Ad People Who Add Value

THE TEAM

MEET THE WORKERS BEHIND THE WORK

We take our trade seriously…but ourselves? A little less so. Inside many of our highly disciplined, by-the-book account leaders beats a wildly creative heart, just as in many of our care-free creative primadonnas is a gut-smart strategist in disguise. Poke around a little to browse some of our B-sides.

All
Management
Digital
Creative
Client Services
Strategy
Social

Julie Messner

Project Manager

Meet Julie

A Self-Introduction

Project Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

Marquette University

CLOUT FROM:

15 years at ad agencies working on healthcare, biosciences, automotive, technology, manufacturing, and non-profit accounts

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Problem-solving with lots of different teams

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“America runs on Dunkin’”… you will never see me in the morning without coffee.

FROM THE ERA OF:

Roller blades (I still actually think they’re cool)

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

A Quiet Place: Pandemic Daydreams of a Mom

REGRETS BUYING:

A laptop light for video conferences…used it once and it’s been sitting in the closet ever since.

SUPERPOWERS:

I notice small details to the point it drives me a little insane (like typos on restaurant menus).

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In Australia! It’s on my bucket list.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A glass of wine and a good song…Bob Dylan is a go-to.

PIPE DREAM:

Taking a year off to travel. I’ve got 17 years until both kids are off to college…counting down the days.

Jack Barnette

Producer/Production Manager

Meet Jack

A Self-Introduction

Producer/Production Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

Pepperdine University and On-The-Job U

CLOUT FROM:

Starting in presentation graphics, working up to production artist at Leo Burnett, and rising to the senior-level production team at Laughlin Constable.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Like a wedding planner, but for ads– On print projects, photo/video shoots, production projects, etc. Will also drive a truck and make omelettes if needed.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

I love it when a plan comes together.

FROM THE ERA OF:

Feathered hair, popped collars, pegged jeans, and puka shells.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

The Lucky Idiot (My Life in the Ad Industry)

REGRETS BUYING:

A year-long gym membership that went unused.

SUPERPOWERS:

An ace rubber band shot, can make a mean beef Bourguignon, and can play “Benny and the Jets” on the banjo.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

The restaurant in Beaune, France that’s in an old wine cave. I would just hang out there all day to eat and drink.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A glass of wine with my wife on the deck, nerdy board games if it’s cold out, and the occasional wood-built project.

PIPE DREAM:

To have the means to travel a TON more…and hang out in more cafes in Europe.

Deb Van Vossen

General Manager

Meet Deb

A Self-Introduction

General Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

Sawyer College

CLOUT FROM:

Nearly two decades in the medical field juggling everything from management, to billing, to administration.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Keeping all the parts moving, and the team’s wheels turning.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“You’re in good hands.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

IOU sweatshirts, Cavaricci pants, and big hair.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

The NeverEnding Inbox

REGRETS BUYING:

A Grand Am GT that turned out to be a lemon car.

SUPERPOWERS:

Multitasking maven, check-cutting queen, and a staff support system.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In the mountains of Poland.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A glass of wine.

PIPE DREAM:

I would love to travel the world.

Deanna Stegall

Senior Account Executive

Meet Deanna

A Self-Introduction

Senior Account Executive

SCHOOLED BY:

Loyola University Chicago

CLOUT FROM:

5 years in marketing, 1.5 years in non-profit, & 4 years in real estate.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Be the bridge between the client and the internal team (the artists).

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“You’re not you when you’re hungry.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Side parts and skinny jeans. Gen Z can pry both from my cold, dead hands.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

I Can Trip On That followed by Hey, do you want a cake?

REGRETS BUYING:

I don’t wanna talk about it…

SUPERPOWERS:

Able to find the humor in almost anything and persuading people to eat sweets.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

Wherever socks go when they get lost in the dryer.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A TV show, baking something, and playing with the dogs.

PIPE DREAM:

Open a bakery or a bed & breakfast.

Melanie Cooper

Account Coordinator

Meet Melanie

A Self-Introduction

Account Coordinator

SCHOOLED BY:

Ball State University

CLOUT FROM:

Some serious dedication to our current and future clients.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Keeping track of the pieces so the big picture comes together.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Playing outside & with sports balls.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Inbox Zero: The Impossible Quest

REGRETS BUYING:

Too many Nerf guns during the younger years.

SUPERPOWERS:

Flexible enough to turn on a dime & objective enough to know when to flip one.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

Somewhere tropical…maybe Hawaii?

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Jamming to tunes while cooking dinner.

PIPE DREAM:

Crushing it in marketing/advertising.

Alex Heilbronn

Project & Branding Associate

Meet Alex

A Self-Introduction

Project & Branding Associate

SCHOOLED BY:

University of Tennessee Chattanooga

CLOUT FROM:

Office Furniture Warehouse, rocking the title of “Assistant, Mind Control.” Also, from some digital marketing experience at a small Chicago business.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I help show businesses that they need our help to make more money.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

“Super cool” email handles.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Menace 2 Myself: The Art of Self-Sabotage

REGRETS BUYING:

A 2004 Mazda 3 from Craigslist. It ran for two weeks.

SUPERPOWERS:

The ability to clean my entire apartment in under two hours.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

The DMV. No one would dare step foot in there!

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Putting on my cozies and pouring a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

PIPE DREAM:

Winning a contest on the Food Network.

Julia Miller

Art Director

Meet Julia

A Self-Introduction

Art Director

SCHOOLED BY:

Loyola University Chicago

CLOUT FROM:

Some solid work right here at Plan B!

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I make headlines “pop.”

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Quality never goes out of style.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Full eyeliner and layered tank tops.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Final Round

REGRETS BUYING:

Expensive printer ink for the wrong printer.

SUPERPOWERS:

Spotting good vintage furniture in the city’s alleyways.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

A hobbit home in New Zealand.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A walk around the neighborhood and spinning some vinyl.

PIPE DREAM:

Renovating an old home in the Swedish countryside.

Tim Sheridan

Senior Copywriter

Meet Tim

A Self-Introduction

Senior Copywriter

SCHOOLED BY:

Wesleyan University, BA & The Juilliard School, Playwright Fellow

CLOUT FROM:

10 years at Razorfish. Tenures at Organic, Burrell Communications and Critical Mass.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I make your dreams come true.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“The heartbreak of psoriasis.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Folks feeding their pet rocks while listening to soul music on vinyl.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

The Grand Illusion 2: The Grander Illusion

REGRETS BUYING:

Health insurance.

SUPERPOWERS:

I can see through walls (as long as there is a window).

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In Prague.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A session of adding obscene lyrics to pop songs.

PIPE DREAM:

To be a pipe fitter.

Don Weaver

Executive Creative Director

Meet Don

A Self-Introduction

Executive Creative Director

SCHOOLED BY:

The job.

CLOUT FROM:

Being as good as the last idea.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Making art without starving.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“The agency alternative.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Skipping.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Big Easy Rider, Born to Be Mild

REGRETS BUYING:

Sugar-free hot chocolate.

SUPERPOWERS:

Two-word headlines…Wait, is that three?

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

I’m already hiding.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Beer and playing guitar.

PIPE DREAM:

Goats!

Amy Lyon

Account Supervisor/Associate Manager

Meet Amy

A Self-Introduction

Account Supervisor/Associate Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

Denison University

CLOUT FROM:

9+ years in entertainment marketing and running the Oscar Pool at almost every agency I’ve worked at.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I listen to someone describe a project they want our team to work on. I explain the project to our team. I make sure everyone is happy and that the project gets done. On time.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Belong Anywhere”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Epic battles. Backstreet Boys v N’Sync. Britney v Christina. Survivor v American Idol v The Bachelor. Tamagotchis v Furbies.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

This Doesn’t Look Like the Picture on the Box

REGRETS BUYING:

That seventh crew neck sweatshirt from Amazon. The blue camo one. It was a mistake.

SUPERPOWERS:

Baking addictive chocolate chip cookies. No drugs needed.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In Greece, specifically at the hotel from Mamma Mia.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A glass of wine and an endless scroll through Grubhub that inevitably ends in a pizza order.

PIPE DREAM:

Move to Nashville and become a country music singer/songwriter.

Clay Cooper

Director of Client Services

Meet Clay

A Self-Introduction

Director of Client Services

SCHOOLED BY:

Ball State University

CLOUT FROM:

Walter Thompson & 20 plus years running Plan B.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Being the guy they call in to get shit done.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Parachute pants.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

One Flew Over the Chicken “Coop”

REGRETS BUYING:

Yeti cooler (what was I thinking?!)

SUPERPOWERS:

Multi-tasking while must-tasking. And a solid three-point jump shot.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

At King’s Canyon in California.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Hanging out and playing with my son.

PIPE DREAM:

Playing in an NBA game. Just one game.

Ric Van Sickle

Chief Operating Officer

Meet Ric

A Self-Introduction

Chief Operating Officer

SCHOOLED BY:

Johnny Cash (‘It all goes down in your mind.’)

CLOUT FROM:

A heavy blow with a hard object?

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Pioneering new ways to do great work, faster.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Leave the driving to us.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Manual Transmissions.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Raider of the Lost Art

REGRETS BUYING:

A too-small notebook.

SUPERPOWERS:

They call me ‘VanGyver’ (fixinit/fabinit!)

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

Somewhere boring. Who’d look for me there?

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Meditation.

PIPE DREAM:

Ceci n’est pas une pipe — dream.

Terry Mertens

Group Creative Director

Meet Terry

A Self-Introduction

Group Creative Director

SCHOOLED BY:

University of Illinois

CLOUT FROM:

20+ years of experience at full-service, independent ad shops and a shiny trophy from the 6th grade spelling bee.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Get folks to pay attention. Scream. Make a scene. Be funny. Be charming. Make people stop what they’re doing and listen. But also, inspire, encourage, and support the people I work with so we can do our best work together.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Just do it.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

The Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

GlenTerry GlenRoss

REGRETS BUYING:

Bulls Tickets that turned out to be fake & a surprise gift that ended up being a surprise…

SUPERPOWERS:

Writing letters. A good one can get you anything. Or out of anything.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In Australia.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Video games with my son. Namely, The Legend of Zelda. I probably enjoy it as much as he does.

PIPE DREAM:

I’ve written around 75 original songs give or take, but only have a dozen recorded. They’re not amazing works of art, but they’re mine and I love performing them live in the quiet of my empty house.

Dave Wischnowsky

Director of Content

Meet Dave

A Self-Introduction

Director of Content

SCHOOLED BY:

University of Illinois

CLOUT FROM:

14 years in marketing; reporting at the Chicago Tribune, sports column work for CBS Chicago, and being a published author. I also have my own IMDB page as a guest reporter on “E! Investigates.”

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I get paid for getting people to “like” stuff online.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Wander Wisely.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Swatch watches.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

iWrite

REGRETS BUYING:

Dinner at a “polarizing” Michelin-star restaurant in Spain.

SUPERPOWERS:

I boast a bottomless well of sports trivia.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

At the bar at the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A trip to the gym.

PIPE DREAM:

Someday publishing a second book.

Lauren Schrowang

Account Supervisor/Associate Manager

Meet Lauren

A Self-Introduction

Account Supervisor/Associate Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

CLOUT FROM:

3 years at Pinnacle Advertising & Marketing, 6+ years in marketing, some serious Salesfusion chops.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I coordinate the ads you see for brands in magazines, online, etc.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Impossible is nothing.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

K-Swiss sneakers.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Fast, Never Furious: The Can-do Tale of an Automotive AE

REGRETS BUYING:

A counterfeit Blackhawks jersey.

SUPERPOWERS:

Bread whisperer.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In the Maldives.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Doing anything outside – biking on the Prairie Path, hanging out at a local brewery, hiking, grilling a delicious meal, etc.

PIPE DREAM:

Travel the world for free.

Erin Pauly

Social Media Marketing Manager

Meet Erin

A Self-Introduction

Social Media Marketing Manager

SCHOOLED BY:

West Virginia University

CLOUT FROM:

6+ years in social media, with previous gigs that included brand-side social media marketing for an organic remedies company and a wine company.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I get paid to post on Instagram.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“The Happiest Place on Earth.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Uggs and Juicy tracksuits! (Worn together of course)

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Confessions of an Insta-holic

REGRETS BUYING:

What I thought were salt and pepper shakers…but that were actually children’s percussion rattles.

SUPERPOWERS:

Forgetting my grocery list and successfully remembering/purchasing everything without it.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

At a winery in France.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A long walk (I love my neighborhood!)

PIPE DREAM:

Running @bravotv’s Instagram account.

Jim Goldman

Account Group Director

Meet Jim

A Self-Introduction

Account Group Director

SCHOOLED BY:

Indiana University

CLOUT FROM:

20+ years of hard labor in the small agency world.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

Being a circus acrobat and plate spinner.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Ditto machines and film cameras.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

Keeping it Real…Really Real

REGRETS BUYING:

Tuition for my kid at an out-of-state university.

SUPERPOWERS:

Changing deadlines so I never miss a deadline.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

In a van down by the river.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

A 12 oz Red Bull…sugar free.

PIPE DREAM:

Disappearing.

Colin Reilly

Web Developer

Meet Colin

A Self-Introduction

Web Developer

SCHOOLED BY:

I taught myself, with the help of Google and online forums. At age 17, I landed my first gig at an agency in River North.

CLOUT FROM:

On and off work at a few small agencies, but spent most of my early 20s as a freelancer with my own LLC.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

When you’re doing your homework and trying to find an answer on a website, it’s possible that I may have helped you cheat on your homework.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Just do it.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

DIY-bleach blonde summer hair.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

If You’re Not First, You’re Last

REGRETS BUYING:

A $20 motorcycle that lived up to its price tag & a Shamwow that was more sham than wow.

SUPERPOWERS:

Learning quickly, skateboarding, and mechanical bull-riding.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

At the golf course, a few drinks in.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Indoor online-dart playing or outdoor fresh-air breathing.

PIPE DREAM:

To have no responsibilities for more than 3 hours a day.

Bradford Pretorius

Creative Director

Meet Bradford

A Self-Introduction

Creative Director

SCHOOLED BY:

Griffith University Australia

CLOUT FROM:

Ogilvy, McCann, and YouTube.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I make pretty pictures that help sell things.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Let’s get ready to rumble.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Spectreman.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

The Art of Political Incorrectness

REGRETS BUYING:

Marathon Oil Stocks.

SUPERPOWERS:

Awkward silence.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

The middle of the Namibia Desert.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

As little work as possible and beer.

PIPE DREAM:

For Cardano to become the world currency.

Emmons Patzer

VP, Senior Business Analyst/Strategist

Meet Emmons

A Self-Introduction

VP, Senior Business Analyst/Strategist

SCHOOLED BY:

University of Wisconsin and Hawaii

CLOUT FROM:

Time at Bristol Myers, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana.

JOB IN SIMPLE TERMS:

I take things apart, see how they work, and put them back together. Better.

BEST DESCRIBED BY THE TAGLINE:

“Come sail with me.”

FROM THE ERA OF:

Meat and potatoes as the foundation of every “healthy” meal.

WOULD SELF-TITLE A BIOPIC:

The Gems of the Deep River

REGRETS BUYING:

A dump truck. Off of Ebay.

SUPERPOWERS:

Scuba diving and airplane piloting.

IN A GLOBAL GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK, WOULD HIDE AWAY:

Pozharsky.

UNWINDS AFTER 5 WITH:

Night landing practice.

PIPE DREAM:

Taking a global tour by small aircraft.

All

Management

Digital

Creative

Client Services

Strategy

Social