Jason Sakurai

Advertising Sales Director · Roadhouse Marketing

Battle Ground, WA

In My Own Words

It boils down to the 'fun' factor: If it isn't fun, why do it? Whether it's automotive, apparel or entertainment, I enjoy what I do. You can't fake enthusiasm: You either have it or you don't.

To me, every day is different, challenging and exciting. I live for this. I was offered a boatload to head up advertising for a NYC based media company. Don't get me wrong, visiting New York is great, but I couldn't fathom how you call yourself an 'enthusiast' when you've never driven anything. It's the difference between living the life or just talking about it.

I love product, seeing it being designed, engineered and produced. Getting it into distribution, and delivered to end users who can at any level appreciate the packaging, advertising, and branding in addition to the product itself is gratifying.

"Few things guarantee failure faster than the 'safe' option." - Lee Clow

Work Experience

Managing Director

Roadhouse Marketing

1995 – Present

Roadhouse is an advertising, marketing and public relations firm dedicated to the automotive, apparel and entertainment industries.

Clients: ADDCO Performance Sway Bars, Alpine Electronics, Cadillac Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., Calif. Car Cover Co., Chip & Pepper Jeans, Chip & Pepper Wetwear, Chrysler Corp., Clarion Corp. of America, Climax Racing Products, Drive! magazine, DuPont Refinishes, EON (Enthusiast Online Network), Ford Motor Co., General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac & Saturn divisions), Idemitsu, Innovative Motors Inc./The Source Int'l., KNAC 105.5 FM, Lightspeed Racing, Lithium Pros, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Muscle Machines diecasts, Nissan North America, No Fear Action Sports Gear, Original New York Seltzer, Powermaster Motorsports, The Enthusiast Network (and prior to that, Source Interlink, Primedia, eMap, Petersen Publishing, Argus Publishers and McMullen & Yee), Toyota Motor Sales USA (Toyota, Lexus & Scion divisions), Team Dynamics, Vans shoes.

Senior Editor & Content Creator

OutdoorX4

2019 – Present

Content creation and editorial supervision for OUTDOORX4, the premier overlanding/adventure travel magazine and website. Adventure travel is the junction of the outdoor, RV, and automotive industries, while observing the tenets of organizations such as Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace to protect and enhance recreational access and opportunities by promoting outdoor ethics and heightening good stewardship.

Marketing Director

Hypertech

2014 – 2020

Responsibility for and guidance of Hypertech's marketing and media strategy, including print, online, TV/cable, social media and events. Managed Hypertech's marketing budget, and reduced expenditures by 10-15% while at the same time improving efficiency and effectiveness. Strategic marketing executive experienced in all levels of marketing development, implementation, and company development with specific expertise in: • High growth marketing strategy development and implementation • Business relationship management • Brand planning, development, and management • Complete Go-To-Market strategy development and implementation • Analytical management, ROI analysis, market research, and competitive intelligence • Digital and web growth strategies including SEO, social media, advertising, and e-commerce

Director of Account Services

Music Awareness Promotions

1992 – 1995

At Music Awareness Promotions, I created 'flyway' promotions for all the major record labels, independent music promoters, corporate clients and hundreds of radio stations in every musical genre.

Among the artists, events and venues included in these promotions: Lolapalooza, Monsters of Rock, CMA Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, VH-1 Fairways to Heaven, Blockbuster Awards, Grammy Awards, Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, Universal Amphitheatre, Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, the Palace of Auburn Hills, Fox Theatre, The Black Crowes, Queensryche, Alanis Morissette, Alice In Chains, KISS, Metallica, The Cult, Cheap Trick, Heart, Garth Brooks, the Eagles, The Rolling Stones, U2, Tom Petty and more.

Western Advertising Manager

Hachette Filipacchi Media

1990 – 1992

At Hachette Filipacchi's Cycle and Cycle World magazines, I did business development and advertising sales. My success with the company was based on developing new business, allowing me to consistently exceed sales objectives. Over the span of two years with HFM, I was the top salesperson for both magazines, and I sold more ad space than any other manager.

Director of Sales

National Hot Rod Association

1988 – 1990

I took TV coverage of the NHRA's Championship Drag Racing series from a money-losing proposition to that of a successful and thriving entertainment property.

In the space of the time I was with the NHRA, I increased revenues from all existing sponsors, and brought in clients such as Universal Pictures Marketing and Carquest Auto Parts, both of whom were new to motorsports marketing (and years ahead of their involvement with NASCAR).

Proof of the success of my efforts was in the premium ESPN put on the series in buying back all our inventory. This was the only reason for my departure from the NHRA, and I still maintain a great working relationship with the organization.