Marketing Communications Showcase
Meet Your Local Experts and Resources
Co-hosted by: AAF Akron - PRSA - NSME Akron/Canton
Make connections and learn about some pretty cool and valuable resources to help build your organization or that of your clients!
5pm- 8:30 pm
The Tangier
532 W. Market Street • Akron, OH 44303
Hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes, cash bar
TICKETS
Members of AAF, PRSA, NSME $10 / Non-Members $20 / Students $5
Exhibitors
Akron Life Magazine is a monthly lifestyle publication committed to providing information that enhances and enriches the experience of living in or visiting Akron and the surrounding region of Summit, Portage, Medina and Stark Counties.
Colin Baker, Publisher
Baker Media Group first started publishing in 1996 with a magazine named Akron Business Magazine. In 2001 an advisory group was put together to explore a new path which is where a city magazine for Akron first came up. Akron Life & Leisure launched its first issue in 2002 as a luxury lifestyle magazine serving Greater Akron. In 2010 Akron Life & Leisure shortened its name to Akron Life along with a redesign. Currently, Akron Life publishes 12 times a year with over 82,000 in readership per month.
BBB’s vision is an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. Our mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Everything we do at BBB we do with this vision and mission in mind.
BBB’s Marketplace Education Initiative provides a variety of workshops and educational opportunities for consumers of all ages.
Tessa Engelhart, Community Outreach Coordinator
Comes from a background of educating the public through international higher education, refugee resettlement, and online charter schooling.
Caroline Businger, Business Relations Consultant
Helps local high-ranking businesses promote their credibility and trustworthiness through accreditation with the BBB. With a background in customer service, as well as experience running a small business, she understands the need for a trustworthy marketplace.
Artisan letterpress printing office equipped with old machines and antique operators. Services include custom letterpress production, foil-stamping, die-cutting, and creative bindery work. Offset lithography or digital printing can also be incorporated. Along with hot-metal typesetting capabilities, we have a large selection of vintage wood and metal type, pictorial line-cuts, ornaments, and other sorts. Contact Cranky when you and your target audience need a break from the relentless glowing screen.
Jamie Berger, A.D., C.D., S.O.B.
Keith Berger, Geezer and Shop Proprietor
Jamie is an artist, designer, art director, and communicator with multiple decades of experience. He’s worked for everything from creative boutique design studios to multinational advertising agencies on local, national and international brand campaigns. He has received many industry awards, had work featured in numerous publications and had a book published on printmaking art. Jamie has a marketing and design practice, and with his brother, Keith runs the Cranky Pressman.
Turning big ideas into bold presentations.
Three decades’ worth of experience in signs, banners, wall graphics, floor graphics, trade show displays, posters, and printing.
Mike Boyd, President/Owner
With over 30 years of experience, Mike is a business owner, entrepreneur, marketing professional and formerly part of the creative team in the marketing and advertising department of national retail giant Camelot Music.
Custom visual communication experts.
We manage projects from design to installation. We work with businesses, architects, artists, construction companies, and facilities managers. In house capabilities include UV printing, CNC and laser engraving and cutting. We collaborate with industry partners to round out our services. Visit www. Excelsiormarking.com
Katie Sutter, Owner
Mom, wife, and business owner. I’m a lifelong resident and advocate of Northeast Ohio and Akron. My passion is for underprivileged pets and kids and have volunteered with the Humane Society of Summit County Bark In the Park at Lock3 and United Way’s I Care Mentoring program. I enjoy biking and hiking the Towpath Trail. I live in Akron with my husband and dog Riley. I have 2 grown boys.
The Fisher Institute has one of only 13 certified, professional sales programs in the world. We fulfill sales training and consulting needs needed to develop sustainable improvements in sales performance that will directly impact your company’s top and bottom line. Our programs are based on the latest in sales performance research and learning methodology and offer hands-on real-world applications that deliver lasting results. Our Professional Sales Lab allows both our students and your sales team to learn by doing and to receive immediate feedback from peers and trained sales assessors that is so critical to effective learning.
One-stop custom imprint shop for custom apparel and creative marketing solutions.
Russel Neal, Chief Creative Consultant
Serving the Akron community for over 30 years.
Forward-thinking digital marketing agency specializing in targeted programmatic display campaigns.
We build and manage digital campaigns as a service to brands and as a channel partner to agencies. Check out the new AdApted Digital Media Platform at JMCbrands.com and see how buying digital media across multiple channels is now easier than ever!
Greg Kalikas, Business Development Manager
Growth Team Leader at JMC Brands
Kleidon & Associates has been helping regional, national and international companies improve their marketing since 1975. As one of Akron’s longest-running marketing agencies, Kleidon has worked with many local favorites—such as Swensons, the University of Akron and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park—and specializes in branding and communication pieces for the manufacturing and hospitality industries as well as behavioral health nonprofit organizations.
Kurt Kleidon, President
Kurt has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and media relations and comes with the experience of serving as a magazine editor and college teacher.
Serves the outdoor advertising needs of Northeast Ohio. We will help you craft a campaign and successfully reach your target audience. With over 1,800 boards in the Cleveland market, Lamar offers the opportunity to reach a diverse client base and gives you the resources to tell your story to the world. Posters, highway signs, even dynamic digital campaigns are all available to help you reach consumers at the right time and place. Lamar is the largest outdoor provider in Northern and Central Ohio.
Megan Waite, Sales Manager
AKA “The Billboard Girl”, Megan has been working in the out-of-home industry for over 15 years.
The West Side Leader and South Side News Leader newspapers have been serving area residents and advertisers for 35 years.
They feature outstanding coverage of Akron area communities including extensive local government news, entertainment, and high school and youth sports. Weekly distribution is over 64,000.
Clark Burns, Publisher
Helping people grow from stuck in the mud to running down the road to the land of awesome.
Using specific strategies and tools, we help the business owner and leadership team get a grip on their organization. Visit www. lodestonetruenorth.com
Joshua Muller, Entrepreneurial Operating System Implementer
Husband of one and father of three. I have been a business owner for over ten years. I have been on a quest to change the world one organization at a time. My goal is to help as many people as possible to be the best version of themselves.
Paper is your brand too. Use it to elevate your marketing materials.
Mohawk is a paper mill that manufactures beautiful printing paper using texture and color for both offset and digital printing. Mohawk is always looking to be a source to elevate your next printing project. We believe materials matter!!
Kevin Koetz, District Sales Manager
He educates and inspires designers and end-users through the use of materials to elevate print. He spent 11 years running a printing company and another eight in print sales. He’s been with Mohawk for six years and is based out of Columbus, OH.
Bring your marketing material to life with augmented reality (AR) solutions. From customers that trust us like eBay and Goodyear, to local non-profit organizations like the Akron Rotary Camp, New Territory, an augmented reality company, has a team of experts devoted to creating stunning visuals and capturing valuable analytics to take your next campaign to a whole new level. Check out our demos to see the magic of this technology built right here in Akron!
Bill Myers, Founder, and CEO
After starting the Akron and Cleveland VR Meetups in 2015, he saw the potential of immersive technology and knew Akron was the right place to start a business devoted to building AR/VR solutions. With the help of his co-founder and wife Grace, the business finds its headquarters at the Bounce Innovation Hub in downtown Akron.
First impressions are important. Make them extraordinary. NOP is more than just a printer. We specialize in helping you build your business through digital and offset printing, direct mail solutions, creative and marketing services, web design and more. We have some amazing things happening behind-the-scenes here at NOP. Join us as we celebrate an exciting 25th year in business.
Gary Chmielewski, President
Insights and inspiration that bring your marketing to life. Coated fine paper manufacturer.
Sherry Hundfeld, Administrative Assistant
With Sappi for 22 years.
The Taylor Institute develops and inspires direct/interactive marketing students to become business leaders through education, research, and service. They're also a great source of up-and-coming marketing talent and offer consulting services and resources to support the local marketing community.
Jacob Farrar, Director
With nearly 20 years of experience at some of the country’s most recognizable brands – Sony, Wyndham, and ADT Security Services – Jacob knows firsthand how to develop and lead teams whose primary objective is to identify areas of improvement in the overall customer experience and to increase customer engagement. Jacob earned a Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Integrated Marketing Communication graduate program with an emphasis in database, direct, and e-commerce marketing. In addition, Jacob received his Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Marketing Communications.
The TechStyleLAB is a space open to students, faculty and the public to explore the intersection of fashion and technology. We have equipment such as wide format digital textile printer, laser cutter, embroidery machine as well as industrial knitting machine and 3D printer.
Linda Ohrn-McDaniel, Professor, Faculty Director
Linda has been at Kent State for 15 years and works with students through the TechStyleLAB as well as a variety of classes in the Fashion School. She also conducts her own research focused on digital knitting.
Collects data for Census and U.S Government every 10 years.
Philip M. Changet, Recruiting Assistant
Connect your physical and digital consumer experiences.
USPS is the nation’s oldest and most trusted communications organization. We offer unique solutions for commercial mailers that enhance engagement, are measurable, are flexible, and integrate across an Omni-Channel Market strategy platform. We provide a bridge that connects physical and digital consumer experiences.
Mark Daddario, Senior Sales Executive Mailing
Strategic Marketing Specialist for over 25 years working with organizations across a wide range of industries. Focusing on success based on methods to enhance engagement, increase lift, drive conversions, and impact key business performance indicators.
97.5 WONE got its start in 1985 and has been rockin’ the Akron area and most of Northeast Ohio for over 30 years.
Our sales staff is a diverse group of experienced and creative media sales consultants. Led by Dominic Rizzo, Vice President and General Sales Manager, we are based at the Akron Radio Center on West Market Street in Fairlawn. Let us help your business generate more revenue, increase foot traffic, promote an event, or just enhance your brand awareness.
Craig Madrin, Account Executive
Has a BS in Computer Science from Ohio University with minors in Business Administration and Interpersonal Communication. He also has a diploma from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, which is now Ohio Media School. Craig’s most prominent professional attributes include his professionalism, integrity, comfort with technology, customer service, and ability to build lasting relationships. When he’s not representing his radio stations, “Mad Dog” Madrin is the voice of the Akron Racers, The University of Akron Volleyball, and MCs various local events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Kurt Leibensperger, Senior Account Manager
A graduate of Ohio University, with a Master’s Degree in Communications Management, Kurt has worked with many businesses in Northeast Ohio in his three decades in advertising, helping clients with media strategy, content generation, and targeted marketing. Kurt has been recognized as a finalist for the Radio Ink magazine Radio Wayne Award in 2011, and the Sales & Marketing Executives Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award in 2013. Outside of work, Kurt is the married father of 3 adult children, enjoys reading, history, gardening, travel (so far, visiting 48 states, and 11 countries), boating, cycling and more.
Focuses on helping businesses large and small develop marketing communication solutions that build trust with their audience and generate positive results.
The award-winning agency’s creative and tech-savvy staff has the strategic expertise to channel its clients’ messages through appropriate channels – from print to digital. Currently, WRL has a base of over 150 clients in seven states and several countries with headquarters located in Canton, Ohio. The average client has been with the agency for more than 13 years.
Olivia Huntley, Communications Team Lead
Olivia is an exceptionally driven strategic writer, communicator, and social media expert – the latter a multi-faceted role in the online marketing and media fields. She joined WRL in 2015, bringing with her a diverse background and an array of corporate and agency experience such as feature writer for major publications, digital marketing in the health and wellness fields, social media and website management for a variety of clients, and beyond. She believes the key to success is not just to put clients and their needs first, but it’s also about building a lasting connection through a well-crafted message and an exceptional story.
Special thanks to our Partners
Design Partner
Print Partner
Registration is now closed for this event.
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NSME Blog
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