Power Couples: Chris and Jen Martino

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By ANDREW SCHWEIZER
San Diego Business Journal Staff

Chris and Jen Martino run Project X Media, a branding agency combining brand consultancy with facets of a traditional advertising agency. The Solana Beach-based firm, which has offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, has worked with clients such as STA Travel, Glen Ivy Spas, Ocean Pacific and Aspen Technology.
Before joining Project X, Chris worked in the Los Angeles office of global consultancy Accenture, helping clients such as Sempra Energy, Capital Group and Transamerica.

Before founding Project X Media in 1996, Jen was a senior designer at Lyon & Associates, where she managed assignments such as corporate identity, environmental graphics and advertising design. She also was a graphic designer at Franklin Stoorza and was responsible for the design and production of marketing materials.

FOR PARTNER NO. 1: JEN MARTINO

RESUME:

Name: Jen Martino
Company: Project X Media
Titles: Principal, Client Services & Business Development
Education: BA Art, Emphasis in Graphic Design, SDSU
Birthplace: Denver, CO
Age: 36
Residence: San Diego

THE ESSENTIALS:

How long have you been together: 16 years

How did you meet: High school (but started dating in college)

Your mate’s best quality: Sense of humor

What’s your mate’s most annoying quality: intolerance for disorganization

How do you stay together and still share the spotlight: we respect each other’s unique talents; we encourage each other to continue our creative endeavors outside of work

What do you do for fun: heated yoga, travel, fine dining, networking

What do you like to do separately: Jen: acting, yoga; Chris: playing in a band, professional artist, surfing

Who’s the boss: I believe we are both the boss

FOR PARTNER NO. 2: CHRIS MARTINO

RESUME:

Name: Chris Martino
Company: Project X Media
Titles: Principal, Brand Strategist + Creative Director
Education: B.S. Management; MBA (Int’l Business) both from SDSU
Birthplace: Green Bay , WI
Age: 38
Residence: San Diego (University City)

THE ESSENTIALS:

How did you meet: In high school – we dated each others friends

How long have you been together: 16 years

Your mate’s best quality: Eternal optimist/ people person

What’s your mate’s most annoying quality: Doesn’t understand “Virgo-level” tidiness

How do you stay together and still share the spotlight: Very little overlap in our duties in the business; support each other 100% both in the business and in outside interests/activities

What do you do for fun: surf, play in a lounge-punk band, travel, eat good food, listen to our 3-year old Ian tell me “how it is”.

What do you like to do separately: art, xeriscape

Who’s the boss: We are each the boss of our own kingdoms, which operate in close proximity and have (usually peaceful) borders.