Advertising/Public Relations

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

GREG BUISSON

Owner

Buisson Creative

Buisson led WVUE-TV for 15 years. In 1999, he left broadcasting to start his company, which has become one of the state’s most active political firms. Buisson represents more than 70 officials across Louisiana, including Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. He markets the annual Family Gras concert series and created a recent tourism campaign for the Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Venezia Nonprofit Cause: Special Olympics and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Advice: “Treat everyone with the respect you would like to have in return. Never quit, even if you stumble.” Hidden Gem: Koz’s in Harahan

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

AMY BOYLE COLLINS

CEO

Gambel Communications

Taking the reins from company founder Betsie Gambel in 2020, Collins said she’s “committed to providing the best-practice integrated marketing and public relations services to clients across a myriad of industries.” Also, she and her husband created Beignet Fest, a festival that raises money to support programs for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

Education: Louisiana State University (MA), Loyola University New Orleans (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Clancy’s Best Fest: Beignet Fest Hidden Gem: Loretta’s Pralines Advice: “There’s nothing more simple to getting ahead in life than doing great work.” Nonprofit Cause: The Beignet Fest Foundation

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

SCOTT ALDEN COUVILLON

CEO and Executive Strategy Director

Trumpet

From New Orleans to San Francisco and home again, Couvillon has worked with leadership and marketing/communications teams on global brands, local nonprofits and everything in between. In 2004, he joined Trumpet, where he works to bring brand strategy and analytics together with creative ideas. He assumed the CEO responsibilities in 2020.

Education: Spring Hill College (BA) Advice: “Leadership is simply inspiring and trusting.” Poboy Pick: Oyster dressed, Crystal no mayo Fave Movie: “‘Hunt for Red October’ and almost any story where right matters” Snoball Style: Coconut Best Fest: Shrimp & Petroleum Festival

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

JOHN DEVENEY

Founder and President

Deveney Communication Consulting

Deveney has earned accolades for his work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. He has also led national efforts for March of Dimes, the Louisiana Office of Tourism and the New Orleans Museum of Art, among many others. He’s been honored by PRNews, PRWeek, the International Association of Business Communicators and more.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (MA) On the Horizon: “I am so excited for our new office, but can’t decide if its bright future or its storied past thrills me most.” Best Part of the Job: “I love that we solve problems for others. We make leaders and their organizations more successful. We make our community and the world better for everyone.”

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

MICHELLE EDELMAN

President and Chief Strategy Officer

Peter Mayer Advertising

Edelman is responsible for overseeing the “integration of account management, brand planning, media and research” as the company serves a client list that includes the New Orleans Pelicans, the National World War II Museum and the Kennedy Space Center. She is a speaker and author who was recently named Advertising Executive of the Year by the New Orleans Ad Club.

Education: Kellogg School of Management (MBA), Feinberg School of Medicine (MPH), Northwestern University (BS) Hidden Gem: Commerce at Camp and Gravier Advice: “Be kind. You never know what someone else is going through.” Nonprofit Cause: Children’s Hospital and LLS (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

MARC EHRHARDT

President and Partner

The Ehrhardt Group

With more than two decades of public relations experience to draw from, Ehrhardt guides his firm’s strategy and business development efforts while providing counsel to clients nationwide. He’s placed stories in national, regional and local media. He’s on the boards of the Louisiana chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and several other civic and professional organizations.

Education: Loyola University Chicago (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Hidden Gem: Chris’ Specialty Foods in Lakeview Best Fest: Oktoberfest at Deutsches Haus Advice: “Everything you want is on the other side of hard.” — Monty Williams Hobby/Passion: Cycling Who Do You Admire? “Malcolm Ehrhardt, my dad”

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

MARK LEWIS

CEO

Evolve Media AI

In 2020, this technology industry veteran became the co-founder and CEO of a tech startup that allows event attendees to upload their photos and videos to the cloud, where an algorithm “automatically stitches together the best shots and clips into a homespun memento everyone can enjoy.” He’s an author, public speaker and expert in business management and executive coaching.

Education: Tulane University (MBS), Boston College (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Deanie’s Seafood Hidden Gem: Sidelines Bar & Grill Advice: “‘Give a damn’ about what you can do for others at all times.” Passion: “To help create a better country and company culture so that everyone wins”

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

GLENDA McKINLEY

President/Creative Director

GMc+Co. Advertising

McKinley founded her boutique advertising agency in 1987 with $1,200 she’d saved up from a freelance writing project. Within six months, she landed her first national account and never looked back. Her company has won numerous local, regional and national awards, including the prestigious Mosaic Award and the Best in Show Digital Media ADDY Award.

Education: Loyola University (BA) Notable Clients: Essence Festival, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Treme Culture Fest Certifications: GMc+Co. is a certified Minority Women Business Enterprise by the Louisiana Minority Supplier Development Council. Giving Back: McKinley provided food for front line workers at New Orleans East Hospital.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

KRISTA POUNCY-DYSON

Managing Principal

Performance First Digital

This digital media executive has 22 years of experience developing marketing strategies for hundreds of businesses nationwide. She established Performance First Digital, a full-service digital strategy and media buying solutions company, in 2016. Soon after, she founded Diversity Employed, a national programmatic employment online job portal. She’s active in civic organizations.

Education: University of Alaska (MPA), Xavier University (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Neyow’s Creole Café Hidden Gem: “I love the margaritas and avocado mango dip at Rum House.” On the Horizon: “We are adding a podcast to our diversity-centric job portal: diversityemployed. com.”

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

BILL ROUSELLE

President and CEO

Bright Moments

Local, state and national organizations have sought Rousselle’s advice for more than 31 years. In 1984, he and Kalamu ya Salaam, the former editor of the Black Collegian, founded Bright Moments, which has provided public relations, marketing and advertising services to clients such as Liberty Bank, the City of New Orleans and many others ever since.

Education: Xavier University (BA) Nonprofit Cause: The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Advice: “Learn something new every day.” Go-to Restaurant: Dooky Chase’s Hidden Gem: Jazz Market Hobby/Passion: Music Nonprofit Cause: BENOLA (Black Education for New Orleans)

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

CLEVELAND SPEARS III

President and CEO

Spears Group

After Hurricane Katrina, Spears’ love for New Orleans drove him to come back home. He went on to start the Spears Group in 2008, and has since built the company into an award-winning public relations and marketing firm that regularly works with top-tier media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, USA Today and Southern Living. He’s co-owner of WBOK Radio.

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Morrow’s Nonprofit Cause: Son of a Saint Best Fest: Fried Chicken Festival Hidden Gem: Backatown Coffee Parlour On the Horizon: “Growth to new markets outside of Louisiana” Hobby/Passion: “Spending time with my son”

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

CARRITA TANNERCLOUD

Founder and CEO

The Collective Oak Harbor and Creativity Justified

After working for both LCMC Health and Ochsner, Tanner-Cloud founded Creativity Justified in 2016. The advertising and digital marketing agency services brands and businesses nationwide with targeted marketing campaigns and print/display advertising. Tanner-Cloud is also the founder and CEO of The Collective Oak Harbor, a shared workspace in Slidell.

Education: University of Holy Cross (BS), Nicholls State University (BSN) Heroes: “I admire my parents, Robert and Denise Tanner.” Best Fest: Jazz Fest Hidden Gem: Morrow’s Go-to Restaurant: Mother’s Restaurant Hobby/Passion: “I love interior design.” BIZNEWORLEANS.COM