The Back Row
Travel and hospitality is a great first job. Beyond management and marketing, skills learned in working with the public - customer service, listening, flexibility, responsiveness, respect, high standards - are foundational. I will always be grateful to an exceptional boss who placed confidence in a young woman starting out in business and who encouraged me to push beyond the status quo.
For five years marketing the Red Sox, my office looked out over third base. Friends and family were on the receiving end of infield box seats, hanging with sports legends, and seeing their names on the centerfield scoreboard. Selling out Fenway Park was far from a given, but it was sports marketing’s coming of age, and I learned from some of the best. In1985, I left what some thought was 'the best job in Boston' to start a business. The next season, the Red Sox won the ALCS and went seven games in the World Series.
Timing – then and now - is everything.
In 1986 a business (and a child) were born. I became we. Cargill Communications began as a sports and event marketing firm. Tennis, sailing, golf, equestrian, running, fitness - we reached beyond baseball to create new tryers and ticket buyers and helped introduce the concept of corporate sponsorship in professional sports. We had fun. We grew. Real office space. Desks, chairs. Apple computers before there were Macs.
Now, three decades in, we are still partnering with exceptional clients and colleagues. We’ve ventured from sports to healthcare, social services, the arts, travel, entertainment, hospitality, tourism, government, and more. Stellar organizations, large and small, like United Way, Lexington Symphony, Children's Health Care, Boston Ballet and so many others, have shaped our work. It's what allows us to help individuals, small businesses, non profit organizations, important causes, and corporations achieve goals, communicate clearly, and establish successful business models.
Still evolving and still here, Cargill & Co. is the new Cargill Marketing and Communications. The "& Co." represents some new services and a solid combination of experience and new thinking.
We are open for business. A fun and serious group of marketing, creative, strategy, and communications professionals, we are dedicated to our clients and to working efficiently on their behalf.
Still the best job. We love our work.
There's no telling what we can do together unless you tell us what you're thinking.
Leslie
What are you thinking?
Do you have an idea? A challenge? An opportunity? Not enough time, know-how, or resources? There's no harm in asking.
CONTACT US ▸
Our Team
Principal
Leslie Cargill
Leslie is founder and principal of Cargill & Co., a Boston- and Maine-based consulting firm specializing in communications, marketing, and brand. She has worked with leading institutions including Boston Ballet, United Way, the Museum of Science and the Boston Red Sox over her 30+ year career, advancing experience-based programs, services and individuals in the arts, tourism, education, healthcare, government, and sports. She advises corporations and individuals in communications, advancement, and business development.
Leslie also writes on topics ranging from business to travel, memoir, and children's books. She has written a monthly column on marketing called The Mix for The Clyde Fitch Report.
Leslie has served on numerous boards in the greater Boston area, holds an MBA from Simmons College, practices yoga, plays ball with her dog Callie, and can't get enough of the fresh Maine air.
BRAND / ART DIRECTOR
Ria Knapp
Ria is a freelance, multi-disciplinary designer, art director and illustrator. She has a diverse decade of experience in communication design and a passion for creating visual identities, systems and campaigns. She has worked for clients in the public and private sector that run the gamut from large businesses to startups, nonprofits, and one-woman entrepreneurs. Ria holds an undergraduate degree from Boston University and graduate degrees from Harvard University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. Born and raised in New England, Ria currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
Senior advisor / consultant
Louise Sandmeyer
As Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment, the Office for Quality and Planning, and reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost at Pennsylvania State University, Louise led an 8 person team to facilitate the University's strategic planning and assessment initiatives. Her work supported and impacted the Academic Program and Administrative Services Review Core Council, the University Planning Council, University Council on Continuous Quality Improvement and the Kellogg Leadership for Institutional Change Initiative.
As a career support and placement specialist, Louise planned, managed, and evaluated centralized career counseling and planning services for students, provided individual counseling supervision to professional staff, graduate students, and interns, and counseled students and staff, individually and in groups on a wide range of life/career planning issues.
graphic designer
Kristen Kesler
Kristen works as part of the C&Co. team and as freelance graphic designer and brand specialist. More details on Kristen's work and background soon.