Paul Schleuter has gained success in his field quickly. At just 30 years old, he is already vice president of research and interactive media for Flynn Wright Inc. Schleuter, originally from Mason City, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1995. He then came to Des Moines looking for a job in advertising. Although the employment market in his field was rather tight, he eventually found a position with Porter and Associates in West Des Moines. He worked there for a few years, leaving July 1997 to join Flynn Wright.

“It was a move both parties wanted to make,” Schlueter said, referring to the agency’s eagerness to have him on board. At the time, there wasn’t a position open that was a good fit for his skills, so “they made me a space.”

His first job with the firm was as an account coordinator and public relations specialist. He worked his was up to being an account executive, along the way using his research skills. Flynn Wright decided to further develop those skills, sending Schlueter to focus group training in Washington, D.C., where he learned to be a focus group moderator.

“It brought focus to our marketing research department,” he said. “Actually, it helped create one.” The agency began doing so much more research that a small, formal department was created in 2001, according to Schlueter.

As vice president, his job is to figure out what information a client needs, and create a plan or strategy to get the information for that client.

His role with the interactive media department entails directing projects. Schlueter assists clients in visualizing and designing the basic structure for interactive media projects like Web sites, corporate presentations, computer applications and CD ROMs. He then helps direct the product’s development in-house.

Schlueter says he was surprised to receive the title of vice president last year. He was already director of both departments, so the main change has been that he is now involved in broader strategic planning for the agency and its clients.

“I take a lot of pride in being one of the people who work here,” he said.