The Nationwide Marketing Group family is jam-packed with talented people from all corners of the industry. We get to see how incredibly gifted our Members, Vendor Partners and our own team is on a regular basis. That said, it’s still heartwarming and fulfilling to see individuals throughout our ecosystem get the recognition they deserve.
Recently, Furniture Today, announced their 2022 class of 40 Under 40 honorees, which included two of our very own: Elena Stone from BedMart and James McIngvale from Gallery Furniture. Congrats to both Elena and James! Below, we’re sharing the brief write-ups that were posted by the publication, with details on both honorees.
Elana Stone Anderson, vice president of marketing, BedMart
For the better part of a decade, Anderson has been the “face” of BedMart, appearing in TV commercials, digital and print ads, posters, and the like. That has helped raise the retailer’s profile throughout Oregon, southwest Washington and Hawaii, where it now has 37 locations, including seven stores that sell furniture in addition to mattresses.
She’s also involved in brand development, budgeting, event planning and media buying, just to name a few. Anderson has always maintained that BedMart may not outspend the competition, but it can out-create them.
Shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oregon State University, she worked for a pair of advertising agencies and then joined BedMart full time in 2010. The business, which was founded by her father, Steven Stone, in 1992, has been on a steady growth track ever since.
James McIngvale, digital manager, Gallery Furniture
It’s hard being the son of furniture store owner who has dressed as a mattress in TV ads and is fond of placing high-profile, six-figure sports bets, but James McIngvale is carving his own niche as the retailer’s digital guru.
A post he’s held since June 2010, his duties include e-commerce, social media, online reputation management, digital advertising, content development, scheduling, ad buying, development and placement of in-store materials, and event planning, just to name a few. He also calls himself a “willing worker” who will help wherever he’s needed, a list that can include everything from answering phones to cleaning toilets.
And if that doesn’t keep him busy enough, he’s also the owner of Oink Art Ltd., a company that oversees product development, purchasing, inventory management and marketing.