LIVONIA, MICH. – The career of Chase Dobbie, 2016 business administration alumnus, has been an extraordinary journey marked by entrepreneurial success and continuous growth. The Toronto entrepreneur and two partners founded func.media, in 2016, a digital media agency that has soared to success.
Most-recently, func.media secured spots in Forbes 2024 30 Under 30, recognition as Canada's Fastest Growing Company by Globe and Mail, and a place in Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies in 2023. The agency's acclaimed clientele – including Lamborghini, Consumer Reports, and Ikea – speaks volumes about their hard work and industry capability.
In order to demonstrate func.media’s social media and advertising competency, Dobbie
and his partners launched Rolo Golf, an e-commerce company for golf sportswear. The brand's social media explosion and
strategic growth made it one of Canada’s top-selling, golf sportswear brands with
placement in major Canadian retailers and over 400 pro shops nationwide. Rolo Golf
also won the Drum Award for advertising. The e-commerce brand is popular with many
National Hockey League players and celebrities such as Adam Sandler who wore a Rolo Golf shirt in the movie You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.
Rolo Golf became so large that the team sold the company in July 2023 to focus on
func.media.
Dobbie characterized his Madonna experience as a mix of academics, athletics, and community engagement. The Madonna Baseball team was more than a sport, it was a platform where he found camaraderie, discipline, and a sense of belonging. His involvement in game day operations for various sports deepened his connections with the athletics staff and increased his understanding of sport management.
Living on campus for three years Dobbie built friendships that went beyond superficial connections and athletics, and provided him diverse perspectives and a sense of unity within the Madonna community.
Dobbie remembered Frank Notturno, associate professor of marketing and management, as more than a favorite; a transformative force whose mentorship played a pivotal role in his post-graduation success. Notturno taught Dobbie’s favorite class Professional Selling, which offered more than academic knowledge. It provided practical, real-world applications that sparked the young entrepreneur’s passion for selling and persuasion, that he uses in his business dealings today.
