2020 Conference Speakers!

Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Officer, The Content Advisory
Opening Keynote
Twitter: @Robert_Rose
Robert is the Chief Strategy Officer for TCA: The Content Advisory. For more than 25 years, Robert has helped marketers tell their story more effectively through digital media. As the Founder of The Content Advisory, Robert has worked with more than 500 companies, including 15 of the Fortune 100. He’s provided strategic marketing advice and counsel for global brands such as Capital One, NASA, Dell, McCormick Spices, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Content Advisory, is the education and consulting group for The Content Marketing Institute.
Robert’s third book – Killing Marketing, with co-author Joe Pulizzi has been called the “book that rewrites the rules of marketing”. Robert’s first book, Managing Content Marketing, spent two weeks as a top ten marketing book on Amazon.com and is generally considered to be the “owner's manual” of the Content Marketing process.
Opening Keynote
Twitter: @Robert_Rose
Robert is the Chief Strategy Officer for TCA: The Content Advisory. For more than 25 years, Robert has helped marketers tell their story more effectively through digital media. As the Founder of The Content Advisory, Robert has worked with more than 500 companies, including 15 of the Fortune 100. He’s provided strategic marketing advice and counsel for global brands such as Capital One, NASA, Dell, McCormick Spices, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Content Advisory, is the education and consulting group for The Content Marketing Institute.
Robert’s third book – Killing Marketing, with co-author Joe Pulizzi has been called the “book that rewrites the rules of marketing”. Robert’s first book, Managing Content Marketing, spent two weeks as a top ten marketing book on Amazon.com and is generally considered to be the “owner's manual” of the Content Marketing process.

Matt Keck, Associate Director of Conversation Design, Wendy's Team, Strategy Insights, VMLY&R Kansas City
Lunch Keynote
Matt Keck is Associate Director of Conversation Design on the Wendy's team at VMLY&R Kansas City. He is one of the key people responsible for shaping the voice behind all those sassy tweets. For more than six years, Matt has helped bring award-winning campaigns like the ‘We Beefin' Mixtape and Fortnite activation to life. Most recently, he wrote Wendy's first tabletop RPG, Feast of Legends.
Lunch Keynote
Matt Keck is Associate Director of Conversation Design on the Wendy's team at VMLY&R Kansas City. He is one of the key people responsible for shaping the voice behind all those sassy tweets. For more than six years, Matt has helped bring award-winning campaigns like the ‘We Beefin' Mixtape and Fortnite activation to life. Most recently, he wrote Wendy's first tabletop RPG, Feast of Legends.

Jeremy Cline, Senior Analyst, Strategy Insights, VMLY&R Kansas City
Lunch Keynote
Jeremy Cline is Senior Analyst, Strategy and Insights at VMLY&R Kansas City, where he leads data and insights for Wendy’s. His strategic direction on creative and campaign planning has helped create celebrated work including the ‘We Beefin' Mixtape, Fortnite activation, and the recently released Feast of Legends.
Lunch Keynote
Jeremy Cline is Senior Analyst, Strategy and Insights at VMLY&R Kansas City, where he leads data and insights for Wendy’s. His strategic direction on creative and campaign planning has helped create celebrated work including the ‘We Beefin' Mixtape, Fortnite activation, and the recently released Feast of Legends.

Bill Baraona, Video Production and Marketing Professional, Cleveland, OH
Twitter: @FlexMediaCLE
Bill Baraona is a video production and marketing professional living in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been working in the video industry since 2004. He is married to a beautiful graphic designer living their best creative lives. When he is not working and running the day to day operations of Flex Media you can find him on the shores of Lake Erie, enjoying local restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Twitter: @FlexMediaCLE
Bill Baraona is a video production and marketing professional living in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been working in the video industry since 2004. He is married to a beautiful graphic designer living their best creative lives. When he is not working and running the day to day operations of Flex Media you can find him on the shores of Lake Erie, enjoying local restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Michelle Decker, Social Media Producer, Cleveland Clinic
Twitter: @MichelleDecks
As a Social Media Producer for Cleveland Clinic, Michelle Decker manages the @CleClinicNews Twitter account, engaging with journalists and influencers to amplify Cleveland Clinic news across traditional and digital platforms. She also creates content to highlight inspiring patients, innovative research and medical breakthroughs happening at Cleveland Clinic. Michelle is a 2010 Kent State graduate with a B.S. Electronic Media Management.
Twitter: @MichelleDecks
As a Social Media Producer for Cleveland Clinic, Michelle Decker manages the @CleClinicNews Twitter account, engaging with journalists and influencers to amplify Cleveland Clinic news across traditional and digital platforms. She also creates content to highlight inspiring patients, innovative research and medical breakthroughs happening at Cleveland Clinic. Michelle is a 2010 Kent State graduate with a B.S. Electronic Media Management.

Nicole Hagy, Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator, Akron Municipal Court
Twitter: @NicoleHagy
Nicole Hagy joined the Akron Municipal Court as its Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator in June 2017. As Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator, she serves as the primary contact for local media, pursues grant dollars to fund Court programs and projects and creates content for the Court’s social media accounts. Prior to working at the Akron Municipal Court, Nicole led social media efforts for several nonprofit and for-profit organizations located in Summit County and Stark County.
Nicole is a 2003 graduate of Lake High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Walsh University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University in 2013. In 2019, Nicole was honored with a “30 For The Future” award from the Greater Akron Chamber.
Twitter: @NicoleHagy
Nicole Hagy joined the Akron Municipal Court as its Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator in June 2017. As Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator, she serves as the primary contact for local media, pursues grant dollars to fund Court programs and projects and creates content for the Court’s social media accounts. Prior to working at the Akron Municipal Court, Nicole led social media efforts for several nonprofit and for-profit organizations located in Summit County and Stark County.
Nicole is a 2003 graduate of Lake High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Walsh University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University in 2013. In 2019, Nicole was honored with a “30 For The Future” award from the Greater Akron Chamber.

Michael Lo Iacono, Chief Executive Officer, Indigo Consulting Firm
Twitter: @IndigoFirm
Michael is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served honorably as a combat engineer officer. After leaving the Marine Corps Michael worked for the Department of Defense, US Army, PEO EIS, as the Director of Operations. His efforts led to an impressive reorganization that saved the DoD over $5M annually. He worked closely with the community, legislators and multiple federal agencies. Upon leading his position he formed Indigo Consulting Firm. Michael formed Indigo Consulting Firm with his passion for communication.
Recognizing that the current dynamics in the business world are driven by the increased need for cost reduction, performance measurement, and clear two-way communication, he structured Indigo Consulting Firm to create dynamic synergies between targeted engagements and our client-centered delivery model. Michael’s passion for using the power of words to create a vision has made him one of the most respected storytellers in the industry.
Michael takes pride in the fact that those who have enlisted his expertise have successfully forged a partnership that enabled them to effectively communicate with their publics and increase awareness of their organizations.
“We exist for one reason, and one reason only: to provide our client partners with the smartest, fastest, most creative and forward-thinking counsel available.”
Twitter: @IndigoFirm
Michael is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served honorably as a combat engineer officer. After leaving the Marine Corps Michael worked for the Department of Defense, US Army, PEO EIS, as the Director of Operations. His efforts led to an impressive reorganization that saved the DoD over $5M annually. He worked closely with the community, legislators and multiple federal agencies. Upon leading his position he formed Indigo Consulting Firm. Michael formed Indigo Consulting Firm with his passion for communication.
Recognizing that the current dynamics in the business world are driven by the increased need for cost reduction, performance measurement, and clear two-way communication, he structured Indigo Consulting Firm to create dynamic synergies between targeted engagements and our client-centered delivery model. Michael’s passion for using the power of words to create a vision has made him one of the most respected storytellers in the industry.
Michael takes pride in the fact that those who have enlisted his expertise have successfully forged a partnership that enabled them to effectively communicate with their publics and increase awareness of their organizations.
“We exist for one reason, and one reason only: to provide our client partners with the smartest, fastest, most creative and forward-thinking counsel available.”

Kyle Michael Miller, Project Manager IV, Cleveland Clinic
Twitter: @kylemichael
Kyle Michael Miller is a Project Manager IV at Cleveland Clinic leading the Corporate Communications team’s digital storytelling strategy to drive national awareness for the hospital. He’s helped transform the digital approach to PR to reach more consumers, media outlets, and influencers in the healthcare space. Kyle is responsible for reporting metrics and story impact to executive leadership at Cleveland Clinic. He also leads the paid amplification efforts for stories the PR storytelling team produces. Kyle is a 2009 Kent State graduate with a B.S. in Broadcast News.
Twitter: @kylemichael
Kyle Michael Miller is a Project Manager IV at Cleveland Clinic leading the Corporate Communications team’s digital storytelling strategy to drive national awareness for the hospital. He’s helped transform the digital approach to PR to reach more consumers, media outlets, and influencers in the healthcare space. Kyle is responsible for reporting metrics and story impact to executive leadership at Cleveland Clinic. He also leads the paid amplification efforts for stories the PR storytelling team produces. Kyle is a 2009 Kent State graduate with a B.S. in Broadcast News.
Stefanie Moore, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kent State
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Mike Richwalsky, Principal, Gas Mark 8
Mike Richwalsky is Principal at Gas Mark 8, a digital marketing agency with offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Manchester, England. Mike has 20 years of experience in traditional, digital and web marketing, primarily working in higher education at institutions including Duquesne University, Allegheny College and John Carroll University, where he served as Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services. Mike has spoken at conferences around the world on web and marketing topics, including HighEdWeb, WPCampus, Coalition for Networked Information, Institutional Web Management Workshop and many more. His work has been recognized with many Graphic Design USA and CASE awards, and he was named a Creative Spark Award Winner by the Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania for excellence in electronic communications and marketing.
Mike Richwalsky is Principal at Gas Mark 8, a digital marketing agency with offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Manchester, England. Mike has 20 years of experience in traditional, digital and web marketing, primarily working in higher education at institutions including Duquesne University, Allegheny College and John Carroll University, where he served as Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services. Mike has spoken at conferences around the world on web and marketing topics, including HighEdWeb, WPCampus, Coalition for Networked Information, Institutional Web Management Workshop and many more. His work has been recognized with many Graphic Design USA and CASE awards, and he was named a Creative Spark Award Winner by the Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania for excellence in electronic communications and marketing.
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Gina Snyder, Account Director, Newswire
Twitter: @ginafabulous
Gina is a seasoned account director in PR and MarTech, helping PR Newswire clients across the US reach their comms and social media goals in a creative and innovative way. She has expertise in social and influencer marketing, distribution best practices, audience intelligence, multimedia content strategy and earned media management. Gina graduated from The University of Akron in 2007 with a BA in Mass Media Communication, where she produced and hosted projects for WZIP-FM, ZTV, WEWS and Dolce Channel. She is currently pursuing a master’s in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University.
Twitter: @ginafabulous
Gina is a seasoned account director in PR and MarTech, helping PR Newswire clients across the US reach their comms and social media goals in a creative and innovative way. She has expertise in social and influencer marketing, distribution best practices, audience intelligence, multimedia content strategy and earned media management. Gina graduated from The University of Akron in 2007 with a BA in Mass Media Communication, where she produced and hosted projects for WZIP-FM, ZTV, WEWS and Dolce Channel. She is currently pursuing a master’s in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University.

Jennifer Tadiello, Manager of PR Digital Storytelling, Corporate Communications, Cleveland Clinic
Twitter: @CleClinicNews
Jennifer Tadiello is a Manager of PR Digital Storytelling in Corporate Communications for Cleveland Clinic. She manages the creation, production and delivery of impactful patient stories across various platforms, including owned and digital channels. Jennifer ensures content aligns with the mission and vision of Cleveland Clinic, and contributes to outcome based metrics. She also works with cross-functional teams to leverage story placement across internal and external outlets. Jennifer is a 2008 Kent State graduate with a B.S. in Broadcast News.
Twitter: @CleClinicNews
Jennifer Tadiello is a Manager of PR Digital Storytelling in Corporate Communications for Cleveland Clinic. She manages the creation, production and delivery of impactful patient stories across various platforms, including owned and digital channels. Jennifer ensures content aligns with the mission and vision of Cleveland Clinic, and contributes to outcome based metrics. She also works with cross-functional teams to leverage story placement across internal and external outlets. Jennifer is a 2008 Kent State graduate with a B.S. in Broadcast News.

Kelly Yurick, Assistant Research Specialist, Strategic Services Group, Marcus Thomas
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellyyurick
Joining Marcus Thomas in 2019, Kelly has taken on the role of Assistant Research Specialist in the Strategic Services group. She conducts both primary and secondary research for a variety of clients including MTD, Ohio Lottery, Dexcom and Akron Children’s Hospital, among others. Working with vendors and tools such as MRI Simmons, Stylus, Crimson Hexagon and Mintel, Kelly uncovers information and presents key findings for both current clients and new business ventures. During her time at the agency, her interest in generational trends and behaviors has driven her research of Generation Z. Kelly graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communication with an Integrated Marketing focus and minoring in Entrepreneurship.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellyyurick
Joining Marcus Thomas in 2019, Kelly has taken on the role of Assistant Research Specialist in the Strategic Services group. She conducts both primary and secondary research for a variety of clients including MTD, Ohio Lottery, Dexcom and Akron Children’s Hospital, among others. Working with vendors and tools such as MRI Simmons, Stylus, Crimson Hexagon and Mintel, Kelly uncovers information and presents key findings for both current clients and new business ventures. During her time at the agency, her interest in generational trends and behaviors has driven her research of Generation Z. Kelly graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communication with an Integrated Marketing focus and minoring in Entrepreneurship.