Let’s all be honest with ourselves for a second. We’ve all seen our fair share of Hallmark movies. That’s nothing to be ashamed of and it’s actually a good thing because you’re already familiar with the basic storyline of Sam Pagel’s journey to Resound. But we’ll share it with you anyways.
Back in 2013, Sam – who then owned and operated his own business – Pelican Media, received an out-of-the-blue call from his good friend Mike Jones, who wanted to know about the possibility of their two companies sharing an office space together. A few conversations and a trip to Ikea later and they were happily working side by side in a shiny new office.
This is where the Hallmark stuff comes in. For six years, there were always questions from outsiders wondering if Sam worked for Resound or if the two businesses were one and the same. There was a healthy tension, much like the tension between the two protagonists in the aforementioned movies we’ve all seen. You know they’re gonna eventually realize they were meant for each other, but you have to watch the whole movie to find out how it all plays out.
Long story short, over the course of about a year, Sam and Resound talked through a merger of the two companies and finalized an agreement on October 1st, 2019. After six years of working side by side and a heck of a lot of collaboration, the love story was completed. But don’t roll the credits, because this is just the beginning of Sam’s story at Resound.
One of our main goals heading into 2019 was to take our creative work to the next level – to up our game. That’s why Sam is here.
Since 2011, he has helped businesses across the country tell their stories through award-winning production and design. Sam’s specialties include video production (the movie analogy makes sense now, right?), photography, graphic design, web design, and writing. Sam’s deep experience across the creative realm allows him to expertly guide our team and our clients toward the very best ways to communicate each brand’s unique story and style.
We’re super glad you’re a Resounder, Sam.
When he’s not crafting authentic stories and experiences, Sam has plenty to keep him busy. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Chandler and have three little kiddos. Never a dull moment, to be sure.
So now that you’ve “met” our Chief Creative Officer, snuggle up on the couch, put your favorite Hallmark movie on for a little background noise, and enjoy his interview:
Resound: Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Sam: Can I be both? I always like a little mixed greens to go with my steak.
Resound: You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Sam: I’m gonna go with a crimson red. It’s my favorite color and also the color I turn when I spend too much time in the sun. I also bleed red, so there’s that.
Resound: We finish this interview, you step outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
Sam: I’d probably go cash it out.
Resound: How do you pass the time when you’re alone in your car?
Sam: This largely depends on where I’m going and if I’m in a hurry or not. If I’m in a hurry, I’m usually trying to creatively find the fastest route to my destination – side streets galore. If I’m not in a hurry, I’m usually listening to a podcast or singing harmonies whilst blasting my favorite singalong songs. If I’m driving in the rain, I turn on “The Gravel Road” from The Village soundtrack and pretend I’m in a movie.
Resound: Favorite 90’s jam?
Sam: This one just barely stayed in the 90s as it was released in 1999. It’s “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. You’ve got everything in this track: unprecedented harmonies, great build, and not one, but two epic key changes. So good.
Resound: Weirdest movie that you own?
Sam: Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior. All you need to know is that it has awesome action scenes that get their own slow-motion replays within the movie. Now you want to see it, don’t you?
Resound: It’s improv time! Name 10 movie characters you’d like to see run for president and why:
Sam:
- Vizzini from Princess Bride. No one beats him in a battle of wits!
- P. T. Flea from A Bug’s Life. He runs a tight ship and has passion to spare.
- V from V for Vendetta. Alliteration in the Oval Office would be nice.
- Nora Krank from Christmas with the Kranks. Nobody plans a better Christmas party.
- Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars. I would be curious to see a Sith Lord run a presidential campaign.
- Shere Khan from the Jungle Book. It’d be interesting to see the self-appointed lord of the jungle try to sway voters.
- Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars. He has wit AND the high ground. Hard to beat.
- Tow Mater from Cars. I have a 3-year-old. Enough said.
- Marge Gunderson from Fargo. That North Dakotan accent would do well in a debate.
- Dr. Ian Malcom from Jurassic Park. He survived a dinosaur apocalypse so he’s qualified and I had to get Jeff Goldblum on this list.
Thanks for playing along, Sam! We’re super stoked you’re on the Resound team.
If you’d like to find out more about Resound services, including our new in-house media production capabilities (like video, photography, podcasting, audio ads), let us know. Thanks to Sam for helping us to up our game for our clients!
