We like people who have a natural sense of curiosity. People who search for answers to the tough questions. We are fun to work with and bring a spirit of generosity to everything we do. Because we’ve found, if we enjoy working with each other, clients like working with us.
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Trey Buckingham
VP of Technology
Golf is my thing. I’m ready for tee time, anytime. When I’m not golfing or spending time with my family, you can probably find me behind the grill cooking up something amazing. I’m a big Baltimore sports fan, too—go O’s and Ravens!
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Dawn Widener
Accounting Manager
G’day! As a true blue, dinky die Aussie, I love fielding questions about my homeland, sewing, knitting, Vegemite, and my boss (she writes the checks). A previous career in hotels and hospitality in no way prepared me for the agency life, but this place rocks!!
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Shannon Gray
Senior Research Analyst
In another life I would have been a fiddle bluegrass/rock star. Or the captain of a charter sailboat in the Caribbean. In this life I’m an anthropologist, because people are fascinating. Nashville is my favorite place in the world, so it’s lucky I live there—but my sailor’s heart belongs to the Chesapeake Bay. Go O’s!
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Oscar Ruiz
Media Manager
Born and raised in Maryland, I’m an avid D.C. sports fan. I actually own and manage an NFL team…a fantasy football team. In between watching games, I usually play video games (anything with a ball and scoreboard) or snuggle up with my two dogs and reread a Game of Thrones book. My life coach is The Office’s Michael Scott—I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.
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Susan Thompson
VP of Production
Repurpose, redesign, refinish. I love creating new things out of vintage finds—old jewelry and chunky, retro furniture pieces from the ‘70s are my favorites. I also like to stay active. My sport of choice is running 5K races with my daughter.
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Engel Baldwin
VP of Digital Strategy and Integrated Solutions
I love football because of its single focus—move toward the goal to score points. That makes the game interesting and puts me up front and in purple on game day. I live for a challenge and any moment when I can act on my belief that “why not?” is actually an answer. As a result, my story as Xennial @thebmoregirl is blessed with a company of characters, the world as a backdrop and an awesome soundtrack with all the feels.
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Josie Griffin
Controller/VP of Human Resources
Married for 32 years and the proud mama to two boys and one girl. They are the loves of my life. The best thing that ever happened to me besides meeting my hubby and having my chicks was becoming a grandma, or “Gigi,” as I am called by my two beautiful granddaughters. I'm a huge Springsteen fan. I’ve seen him live so many times I can’t remember. Entertainment trivia is my “sport.” I love movies, reading, and of course, relaxing with friends over a cold beer (or margarita).
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Tighe Merkert
President / CEO
Family, food and friends. One of seven kids in a family where everyone brought a friend to dinner, Tighe learned these values early—along with a natural understanding of food, beverage, hospitality and how to please crowds. A very successful foodservice career naturally ensued. Recognizing a real need for businesses that understand client and customer insights held the door wide open to running an agency. All the while, the game of golf fascinated Tighe from an early age, carrying his own bag through Division I golf up until today. Good business, good friends, food and hospitality all start there.
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Katie Crist
Project Manager
This ‘80s baby loves the beach. Lying in the sand while listening to music is my favorite thing to do. But if it’s raining or snowing, you can find me inside watching John Hughes movies. Or maybe dreaming up my cross-country tour of all the spots on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Flavortown, here I come! Non-foodies just don't understand.
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JoAnn Ather
Production Manager
I’m an American Idol wannabe, avid football fan, big-time foodie, small-time gardener and people person who finds humor in everything. I also enjoy decorating my home, sipping a lemon drop martini and cruising on the big blue sea. Production is the perfect career for me, because it encompasses everything from start to finish, and I like to be involved in all of it.
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Tim Shanley
Digital Art Director
Growing up I loved to draw, build and take things apart—computers were fascinating at first sight. I've been designing and building websites from the days of modems and free dial-up Internet trial floppy disks. On the web, beautiful design also needs smart development. Recently, my lovely wife, two wonderful children and I moved to Maryland, A.K.A. "the South." We're natives of both New Jersey and New York. I love spending time with them, watching movies, the outdoors, and being a pastor.
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Kara Siegert
Digital Production Designer
The best thing you need to know about me is I love my dog to distraction. I'm someone who can color inside the lines and think outside the box. I’m also a Towson lacrosse alum and collector of Funko Pop! figures.
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Anne Wineholt
Media Supervisor
My love of gardening goes back to my Pennsylvania roots with my grandfather. It’s my calm and beauty in this crazy world. As an empty nester, I’m taking more time to watch live music, cook what I want for dinner, be spontaneous, discover new restaurants and take day trips.
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Tami Ferraro
Art Director / Designer
I'm having the most fun when I'm hanging out with Lauren, Sara and Lil' Jeremy (my awesome grandkids) making tiny foods out of Sculpey. I'm a card-carrying font addict, and I love to cook, eat and draw food. On the weekends you might find me hanging out with Big Nick, responsibly singing karaoke after a few shots of José Cuervo (at home—no need to subject the public to that).
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Mike Sidlowski
Senior Art Director
Catch the eye. Capture attention. Net results. Fishing and advertising are so similar. If I’m not stringing creative ideas together, I’m out stringing fish. Saltwater or freshwater, if it swims, then fish on! Any chance to get warm weather, sand between the toes and time on the water—I’m there.
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Wendy Simms
VP of Media
Home, family, nature—enjoying the simple things in life. Pet adoption is my passion—finding homes for unwanted animals. I would take them all in if I could, but I have my two rescue dogs, Hannah and Henry, who now rule my heart and my home.
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Susan Gunther
Partner / VP of Client Services
When my niece was old enough to talk, her first big question to me was, “Do you have hair Aunt Susan?” It threw me for a loop until I realized that she saw me always wearing a hat. So, do I have a lot of hats? Absolutely! Redskins, Terps, Canada, Coca-Cola, Hawaii, Bacardi, Rehoboth Beach—I proudly wear what I love. The irony is that I also chose a profession that literally allows me to “wear a lot of hats.”
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Jessica Guercio
Senior Account Executive
Blue crabs with Old Bay. Natty Boh. Fed Hill. Berger cookies. I bleed orange in the summer and purple in the winter. Gold almost all year long because, well, hockey never ends—how ‘bout those Bruins? Baltimore is my NeverNever Land, and in my next life I’d love to have a little (late night) bakery on Cross Street. If you crave sweets, I’m your girl. Holy Better Baker in the kitchen.
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Jessica Painter
Senior Art Director
As a PSU alum, I am a natural when it comes to tailgating. Depending on which day of the week it is, you'll find me playing in one of my various intramural leagues or doing pretty much anything that involves running. I like running, but I like running really fast the best. When things don't go my way, I believe a good dirty martini is the best way to end a bad day.
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Rob Levine
Partner / VP of Account Strategy
The food industry is kind of in my blood—I’ve had two great uncles and a grandfather in the business to prove it. I’ve planned ticker tape parades for Wendy the Snapple Lady, penned op-ed pieces on school lunch, and I’ll fight the first person who doesn’t think the best pizza is from New Haven (forgot to mention I’m a Connecticut native). Other than that, I like to run marathons and spend time with my wife, two kids and our dog, Shepley. I’d tell you how he got his name, but it’s a long story.
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Sam Brunner
Content Writer
Really into writing (and improv).
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Mei Collins
Managing Supervisor
I’m a proud wife and mom of a boy with strong negotiating skills and a boxer rescue who is an escape artist. I'm a romantic at heart with a penchant for love stories, kids and pets. Growing up in Malaysia—a glutton’s paradise—made me a complete foodie, so let’s catch up somewhere over good food and drinks. Just give me time to scour the menu because I’d want to try it all.
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Lisa Lu
Senior Account Executive
I’m an NYC native raised in the Sunshine State. I love a good bacon, egg and cheese from the corner bodega but could also go for a genuine Publix Sub (Pub Sub) after a long day on the beach. I’m an animal-loving, sneaker-collecting, tree-hugging human who enjoys cooking for others. Nothing combines process, joy, culture, and tradition the way food does. I grew up in the restaurant business, so you could say cooking is in my blood. If I’m not planning the next meal to make, then I’m probably busy sneaker shopping. Most of my conversations divert to the rich history and evolution of athletic shoes/streetwear. My current explorations include up-cycling clothes and backyard gardening.
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April Dlugokeski
Project Manager
I’m a proud pup mom to two dogs, Sierra and Bear, and a turtle mom to Lenny. Besides being obsessed with dogs, I’m a fanatic of true crime podcasts and TV shows (shout out to IDTV!). I’ve also been playing soccer for the past 34 years (#VFFC), which you could say has inspired my decision to kick around a few different roles in my career. I started in marketing, dabbled in design and then decided I like managing creative projects instead. That’s how I ended up at Marriner Marketing as a project manager, doing what I love!
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Katie Vacca
Account Supervisor
Born and bred in horse country. Katie is a die-hard Louisville Cardinal fan whose favorite day of the year is Selection Sunday. She loves the Kentucky Derby, professional golfers (Tiger Woods excluded) and visiting her favorite vacation destination, Hilton Head Island.
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Seye Ogunkoya
Web Developer
I’m an ardent Chelsea FC fan with a love for creativity. My curiosity about how websites work sparked my interest in web development and, more recently, mobile app development via web technologies. When I'm not programming or watching soccer, I'm trying new foods, going to movies, taking a walk or listening to ’80s and ’90s music.
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Maike Hackshaw
Paid Media Specialist
Whether I’m planning my next adventure or a detailed digital marketing campaign, I’m a strategist at heart. I’m originally from Germany but fell in love with the Polynesian culture and then the east coast. Crabs are my weekly feast and sharks are my spirit animal. When I’m not diving in the ocean or hiking a mountain, you can find me somewhere in-between with a good book, my ukulele,and probably some gummy bears.
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Courtney Davis
Social Media Specialist
You don’t have to be a socialite to work in social media, but you do have to be curious and want to constantly learn and grow. I can talk to anyone, and everyone, for hours on end. Getting to know others’ thoughts and ideas is my favorite way to learn. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me doodling in a notebook, watching Law & Order: SVU or—of course—on social media.
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Amanda Holtz
Senior Account Executive
With a farm-to-table mentality, I’m an influencer passionate about travel, fashion, food and design. Whether I’m cooking a gourmet meal or curating content, I use the same ingredients...organic, clean and from the heart. You might also find me collecting stamps on my passport, sampling grapes (okay, wine), listening to live music and photo-documenting my every meal, with my rescued “pibble” (pit bull is a derogatory term) riding shotgun.
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Anthony Huff
Junior Web Developer
I’ve lived most of my life in Buffalo, NY, so coming to Maryland was a big change for me. With that change came different football teams to root for. Coming from the Buffalo Bills, which I’ve only ever been disappointed by it seems, was a nice change of pace, and to be able to see a local team perform well for a change was great. My short time in Maryland so far has been amazing! I love the area and being close to many historic locations and things to do. The “DMV” is also becoming one of the largest tech-focused areas inside the US, and that was what enticed me down here to begin with. I look forward to furthering my skillset and I'm excited to see what the future holds!
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Adrian McLoughlin
Junior Art Director
Being Irish, I revolve my life around family, sport, life outdoors, and—most importantly—having a drink and a bit of craic (good times) with the lads. I grew up playing hurling and Gaelic football, and now I spend my time traveling the length and breadth of the U.S., battering and hacking my way through various Gaelic Athletic Association clubs.
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Kelly Stamm
Account Executive
As a lifelong Marylander, I could live off any food involving crab. One of my absolute favorite weekend activities is going to brunch around Baltimore or D.C., and I also love to visit wineries throughout the state—Boordy is my personal favorite. During the winter months, I enjoy skiing, both locally and at out-of-town resorts. What’s great about Marriner is that even at work, I get to focus on some of my favorite things—food, beverage and hospitality.
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Megan Godwin
Senior Digital Project Manager
It’s incredible how much the digital world has changed, not only with people’s online interactions but also the technology, and I love managing digital projects from conception to completion. In my personal time, I enjoy working out and spending time with my family and two dogs. I can recite nearly every line in Pixar movies (especially CARS) thanks to my son. We love going on adventures and learning new things. And I’m always happy with a good red wine.
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Anne Torregrossa
Managing Supervisor
When you look up Account Supervisor in the dictionary, you see a picture of a wizard or magician. Not really, but you should. We are the organizers of chaos. The calm in the storm. The makers of magic. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.
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Niki Grillon
Account Executive
Growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere with your closest neighbor being a mile away, you had to learn to keep yourself busy. Having a mother who is the world’s best cook and being a girl who loves to eat, cooking was my obvious choice. Upon entering the “real world,” my love for food continued to grow, and eventually became my career. If you don’t find me in the kitchen or at a new restaurant, you will find me exploring new places with my best dog friend, Bella, who- yes, indeed!- gets to enjoy home-cooked meals.
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Ann Saunders
Account Supervisor
Recommended by four out of five people who recommend things, I am a proud mom and wife with a really cool day job. Aggressively unfancy and a Diet Pepsi addict, I always feel sad for seedless watermelons, because what if they wanted babies?
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Tess Boys
Quality Control Specialist
I like getting older, because it has taught me important things like how to embrace being the weirdo in every room. I live in happy chaos in Woodbine, Maryland with the love of my life, three exceptional kids, and a crazy German shepherd named Abaniko Dragonslayer. You can find us hiking, splashing in the river and playing music. I’ve worked in the publishing, nonprofit and education sectors, and I’m so grateful this latest reincarnation has brought me to Marriner. Someday I’ll trade everything I own for a sweet RV and travel the country like a gypsy.
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Chelsea Simpson
Media Traffic Manager
This girl loves to travel. From climbing the Great Wall of China to taking a ride on the London Eye, I love new adventures and exploring different cultures. Still, my favorite place on earth is C-town (or Chestertown), MD—a small town on the Eastern Shore that was my home for four years when I attended Washington College.
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Kellé Wyatt
Senior Account Executive
Things don’t have to be so hard if you apply a glass-half-full mentality. That’s exactly what you’ll get with me! Comms strategist by day and Vinyasa yoga instructor by night, it’s a challenge for me to move away from a habitually positive outlook. A wannabe foodie, when I’m not working (or flowing through chaturanga) I’m in the kitchen experimenting with flavors.
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Kate Hinder
Media Coordinator
I’m somewhat of a coffee fanatic, always searching for a new favorite café. To counteract my constantly caffeinated state, I practice yoga and have fallen in love with the mindfulness, balance and meditation that it has taught me. I try to carry those messages along with me on a daily basis. I also enjoy going on hikes with my yellow lab, Harper; spending time with friends and family; and shopping.
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Chris Just
VP, Executive Creative Director
As a kid, I wanted to be a knight. Oh My Camelot, dreams do come true. I’ve spent the last 20 years championing creative brands, jousting through strategic battlefields and vanquishing foes. When I’m not in the office, I’m always on a quest for adventure in the great outdoors—fishing, boating, anything that involves being outside. After a long day of slaying dragons, you can find me by the campfire with my wife, son and our dog, whittling away and singing to my little one.
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Patrick Physioc
Senior Production Artist
FOOTBALL, FIGHTING and FUN—these are the things I love in life. Let me explain. As a man who was born and bred in the great city of Baltimore, I’ve been a fan of the mighty Baltimore Ravens since their arrival in 1996. I’ve always enjoyed training in various forms of martial arts. When I’m not training, I’m fanatical about watching Mixed Martial Arts or any other combat sports I can get my eyes on. I may be growing old, but I’m not growing up! I make the best of a bad situation, and I always try to have fun and enjoy what I can in life.
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Matthew Ketchum
Creative Director
I feel like I’ve been in the business forever, but I try looking at every project with fresh eyes. For me, it’s all about new experiences and treating every job with the care and attention I had for the first. I have the same philosophy in life—live and experience as if it’s the first time you’ve opened your eyes.
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David Melnick
VP of Strategic Partnerships
I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll (and a little jazz, bluegrass, hip hop…). But one thing is for certain, I will always be surrounded by music. Friday night jamborees with the wife and kids? Check. Stop-light car karaoke? For sure. Music inspires, provokes thought and makes you feel. But most importantly, music connects people. A great marketing strategy will do the same thing, if you have the right group playing the song. Good news is, I’m jamming with a pretty tight band.
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Sydney Pearsall
Senior Digital Analyst
I’m a vegetarian working toward being a raw food vegan. After studying Japanese years ago, I hope to visit Japan some day. My best friend and I run a blog and podcast, I go to the movies almost weekly and I’m typically nose deep in a book at lunch. I’m also a LeBron James fanatic—yes, he is the greatest (at least in the NBA now).
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Jake Naish
Senior Copywriter
This world is insane and beautiful, and I’m perpetually in awe of everyone and everything in it—trailer park artwork, Roger Federer, pizza, dogs, “The Room,” ping-pong, Errol Morris, you name it. My fascination drives me to travel whenever I can, seek out an unhealthy amount of live music, and stare blissfully at my amazing family, friends, and colleagues as often as possible. Is that last part weird?
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