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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jim “Cheese” Aylward

Creative Director

First of all, who doesn’t want to hang out with a guy named “Cheese?” He’s got to be fun, right? When you add decades of copywriting and creative direction to the equation, a conversation with him is equally illuminating and entertaining. If we listed all the brands Cheese has helped over the years, we’d break the Internet. Suffice it to say his irreplaceable experience and insights add a depth of knowledge to DMH few agencies can boast.

Jason Stewart

Technology Director

The head of your technology department needs to be a smart person. Jason, a former PhD candidate in Computer Science, fits the bill perfectly. With 9 years of experience in software engineering and advertising, Jason provides DMH clients a wealth of knowledge in developing technology solutions custom fit to solve their problem.

As a new father, we’ve seen Jason’s softer side come out. However, we still find him listening to Dream Theater to “calm his nerves.” Despite the tranquil name, they may cause you nightmares.

Craig Kobler

Creative Director

In advertising, as in life, there is a constant struggle to find the perfect balance between style and substance. We’re all jealous that Craig has beaten us to finding that balance as a Creative Director. He’s as likely to get excited about a custom car design as he is about a website architecture spreadsheet.

An award-winning designer, Craig’s true gift lies in his ability to apply creative solutions to complex marketing problems. His ability to combine technology, usability, design, and customer goals into a single focused strategy makes him an invaluable leader to co-workers and clients alike.

Kevin VanEmburgh

Developer

We like multi-talented folks. So when Kevin joined DMH as a developer, it was an added bonus that he’s an accomplished photographer as well. He spends his free time trail running or chasing down the perfect shot. As a front-end developer, he brings an artists eye to enhance user experience across all digital platforms.

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.

Rob Mitchell

Senior Art Director

He has a cool mustache, he’s got a cool dog named Bronson, he’s got cool clothes, he’s a musician, his wife runs a fashion blog – he’s just cool. In addition, he’s an obsessive design geek, which makes him even cooler to us. If you don’t already hate him, it will kill you to know he’s also about the nicest, most sincere person you’ll ever meet.

Katie Onofrio

Senior Account Manager

Somewhere, years ago, a mad scientist crossed a Disney princess with a unicorn. The result was Katie. We’re thankful everyday for it. She brings a spirit of happiness and positive vibes that can’t be ignored. She takes great pride in her work and keeps her teammates energized and confident.

Naturally, she loves the outdoors and is a kindred spirit with anything that has a wagging tail.

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.

Jamie Martin

Account Supervisor

We knew Jamie was a talented veteran account manager, but when she said she used to also be a professional dog sitter, we knew she’d fit right in. With a professional history that includes account management and social media strategy at a global agency, Jamie is perfectly suited to deliver on our promise of big agency know-how with small agency service and flexibility.

Ask her about her collection of stuff with bees on it. She can’t really explain why she does it, but it’s fun watching her try.

Elisa Martin

Art Director

Elisa’s laid-back demeanor and quirky sense of humor makes her immediately likeable, and her flair for design and love for Jayhawk basketball made her an instant fit. A KU design school degree led Elisa to Kansas City, but she’d move to Florence, Italy in a heartbeat. When she’s not working with her hands designing or crafting, she lets her feet do the work as an avid half-marathon runner. How do you say impressive in Italian?

David Martin

Account Supervisor

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.

Danica Lyons

Senior Developer

The self-described “crunchiest designer 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.

Tory Knappenberger

Associate Creative Director

Ask Tory about his hobbies and he’ll immediately say, “Jayhawk Basketball.” Ask, “What else?” and he’ll say, “Uh, I guess I probably need more hobbies.” We know he also enjoys exploring new restaurants and watering holes with his wife Megh.

To be fair, he fills much his time leading clients through any number of complex marketing and design projects. After 10 years of plying his craft in Chicago, Tory now brings his perfect balance of design and business savvy to DMH clients.

He asked me to add, “Rock Chalk!”

Kayla Infanti

Assistant Account Manager

Food, craft cocktails, and her Golden Doodle, Leon, all top the list of some of Kayla’s favorite things. These passions have led her to many restaurants, happy hours, and dog parks across town. Sounds like a DMHer. Kayla loves people and has an aptitude for problem-solving, making her an ideal addition to our account team. Speaking of teams, the Psycho Pitches kickball squad was nothing short of ecstatic to learn that Kayla is also a retired soccer player.

Lauren Hilboldt

Senior Project Manager

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.

Jenni Dold

Social Media Director

Jenni is a pro. She’s a veteran account manager who’s worn a variety of hats and worked across numerous industries and clients. She knows the ropes and is a fountain of information for DMH clients and co-workers, alike. The other thing we all agree on is that Jenni couldn’t be any more fun to be around. Her upbeat attitude will win you over, too.

Megan Collins

Senior Art Director

We like to joke that the DMH spirit animal is a Honey Badger. It defines our fearless spirit. If anyone exemplifies this, it’s Megan. She’s a tenacious, creative powerhouse in a little package. Her focus on tightly branded design has helped her lead some of our most complex B2B projects. At the same time, she’s helped create lush brands for a winery and a resort hotel. She can really do it all.

On cold days, you may see her wrapped in a Little Mermaid blanket, but don’t be fooled. The only thing as sharp as Megan’s eye for design is her sarcastic wit.

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.

Lindsay Bruno

Associate Creative Director

Warm and witty – it’s been said about many, but few pay it off as well as Lindsay. An accomplished, award-winning, veteran copywriter with big agency and big brand experience, she’s also an entrepreneur with her own line of greeting cards. Her sharp thinking and bright smile make her irreplaceable to DMH and our clients.

Lauren Blood

Integrated Media Specialist

A Chicago native, Lauren is a Blackhawks fan by birth and a Missouri Tiger by choice. As a member of our Integrated Media team she helps clients create and execute Social Media and PR strategies. Her credo is “Life is short, pay extra for guac” which, fun fact, she can also say in Spanish. Her easy-going style belies a playful sense of humor that makes her one of the punniest people at DMH.

Jared Bergeron

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.

Lauren Bechard

Media Manager

Lauren is competitive, very competitive. As a mom, who once played college volleyball, Lauren knows what it takes to juggle multiple balls in the air. These skills align perfectly, as she helps negotiate and place media for a variety of our clients. She’s learning calligraphy and honing her sewing skills (where does she get the time!) when she’s not making sure our clients are seen when and where their customers are looking.

Allison Barbarash

Senior Account Manager

Allie describes her spirit animal as a mix of Tina Fey, a leopard, and a handful of glitter. What more can we add? As an Account Manager, let’s just say she brings ‘energy’ to every project. She’s multi-talented, too. With a degree in Nursing, she’s unofficially Head of Medicine at DMH. For clients, she can quickly diagnose and prescribe solutions for any brand. There’s never a dull day with Allie around, especially when she brings Birdie – a combination of a dinosaur and a wolfhound – to the office.