Core value #1
We’re a family
We will have ups and downs, good times and bad, but if we stick together and stand up for each other, we will be successful.

Core value #2
Be Resourceful
The answer is out there-explore every possibility.

Core value #3
Trust Each Other
Everyone here is competent and professional. Let them do their job. It will help you in the long run.

Core value #4
Share Your Opinion
Your voice matters. Use it.



Core value #5
Always Listen
It’s the only way to learn and understand others.

Core value #6
Give Respect/Expect Respect
See: the Golden Rule.


Core value #7
Pause and take a breath
If you are overwhelmed, confused or unsure, it’s OK to step back, reflect and recharge your brain and body.

Core value #8
Team Works
Teach others, learn from others, and grow together. Leverage all the brain power at DMH.

Core value #9
Be Curious
Explore your creative mind. Push others to do the same.
Core value #10
Ask for help
It’s not a sign of weakness. It is the ultimate show of teamwork.


Core value #11
Give Back
To the community, co-workers and those who need help.


Core value #12
Make time for family, friends, and self
Work to live, don’t live to work.


Core value #13
Allow Everyone to take credit
We succeed and fail together. No exceptions.

Core value #14
Never stop learning
Hone your skills. Perfect your craft.
Core value #15
Check your ego at the door
If you can do it on your own, why are the rest of us here?
Core value #16
Laugh
Smart, witty, and talented people surround you. If you can’t have a good laugh once in a while, the joke is on you.




Core value #17
Be Fearless
Push yourself, your co-workers and our clients to go beyond their comfort zones.

Paul Diamond
Partner
Paul is a teacher, student and purveyor of design. His primary responsibility at DMH is managing teams of designers and writers who thrive on his energy, curiosity and passion for problem solving. He often serves as the spearhead for creative concept sessions and has a knack for promoting and inspiring fearless thinking.
Those who have worked with Paul note his infectious positive attitude and keen ability to distill marketing problems down to the base elements. These attributes make him ideally suited in his roles as both a mentor at DMH and as a part-time teacher of Graphic Design at the Kansas City Art Institute.
pdiamond@dmhadv.com
Brian Merckens
Partner
Brian has a keen eye for dynamic, inventive design and a keener understanding of how new and evolving technology is impacting visual communications. Tech junkie. Usability Wonk. Design Purist. All of these describe facets of Brian’s strengths. He pushes the company and its clients to embrace technology and beautiful design to solve marketing problems.
Over his 20+ years in the business, Brian has combined his talents as a formally trained designer and added coding and development skills to the mix. That combination provides clients with critical insights into how audiences interact with design and technology.
bmerckens@dmhadv.com
Sean Hogan
Partner
Sean is a perceptive, strategic leader with an uncanny ability for analyzing complex marketing challenges and identifying the hidden gems that spark breakthroughs. He is the catalyst at DMH. His endless enthusiasm, unwavering focus on branding and attention to detail kindles the connection between DMH and our clients.
As his occasional bow tie indicates, he also believes in the old school, time-tested approach to client service – listen to your clients, devise the right strategy, and execute flawlessly.
With over 15 years of experience across every conceivable industry and medium, Sean brings a wealth of diverse experience to every DMH client. His insights and empathy make our clients feel like they always have a powerful advocate.
shogan@dmhadv.com
Doug Newman
Partner
Doug has extensive experience working with a variety of clients, from international sports brands and teams to national agricultural and animal health products. His expertise is clearly evident when helping clients to achieve and maintain significant competitive advantages by identifying opportunities and speaking candidly about the challenges they face.
As a business savvy marketer and strategic advisor, Doug’s insight and judgment is highly regarded by all of those who work with him. He’s personable and passionate, and his cool, confident approach to situation analysis is always reassuring.
dnewman@dmhadv.com
Illinois Blasdel
Partner
Illinois wears many hats, and they all fit. He leads PR and Integrated Media at DMH, but his years of experience also make him a powerful strategic planner for clients across all disciplines. With 20 years of experience, Illinois brings a knowledge and expertise that helps clients position their brand and gain exposure in ways they never knew possible.
Don’t let his buttoned-up appearance fool you, Illinois also has a wild(life) streak, too. He’s an avid outdoorsman who hunts and fishes year round. And if you ever need a spot-on review of the latest Asian cuisine in Kansas City, he’s your guy.
illinois@dmhadv.com
Jackie Worth
Account Supervisor
It took 15 years to build the Pyramids of Giza. Cool, but in 15 years, Jackie Worth built a reputation as a forward-thinking, client-assisting, goal-achieving, problem-solving dynamo. One who is able to work with clients to simplify the complex, and one whose favorite two words in the English language are “What’s next?” A question that’s usually followed by, “I have an idea!” Jackie loves working closely in collaboration with her clients and also loves pizza, bourbon, her two Havanese dogs, and the Muppets. Top that, Giza.
jworth@dmhadv.com
Ethan Ward
Developer
Ethan Ward struggled at school, managing a mere 4.0 grade average studying computer science and philosophy at KU. Wait…we’re being told this is good. Honors good, in fact. Which, now that we think about it makes more sense, because they certainly don’t struggle as a back-end developer at DMH. Don’t know what a back-end developer does? Well, go to a website. If it works how you imagine it should, a back-end developer did that. If it works even better than you imagined, Ethan did that. Being a superstar developer is time-consuming. For mere mortals. But for Ethan, it leaves time to read. Like over 100 books a year. When not developing websites or devouring literature, Ethan also finds time to be a downright good human. Which, besides the big brain, is probably the first thing you’ll notice about them.
eward@dmhadv.com
Tom Stofac
Creative Director
A copywriter by trade, Tom has worked at agencies across the country and garnered decades of experience as a seasoned, award-winning Creative Director. He got his start in the world of words as a sportswriter covering high school basketball and wrestling and experienced one of those full-circle career moments when his ad made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame – what we like to call home run work. Tom’s also an above-average harmonica player (better after a few beers), a passionate golfer (maybe worse after a few beers) and expert storyteller (ask him about his Neil Young tale – doesn’t every accomplished creative have one?)
tstofac@dmhadv.com
Tanya Hoffman Stevens
Account Director
It takes a special kind of skill set and personality to manage multiple internal teams and client relationships. Tanya approaches both with a warmth and focus that perfectly compliment her ability to bring people and ideas together. From building brand strategies to executing across multiple channels, Tanya’s infectious enthusiasm and years of agency experience make her a natural leader.
Tanya is known to relax by going for little 100-mile bike rides over the weekend. That’s nuts by itself, but when you consider the energy she puts into her clients during the week, it’s downright mindboggling.
tstevens@dmhadv.com
Martha Stanton
Office Manager
What would we do without her? While everyone at DMH works to serve the needs of our clients, Martha has one extra client who is a real handful – us. Advertising attracts some pretty interesting and diverse types. Finding a way to corral, cajole, and pamper them is more than anyone should be able to handle. On top of being a great mom, somehow Martha manages to do all the little things that keep us, and our clients, one big happy family, too.
mstanton@dmhadv.com
Laura Reed
Account Supervisor
Of course, she’s a client-tested/client-approved account manager. Of course, she can talk media strategy one minute and messaging strategy the next. But, what you really need to know about Laura, concerns peanuts. Yep. Peanuts. You see, Laura believes that her elephant-like memory is one of the things that makes her such a crackerjack Account Manager. And elephants love peanuts, right? Yet, due to some low-fi childhood trauma we don’t need to dive into here, the smell of peanut M&M’s in her car set her teeth on edge. Another thing you need to know about Laura is that she’s probably going to beat you at music trivia. Turns out there’s a real plus that comes from marrying a DJ. You know, besides all the ‘true love/best friend’ stuff.
lreed@dmhadv.com
Sydney Nager
Integrated Media Specialist
If you’ve never met someone who taught bougie boomers how to ski in Aspen at the tender age of 14, well, now you have. A bit older and more than a bit wiser, these days Sydney prefers to school our clients on how to make the most of their integrated media plans (though she’s still willing to correct your downhill form if asked). When she’s not maximizing paid and unpaid media efforts, Sydney can be found satisfying her inner foodie at area hot spots or chilling with what seems to be an overstuffed teddy bear, but is actually her super sweet, supersized Bernedoodle, Sake.
snager@dmhadv.com
Bryan Mohr
Creative Director
Bryan has over 10 years of experience in using his creative chops to help build brands. He started out in Lincoln, Nebraska where his primary client was Pinnacle Bank. Throughout his career, he’s led creative efforts on national brands like Gatorade, McDonalds, Chevron and more.
In his free time, Bryan can be found spending time with his wife and daughters, renovating his house or playing golf. Spending time with his family is the only one of those things he’s good at.
bmohr@dmhadv.com
Chris Meier
Senior Art Director
Chris loves two things: Rugby and hip hop music. This makes for some interesting, if not dangerous, dance moves. But we digress. Because what Chris really loves is solving problems through design work. Whether it’s passion projects for the greater good working with his wife and fellow designer, Samantha, or plying his trade for various clients here at DMH, Chris applies a thoughtful aesthetic that is ruled by the philosophy, “The greatest design is the one you don’t see”. Chris also loves handheld foodstuffs and is constantly in search of the perfect sandwich. Which, if he’s the one crafting said sandwich, is sure to be a monument to perfect design. Hmm…looks like Chris loves more than just rugby and hip hop. Probably why we love having him around the shop.
cmeier@dmhadv.com
Elizabeth McMahan
Media Director
Elizabeth is a media guru by trade, but what caught our eye was the fact that she scuba dives, plays the French Horn, and has had 5 Boxers whose names all start with “D”. With diverse interests and talents like those, you know she’ll always deliver a creative and smart media plan. Her ability to lead with strategy in media planning and buying make her invaluable to DMH and our clients. Call her smart, funny, thoughtful ... just don’t call her Liz. There’s a story there, we just can’t share it.
emcmahan@dmhadv.com
David Martin
Account Director
Account Managers have to be strategists, accountants, resource managers, and advocates, many times in the same day. Those folks don’t grow on trees, which is why David is so valuable to his clients. With over 15 years in the ad biz, his wealth of experience and easygoing approach reminds clients they’re in good hands.
He’s equally adept at juggling life away from the office being an avid history buff, cook, guitar player, and dedicated Dad.
dmartin@dmhadv.com
Danica Lyons
Senior Developer
The self-described “crunchiest developer you ever met” is also an avid gardener, deeply involved in the community, and likes to make her own wine, jams, soap, pickles, clothes, peanut butter, and yes, even granola. So yeah, she’s pretty crafty.
As a veteran front-end developer with a history in design, she’s also pretty handy in regard to all things digital. Danica’s unique skill set gives her a deep understanding of the connection between creativity and development, giving our work added dimension and depth.
dlyons@dmhadv.com
Katie Laner
Senior Account Manager
Katie seeks balance in all things. Perhaps because she was right smack in the middle of a family of seven kids. And perhaps why she often follows a hot yoga workout with cold beers on the patio. Balance. The yin and the yang, if you will. And Katie brings that sense of balance to her work, finding just the right balance between the professional and the personal. Like getting to know her client’s business objectives as well as the birthdays of her client’s kids (though she’s yet to meet a client with seven of those). Her marketing expertise is balanced too, spanning everything from pharmaceutical to fast food. Seeking balance? Find Katie.
klaner@dmhadv.com
Maggie Hylton
Account Supervisor
Maggie is living proof that creative people don’t just work in the creative department. I mean, when you’re a mix of culinary school, business school and period drama fandom, creative things are just bound to happen. Like, for instance, attending Renaissance Fair as a zombie Anne Boleyn. Or being able to look at a fridge full of currants, hot sauce, GMO tofu and baby corn and saying, “sweet, a little kitchen alchemy and dinner is served.” Of course, Maggie covers a lot of other things around here, like business, marketing and media strategies, to name but a few. Turns out being able to apply creativity to account service is a bit of alchemy as well.
mhylton@dmhadv.com
Lauren Hilboldt
Director of Project Management
Every circus needs a Ringleader, that person who keeps the show moving along. Lauren basically helps scope and track every project in the agency and makes sure the right people are doing the right thing, on any given project, at any given time. Sounds easy right?
You might expect a Project Manager to be part prison guard, part IRS agent, but you’d be wrong. Rather than forcefully serving work subpoenas, she serves up hugs and encouragement.
lhilboldt@dmhadv.com
Claire Hansen
Project Manager
Claire makes more bread than anyone at DMH. Now, don’t go looking for a low-interest personal loan, we’re talking actual bread. You know, sourdough, French, Italian. Flour and yeast and such. So, no loan, but she might hit you up with a perfect brioche if you play your cards right.
As for her job as Project Manager, Claire makes sure the rest of the agency plays their cards right. It’s most assuredly like juggling cats, but Claire does it with such grace and skill, we cats don’t even know we’re being juggled. When she’s not juggling us, she’s juggling time between her friends and family, perhaps breaking bread. And, lest we forget, she has the best, if not only, ‘burned my knees on noodle ramen’ story. Just ask her.
chansen@dmhadv.com
Eric Gach
Director of Technology
Tech-savvy doesn’t even begin to describe Eric’s expertise in computer science. Since a young age, he’s been captivated with the workings of things and would spend hours tearing apart and reassembling computers, just to take a closer look. As a back-end developer, Eric helps manage the server-side of our technology services and is multilingual when it comes to programming languages – and self-taught, at that! His passion for the fast pace of the digital world spills into a fascination for cars and racing. Coding is like his own virtual racetrack. Eric is a website warrior, but he’s also an avid traveler, thrill-seeker and comedian at heart.
egach@dmhadv.com
Emma Emke
Senior Account Manager
Emma Emke exudes empathy. Ok. Now that we’ve gotten that pesky alliteration out of the way, let’s talk about Emma. Let’s talk about her love of planning things out to the smallest detail. Even her vacations have an Excel spreadsheet. No. We’re not kidding. But it’s that keen eye for detail that makes her such an asset to our client partners as a Senior Account Manager. I’s and T’s have no chance of being undotted or uncrossed. And that means when she gets things done, she gets them done right. Need proof? Have her walk you through her 10-step process for making the unassailable tuna sandwich. Oh…and that ‘exudes empathy’ thing? We weren’t kidding about that, either.
eemke@dmhadv.com
Wade Callow
Search Specialist
Wade is a huge fan of wide-open spaces. Which makes our no-offices, everybody-in-one-big-room floor plan a natural fit. Although he’d much prefer wider, more open, outdoor spaces with all manner of flora and fauna. Kind of like the rolling hills of his childhood in Weston, MO. It’s also a natural fit that this small-town boy loves the freedom of running his accounts, using his skills to improve each penny of spend. A self-professed hobbyist, Wade also enjoys beating the living daylights of anyone foolish enough to challenge him in video games.
wcallow@dmhadv.com
Kim Butler
Accounting/Controller
For someone with the word “Controller” in her title, Kim is delightfully agreeable. When she’s not running our accounting department, she’s running – literally. She’s done countless 5Ks, 10Ks, and even a half marathon. Kim is also a passionate KC sports fan and calls cooking and baking her favorite hobby. This glowing bio will cost her a dozen chocolate chip cookies delivered to her favorite copywriter.
kbutler@dmhadv.com
Isabelle Brown
Art Director
We have a theory the expression “calm, cool, collected” was created because of Isabelle. Maybe it’s her ready-steady demeanor. Or the fact that she plays enough instruments to be her own traveling band. Or, heck, maybe it’s the fact that both her thumbs are double-jointed. As a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, Isabelle operates with an imaginative lens through and through. And, as a young creative, her sleeves are so full of tricks that we’re trying to start taking wardrobe pointers. Illustrations? Book binding? Check, check, check. Her experience ranges from letterpress printing to the entertainment team at Nickelodeon. And, because we know you’ll ask, no, she never got slimed.
ibrown@dmhadv.com
Travis Boyett
Senior Production Artist
Travis Boyett is fast. And not just in that ‘he was a college track athlete fast’ sense. We’re talking about a production artist who works at the speed of light without breaking a sweat (though he may wear out a computer mouse or two). Travis also likes to cook. Not, as you might think, fast food, but rather some seriously tasty foodie food. For crying out loud, he not only has a sous vide, he knows how to use it. But let’s get back to that whole ‘fast’ thing. It’s a good thing your boy is quick, because how else would he find time to cook, do some serious scale model painting and write and illustrate his own comic book all while making sure every single t is crossed and i dotted for his client’s projects?
tboyett@dmhadv.com
Lauren Bockelman
Director of Social Media
Is it a safe assumption that when someone’s life goal is to drink wine from as many countries as possible, they’re an automatically likable person? In Lauren’s case, absolutely. And while we support goal-oriented people, we double support the grape, so this pairing was a no-brainer. Lauren joined DMH as a senior account manager, bringing with her agency experience as well as an understanding of the client side of the biz, where she led the marketing efforts of a local coffee brand. She also brought a passion for French fries and a mini Aussie puppy, so yeah – we’ll raise a glass of Slovenian Syrah to that.
lmeehan@dmhadv.com
Jared Bergeron
Senior Art Director
It seems like every time people walk by Jared’s desk you hear them say, “Oh, that’s cool!” It happens enough that we’re pretty sure he’s not just lucky. His “man of few words” persona belies a creative fluency informed by his travels around the world. Ask him about his mural project in Belfast or stories about his family in the Philippines. Then again, you could just walk by his desk to see the next cool thing.
jbergeron@dmhadv.com
Jim “Cheese” Aylward
Creative Director Emeritus
First of all, who doesn’t want to hang out with a guy named “Cheese?” He’s got to be fun, right? The answer is absolutely – which is why we had to keep him around, even post-retirement. Cheese’s impact on the ad community in Kansas City and beyond is nothing short of awe-inspiring. In his decades of copywriting and creative direction, he’s contributed to countless award-winning campaigns and mentored creative leaders all over the world. In 2018, Cheese deservedly earned the accolade, Creative Professional of the Year. Life as a retiree is anything but tiresome for Cheese – he spends his days hanging with his many friends and extended family, drinking ice-cold beer, sending funny emails and outplaying your wit, typically donning a Hawaiian shirt (wait, nothing has changed!)
jaylward@dmhadv.com