He has big ideas, this guy.
Some may consider his marketing wizardry “next level,” in fact, while others, it’s rumored, have whispered something close to “iconic.”
His most recent stroke of marketing madness? Picture this … it’s all about food versus food.
You got that right!
Perogi versus Paczki – Riesbeck’s Food Markets versus the Pittsburgh Pirates – in an online popularity contest!!
Genius, right? Right?
OK, well, Riesbeck’s Food Markets does have “Mr. & Mrs. Paczki” costumes, so Brian Riesbeck’s very real idea is a first-name naming contest for the husband and wife when the Polish pastries return in January 2024.
Remember now, folks, you read it here first.
Now, developing the marketing for the family business – now 17 locations strong – represents only one part of his role, but most people only know Brian from his on-air part in the St. Clairsville company’s local television commercials. And, guess what? That’s OK with him.
Brian loves his family and his close friends, sure, but he also loves to have as much fun as possible with everything he does. And apparently, that includes the advertising, too.
It’s what locals do.
They make the best TV commercials.
When you were a child, what was the one store item you always wanted when your parents took you to the grocery store?
Our stores used to have bulk candy and I would always take change to buy a few pieces. I do still remember my mom finding a wrapper for a piece I did not pay for in the washer and she made me call the Store Manager and confess to stealing it.
He thanked me for confessing and said he would call the police if I did it again. All in jest, but a great lesson, and better story today.
What is the one item today?
It depends if I am trying to follow my diet and if my doctor is reading this. If he was it would be fruits or vegetables. If not, it has always been and will continue to be my great grandma’s Raisin-filled cookies.
Was the Paczki costume your idea? And when will you wear it again?
No, it was the brainchild of our former bakery director. I found it in storage and brought them back to the world.
I mean, couldn’t you imagine a Paczki beating out a pierogi at a Pirate game?
And yes, they will be worn again.
How do you determine what store items are available at your locations?
With 17 store locations that range in a variety of sizes, unfortunately, everything in a store like Saint Clairsville can’t fit into a store like Shadyside. We try to look at the top moving items in each category and put the best-moving items into the smaller locations. But we always try to accommodate any customer requests at each location.
What are your favorite parts about being a member of the Linsly School community?
As an alum, I am probably a little biased, because I have seen first-hand on what the Linsly education has given me and how my transition to college and to life has been easier. I also love how the kids in the school interact with each other.
When my kids started down there, like any parent, my wife was concerned about how the “new kids” would be accepted. I think we were both shocked when just after a few weeks our 6th grade son knew every varsity football player’s name and they all were yelling for him when they were leaving practice one day.
So, it is definitely the education and the overall community of the school.
