Marie Furman, CEO/President of MDesign Media, Inc., has created one of the fastest growing companies in media design in Tampa Bay. Her charisma, passion and expertise to take an idea or philosophy to a visual masterpiece, puts MDesign Media in a class of its own. Marie's extensive professional background includes, Website / Graphic Design Development, Marketing Promotion, Project Management and Ad Campaign Experience. Marie has over 10 years of corporate experience working for both small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies.
Marie has a B.A. in Advertising from USF, and a Computer Graphics degree from the International Academy of Design and Technology. Her education began in Belgium where she received a Science-Economics Degree, then moved to Tampa Bay. She is also fluent in French and Polish.
Among her most important achievements is her tremendous quality to listen. "My best work comes as a result of being able to figure out what the client wants and communicating it visually." This talent has translated to critical positions with companies such as DMX-Works, Inc., where she was responsible for business development and new market penetration.
She was also the Multimedia and Internet Service Manager for Tampa Digital Studios where she oversaw the in-house team of designers and programmers on internal and external projects, while also being responsible for all client deadlines. She was the Corporate Marketing Sr. Multimedia Designer for First Advantage (formerly known as HireCheck), and First American Corporation. Her experience in corporate America made the transition into entrepreneurship easy.
"One of the most important things about my work ethics is creating friendships based on mutual respect for each other. All of my old employers, co-workers, and people I have met over the past 16 years are my clients, and that can only happen with trust and hard work."
Steve Germain, Chief Content/Creative Copywriter, has written results-driven copy for clients ranging from Bay Area start-ups to multinational corporations for more than 20 years.
Through his ability to generate action through words, Steve has helped B-to-B, consumer-focused and non-profit companies exceed desired goals by creating effective, web content/SEO, ad/brochure copy, video scripting, press releases/media placement, internal/external newsletters, ghostwritten expert-opinion articles for print/radio/TV, and more.
His extensive career includes staff writing positions with Fortune 500 companies Raymond James and The First American Corporation, serving as communications director for a 100,000-plus member nonprofit, and serving as editor-in-chief/senior writer for a national gourmet food magazine.
Steve’s ego-free, business-focused and flexible writing style has helped many Tampa Bay-area businesses gain exposure, drive sales, create name recognition, gain customers and thrive in all market conditions.
Sean Ingram Mitchell, is an expert in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Affiliate Marketing, Product Research and Development and Domain Speculation and Brokering. Sean received his initial training and education through the United States Air Force. Subsequently, he has been a highly successful Independent Internet Marketing Consultant.
Sean has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Psychology. He is also trained in Neuro-linguistic Programming, Work Group Administration, Process Action Team and Self-Assessment, as well as Information Management Craftsman. He is comfortable working in a UNIX environment performing server administrative functions via shell or cpanel.
Sean not only has in-depth understanding and ability to secure top positions on search engines, including verifiable top spots on Google, he has detailed knowledge of CAN SPAM, p2p, audio podcast, and video marketing guides. He has also been credited with one of the fastest growing "Blog" campaigns, which received NY Times mention and catapulted it far into cyberspace.
Sean's management background includes Education and Training Manager for a unit of over 300 personnel and 12 different fields. He has the unique ability to effectively communicate with others both on and offline that has resulted in numerous, highly technical job successes.
Gena Ross, Graphic Designer, has more than 12 years of production, graphic design and marketing experience. Gena has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Digital Art and Technology from the International Academy of Merchandising and Design.
Gena’s work experience includes Video Producer for Time Warner Cable and Esquire Deposition Services. He oversaw marketing for for Buddy’s Home Furnishing while also serving as Lead Graphic Designer.
His outstanding track record and work ethic brought his many prestigious honors. He was recognized as the industry's best for print materials, radio advertising and TV commercials by APRO for an exceptional four consecutive years. He was also featured in IAD Hall of Fame for graphic design.
His design skills include print, video production, interactive media, and magazine and newspaper publication. His technical skills rival anyone’s with extensive experience using Mac OS X and Windows Platforms. Software expertise includes: page layout and design with QuarkXpress and PagerMaker; image editing with Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator; multimedia work in Director and DVD Studio Pro; video editing using After Effects, Premier, Final Cut Pro and audio production using Peak and Pro Tools.
Derek Lee, is the Founder, President and CEO of Visual Alliance Media, a multimedia company that specializes in helping clients connect with their audiences through the use of social media marketing and rich content development. Prior to founding Visual Alliance Media, Derek was in the real estate business, providing account and asset management services to various clients including a large healthcare network in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In addition to reading, blogging and traveling, Derek enjoys music, video games and outdoor sports.
Michael Harris moved to Oldsmar, Florida in April of 1998, where for two seasons he was director of the Adult Players for the Oldsmar Performing Art Centre. After three years of study with the New York Institute of Photography, he became a freelance professional photographer. His photographic passion is artistic portraits, in: landscapes, wildlife and the study of the human form. He has a mobile studio which he will bring to your home or office. He also does location photography and his own processing, editing and re-touching. His prints are done for him by a professional lab in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he sends his images with strict instructions to: "print as is." In 2006 through 2007, he was published many times in 'Tampa Bay's Best' magazine, where he was assigned people and beautiful homes. He teaches seasonally at the Dunedin Fine Art Centre, 35mm photography for the beginner, intermediate and advanced.
