CEO of Buzz MG
Tina’s Top Ten, writer; Buzz Report, editor

People often wonder if it is possible to build a successful career doing what you love. Tina Wells, CEO of Buzz Marketing and managing partner of Blue Fusion, did just that. Embracing her passion for fashion and fascination with pop culture, Wells began writing reviews on products and companies that target youth for The New Girl Times, a newspaper for young girls and—at the age of 16. Realizing the obvious disconnect between teens’ desires and companies’ misdirected outreach, Tina developed an inventive and creative strategy to forge this gap. She decided to submit her reviews and suggestions directly to the companies and was amazed by their overwhelmingly positive response. They were hooked on the precocious insight Tina was able to deliver and thus, the Buzz was born.

After earning her B.A. in Communications Arts and graduating with honors from Hood College in May 2002, Wells was accepted into a post–baccalaureate program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business for marketing management. Putting her education on hold, Tina put her focus back on Buzz and in her spare time, took on the role of local field hockey coach. Along with Buzz’s worldwide network of 9,000+ teen consultants (“buzzspotters”), Wells has created innovative marketing strategies, focus groups and youth market research for numerous beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial and lifestyle clients.

Wells has won Buzz MG work on research projects such as the “What’s Your Anti-Drug?” campaign, Miller’s “Not A Drop” campaign, and Verizon Wireless’s FREEUP launch. Her staple clients include music industry labels (Sony, Jive and Midas), Candie’s shoes, Bear Stearns, and ESSENCE Communications.

Tina regularly speaks to various professional audiences across the country. She was chosen as the keynote speaker at the Miller OE 800 Making it Real Business Series, NARM Research Forum, Retail Merchandiser Store-Specific Merchandising & Marketing Conference, ESSENCE Magazine’s Women Shaping the World Leadership and Smart Beauty II Conference. Most recently, Wells has been asked to speak at an internal Nickelodeon conference addressing tween and teen trends for 2005. She has been quoted in high profile newspapers nationwide and appeared in Essence 40 Under 40, NV, Entrepreneur, CosmoGIRL!, BRANDWEEK, Savoy, Le Nouvel Observateur, Ebony, Brass CU’s cover and Link magazines. Tina is also a member of The Viral and Buzz Marketing Association and is on the Board for the Business Women's Network (owned by iVillage).