David DeMuth
Co-CEO/President
David’s first job was working in the produce department of a small grocery store. It was there his fascination with how and why people buy things began. It was also when he was given marketing responsibility over the banana table and coined the phrase, “When they’re turning brown, mark them down.”
In his 20-year career at Doner, he’s tackled a diversity of brands including BP, DuPont, Sherwin-Williams, ADT, Coleman, and ironically, Chiquita.
David eventually ran Doner’s Strategic Planning Group while building the agency’s integrated resources and being a prime contributor to business development.
David stays busy playing competitive tennis and spending time with his wife Kristen and their kids Alex, Olivia, Owen and Henry. And there are always bananas in the house.
“Every little thing matters.”
Justin Madison Smith
EVP, Executive Creative Director, Interactive
Justin believes he is the ‘t’ in team.
He has broad, award-winning experience on brands including Scion, Lexus, Daimler, Taco Bell, Microsoft, Sony Online Entertainment, Motorola and SAP.
Justin developed his skills in film production, software development, product design and interactive advertising at ATTIK and IDEO after selling his start-up technology company to Frog Design in 1998.
Justin balances his time spent hunting bugs in the virtual world with hunting ducks and fishing in Michigan’s picturesque wilderness.
He lives in Birmingham, Michigan, with his wife and two children.
“We design experiences that bring the brand to life throughout the entire customer journey.”
Sue Guise
EVP, Director of Operations
If you need something, ask Sue first. She is the head of the make-it-happen department at Doner.
In her 25 years at Doner, she’s worked on every brand at the agency. Literally.
A reader, a traveler, a white-water rapider, she is married with two daughters.
“You can catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
James Ward
EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
James has lived an itinerant—but horizon-expanding—life, moving from New York to Amsterdam to Miami to New York to Detroit.
Blue-chip brands are his specialty. Nabisco, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, PNC Bank, Kohl’s, Progressive, Ferrero, Nestlé and Coca-Cola are just the beginning.
Spending the first 13 years of his career primarily at McCann-Erickson in New York, he joined Doner in 2003.
Husband to Kirsten, and father to Isabel (8) and Eloise (2), buddy to Angus the dog.
Fosters a rabid interest in: playing guitar, running, photography, Georgetown Hoyas hoops, Indian food and the Dutch national soccer team.
“Observation is merely the what. True insight is the why.”
Murray White
EVP, Executive Creative Director
Previously CD International for Europe’s largest independent agency group, S&J, Murray has also worked in Amsterdam, London, Hamburg and Melbourne.
He’s developed big ideas with clear attention to detail on clients such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Olympus, Siemens, Converse, Nintendo and Nestlé.
He believes conviction in your ideas is the most important quality a creative professional can possess—but could be swayed.
He lives at Doner. But often visits the house of his beautiful wife and two sons in Birmingham, Michigan.
“Good is the enemy of great.”
Chuck Bartha
EVP, Chief Talent Officer
Truth is, Chuck has never met a gadget that he didn’t like... or want to buy. Got to like people and technology working together.
Chuck brings creative life to the agency by filling the halls with top talent.
Chuck came to Doner after 13 years in the Cereal City working for Kellogg in a number of human resources and talent roles. Before that, he was Director of Administration at Stanley Electric.
Chuck is married to Karen, a lawyer and mother to their two children, Clara and Regan. His interests include reading, family, watches, pens and virtually anything that runs on a battery.
Chuck it now!
Alison Taubman
EVP, Chief Strategy Officer
Taking her cue from nature, Alison believes that adaptability is the key to success in business and in life.
Alison has worked on a wide range of brands, from packaged goods, travel, food and leisure, to automotive, banking and insurance.
She is proud to have dedicated her entire career to Doner.
Alison is newly married and enjoys reading cookbooks like novels and taking dance lessons.
“Be curious about everything and be passionate about something.”
Greg Clausen
EVP, Chief Media Officer
Greg once played the role of Tony the Tiger and escorted Miss America on a tour of his hometown, Battle Creek, Michigan.
Greg has worked on numerous blue-chip accounts, including Mazda, Amazon.com, AutoTrader, The PGA TOUR, Procter & Gamble, Purina, NBC Universal, Corona, Hyatt, Master Lock, CareerBuilder.com, E*Trade and The Golf Channel, just to name a few.
His career highlights: Tatham-Laird & Kudner, Simmons Market Research Bureau, Cramer-Krasselt and Spark Communications (formerly StarLink), in addition to Doner.
Greg is married to his high school sweetheart, Ginny. Greg is an avid golfer, and his daughter Greer, the winner in her age bracket in the Michigan Junior State Amateur Golf Championship for girls, keeps him on his toes.
“No matter how busy you are, there’s always time to stop and think.”
Rob Strasberg
Co-CEO/Chief Creative Officer
Driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was Rob’s first job out of college and since leaving, it’s been his goal to make every job just as fun.
Highlights: He was among the top 10 most awarded creative directors in the world in 2007, one of the 50 most influential men under 38 by Details magazine, and a judge at Cannes, One Show, Art Directors Club and Effies.
During 9 years at Crispin Porter & Bogusky, he helped create and pioneer a new era of digitally integrated advertising on such signature brands as Truth, Burger King, Sprite, Miller Lite, MINI, and VW.
His wife’s name is Treger, his son’s name is Henson, his daughter’s name is Tuesday—he’s the only one with a boring name.
“Luck is the residue of hard work.”
Jennifer Deutsch
EVP, General Manager, Doner Cleveland
A lover of steamy romance novels, cooking, gardening and her dog, Jennifer is a proud tennis mom.
Her marquee brand roster includes Sherwin-Williams, Things Remembered, Arby’s and OhioHealth.
Brands around the world have been impacted by her work. From the Nestlé family of brands to Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International and Third Federal Savings and Loan.
Jennifer’s experience spans 27 years and almost as many countries.
She’s guest lectured in the past at Case Western Reserve University and Lehigh University and spoken at the Virginia Governor’s Conference, the Orlando Economic Development Forum and the Nebraska Governor’s Conference.
From Columbia U. to Cleveland, Jennifer lives with her husband and two sons.
Monica Tysell
EVP, Brand Leadership
“Mom-ica,” as she is known to her co-workers, is 50% energy, 50% determination and 200% positive attitude.
For over 23 years her brand leadership has served a range of retail, package goods and direct accounts.
Monica works diligently with Minute Maid, Simply, Odwalla, AAA, Electrolux/Eureka and Serta.
Married with two beautiful children, MSU fan Monica is dealing with the fact that her son has joined the ranks of the Maize and Blue!
“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation and a pinch of creativity.”
Kevin Weinman
EVP, Brand Leadership
It is Kevin’s belief that there is no problem in life that can’t be solved by employing the wisdom of the prophet Jimmy Buffett.
There is hardly an area of commerce that Kevin hasn’t touched with his expertise including Blockbuster, Expedia, Hotels.com, Best Buy, Lowe’s Home Improvement, 7-Eleven, Lexmark, and Coleman.
Kevin started on the client side as Advertising Manager at Eckerd Drugs, and then became a full-fledged ad man in Tampa at Benito Advertising where he continued in retail working on Publix and Jewel-Osco.
He is married and has a son who attends Embry-Riddle University. He loves playing tennis and traveling, and New York is his sweet spot.
“Marketing is a full-contact sport to be pursued with passion and vigor.”
Lisa Nardone
EVP, Brand Leadership
Lisa believes that Passion, Preparation and Perseverance are the 3 Ps of a successful marketer.
For over 20 years, Lisa has devoted her expertise to Cox, AutoTrader.com, hotels.com, OVE.com, Ford Motor Company, Ford Citibank Credit Card and Upjohn Consumer Brands.
A wife, and mom to three children, Lisa keeps busy running, practicing yoga and helping her kids grow into great people.
“Continually digging deeper, learning more, and leaving no stone unturned often lead to the discovery of that key insight that can change the destiny of a brand.”
Greg Gerfen
EVP, Brand Leadership
Fact: Greg used duct tape to close a wound after falling off a ladder while using a chainsaw.
Greg’s resourcefulness has been a hallmark in his 21 years with Doner. Today, he’s responsible for the national, regional and local advertising programs of The UPS Store and The PGA Tour accounts.
Prior to joining Doner, Greg worked at BBDO Minneapolis on Hormel; at Noble & Associates in Springfield, MO on Tyson Chicken Entrees; and at Tracy-Locke Dallas working on Kraft, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tabasco.
Greg and his wife of 27 years have 3 kids. They live in Huntington Woods. He spends his free time running marathons, fishing, golfing, playing trumpet and high-altitude chain-sawing.
“Success comes from listening, understanding, and creating an environment that inspires the best in people.”
Marci Benson
EVP, Brand Leadership
Marci is known for her love of high heels, and the shoes they’re attached to.
She has played a key role on clients such as Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Ford (Race for the Cure, Blue Oval Dealer Certification), GM Corporate, ADT, American Equity Mortgage and Amazon Kindle.
Marci spent time at JWT Detroit and McCann Erickson Detroit before joining Doner.
Marci lives with her husband Alex, her daughters Sara and Ellie, and their dog, Dexter. They enjoy skiing in Telluride, running in Birmingham and shoe shopping in New York.
“An idea is not an idea until it is on paper.”
Joe Caruso
EVP, Director of Integrated Production
When he was 12, Joe won a set of encyclopedias for selling newspaper subscriptions. From that point, his passion for the printed word never waned.
A journeyman typographer, Joe now works to ensure the integration of all facets of communication at Doner. He’s involved in every aspect of content delivery, from on paper to online.
Integrated. Seamless. Joe makes projects come together and makes sure that everyone plays nice.
Joe is married with four boys, all taller than him. He runs a non-profit sports program, and can still spec type, if necessary.
“Take the high road: there are no accidents there.”
Craig Conrad
EVP, Brand Leadership
As a law student, Craig became fascinated with marketing while interning at P&G. It wasn’t long before he traded his courtroom aspirations to route keylines at Ross Roy Communications. He never looked back.
Over a 12-year period dedicated to the Chevrolet brand, Craig brought big picture thinking to multiple new vehicle launches, he authored the strategic approach behind Chevy’s “Gas-Friendly to Gas-Free” fuel initiative and he managed their first foray into social media.
Currently Craig is at the helm of strategy development and daily operations for Doner’s Chrysler account, and he plays a role in the agency’s business development efforts.
An avid sports enthusiast, Craig stays busy playing ice hockey, mountain biking and running. He lives in Novi with his wife and two kids.
“You don’t always get what you wish for, you get what you work for.”
Valerie Foley
EVP, Group Creative Director
As a kid, Valerie would be woken up by her dad with, “It’s another day in which to excel!” The bar was set. Her work in advertising has been recognized internationally for both effectiveness and creativity: Effies, Caples, ECHOES, OBIES, Communications Arts and Kelly Awards line her shelves.
For over a decade, Valerie created award-winning direct work at The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va., for clients like UPS, Barely There, Saab, Seiko and The JFK Library and Museum.
Valerie rallies the creative force behind a diverse Doner client list that includes: OhioHealth, Electrolux, Chiquita, Cat’s Pride, Avery and more.
Currently, Valerie lives in Birmingham along with her allergies to cats, dogs and oranges. Sharing only her cat allergy, son Gavin continues to lobby for a dog. So far, Valerie’s only consented to buying him an orange.
“All the best work starts with a human truth.”
Randy Belcher
EVP, Executive Creative Director
Randy is famous for his 5 a.m. e-mails to creatives and account executives about the day ahead.
Randy thinks on his feet daily for about a dozen clients, including ADT, AAA, Cat's Pride and OhioHealth Systems.
Fun facts about Randy: He is the co-creator of the GEICO Gecko, one of the industry's most beloved icons. He's won more than 100 direct marketing awards. He loves the Boston Red Sox.
Randy, his wife and their 14-year-old son live in Grosse Pointe.
“Always have a Plan B.”
Chuck Meehan
EVP, Executive Creative Director
For almost 18 years Chuck has crafted brand advertising for a wide range of companies including AT&T, Saturn and Apple. And he’s done so at some of the top agencies in the world, such as Publicis & Hal Riney and BBDO.
Chuck helps lead all of the creative content for the agency’s Chrysler Group account. In addition, he plays a significant role in the creative duties for the agency’s Newport Beach client roster.
Recognized by the industry for his creative efforts, Chuck is the proud owner of numerous awards including The One Show, Cannes Lions, ANDYs, CLIOs, Communication Arts, Graphis and Radio Mercury Awards.
When he’s not building brands, Chuck plays guitar and pursues his fledgling music career, which is why he won’t be quitting his day job anytime soon.
“Tell the truth and run.”
Matt Casselton
EVP, Director of Digital Strategy
Matt actually visited Doner on an 8th grade field trip. Though wowed by the creativity and fun, he went on to become a number-crunching electrical engineer. As fate would have it, he found the path back to fun.
He’s honed strategy for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ford, Lincoln, Audi of America, Chrysler Financial, Ford Credit, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Comerica Bank, Citizens Bank, Pittsburgh Paints, Hunter Douglas, Pulte Homes, Fathead, IBM/FileNet and Tata Consulting.
Matt has worked in the agencies Team Detroit, Enlighten and Organic, and on the client side at Ford Motor Company and NCR Corporation.
A husband and father of two, ages 11 and 14, Matt is a hockey/baseball/dance dad and considers his hobbies his kids. He also tries very hard not to be that obnoxious U of M fan, but during a good season finds himself failing happily.
“Be the ball, Danny.”