BigWigs & New Gigs: Marketing & Public Relations

Dittoe Adds AE, Promotes Two
Indianapolis-based Dittoe Public Relations has added Sara Owens (pictured) as an account executive. She previously served as communications officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C. Also, Kaitlyn Beck and Natalie Weber have been promoted to account executives.

Bose Public Affairs Group Names Director
Bose Public Affairs Group LLC has named Ellen Fern as managing director of federal relations. Fern previously served as managing director of Washington Partners LLC before merging with Bose. She also served as director of national and corporate partnerships at the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Fern holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University.

Bradley and Montgomery Add Director
Creative agency Bradley and Montgomery has hired Patrick Brown as its new director of media and analytics. Brown will build a new media planning and analytics unit within the agency. He will work with creative, account and tech teams to find media opportunities. He holds a degree from Purdue University.

Well Done Adds Two
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has added Cathy Kightlinger (pictured) as a writer/producer and Caitlin Flowers (pictured) as content specialist. Kightlinger most recently served as the first-ever lifestyle communication manager for the IndyCar Series. Prior to that, she served as a news reporter and columnist with The Indianapolis Star and The Chronicle-Tribune in Marion.

PLAID AGENCY Hires Two
THE PLAID AGENCY in Indianapolis has hired Eddy Gilfilen as campaign manager and Mary Welch as copywriter. Gilfilen has served in notable roles for High Return Real Estate, VEGA Americas, and Tier1 Performance Solutions. He earned his bachelor of business administration in marketing and information systems from the University of Cincinnati.

Vibenomics Names CSO
Fishers-based Vibenomics Inc. has hired a former senior vice president of Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications Corp. (Nasdaq: EMMS) as it launches its new advertising marketplace. The company, which provides custom voice announcements, music playlists and imaging for businesses, says Paul Brenner will serve as chief strategy officer.

Willow Marketing Hires Manager
Willow Marketing in Indianapolis has hired Bradley Carter as operations manager. He previously served as client and project manager with Indianapolis-based Element Three. Prior to that, Carter spent six years in nonprofit association marketing management for Alpha Tau Omega.

Matchbook Adds VP, Promotes Three
Matchbook in Indianapolis has added Craig Lile (pictured) as vice president of market development. He previously served as vice president of production at Mortenson Kim Raidious. Also, Ali McNichols (pictured) has been promoted to director of communications, Jenny Dexter to vice president of business development and John Cavanaugh has been named account strategist.

Borshoff Expands Team
Borshoff has named Carrie Wood (pictured) senior media planner and buyer and Sydney Fish (pictured) digital account coordinator. Jeremy Albert has also been added to the video team. Wood previously served as senior media planner at Blue 449, while Fish served as social media manager at ZergNet. Albert worked at Think Ahead Studios and has over a decade of film and animation experience.

PLAID Expands Team
THE PLAID AGENCY has added Mallory Doyel (pictured) and Emily Hammer (pictured) as account executives. Doyel most recently served as account executive at MilesHerndon, while Hammer previously served as marketing manager at Under Armour. The company also hired Taylor Jessup as visual designer. She most recently held the position of art director at Three Sixty Group.

Willow Makes Staff Changes
Willow Marketing has promoted Leslie Lewis (pictured) to director of client service. Also, the company hired Stephanie Michael (pictured) as a senior account manager and Lizzie Jackson as an account coordinator. Lewis was previously a senior account manager, while Michael previously served as program marketing manager at MEMO Marketing.

Viral Launch Hires Senior VP
Indianapolis-based Viral Launch has hired Blake Rodgers as its new Senior Vice President of Marketing. Rodgers will lead the marketing strategy, branding and lead generation. He has over 20 years experience in brand development, integrated marketing management and product management, including as Senior Vice President at SiteLock. He holds degrees from Indiana University and Franklin University.

Well Done Marketing Adds Two
Well Done Marketing has added Jennifer Welch as account executive and Jane Sellers as account coordinator. Welch has previously worked as art director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and communications coordinator with VMS BioMarketing. Sellers most recently served as the marketing director for East Coast Divers in Brookline, Massachusetts.

PLAID Hires Two
Carmel-based THE PLAID AGENCY has added Lindsey Bridge as senior graphic designer and Casey McKean as digital marketing associate. Bridge brings more than 10 years of design experience from ExaroMed, CNO Financial Group, and DWA Healthcare Communications Group. McKean served as communication coordinator at Lawrence Township School Foundation and Collective Alternative.

Well Done Marketing Promotes Sirkin Vielee to President
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has promoted Lisa Sirkin Vielee to president. The decision comes as part of a comprehensive succession plan that began when Ken Honeywell, who founded the agency in 2005 with his now wife Becky, and Sirkin Vielee merged companies in 2015 to become a full-service marketing agency.

Hedges Promotes Snell to VP
Hedges has promoted Jodi Snell to Vice President. She joined Hedges in 2014 as Director of Operations and brings 12 years of leadership experience in addressing effective and sustainable solutions to pressing community issues. In her new role, Jodi will oversee capacity building services for nonprofit organizations and continue to help manage the company’s growth. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Murray State.

Lev Hires Managing Director of Operations
Lev, a Salesforce partner, has named Valerie Osinski managing director of operations. She has spent the last year consulting on initiatives from the integration of companies after acquisition, acting CTO, and lean process improvement at the US Army. Prior to her consulting, Osinsksi was CTO at Project Lead the Way.

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Announces Hires
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis has named Han Jacobs Meadway director of planning and Andrea Hirsch communications manager. Meadway joins JFGI after serving at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Hirsch most recently worked at architecture and design firm Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf.

Well Done Marketing Adds Designer
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has added designer Alex Pesak to its team. Pesak will work directly with the creative team and account executives to create visual concepts for print and digital materials that communicate clients’ ideas to consumers. She has served as lead designer and junior developer at Recon Media, and was art director for One14 Design. Pesak holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Indianapolis.

Pivot Hires Public Relations Specialist
Pivot Marketing has added Ellen Neiers as public relations specialist. She recently worked at Capture Sports Marketing. Neiers was responsible for coordinating the marketing efforts for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. In just three-and-a-half years, Neiers earned her dual degree in Public Relations and English Writing at Marquette University. She is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

THE PLAID AGENCY Hires Account Executive
Jordan Dillon has been named an account executive at THE PLAID AGENCY. She will oversee projects, manage teams, and work directly with clients. Dillon comes to PLAID with over 10 years of experience in marketing. She has held positions with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, USA Synchro, and most recently, USA Gymnastics.

Collective Alternative Hires Four
Indianapolis-based Collective Alternative has hired Denise Praul (pictured) as an account executive. Clayton Maddox (pictured) has been named marketing automation & reporting specialist. Sam Elliott has been appointed a content specialist. Also, Alexis Loyd has been appointed administrative coordinator.

Well Done Marketing Announces Promotions, Hire
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has promoted Melissa Sunsdahl (pictured) to director of account service. The firm has also promoted Kristin Baxter and Tori Walker to senior account executives. Also, Marcella Hoard (pictured) has been named a senior account executive.

Collective Alternative Hires Two
Indianapolis-based Collective Alternative has hired Dave Strantz as director of account services and Derek Heim as content specialist. Strantz previously served as digital media specialist and project manager for Ball State University. He has more than 20 years of communications and account management experience in agency and nonprofit sectors. Heim is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in public relations at Ball State University and is set to graduate in May.

Well Done Marketing Hires Two
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has named Rachel Leininger public relations manager. She most recently held positions with IU School of Nursing and the Columbus Area Arts Council. Also, Alexandra Williams has been hired as an account coordinator. She most recently served as an experiential marketing manager with The Infinite Agency in Dallas, Texas.

BPS Marketing Adds PR Assistant
Kylie Money has joined BPS Marketing Inc. as a public relations account assistant. She is a graduate of Indiana University, where she majored in journalism, public relations and advertising and studied apparel merchandising. Money manages day-to-day public relations activities for a variety of clients including IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation and Suburban Indy Shows.

THE PLAID AGENCY Adds to Team
THE PLAID AGENCY has named Sara Strothmann senior account executive and Lily Michal account associate. Strothmann has eight years of experience managing accounts at Avant Healthcare. She most recently served as account director. Michal has more than two years of experience in account services, project management and new business development at Element Three and Mortenson Kim.

Pivot Marketing Names Art Director
Pivot Marketing has named Adam Johnson art director. He previously served as senior art director at Borshoff. Johnson has spent more than 10 years in advertising. He has a keen attention to detail and has created illustrations on beer cans of local brewery Metazoa, travel posters for Disney and consumer packaged goods.

Well Done Marketing Hires Art Director
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has hired Andrew Griswold as art director. He previously served as a designer and art director at Element Three and designer for the Heartland Food Products Group. Griswold is also co-founder of the Instagrammers Indianapolis group, #igersindy, with more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

TrendyMinds Promotes Dell to Senior VP
TrendyMinds has promoted Spencer Dell to senior vice president. He most recently served as vice president of marketing services. His previous seven years of experience in marketing communications at Cummins kicked off his career in the marketing industry and gave him insight into enterprise-level business operations.

Klipsch Marketing & Advisors Hires VP
Chris Ratay has been named vice president at Klipsch Marketing & Advisors in Indianapolis. He most recently served as general manager at the Le Meridien Indianapolis Hotel. Ratay graduated from Purdue University in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management. He started his career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, working 13 years in several locations including Lake Tahoe, Miami, Palo Alto and Sacramento.

Collective Alternative Hires Account Coordinator
Indianapolis-based Collective Alternative, a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm, has hired Jaimie Harris as an account coordinator. She previously worked as a traffic manager for Wingard, a marketing and advertising firm in Jacksonville, Florida.

Matchbook Creative Hires Account Executive
Matchbook Creative has hired Kara Boonstra as an account executive. She previously managed nationwide partnerships for clients at a firm in Chicago. Her clients included Gatorade and Propel electrolyte water. Boonstra also previously worked with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Pivot Marketing Promotes Three
Pivot Marketing has promoted: Libby Simmons (pictured), public relations director; Jonathan Allinson (pictured), head of strategy and Derek Hulsey, art director. Simmons most recently served as a public relations specialist. Allinson also serves as a strategist and helps companies advance their brands. Also, Hulsey previously served as a graphic designer.

Collective Alternative Hires Director
Indianapolis-based Collective Alternative has hired Brett Schubert as director of business development. He previously served as vice president of sales for Window Makeover. His experience also includes running and owning his own company, Fidelity Builders Inc., where he served as president for 22 years.

Hirons Makes Leadership Change
Indianapolis-based Hirons & Co. is transitioning its leadership team. Founder Tom Hirons (pictured) says he will move to a chairmanship role with fewer day-to-day activities, while Jim Parham will take over as chief executive officer. Parham is the former chief operating officer for the company. He will be succeeded in that role by Deana Haworth, a longtime senior vice president at Hirons.

StrataBlue Hires EVP
Indianapolis-based StrataBlue has hired Ben Cheek as executive vice president of growth & partnerships. He is a graduate of Ohio University and has an MBA with a focus on marketing from the University of Phoenix. Cheek started his career as a tour manager and driving a 40-foot-long 1982 Eagle across the country for K2 Skis. He created his first startup SYNC Marketing, then started FASEN8.

DWA Promotes Three Women Leaders to Key Executive Roles
DWA Healthcare Communications Group has promoted: Kat Barrett (pictured), Trina Stonner (pictured) and Becky Crumley. Barrett has been promoted to chief operating officer. She most recently served as president of Avant Healthcare. Stonner has been promoted to president of Avant Healthcare. Also, Crumley has been promoted to senior vice president of AVAIL.

Coles Marketing Adds Two to Digital Team
Coles Marketing has named Broden Chapman digital marketing coordinator. With a bachelor's degree in marketing from Marian University, as well as Google Partner badges in both AdWords and Analytics, Chapman can help clients develop digital advertising campaigns that target audiences with pinpoint accuracy. Adam Woerz has been appointed web developer. He will assist with website development and maintenance, helping the company build sturdy digital homes for clients' brands.

Zahora Joins MEK Group
Carmel-based MEK Group has added Aimee Zahora as a strategic content specialist. She will help lead the digital marketing services and further develop the firm’s MARCOM capacity for data-driven service offerings. Zahora previously served as national retail programs manager at Dow AgroSciences.

Well Done Marketing Promotes Two
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has promoted Robin Beery to senior writer/producer. He joined the firm in 2014 as a copywriter and has been involved in aspects of writing throughout his 12-year career. Also, Brittany Mason has been promoted to senior art director. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Mason worked as an art director at Third Street and as a creative intern at TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles.

Willow Marketing Makes Promotion, Hires
Indianapolis-based Willow Marketing has hired Anne Holden (pictured) as a senior account manager and Dylan Stone as an account manager. Also, Maggie Hendrickson (pictured) has been promoted to senior project and events manager. Holden previously served as supervisor of account planning for Comcast Spotlight. Stone was previously self-employed, focusing on marketing, photography and design work. Also, Hendrickson previously served as a project manager.

Dittoe PR Promotes Maccagnone
Dittoe Public Relations has promoted Sophie Maccagnone to account executive. In addition to taking on more clients and responsibility in her new role, Maccagnone will take the lead on design projects for the firm. She started at the firm as an account coordinator in June 2017.

LABOV Marketing Hires Creative Director
Fort Wayne-based LABOV Marketing Communications and Training has hired Cory Johnson as creative director. Throughout his 30 years in the automotive industry, he has worked with leading brands that include Audi, Toyota, Kia, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Lexus. He has written and directed product and executive videos, produced brand documentaries, created technical training materials, managed advertising for dealership networks and helped produce product launch events.

Matchbook Creative Hires Public Relations Manager
Matchbook Creative has named Josh Rattray public relations manager. He began his PR career in collegiate athletics during Butler University's back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Final Four, where he co-coordinated the team's media exposure campaigns.

CSM Sport & Entertainment Appoints Senior VP
CSM Sport & Entertainment has appointed Sean Downes senior vice president of business development. He previously served as chief executive officer of Medallion Sports Properties, which served as the primary sponsorship arm for Richard Petty Motorsports. Downes was at NASCAR in various senior roles including managing director of business development and director of partnership marketing.

Coles Marketing Adds to Team
Coles Marketing has hired Adam Harness as full stack developer/technical lead. He has a computer graphics technology degree from IUPUI and more than 12 years of web experience, including running his own digital consulting agency. Also, the agency has named Veronica Lytle creative content specialist. Her professional background is in broadcast television, including stints at several Indianapolis stations where she filled a number of roles, helping build audiences and engagement.

Element Three Names Falconer VP
Indianapolis-based Element Three has named Danielle Falconer its first vice president of brand strategy. She most recently served as senior vice president of marketing and communications for Field & Main Bank in Kentucky. Prior to that, Falconer was a vice president at PR agency Borshoff, where she spent more than 15 years.

Downtown Indy Names Manager
Downtown Indy Inc. has hired Jacqueline Cromleigh as community engagement manager. She most recently worked as communications and community relations manager for Indiana Humanities. Cromleigh also previously served as public relations and marketing manager at Conrad Indianapolis.

Torchlite Brings in Big Name Expertise
Indianapolis-based Torchlite has named two tech industry veterans to leadership roles and closed on a $2 million round of seed funding. Scott McCorkle (pictured), former chief executive officer of Salesforce Marketing Cloud, is now executive chairman and Jeffrey Rohrs, chief marketing officer of New York-based Yext, has been added to the board.

Coles Marketing Adds to Team
Coles Marketing has selected Diana Zukerman to head up its business development and outreach. She most recently was co-owner and sales director for Sophisticated Living Magazine Indianapolis. The firm has also named Christy Stewart digital advertising strategist. She has led traditional and digital ad buying teams working at the national, state and local levels, and has also created advertising strategies for major companies across a broad spectrum of industries.

Stiver Joins TrendyMinds as Senior VP
Catherine Stiver has joined TrendyMinds as senior vice president of marketing strategy. She has more than 15 years of leadership and marketing experience. With a portfolio that includes work with brands such as Unilever, Eli Lilly and Co., Harrison College and Butler University, Stiver maintains an extensive background in brand development, market research and lead generation.

Dittoe Public Relations Promotes Three
Dittoe Public Relations has promoted: Meagan Hook (pictured), Vanessa Staublin and Skylar Whitney (pictured) from account coordinators to account executives. They will now take on more clients and responsibility in their new roles. Hook will lead social media initiatives, while Staublin will take on design projects and Whitney will enhance company culture.

Bradley and Montgomery Names CSO
Independent creative agency Bradley and Montgomery has named Gavin Johnston chief strategy officer. He will be responsible for managing strategy for clients across the agency and brings more than 19 years of strategic experience to the role. Johnston previously led strategic teams and initiatives resulting in award-winning work for clients like Bayer, Gatorade, GSK, Kellogg’s, Chrysler, Kimberly-Clark, Wells Fargo, H&R Block and LG.

THE PLAID AGENCY Names Communications Specialist
Carmel-based THE PLAID AGENCY, a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm, has named Amanda Clark a communications specialist, driving the agency’s public relations operations. Clark is a public speaker and advocate for cancer caregivers. She recently was awarded the prestigious Angels of Grace award from the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center in Indianapolis.

Fat Atom Marketing Has New Leadership
Carmel-based Fat Atom Marketing has new leadership and is pursuing the designation of being a “woman-owned business.” Jen Fox (pictured) is president and Adam Fox (pictured) is vice president after purchasing the remainder of the company from founder Todd Muffley. Both Jen and Adam have been with the company for many years in various capacities.

Well Done Marketing Makes Promotion & Hire
Indianapolis-based Well Done Marketing has added Lucy Smith in a newly-created senior account executive position. She held various marketing and communications positions at Indiana Blood Center. The agency has also promoted Shelby Walton to account executive. She has been with the agency for two years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Bachelor of Arts in French from Butler University.

SmarterHQ Promotes Holthaus to VP
SmarterHQ has promoted Kara Holthaus to vice president of client services. She previously served as director of client success. Her responsibilities include managing an eight person team to increase retention rates and work closely with sales organization to expand revenue within accounts.

Dittoe PR Appoints Two Directors
Dittoe Public Relations has named Ashley Eggert and Greta Snell directors of accounts. Eggert and Snell have more than 15 combined years of public relations and leadership experience for a wide array of clients. Eggert joined the firm as an account executive in 2009, and Snell in 2010.

Balance Digital Marketing Hires Two
Balance Digital Marketing, a leading service provider and certified partner for Salesforce Marketing Cloud, has named Toye Begbaaji senior director, integrated solutions and Eric Kramer digital marketing specialist. Begbaaji previously worked for a variety of Salesforce partners as an architect, consultant and integration specialist for over five years. Kramer is a recent graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Torchlite Adds to Team
Torchlite has named Curt Olson vice president of enterprise and channel sales. He previously spent 13 years with Salesforce, formerly ExactTarget. Olson is a 20-year veteran of the SaaS industry with deep experience in software sales, services and product. The firm also named Leigh Hamer senior director of professional services. She brings 10 years of experience in journalism, public relations, reputation management, change management to the team.

LST Marketing Names Zirkle COO
LST Marketing has named Wesley Zirkle chief operating officer. He previously served as executive vice president and general counsel at Just Marketing Inc. Zirkle is also a member of the board of directors of the North American division of JMI's parent company, CSM Sport & Entertainment.

3 Hawks Consulting Hires Director of Client Success
Indianapolis-based 3 Hawks Consulting has named Sally Fillbrunn director of client success. She previously worked more than 12 years for Inside INdiana Business. Fillbrunn graduated from Butler University with a B.S. in Public and Corporate Communications and currently serves on the board of Integrating Women Leaders Conference.

LST Marketing Hires Two
LST Marketing has hired: Nicole Shackelford, senior director of sales and Nick Wilhoit, account manager. Shackelford has more than 15 years of experience with industries including the NFL and MLB. Wilhoit has a background in professional sports, event planning, museum content production and executing experiential marketing.

THE PLAID AGENCY Expands Team
THE PLAID AGENCY has hired two team members: Mary Miller and Michael Skoog. Miller was named graphic designer. She previously served as graphic designer at Gallery 249 in Ohio. Skoog was appointed copywriter. He previously worked as a freelance copywriter and professional blogger for a year while traveling throughout Eastern Europe.

Villing & Co. Hires Graphic Designer
Amy Wallock has joined Villing & Co. as a graphic designer. She previously worked as paraprofessional designer for the SoFAD department at the Ivy Tech Community College South Bend campus. Wallock graduated from Ivy Tech in 2015 with an associate’s degree in visual communications.

Well Done Marketing Announces Promotion and Hire
Well Done Marketing has promoted Stephanie Feller to senior digital art director and hired Sean McCarthy as account executive. Feller has been with the company for five years and is a co-founder of Adventure Mamas. McCarthy has previously worked at TrendyMinds and Tactic.

Dittoe Public Relations Names Partner
Eric Kokonas (pictured) has been named a partner at Dittoe Public Relations. He is vice president of strategy. Also, Skylar Whitney has been hired as a junior account executive. She graduated from Indiana University's new media school with a degree in Journalism, a minor in Marketing and a specialization in Public Relations.

Bose Public Affairs Group Names Senior Policy Advisor
Bose Public Affairs Group LLC has named Jim Davis senior policy advisor. He is a former FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Division and past executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. Davis will utilize 30 years of criminal investigative, intelligence and homeland security experience at both the state and federal level to advise clients on risk management, crisis communications and reputation management.

BPS Marketing Hires PR Specialist
Haley Williams has joined Indianapolis-based BPS Marketing Inc. as public relations specialist. She previously worked at Cummins Crosspoint, a distribution unit of Cummins Engine, where she was marketing project manager. Williams holds a BS degree in Public Relations from Ball State University.

Imavex Announces Director of Agency Strategy & Client Services
Keriann Rich has joined Indianapolis-based Imavex as director of agency strategy & client services. She is a proven business and marketing leader and brings nearly two decades of experience, leadership, and commitment to client relationships.

Delivra Hires Sales Development Manager
Delivra has hired Eric Purnell as sales development manager for its Fort Wayne office. He previously served as director of investor development for Greater Fort Wayne Inc., where he oversaw and worked daily with member investors and prospective members. Purnell has more than 16 years of sales and business development experience in the technology and finance industries.

Torchlite Adds to Leadership Team
Torchlite Digital Marketing has added to its leadership team. Dustin McCormick (pictured), co-founder and chief technology officer, previously worked at Teradata and ExactTarget. Taylor Ring has been appointed senior director, account management. Ring previously worked at Smarter HQ. Joe Chen has been named senior software engineer. He previously worked at Salesforce.

May Communications Announces CEO
May Communications Group LLC has announced Conrad May is now president and CEO. He takes over following the death of his wife Glee Renick-May in January. Glee Renick-May launched the Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly in 1991. She formed May Communications Group in 2009 and became the sole owner and publisher of the magazine.

TrendyMinds Adds VP of Business Development
Indianapolis-based TrendyMinds has hired Jeremy King as vice president of business development. He will head up sales for the full-service marketing agency and its partners, Tactic and Think Ahead Studios. King has more than 20 years of sales consulting experience and led sales and marketing for several local companies.