There was some basis for this gut-wrenching decision. As a lifelong student – and self-appointed critic -- of advertising and public relations techniques, the Phoenix native had joined, and risen to leadership roles in some of the nation’s most powerful and prestigious industry groups, including the Advertising Assn. of the West and the American Advertising Federation, which he had served as Southwest District Governor.

Such in-depth involvement in association affairs was quite unusual for industry vendors such as Starr, but he came by it naturally through his love for writing and experience as a marketing strategist, even during his photography career. Indeed, the countrywide sales and marketing workshops he had for several years been presenting for fellow photographers had been a smashing success. When photography clients began relying on him more and more for insights on their advertising concepts, the seed was planted. When he discreetly began critiquing their overall marketing strategies (keeping this to himself), the seed was watered. When he won a tagline competition in Spokane, WA, among a group of leading writers, the little plant grew and sprouted some leaves.

Thus, Starr and Company, the firm from which Marketing Partners evolved, was established as a small-but-mighty, full-service advertising and public relations agency that grew and evolved to serve a wide variety of local, regional and national clients. At one time, it maintained a 50-plus-person staff that included its sister company, The Infinity Group, publishers of national trade magazines. In early 1993, Starr sold his half of the publishing group, and the agency side made its transition into Marketing Partners, sharpening its focus on the strategic marketing and marketing communication area.

Starr still actively leads the firm, blending his visual, writing, strategy and business development skills with insights gained as an editor and publisher. This latter experience uniquely enables Marketing Partners to serve its clients who seek positive media-coverage. An accomplished and multidimensional entrepreneur himself, his long and extensive career comprised of owning, managing and consulting companies in diverse fields also can work to the advantage of the wide variety of agency clients that confront various marketing challenges.

A sought-after marketing speaker and workshop leader, Starr has been commissioned by a forum associated with the United Nations to lead advertising and marketing workshops in the Caribbean for top-level marketing professionals.

Long active in community and business-association affairs, Marketing Partners’ President/CEO currently serves on the board of directors of the Arizona Small Business Association and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.