At Barletta Boats, integrity leads, people come first, and the experience matters just as much as the product itself. It’s a promise to stand behind every detail and support every dealer, team member and owner with transparency, respect and pride.
For Barletta marketing team members Kayla Niedbala, Elley Kuehne and Gabriel Grove, that philosophy isn’t just something they talk about. They bring it to life every day through intentional strategy and a deep belief in what lake life represents. Collectively, they describe themselves as a “Swiss Army knife” team, using their versatility to bridge the gap between manufacturing and the water.
That versatility is something Jeff Roth, Barletta vice president of marketing and a marine industry veteran, doesn’t take lightly. Having worked with teams across the industry, he sees something different in the culture this group has built together. “The level of passion and expertise they bring to the office every day is inspiring,” Roth said. “They challenge the status quo, they push boundaries, they elevate processes — all within the framework of teamwork, collaboration and driving to make this brand the unquestioned leader in the industry.”
Paths that led to purpose
Kayla Niedbala, marketing manager at Barletta, leads the team’s brand strategy, design direction and dealer support. Her journey began in advertising and retail marketing before transitioning to the marine industry. “It’s been amazing,” Niedbala said. “I’ve been here for three years, and it truly is a special industry. Marketing boats, something that brings people joy, has been so much fun.”
For Elley Kuehne, digital media specialist at Barletta, the marine industry is part of her identity. She has spent nearly a decade in the space, starting on the dealer side detailing boats and working boat shows, immersing herself long before stepping into a full-time marketing role. Growing up around lake life gave her a natural connection to the product: “It’s easy to market something you truly love,” Kuehne said. “There’s nothing better.” Today, she supports digital media, social strategy and large-scale events. Her role keeps her closely connected to both dealers and owners, ensuring that the Barletta experience feels consistent and personal at every touchpoint.
Gabriel Grove, multimedia designer at Barletta, brings the team’s stories to life as a creative, leading video production from concept to completion alongside Kayla and Elley. His path into the industry began straight out of high school, shooting wedding videos and RV content. When he joined Barletta, marine was entirely new territory for him. “I was looking to expand my horizons and step into an industry I’d never been part of,” Grove said. “I wasn’t on pontoon boats growing up. I’d been on big water in Florida, but this was all new to me. The last two years have been a huge learning curve and it’s been amazing.”
Marketing the experience, not just the boat
For this team, marketing isn’t about pushing product specs; it’s about communicating the passion that exists inside the Barletta culture. “Anyone can build a pontoon boat,” Niedbala said. “But having a team that genuinely cares, not just about the product, but about the experience we’re creating for the customer — that’s what sets us apart.”
That mindset extends to dealer support. The team works intentionally to simplify processes and strengthen relationships, creating tools that make life easier for their partners.
“We’ve implemented systems to make the dealer-manufacturer relationship smoother,” Kuehne explained. “One example is our Black Widow system. As soon as a boat passes quality control, photos are sent to the dealer so they can list the unit online before it even hits their lot.”
Changing the conversation
The team’s marketing strategy is deeply informed by conversations with dealers and owners. Early on, they discovered something important: there’s no single way to experience boating.
“When we first started planning campaigns, it was easy to think, ‘Well, this is how I boat, so this is how we should market it,’” Niedbala said. “But once we started connecting with dealers and owners, we realized everyone boats differently. Some have large families and love entertaining. Others prefer going with their spouse. The experience is personal and there’s no one right way to do it.”
That insight fueled campaigns like the brand’s recent partnership with Sig Hansen of the television series Deadliest Catch. Hansen demonstrated that pontoons can go beyond lake life to handle bigger waters. He put Barletta’s Lusso 23 M through its paces – with wind speeds gusting up to 20 knots in three to five-foot seas. The boat’s smooth performance exceeded Hansen’s expectations and showcased a new experience available to Barletta owners. “We wanted to focus on what happens inside the boat, the memories and feelings that are created,” Grove explains. “We wanted to highlight a different example of what’s possible with a Barletta.”
More than marketing
At its core, the team’s work is about manufacturing memories. “We get the privilege of walking hand in hand with our customers,” Niedbala said. Anyone can sell a product. It takes a special company to support someone throughout their entire ownership journey.”
Kuehne agrees with a simple explanation. “You’re not just buying a boat,” she said. “You’re joining the Barletta family.”
In Roth’s view, that mindset also shapes the way the team supports one another and inspires the way he leads the team.
“They make me want to be a better leader to make sure I am providing great direction, resources for success and building a pathway for their futures,” Roth said. “Winnebago Industries, Barletta and I are truly blessed to have them supporting me and our collective businesses.”