After implementing a Panhandling Awareness Campaign for the Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA) in his senior year of Advertising at UNL, Todd Ogden realized that downtown Lincoln was a perfect place for somebody interested in politics, marketing and the future of Lincoln. DLA felt Todd could help their organization on those areas and hired him as their Marketing Director. DLA is a Non-Profit organization that is funded through Business Improvement Districts (BID’s). DLA provides services and champions initiatives for maintaining and enhancing our vibrant downtown. Their vision is to create a downtown environment where we live, learn, work, invest and play.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – It is extremely challenging to articulate and market everything that downtown Lincoln has to offer. There is never enough time or media to cover over 900 downtown businesses; however, we do our best. I believe that successful downtowns are strong indicators of a successful city, which emphasizes the importance of communicating the wonderful benefits of downtown Lincoln.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Helping with the creation of a marketing system, which gives every downtown business the opportunity to take advantage of the increased awareness through DLA. This includes a new and enhanced website, newsletter, visitor guides, and social media plan. Our goal is to give every downtown business the opportunity to highlight their goods and services, using DLA as a medium.
Tell me a little about your family. – I am engaged to Shawna Gingery and we are getting married next summer. I have a Jack Russell Terrier, Buckley, who also serves as my resident watchdog with a Napoleon Complex.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – That I also go by the name of Stat Boy. If you want to know things like who won the 1963 NCAA Basketball Tournament and who our 17th president was, just ask.
What are you the most proud of? – I am most proud that I am getting married to someone who lets me be myself and is somehow ok with that.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “It is what it is.” – Rob Ogden, my father, a man of few words.
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – I would like to help create a unique sense of place downtown via a diverse and continues retail experience. Downtown is already home to several unique, local independent stores with a sprinkling of brands. If we continue to build off of this model, downtown will grow as a destination location.
How would your friends describe you? – According to one of my good friends, Eric Gerrard, who keeps a blog about me titled Todd Blogden: “I am a funny, quirky and all around good guy with a few regrettable incidents.” I don’t really know how to decipher that.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I have extremely long arms and our office has very few tall shelves.
Which talent would you most like to have? – The ability to plan a wedding without getting lost.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Best of Strictly Business 2010.
What is your favorite movie? – Glory.
What is your favorite TV show? – Lost, Seinfeld, Survivor (I predict that I will win Survivor 29), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Band of Brothers.
What is your favorite Lincoln restaurant? – Every restaurant located downtown.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Tom Hanks or James Polk
What is the best way to contact you? – Call the office at 402-434-6900, email me directly at togden@downtownlincoln.org, or see us online at http://downtownlincoln.org