Upon graduation in 1988 from Florida Southern College, Mike Dickman accepted a marketing position with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. The Association owns and sponsors the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the world. In addition to developing the membership of MIASF and creating new member services, Mike’s responsibilities grew to include the upgrading and computerization of the accounting system. Mike was Interim Executive Director and the industry lobbyist for the MIASF in 1991.

In 1992 Mike was hired by Bertram Yacht, Inc. as Marketing Services Manager. Mike’s primary task was to resurrect Bertram’s corporate image as the company emerged from bankruptcy. To assist in the task, Mike retained and directed McFarland & Drier Advertising and Pinkhaus Design, both top-rated firms in the country at the time. Mike guided both firms to create what has been documented as the most revolutionary and acclaimed campaigns in the industry’s history. One year later, Mike became an entrepreneur when he began his own advertising and graphic design agency. The Oxford Group represented clients from real estate, marine, industrial and commercial markets. Simultaneously, Mike’s family was busy with its own burgeoning entrepreneurial venture, Ferretti of America, Inc. FOA imported, marketed, sold and serviced luxury Ferretti motor yachts from Italy. Mike sold his agency in 1997 to join the family business. Utilizing his marketing and advertising background, Mike developed the marketing, advertising and publicity strategies for the Ferretti product. This included the design and placement of print ads in national and international consumer, trade and specialty magazines as well as direct mail campaigns. Mike also developed cross marketing relationships and events with other high-end consumer products. The design and construction of Boat Show displays were also Mike’s responsibility as well as set-up and break down. Utilizing his business organizational and software experiences, Mike designed a server-based CRM to track owner information, warranty claims and databases. Mike also set up interoffice communication through a local and broad area network. Additionally, Mike was responsible for accounting, warranty claims and invoices, insurance policies, and payroll administration. In 1998 Mike’s responsibilities doubled as Mike and his father founded another Italian motor yacht import company, Pershing of America, Inc. Between 2001 and 2005, Mike worked on several projects including the development of a wireless monitoring device for boats, and distribution and marketing plans for manufacturing companies. Mike also spent time in the retail industry and was a leader in the shopping center’s merchant association.

In January 2005, Mike returned full time to his passion for marketing with Dickman Marketing. In 2006, Mike began working with HMY Yacht Sales, one of the largest brokerage and new boat dealers in the country. Mike managed all aspects of HMY’s marketing efforts. All trade shows, events (including the production of a billfish tournament in the Bahamas) co-branding, print and Internet marketing were among Mike’s responsibilities.

In the spring of 2009, Mike began working as a marketing consultant for YachtWorld.com and Boats.com and later with the Dominion Marine Media marketing team. After leaving Dominion, Mike became general manager for BoatQuest.com, an Active Interest Media company. In 2013, Mike worked with BoatsGo.com, a daily deals website offering discounts exclusively on boating-related products and services.

In the summer of 2013, Mike took a position as Project Manager with Levatas, a digital marketing agency in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mike was looking for an opportunity to fully immerse himself in the business of software development and digital marketing. Eight months later, Mike joined a tech start-up called NowCar.com. On behalf of the business, Mike hired a team of software engineers and designers, which he now leads in the development of a web application/website in the automotive eComm space. The business envisions a massive shift in the process of purchasing a vehicle online by creating a unique user experience through innovation. Since the launch, Mike continues to lead the development team as well as being responsible for managing the marketing team for NowCar in addition to 56 automotive dealerships under the same ownership in Florida, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Mike provides pro-bono services for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach and Family Promise of Palm Beach County.

Mike was a founding board member of Lighthouse Christian School in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Mike is always in search of new projects, that will challenge and engage his management skill sets and passion for creative innovation.

To reach Mike, enter: m@mikedickman.com and type, or dial 954-803-6675 to speak.