Professionals

Alan Marcus

President & Chief Executive Officer

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.

As President of The Marcus Group, he has shaped the firm over 35 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 in New Jersey.

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 25-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.

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.

Elizabeth Opacity

Senior Account Executive

Formerly Chief of Staff to New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Liz joined The Marcus Group as an account executive. Liz approaches each client with a new, individualized dynamic, offering her experience in planning events and managing public outreach campaigns. A native New Jerseyan and a graduate of Rutgers University, Liz understands what it takes to make a client stand out in the crowd.

Craig Schmalz

Account Executive

Craig helps clients solve their pressing needs by drawing on his diverse and comprehensive background in all aspects of public relations, events management, marketing, advertising, crisis management and resolution, and client relationship management.

Craig makes use of strong relationships with New Jersey and tri-state area print and broadcast media, built over the past 10 years, to help turn press coverage to his clients' advantage in any situation.

As a former reporter, managing editor and political consultant, Craig has learned public relations from all sides. He combines his media savvy with his ability to develop outreach efforts; organize press conferences and news events; write editorial page submissions, newsletters, annual reports and brochures; and produce Internet media and television and radio commercials to obtain optimum results for clients.

Richard Silverberg

Senior Production Designer

While design is Richard’s driving passion, his most important asset is his ability to develop strong visuals to match a client’s message.

Richard brings 10 years of experience in design, marketing and art directing to the firm’s design department. At The Marcus Group he oversees production of advertising and marketing materials for the firm's diverse client list.

Cole Avenia

Senior Production Designer

In Cole’s 10 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.