Spotlights Archive
Ami Kassar
June 2009
June’s second spotlight on creativity is on Ami Kassar, founder of ideablob.com and bloblive. For the past several years, Ami has served as the Chief Innovation Officer of Advanta. Prior to Advanta, Ami founded shop2give.com, a network of online charity shopping malls. Ami attended Brandeis University and the Marshall School of Business at USC and he currently lives in the suburbs of Philly with his wife Bethany, and his two children, Sam and Charlotte.
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Ruben Reyes
June 2009
As President of Lyquix, Ruben is responsible for overall operations, management, client development, and consulting. He has extensive experience working in the Internet and telecommunications industries for Fortune Global 100 companies and his own businesses since 1997.
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Leo Daiuto
May 2009
May's Spotlight on Creativity is local creative professional Leo Daiuto, Chief Executive Officer of Slamm Creative. The driving force behind his success is his special attention to the "human need for high-impact sensory experiences." Throughout his 20 years with the Unisys Corporation, his focus has been on creating ideas that incorporate predicting customer needs into design strategies. In 2004 he was brought in to lead the worldwide User Experience Design Group. Within this role, he served as the creative life-blood, responsible for defining and designing the complete customer experience through the usability and serviceability of every product developed by his group.
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Keith Webb
April 2009
April's spotlight on creativity is local creative professional Keith Webb. Keith is a freelance graphic designer based in the Philadelphia suburbs. Before establishing Keith Webb Design, he had an extensive background in graphic design at established magazines such as Philadelphia Magazine, Fast Company Magazine and The Boston Globe Magazine. Keith started his career with Knight-Ridder Newspapers.
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Shaun Casper
April 2009
April’s spotlight on creativity is on Shaun Casper, owner of Open Haus Studio LLC, a Philadelphia-based creative agency that specializes in branding, advertising and design. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to design and develop the look for everything from airlines to university mascots. Shaun is interested in all aspects of creativity – from design to illustration, film to special effects makeup. He is known as the go-to guy who does what it takes to get the job done right.
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Shannon Newby
March 2009
March's spotlight on creativity is local creative professional Shannon Newby. In 1995 Shannon opened Out of House Motion Pictures, a film and video production company based in Philadelphia. Two years later, he wrote, produced and directed ‘Dirty Laundry (Air it Out)’, and won a best director award at the Atlantic City Film Festival and best feature film award at the Philadelphia International Film Festival (Philafilm).
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Tracey Welson-Rossman
March 2009
March’s Spotlight is on Tracey Welson-Rossman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Chariot Solutions, a Philadelphia-based technology consulting firm that specializes in Java and open source software development. As a founding member of Chariot Solutions, Tracey has created and implemented the branding and marketing strategy for the company, helping it grow from 10 employees in 2002 to more than 50 to date. She is also heavily involved in the strategic planning process as a member of Chariot’s executive team.
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John Davidson
February 2009
February’s spotlight on creativity is local young professional John Davidson, Managing Editor of Keystone Edge. John got into print journalism just as it jumped the shark and spent several years roaming around the country writing about crime, politics and education for various newspapers. After a short stint in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as a night reporter, he moved to Philadelphia and worked for NBC Universal before becoming immersed in the world of online freelance journalism, which he now does full-time as Managing Editor of Keystone Edge.
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Jami Slotnick
January 2009
January’s spotlight on creativity is local creative professional Jami Slotnick. Jami has been working in the creative field since 1991, after graduating from Rutgers University/New Brunswick with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications. She has been with Munroe Creative Partners, a marketing communications firm with offices in Philadelphia and New York, for 14 years. As Partner/Senior Project Manager, Jami enjoys identifying, pitching (and closing) new business as well as working with art directors and writers to manage print and digital large projects for clients such as Comcast, MetLife and JPMorgan Chase.
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Chad Ludeman
January 2009
January’s spotlight on creativity is local creative entrepreneur Chad Ludeman. Chad’s background is in industrial engineering, which helped him launch Postgreen in 2007. Postgreen is a real estate development firm specializing in modern, green and affordable buildings in Philadelphia’s urban neighborhoods.
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Jason Wood
December 2008
Decemeber’s spotlight on creativity is creative professional Jason Wood. Jason is a professional information technology consultant with over 10 years experience servicing clients across sectors (business, education, non-profit and government). He solves customer problems by designing, developing, and integrating software applications and infrastructure.
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Malik Boyd
December 2008
December’s spotlight on creativity is Malik Boyd, co-founder of Premiere Brand Marketing, a full-service brand marketing, strategy and communications firm located in Philadelphia. In his role as Creative Director at Premiere Brand, Malik oversees the creative vision of client projects, as well as strategic creative partnerships that enhance the capabilities of the company.
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Whitney Thomas
November 2008
November's spotlight on creativity is local photographer Whitney Thomas. After earning a degree in Engineering and spending 11 years in corporate sales and marketing, Whitney decided to pursue his passion and become a fashion photographer.
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Todd I. Baylson
November 2008
November's spotlight is local entrepreneur Todd Baylson. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Todd is an environmentalist and urban planner that recently started his own business in August 2008. His new company, The Green Perspective, offers green gift baskets that include items such as bamboo cutting boards, locally produced soap made from natural ingredients and compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs.
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Paula Hian
October 2008
October's spotlight on creativity is local fashion designer Paula Hian. Paula grew up on the Philadelphia Main Line and began designing clothes - drawing, cutting and using a sewing machine - by age five. It was obvious from an early age what her career choice would be.
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David A. White
October 2008
October's spotlight on creativity is creative entrepreneur David A. White. David established DesignDesign, then a one-person consultancy, in 1994. After one year, David joined SMX, a client, as their Marketing Director and within three short years helped the business grow from $2 million per year with nine employees to $22 million per year with 90 employees.
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Dawn Frisby Byers
September 2008
September's spotlight on creativity is local creative professional, Dawn Frisby Byers. As Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chapter of The Recording Academy, Dawn develops and executes outreach programs, advocacy initiatives, professional education and special events for the Philadelphia Chapter.
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Aquent
September 2008
Aquent is the world's largest marketing staffing firm and for 20 years they have been the leader in helping marketing organizations find the people they need, on a freelance and direct hire basis, and in helping marketing professionals find the rewarding assignments they want.
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Josette Bonafino
August 2008
August's spotlight on creativity is creative professional Josette Bonafino. Josette is Executive Director of Multicultural Youth eXchange (MYX), a Philadelphia-based, nonprofit organization that works to increase tolerance among young people worldwide by using art-based projects to explore diverse cultures and social issues relevant to all youth.
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David Fish
July 2008
July's spotlight on creativity is creative entrepreneur, David Fish. David and his business partner, John Knapich, opened Assembly, a production and post-production company based in Manayunk, in May 2008.
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Jaime Salm
July 2008
July's spotlight on creativity is Jaime Salm, Creative Director of MIO, a design company dedicated to creating the most sustainable and innovative design experiences in the market.
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Steven Welch
July 2008
July's spotlight on creativity is Steven Welch. In January 2001 Steven founded Mitos Technologies, Inc. (the first Mitos company), where he engineered and patented the Mitos FREE FLOW® valve - the premier valve for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
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David Brown
June 2008
June's spotlight on creativity is David Brown, Principal and President of BrownPartners - a full service minority-owned ad agency located in Center City, Philadelphia.
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Matthew Fisher
June 2008
June's spotlight on creativity is Matthew Fisher, President and Lead Interactive Designer of Night Kitchen Interactive, an interactive design firm located in historic Society Hill in Center City Philadelphia.
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Denise Zimmerman
May 2008
May's spotlight on creativity is marketing veteran Denise Zimmerman. As President of NetPlus Marketing, she has emerged as a dynamic figure among industry leaders who are paving the way for the new marketing and corporate dynamics.
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Derek Finger
May 2008
May's Spotlight on Creativity is local, young professional Derek Finger. As a Penn State alumnus, Derek has climbed the ranks in the television industry since earning his degree.
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Drew Morrisroe
April 2008
April's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Drew Morrisroe. He is President and CEO of CTN Solutions, a local organization that provides IT services to companies. Drew founded CTN in 1997 with less than 1,000 computer users and his company has grown rapidly in recent years.
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Peter Bressler
April 2008
April's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Peter Bressler. As founder and leader of Bresslergroup, a full service product development firm in Philadelphia, Peter is responsible for the firm's strategic direction, development of user-centered product design solutions and strategic product planning activities.
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Ian Cross
March 2008
March's spotlight is local entrepreneur, Ian Cross. As CEO and Co-founder of I-Site, interactive design and eMarketing firm in Philadelphia, Ian is extremely involved in the strategy and creative direction of the company.
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Charnelle Hicks
March 2008
March's spotlight is local entrepreneur, Charnelle Hicks, President and CEO of CHPlanning Ltd., a Philadelphia firm that specializes in land use and community and environmental planning.
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Tina Wells
February 2008
February's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Tina Wells. At age 16 Tina founded Buzz Marketing Group (then called "The Buzz"), a youth marketing agency specializing in research, events and promotions.
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Scott Becker
February 2008
February's spotlight is local creative entrepreneur, Scott Becker. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Invite Media, Scott formed the Philadelphia-based startup that focuses on ad optimization technology.
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Connie Pearson-Bernard
January 2008
January's spotlight on creativity is local, young entrepreneur, Connie Pearson-Bernard. President and Founder of Seamless Events Incorporated, Connie has years of experience as a professional event planner and association executive director.
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Wil Reynolds
January 2008
January's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Wil Reynolds. In 2002 Wil founded SEER Interactive, a search marketing company based in Philadelphia.
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Kristie Gonzales
December 2007
December's spotlight on creativity is a local young professional, Kristie Gonzales. While studying painting and journalism at the University of New Mexico, Kristie began working at the local PBS and instantly fell in love with creating television.
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Dave Girgenti
December 2007
December's Spotlight on Creativity is local entrepreneur Dave Girgenti. It was tragedies such as September 11 and Hurricane Katrina that inspired Dave to create Wish Upon A Hero, an online community that offers a platform for people to help other people.
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Janine Spruill
November 2007
November's Spotlight on Creativity is local, young professional entrepreneur Janine Spruill. A Temple University alumni and photographer, Janine owns her own production company and teaches children how to make movies.
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Peter Madden
November 2007
November's Spotlight on Creativity is local entrepreneur Peter Madden. In 1999, Peter founded AgileCat, a branding, design and public relations agency based in Philadelphia.
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Monica Walker Miraglilo
October 2007
October's Spotlight on Creativity is local, young professional entrepreneur Monica Walker Miraglilo. Monica fills the shoes of model, wife, mother and entrepreneur on a daily basis.
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Tony Bracali, AIA, LEED AP
October 2007
The October 2007 Spotlight on Creativity is local architect Tony Bracali. In 2002, he founded Anthony Bracali ARCHitecture (AB ARCH), which recently merged with Friday Architects/Planners, Inc.
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