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Once upon a NameStormers

1985: Salinon (a cool math symbol but terrible moniker for a naming company) was founded by four ex-Nielsen Market Research executives, including Mike Carr.

1986: We developed and launched the first commercially available name generator for PCs with 11 naming methods and databases, including an AI module.

1991-1992: Our Windows-based solution, NamePro, was unveiled. While thousands of copies of the software were sold, customers started requesting name consulting services. Software name generators were and continue to be too simplistic. Clients needed names that reflected their mindsets and motivators, incorporating human-based insights that considered cultural nuances, the competitive environment & language etymology, and that were legally vetted & market-tested.

1993-2022: Mike and business partner Kay purchased the naming business from Salinon and launched NameStormers, leveraging the latest creative techniques and research technology. Today, after 1,000+ successful engagements, NameStormers continues to help clients get the opportunities they deserve with engaging, memorable names.

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Some of the people behind the magic

Kay

Director of Research

With over 30 years of experience in systems design and consulting, Kay has spent the last 20 years specializing in branding and name development. Previously, she was Director of R&D at Open Connect Systems, managing a team of specialists including software engineers and analysts. At MTech, she was a Vice President, managing the development of a financial ATM network. Additionally, she has worked at Philips Information Systems and Texas Instruments as a Marketing Specialist and Programmer Analyst, respectively. In her free time, she loves playing the piano and has studied and developed systems to assist people with autism. She is unendingly patient and bright, with wit that can bust your gut.

Megan

Director of Marketing

Megan was born and raised in Austin, Texas and earned her degree at The University of Texas at Austin. Megan worked as a first-grade teacher before she decided to get her feet wet in the marketing world by helping independent pharmacies and doctor’s offices come to life through full-service brand development. From renaming mom and pop pharmacies to naming full lines of supplements, Megan discovered the joy, creativity, and challenge of naming and joined the NameStormers team in 2018.

Sarah

Director of Client Services

Sarah Tooley hails from Austin currently calling Boston home. Sarah earned a degree in Advertising from the University of Texas and a degree in Non-Profit Management at Boston College. Sarah worked in the nonprofit sector on social enterprises for 5 years before joining NameStormers full-time in 2020. A wordsmith to her core, Sarah has been known to create names while slicing onions, running, even rising in the middle of the night to jot down that perfect combination of vowels and consonants.

Mike

Managing Director

Mike is one of the principals and founders of NameStormers. He is directly involved in every naming project. He has over 30 years of experience in the branding and naming business. Prior to founding NameStormers, Mike was President of The Salinon Corporation and was Sr. Vice President of Compucon, an A. C. Nielsen subsidiary where he led Communications Marketing Research for U.S. and European Nielsen clients. Mike spent his early career years as a Programmer Analyst in advertising and marketing for the Dr. Pepper Company. Mike is a fitness nut, proud father, charismatic grandfather and loving husband.

Download our free eBook:

The Method and Process of Creating Business Names

This eBook shows you our step-by-step process for naming CarMax®, Angry Orchard®, Canon Powershot®, and many other iconic names.

Discover:

  • Time-saving naming tips
  • Common pitfalls to avoid
  • Inspiration for professional naming

Learn More!