Vertex is a full service ad agency in Stamford, CT, providing creative services for branding, graphic and web design, translations, direct mail, advertising, marketing

Agency Principals

Barbara Espinosa Occhino

President and Creative Director

Barbara manages the research, planning, and creative development of campaigns. Although she has served a diverse base of business, medical and government clients, she specializes in marketing for the entertainment industry, having worked with choreographers, dancers, singers, musicians, vocal coaches, and arts businesses and organizations. Fluent in Spanish, her in-depth understanding of Hispanic cultures has resulted in the development of numerous campaigns for the Secretary of the State, Dept of Transportation, and Dept of Labor among others. Barbara has served as a judge for the Annual Clarion Advertising Awards and the New England News Association Advertising Awards.She has been a consultant/guest speaker and seminar leader for corporations, government agencies, businesses and organizations including SNET, Siemens, Pelton and Crane, General Motors/United Auto Workers, Union County College, and Rutgers University among others. She has also conducted presentations and workshops for the Department of Labor, U.S. Small Business Administration, the Hartford Economic Development Council, SINE Entrepreneur’s Network, Innovators Network, CT Inventors Association, Exchange Club Stamford Sector, Yankee Invention Exposition, the Connecticut Minority Supplier Diversity Council and the Stamford Public Schools.

Previous to Vertex, she worked in telemarketing, marketing research, public relations, fundraising and bilingual TV programming. Her copywriting credits include public relations and advertising campaigns, commercials, TV pilot treatments, corporate infomercials, demo reels, and training films as well as co-authoring a national automotive “Master Marketing Tips” column. Barbara served as on-camera and voice-over talent for segments on NJ statewide cable television programs and coordinated statewide press conferences and promotional events for cable and network shows. She volunteers her time to help promote music and the arts in Stamford Public Schools and other non-profit organizations. Barbara graduated with honors with a Bachelor in Communications and Minor in Biological Sciences from Rutgers, The State University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Ron Occhino

Chief Executive Officer and Account Director

Ron has extensive experience in business management, marketing, telemarketing and direct mail for automotive, retail and service clients. He manages the sales and business aspects of the agency and is responsible for consulting clients in identifying their marketing problems as well as implementing long range plans for increased sales growth and profitability. Ron develops marketing concepts and budgets, manages accounts and billings, and implements direct mail and advertising campaigns. Prior to co-founding Vertex, Ron excelled in direct sales and management for a national company (American Frozen Foods) in which, in less than one year, he established his sales territory into the fastest growing national office for the preceding five years. He supervised, hired, and trained administrative and sales personnel. Ron was also involved in coordinating all start-up office developments including hiring/training the telemarketing staff and training/ motivating sales personnel.

Ron has been a featured speaker in Marketing, Economics and Communications at Rutgers University in New Jersey, at the Regional Business Resource Center in New Haven, Connecticut, and for the Business and Entrepreneurial workshops for UAW/General Motors. He co-authored Master Marketing Tips, a column published in The National Oil & Lube News. Ron is a certified teacher for Junior Achievement of Southwestern Connecticut and volunteers his time to instill business and economic principles in elementary school children. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Economics from Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.