Meet Tyler Rathjen | Owner/President, Decibel Blue Creative Marketing & PR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Rathjen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose to pursue a creative career because my upbringing provided me with a unique perspective on the world. I grew up in a household where my father was in the banking industry. It exposed me to the analytical and structured nature of that profession. However, I realized from a very early age that my brain didn’t want to follow in the family footsteps. My strengths and passions where always in the realm of creativity.

I have always found myself drawn to the artistic expressions found in film, video games, and design. These mediums allowed me to explore and appreciate the power of storytelling, visual aesthetics, and the emotional impact that creativity can have on individuals.

Choosing to pursue a degree in marketing was a natural progression for me, as it seamlessly combined my love for creativity with the strategic elements necessary in the business world. I was particularly drawn to the dynamic and ever-changing field of advertising, where I could leverage my creative skills to connect with audiences in new and interesting ways.

And now that I am president of Decibel Blue, everything has come full-circle because those financial lessons I learned from my dad sure come in handy now!

What should our readers know about your business?
Virtually every agency says they are creative, but it’s hard for them to explain why. Well, Decibel Blue stumbled on an old quote from Albert Einstein that serves as the guiding vision for our team. Good old Albert said, “Creativity precedes knowledge. The catalyst for creativity is imagination and what fosters imagination is a fundamental need to embrace new ideas rather than timidly clinging to the familiar.” This is more than semantics — it’s our operating philosophy. Every molecule of our agency is focused on imagination and creating the ideas that help our clients succeed.

Today, the lines between digital, social media, public relations, marketing, and advertising have blurred. This means looking at those old labels through new lenses, maximizing budgets, and engaging with customers in innovative ways. In the immortal words of Steve Jobs, Decibel Blue challenges our clients to “think different.” What you think about old-school marketing and public relations is nice, but all that matters is how today’s consumers like to consume information about brands and services. What used to be “earned” now must be paid for and once expensive tactics, are now free. Is your business built for purchase decisions being made by millennials and Gen Z? Decibel Blue provides the experience and the expertise to communicate a business’ unique attributes through the paths best suited to reach today’s customers.

Decibel Blue partners with consumer lifestyle brands, multi-unit franchises, and leading real estate organizations to tell their stories strategically and creatively Our team is focused on developing campaigns that achieve measurable bottom-line results for businesses. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If it is one of my friends, it undoubtedly will involve playing at least one round of golf! For first-timers to the Valley, I like to go to a course that gives you the stereotypical desert Southwest vibe. So my top pick would probably be Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course at Gold Canyon. The views can’t be beat.

Taking in a local sporting event is also a must. Depending on the season, a Suns or Diamondbacks game is great fun.

For drinks, I would visit Roosevelt Row for the urban experience and then take a trip to Steak 44 to have a delicious steak and enjoy the ambiance for dinner.

If we had more time to explore the state, I would spend a day or two in Pinetop, as it is one of my favorite escapes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Many people have played a pivotal role in my journey, but there are three particular individuals who I would like to shout out specifically.

First is David Eichler. David was the founder of Decibel Blue. He and I worked together closely for nearly 18 years. This past year he decided to pursue other interests, so it provided me the opportunity to purchase Decibel Blue and keep his legacy going for years to come. He has taught me countless lessons over the years and I would not be where I am today without his mentorship. He is the reason that I can lead the agency today.

Second is my father, John. He has been my biggest supporter for every step of my life. He has been a sounding board through good times and bad. I know that I can always go to him for guidance and he will steer me in the right direction.

And lastly is my wife, Victoria. She certainly understands that patience is a virtue. We have four amazing children, so between running a business and spending time with family, I always say that every day is an adventure. I’m so grateful that she is the one who is by my side.

Website: www.decibelblue.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decibelblue/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerrathjen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/decibelblue