Professionals

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.

Thomas V. 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 Margaritis

Senior Vice President

A 30-year veteran of the field, John has contributed to some great PR achievements. His former positions include CEO of Ogilvy Worldwide Public Relations, EVP of Fleishman-Hillard and Chairman of the Americas of Euro RSGC Worldwide Public Relations. John has helped international corporations work through crises, developed comprehensive marketing programs for industry leaders and has been consulted by multi-national companies on improving brand image.

John’s experience makes him a valuable asset to The Marcus Group. Anheuser-Busch consulted John during a public fall-out from Jesse Jackson’s boycott. He directed the Foundation for Biomedical Research to counteract efforts of PETA on medical research testing. And during the Sudafed tampering controversy that resulted in two deaths, John was able to protect the reputation of the brand’s parent company, Burroughs-Wellcome.

Additionally, John has been a trusted advisor to the CIA on counteracting its negative public image and taught crisis communications at the Pentagon during a worldwide Public Information Officer meeting. John also serves on the board of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health and is an advisor and Director Emeritus of Research!America, a biomedical research advocacy group representing hospitals, health associations and healthcare/pharma companies.

Richard Aregood

Senior Vice President, Communications

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, journalism’s highest honor, Richard has served as editorial page editor of both the Star-Ledger and Philadelphia Daily News.

A lifelong New Jerseyan, who has lived over a range of at least thirteen Turnpike exits, Richard is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he is a member of the university’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni and an occasional faculty member. He has also been Clendinen Professor of Journalism at the University of South Florida.

His long experience in newspapers give him a unique view of how a client’s communications will be received and the credibility to help a client to say what needs to be said effectively, directly and honestly.

Tom Kilkenny

Vice President

As a former member of the media and corporate communications insider, Tom has over 30 years of journalism and public relations experience.

He specializes in award-winning communications campaigns that make a difference to our clients’ businesses. Tom can turn up the volume on corporate communications for his clients in diverse industries by helping them increase their visibility in the marketplace and gain tangible return on investment.

Tom has a record of success in helping to shape community attitudes and opinions. Deeply rooted in the New Jersey community, Tom’s active roles in his alma maters (Seton Hall and St. Benedict's Prep) and the Northern New Jersey Council of Boy Scouts of America, help him creatively develop strategies to reach out to the region.

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.

Elizabeth Opacity

Senior Account Executive

Formerly Chief of Staff to New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Liz brings
a comprehensive approach to public relations. She understands the subtle and not-so-subtle nuances that affect public opinion and works with clients to effectively communicate their messages.

Liz has worked to manage publicity and community relations for various clients, including financial institutions, real estate projects and healthcare institutions.
She also works to promote clients’ legislative agendas.

Whether she is increasing a client’s media exposure, crafting a targeted message to sway public opinion or drafting correspondence to legislative leaders, her
well-rounded insight and quick grasp of the client’s objectives make her an extremely valuable addition to any team.

Kaitlyn Sweeney

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.

Pamela Weber-Leaf

Account Executive

With more than a dozen years of print journalism experience and in-depth editing and reporting, Pam thinks like a journalist. Her inquisitive insight helps clients understand what the media will want to know.

Pam’s diverse contacts, her ability to connect with people and an appreciation for the power of the printed word help Pam tell and sell client stories.  Pam most recently served as managing editor of North Jersey Media’s (201), a monthly, luxury lifestyle magazine.  Throughout her career she has held reporting positions covering a variety of issues for the Herald News in Passaic, NJ and The Journal News in White Plains, NY, and served as an editor at the Daily Record in Parsippany, NJ.  She has also worked as a policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York.

Pam’s broad-based expertise and understanding of complex issues and public policy contributes to her ability to effectively communicate clients’ messages.

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

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.