People A Florida Advertising Agency With New York Roots
Can you relate? With all due respect to the latest marketing formulas and branding acronyms, they often overlook one critical detail. The relationship. MDG is a full-service, award-winning advertising agency and creative advertising firm that puts people first: your people, the people you want to reach, and the agency people who bring it all together. Large enough to allocate resources for national accounts, we’re just the right size to offer the personal attention and quick response every client deserves. Hospitality to healthcare, financial to fashion, real estate to retail, good relationships build success.
Michael Del Gigante President / Creative Director
From the beginning, Michael has infused his advertising passion, creative talent and marketing know-how into his namesake agency. More than a marketing mastermind, more than a creative director, Michael tackles these roles and more to lead the agency and our clients toward greater success through great advertising. It was Michael's extraordinary creative vision that led him to open the agency in 1999. An honors graduate of the acclaimed Pratt Institute, Michael worked at one of Manhattan's most prestigious packaging design firms before opening an in-house art department for a Fortune 500 company. He then spent eight years as creative director at a New York design firm, working with such clients as American Express, Cunard Cruise Lines, Sony and Volvo. Under Michael's inspired direction, MDG has evolved into an advertising firm that revolves around exceptional creative strategies, outstanding client service and results-oriented executions. Over the last decade, the agency has produced truly innovative work for companies and industries of all kinds. From the beginning and continuing to this day, Michael is personally and passionately involved with each and every project. After all, Michael is MDG.
Contact Mike: email
Joanne Pennisi Chief Financial Officer
Keeping the agency growing fast and going strong, Joanne manages to drive MDG's success while staying on top of the bottom line. She oversees all agency operations with her exceptional business savvy and a talent for strategic planning, which was hard earned through 20 years of experience in the fast-paced financial industry. Her career on Wall Street included the start-up of a government bond brokerage company, where she expanded the operations area and managed it for 14 years. She developed the operation to enable the company to trade in excess of $5 trillion per year and was responsible for all the company's finances, including accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, pension plan administration and overall profitability. At MDG, Joanne handles the facts, figures and finances and ultimately takes care of business so we can take care of our clients.
Contact Joanne: email
Eric Norstrom Director of Digital Operations
With more than a decade of experience in information architecture, usability and Web development and design, Eric specializes in making the Web work for clients through innovative and instinctive experiences that pair the goals of end users with those of the business. After founding a South Florida Web development company in 1995, Eric and his team worked closely with MDG, providing Web-based solutions for many shared clients. Eric subsequently sold his company in 1999 and moved to Boston to assume the role of user experience manager at a consulting firm where he architected global intranets for Pfizer; disease management websites for Biogen; and the nationwide reporting tool for Pharmacia's North American pharmaceutical representatives. In 2004, he became a lead information architect at Digitas, working on accounts such as AT&T, AT&T Wireless and FedEx. In 2007, Eric returned to MDG, where he provides overall strategic and experiential direction for our clients' interactive pursuits.
Karen Bleier Media Director
When it comes to maximizing media dollars, Karen means business. She has more than 27 years of experience in all facets of the marketing and media process, from planning and buying to strategy and negotiation. She has managed and purchased millions of dollars in media at full-service advertising agencies, media and publishing companies in New York and South Florida. She brings her results-oriented approach to MDG, where she specializes in working closely with clients to enhance their overall planning in the most effective and efficient ways while incorporating value-added programs and opportunities. Karen's marketing savvy shines through with her accomplished handling of our clients' media planning, negotiation, buying, and placement.
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Hillary Lis Director of Client Services
Since 1999, Hillary has turned client relations into an art form with her impressive ability to handle client needs, requests and expectations with the greatest of ease and the best of results. With a sharp mind for marketing and a knack for making every client feel like the only one, Hillary is a pro at ensuring that client goals are met and campaign results are achieved. From the little details to the big picture, she manages account activities while working closely with clients, the creative team and the media department to translate client needs into effective campaigns. Throughout her years at MDG, Hillary has proved again and again that she really can please all of the people, all of the time.
Schuyler Meder Production Manager
Managing every detail and meeting any deadline is Schuyler's specialty. Throughout her accomplished career, she has performed virtually every function known to print production. With the experience of a pro and the eye of a perfectionist, she oversees all aspects of the production process to ensure that work is completed on time, on budget and with quality true to the original concept. Prior to joining MDG, Schuyler was a principal for 18 years of an award-winning ad agency in Tampa. At MDG, production is her top priority, and she uses her knowledge and skill to collaborate with vendors, coordinate with staff and concentrate on everything to ensure that the finished product is always picture-perfect.
Hilarie Viener Director of Communication and Strategic Initiatives
A multi-talented professional, Hilarie is known for developing strategic solutions that span the spectrum of communication. After graduating from American University’s prestigious School of Communication, she began her career in New York working in business development at Wells Rich Greene, the agency that created iconic advertising for brands such as Ford Motor Company and Alka Seltzer. From there Hilarie moved into account management roles at Griffin Bacal, Lowe & Partners and BBDO, where she worked on national and global businesses such as Bayer Aspirin, Hasbro and Valvoline Motor Oil. In 2001, she launched an integrated marketing and public communications consultancy practice. Her clients spanned categories from luxury brands such as American Express Centurion and Peninsula Hotels to not-for-profits including The Central Park Conservancy. With her “big agency” strategic thinking and entrepreneurial experience, Hilarie provides a unique understanding of multi-faceted marketing that appeals to our multitude of clients.
Contact Hilarie: email
Charlie Ellis SEO Strategist
As an SEO and web analytics specialist, Charlie works with MDG clients to direct link-building, competitive analysis, digital brand development, and social media initiatives. His ability to articulate resonant marketing messages with power and authority complements his ability to simplify technical SEO skills into actionable insights. He has contributed to several advanced SEO panels at SES, PubCon, SMX East, and IMSB.
Contact Charlie: email