Our trusted partner circle allows us to leverage valuable talent without burdening a client or project with the typical fee structures of A list talent. In our experience, the sharp shooting of a trusted expert, with established short hand and years of shared collaborations, saves time, money and resources. Clients appreciate our collective ability to deliver insights and assets that don’t just move the perceived needle - but impact real revenue, in real time.
AMY SWIFT CROSBY is a brand strategist who has positioned or voiced messaging across the commercial spectrum. From icons like BVLGARI, Guess, Bath and Body Works, Pottery Barn, Pantene and Virgin Airlines to cult brands like The Wild Unknown, B&H Photography, The Class with Taryn Toomey and Barre3, she specializes in translating concept to consumer and in the creative process of guiding big ideas into impactful assets that inspire action.
By identifying (or distilling) mission, vision and positioning, Amy transforms internal DNA into memorable, disarming campaigns that evoke emotion and resonance. Her unique blend of expertise in both business and brand offer a useful, holistic view to a variety of project sizes – from those with multiple layers and stakeholders to start-up or entrepreneu- rial environments that require agility and the ability to respond to earlier stage constraints.
BILLY GOLDBERG has been leading The Buckeye Group the last 10 years, Billy has had one mission: helping companies create new revenue streams through meaningful strategic partnerships. This combination of outside perspective, industry knowledge, and deep networks has enabled him to create opportunities that set a clear course for growth. Esta- blishing partnerships for new product-creation, licensing and sponsorship has allowed for fluency in a variety of deal types and structures, across a wide reach of industry. A re- sults-driven advisor, Billy brings imagination and drive, envisioning and delivering rela- tionships that spark growth and create enduring value.
Billy is known for finding "white space”—a company’s unrealized areas of opportunity and growth—connecting the right partners and creating the optimal conditions for conversa- tion. At The Buckeye Group, he has generated more than $50 million in new revenue for clients such as The Miss America Organization and DirecTV. Both as an advisor and wing-COO, he is a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and growing companies who need goal-specific support in the C Suite.
Prior to founding The Buckeye Group, Billy was a TV agent at the William Morris Agency, VP and President’s Club Member at Bank of America, sales manager at highschoolsports.- net who grew revenue by 400%, and account executive for the Tennis Channel. In each role, he delivered clients and managed relationships with companies including Nike, Gatorade, Universal Pictures, The US Army National Guard, Lexus, Land Rover, Paramount Pictures, Acura, Franklin Templeton, Uber and eHarmony.
HILARY LAFFER believes that when people who work together understand each other, they collaborate more fully, make progress faster and inspire their best work. As a veteran brand strategist, project manager and non-practicing lawyer, Hilary’s knowledge of creative bu- siness is well rounded and deep. She understands the particular challenges businesses face through two decades working with diverse clients ranging from large consumer brands AT&T, Sony, and Disney, to real estate brokers Industry Partners and Conroy Commercial, to developers Hackman Capital Partners, MackUrban, and Wilson Meany. Hilary is also the founder of FLUENTc, a communications consulting practice, she holds a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan, and she completed her law degree from Syracuse Univer- sity and is an inactive member of the California Bar.
A tireless home cook, she also relishes working with restaurant brands Cast Iron Partners, The Fields LA, Bottlefish, Farmshop, Gott’s Roadside, and Bestia. Hilary can be found playing tennis, perfecting the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe, spending time with her nieces and nephews, as well as taking spontaneous trips to exotic locales – when possible.
JON GREENE has been leading and advising investor backed start-up’s in the healthcare, energy, biotech sectors for nearly two decades. In these roles, he has managed technology to product commercialization, provided financial oversight and planning, and secured rela- tionships with investors and strategic partners. For his latest venture, Sterifre Medical Inc., Jon was instrumental in building an industry-focused team that raised $15M in capital, se- cured a multi-million-dollar branding relationship with a Fortune 500 partner, and moving the technology from lab prototype to manufacturable unit in 18 months.
Although not an engineer by degree, he brings over a decade of engineering management experience in the context of new product design and development. Such interactions have enabled him to make positive contributions to strategic business and product development initiatives, leading to numerous patents and trade secrets for organizations.
Jon’s core skills including building teams, technology licensing, financial analysis, and ope- rational planning from concept to market. He has worked and consulted for numerous brands, including Vail Resorts, Burton Snowboards, and Corning Inc. One of the key factors for his success is his ability to be an empathetic communicator, as well as translating highly technical information in print and presentations to a range of audiences. To all projects Jon brings a strong intellectual curiosity, analytical ability, and collaborative decision-making process that is a framework for successfully navigating to success.
Jon currently is active in his community as a first responder and a commissioner for the City of Ithaca’s Board of Public Works.
