Alan Marcus - President & Chief Executive Officer
As President of The Marcus Group, Alan has shaped the firm over 39 years into one of region’s largest full-service advertising, public relations and crisis communications agencies. The youngest Clerk elected in the history of the New Jersey General Assembly, Alan’s career in public affairs spans over four decades. He has played a key role in drafting and implementing many public policy initiatives. Alan serves on the board of Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
Dubbed "One of the Most Influential People in New Jersey" by Business News New Jersey, Alan is a problem solver. He believes that every client’s challenge is also an opportunity.
Hailed by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a “sage who tends to tell it like it is when others won’t,” Alan’s encyclopedic knowledge of the people and events shaping the region has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, New Jersey Business and New Jersey Monthly magazine.
Tom O'Neil - Executive Vice President
Former legislative counsel to former Democratic Gov. Brendan Byrne, veteran political consultant and government affairs specialist, Tom is known for his insight and integrity.
This attorney believes public relations plays a unique and essential role in crisis management. For more than 30 years, he has honed his battle-tested media relations and crisis communications skills at The Marcus Group. Clients seek out his deep knowledge of the relationship between policy-making and the press to develop strategies that get results.
His service at both the federal and state levels and knowledge of public policy and governmental affairs give him the ability to shape clients' communications by making their message clear, making their voice heard and making every opportunity count.
Denise Gassner Kuhn - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Denise has a 360-degree view of client service. Formerly an executive with an advertising and public relations firm, Denise moved her way up through the managerial ranks quickly at The Marcus Group. Her primary responsibility is managing the firm’s overall business operations, including account planning and budgeting. Her top-notch business and managerial skills keep the firm running smoothly.
She is also our chief talent scout. In this role, her major objective is to attract, develop and retain a world class staff to deliver quality counsel to our diverse client list. Her 27-year tenure is testimony to the firm’s solid reputation and successful track-record.
Denise also keeps a watchful eye on the road ahead -- ensuring smart growth and keeping up with ever-changing technology that helps us serve our clients more efficiently and meet our “clients-come-first” commitment.
Janel Patti - Executive Vice President & Creative Director
Recently named to NJBIZ's list of "Forty Under 40," Janel taps into the passion behind a client and transforms it into effective creative that gets results. But she doesn't stop there. She keeps going until the media mix and marketing are in sync, on time and on budget. Her award-winning design skill, media knowledge, copywriting and strategic thinking are a rare combination.
Janel goes the extra mile to ensure value to clients, finding resourceful ways to stretch dollars and increase return. She recognizes the importance of partnering with clients to provide quality results in tight timeframes. As manager of the company’s full-service design and media departments, she watches over your project from start to finish.
John McKeegan - Vice President
John knows the key to client relations is anticipating their needs and delivering solid results – two of the many skills he brings to The Marcus Group. His specialized writing and media relations abilities make things happen.
John serves as a topflight counselor to numerous Marcus Group clients in various industries, including health care organizations.
A former columnist and editor for a regional daily newspaper, John blends his experience at Johnson & Johnson and the NJ Department of Human Services to bring perspectives not only from the media, but the corporate and regulatory side as well.
Vinnie Proctor - Director of Finance
Vinnie has over 25 years of financial and accounting experience. She has worked for both large and small ad agencies including Young & Rubicam, Giacolone & Wood and several New Jersey agencies. In addition to her finance duties, Vinnie oversees the company’s media buying department.
Vinnie’s knowledge of finance, media and attention to detail allows her to keep TMG running smoothly.
Kaitlyn Krieger - Senior Account Executive
Print, broadcast, online – Kaitlyn sees PR opportunities in every medium. From drafting press releases and in-depth features to turning out tight tweets, Kaitlyn uses her writing skill and ability to translate your messages into news-ready format every day. She has worked with a variety of clients including a national retail chain, financial service companies and medical associations.
Kaitlyn has helped several clients take advantage of social media opportunities, reaching key audiences through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Keeping up with the rapidly changing landscape of new media is challenging. Kaitlyn can help you sort through it and prioritize your efforts.
Armando Triana - Senior Account Executive
Armando has spent the last eight years developing integrated marketing campaigns that produce engaging and results-driven programs for clients. From creating Twitter promotions to managing companies' overall social media presence, Armando knows how to leverage digital media to increase brand awareness.
He has developed and implemented strategic marketing campaigns for a wide range of clients, including The Walt Disney Company, Toyota Motor Sales and Hyatt Hotels.
Armando's knowledge of public relations, advertising, promotions, online and social media, means you'll get a comprehensive plan with detail-oriented execution and measurable results.
Paul Tyahla - Senior Account Executive
Understanding issues and helping clients communicate their messages is all part of a day’s work for Paul. With more than eight years of experience in public affairs, issues management, and community relations, he knows how to use traditional and new media channels to deliver key messages.
Prior to joining The Marcus Group, Paul worked on behalf of business trade associations in New Jersey and Virginia. He has managed public affairs campaigns related to land use, economic development and health care.
Paul’s diverse knowledge and experience helps him navigate clients through the various phases of their projects and implement solid communication strategies that are flexible and effective. From helping clients overcome community opposition, to working through regulatory issues, Paul works hard to turn obstacles into opportunities.
Scott Wasserman - Account Executive
Scott has more than five years of experience in public relations, public affairs, crisis communications, event planning and community relations. Whether it is communicating with the media, elected officials, business and trade associations or community activists, Scott can provide counsel, craft and effectively communicate your message to the appropriate audience.
Scott has worked to manage publicity, public affairs and community relations initiatives for various clients, including utilities, industrial companies, pharmaceutical companies and others. He has helped several clients with energy and environmental issues, including those seeking to site controversial facilities, such as natural gas pipeline projects, as well as to remediate former manufactured gas plants and other contaminated properties.
Jeannette Tarquino - Media Buyer/Planner
Jeannette has over six years of experience in advertising and marketing. She has worked both on the agency side and in corporate marketing departments. Jeannette brings her attention to detail and project management talents to her daily media buying and planning. She has managed media budgets for a variety of clients ranging from $25,000 to over $4 million. Jeannette negotiates rates, positions and added value to get clients the most media for their money.
Jeannette’s media knowledge assures clients that each ad schedule reaches the intended target audiences.
Cole Avenia-Fritzky - Senior Production Designer
In Cole’s 12+ years of design and production experience, she has developed skills that can deliver virtually any graphics a client may need...and then some.
Her keen eye and pre-press expertise ensure that your project files are prepared perfectly for all printing styles. From color correction and photo retouching to layout and design, Cole knows what it takes to make all your creative jobs look great.
Cole uses the same professionalism and high-level of standards at every step of the creative process. Her years of experience in the printing industry allow her to communicate effectively with vendors from writing project specs to handling technical pre-press issues and press checks.
Sergio Ribeiro - Production Designer
Sergio has spent the last six years designing creative print, web and multimedia projects for a variety of clients, including banking/financial services, consumer products and entertainment. He has produced a wide range of marketing and business support materials that have helped clients effectively accomplish their objectives.
Whether he is producing print pieces or web sites, e-newsletters and Flash graphics, Sergio is able to draw upon a wealth of experience that enables him to design unique and remarkable material even under tight deadlines.
Meghan Powers - Production Designer
Meghan brings experience in print and web design and production to our design team. She has worked on projects for a variety of clients including many nonprofit organizations, producing all types of collateral pieces to promote their services and events including flyers, ads, e-blasts, invitations, posters and website enhancements.