAFES.

Andrew Cole

Toronto, Canada

Andrew has been working in the PC, console and CE industry since 1994. He brings an extensive knowledge of the Canadian retail marketplace from both distribution, and vendor sales in the territory. His years in the industry give him valuable experience in account management, marketing programs, and brand management within the unique Canadian retail market. Andrew has been working with SMP and managing the vendors in the Canadian territory since 2001. His managed accounts have included Wal-Mart, EB Games Canada, Toys ‘R’ Us, Videotron, Costco, Solutions 2 Go, Ingram Micro, Staples, and Target Canada, Future Shop and London Drugs.

Carrie Lozo

Richmond, VA

Carrie brings over 10 years of buying, sales and marketing experience in the video game, accessories, and computer software industry. She began her career in 1998 as a buyer with KB Toys. Carrie has worked with all Video game and PC game publishers as her buying career continued at Toys R Us and Circuit City. She has worked closely with high-profile publishers like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Activision and EA to name a few. In her role at SMP, she manages Transworld, Jack of All Games and Eurpac BJ’s and Staples among other accounts located in the Mid-Atlantic and North-East Region. Carrie has extensive knowledge in her field and prides herself on the delivery of high-quality service to her clientele.

Danielle Torres

Minneapolis, MN

Danielle has been with SMP since 2005, and has worked on every facet of the business from the top down, putting to good use her extensive and varied business background in finance, customer service, retail, and marketing. In tandem with team Minneapolis and Chicago, she services the entire Midwest region. On any given day, you can find Danielle working with several key retailers and distributors: Best Buy, Target, Ingram Entertainment, Sears Holdings, Meijer, Visco Entertainment, Family Video, COKeM, and Navarre among many others.

Sandy Mason

Chicago, IL

Based in Chicago, Sandy is an industry veteran with over 25 years of sales and marketing experience with companies that include Disney, Hasbro and Mattel and CBS Inc. Throughout her career she has developed relationships with all key retail and distribution accounts in the channel. Sandy currently manages Best Buy Productivity, Mobile and Geek Squad, Target Productivity and Accessories, Claire’s, Walgreens, Office Max, Shopko, Follet and Nebraska Furniture Mart. 

Darren Ali

Vancouver, Canada

Darren has been involved in retail since 1995 where he began work with Future Shop Canada as a computer sales associate. Future Shop would subsequently become Best Buy Canada.  Darren brings a solid foundation of product knowledge across a wide array of categories. He acted as regional trainer specializing in the product knowledge and sales training of computers, audio and video electronics, as well as home theatre. He also managed retail store operations directly as a department sales manager for computers and telecommunications. The experience gained at the retail level propelled him into a career in the video game industry where he worked at HIP Interactive, a key video game distributor in Canada, for 3 years. Darren joined Click and Mortar in January of 2004 and manages the key Western Canadian accounts, such as Amazon Canada, Best Buy Canada, Geek Squad Services, and London Drugs.

George Cholevas

Vancouver, Canada

George has been working in retail since 2004 where he began work with Best Buy Canada. During his 8-year Career at Best Buy Canada, George progressed from Store Sales and Management to the Corporate headquarters working in Retail Operations. During this time at Best Buy, George gained a wealth of experience in store operations, logistics, I.T. and Employee Training.  The experience gained at the retail level propelled him into a career in the video game industry where he worked at Solutions 2 GO Inc, a key video game distributor in Canada, for 5+ years. George joined Click and Mortar in December of 2018 and covers the Western Canadian accounts, such as Best Buy Canada, Amazon Canada, Memory Express and London Drugs.

Jim Bull

Board Member, Boston

Jim was co-founder of SMP and spent the last 30 years building brands at retail. Jim is very active in assisting the team with strong assets, advice and resources. Jim was an active partner until 2007. His background includes management with companies such as CBS Inc., Mattel Electronics, and Bell & Howell. He has been marketing video games and software since 1982 in various companies: Vice President of Sales at MicroProse, First Software Corp., and as National Sales Manager at Activision.