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Michael has held management positions at some of Chicago's leading public relations agencies. He served as director of Ruder-Finn's Corporate Affairs Practice, and was Account Supervisor/Media Relations for Ketchum in Chicago. While at Ketchum, he coordinated media relations and account activities for several client programs, including Andersen, Northwestern Mutual, Miller Brewing Company and Lions Club International. His efforts have led to placements with several top-tier media outlets—including the—Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, CNN, CNBC and Forbes—as well as garnering new business for his clients as a result of these programs. Before joining Ketchum, Michael served as Vice President of Marketing for Flat Top Grill, a Chicago-based group of stir-fry restaurants. He has also worked at Marx Layne & Company, a metropolitan Detroit marketing and public relations agency where he serviced a variety of clients in a vast span of industries. Michael earned his BSBA in Marketing from the Ohio State University and an MBA from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Contact Michael at michael.shmarak@sidneymaxwell.com. Amy Francis Currently managing and executing media strategies and branding initiatives for Sidney Maxwell Public Relations, Amy Francis has six years of integrated communications experience in public relations, marketing communications and promotions. Her expertise in media relations, account management and event planning has generated dynamic visibility campaigns for clients in the beverage, consumer products, healthcare, retail and real estate industries. Before joining Sidney Maxwell Public Relations, Amy was employed by Dickinson Group, where her media relations talents helped boost sales of luxury condominiums for Draper and Kramer, Inc. Previously, she served as an account manager for Wheatley & Timmons, Inc., spearheading a full-service public relations campaign for brewing giant Molson USA. Amy got her start in the industry with Ketchum Public Relations in Chicago, assisting with media relations campaigns, creating publicity materials and coordinating special events for a variety of innovators including Miller Brewing Company, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and Tribune Interactive. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana University. She is also an active volunteer with Chicago Cares. Contact Amy at amy.francis@sidneymaxwell.com. Megan Meier Megan Meier joined Sidney Maxwell Public Relations in March 2005 after two years at Edelman’s Consumer Brands Division in Chicago. She develops strategic media pitches and assists in program planning for the agency’s media-intensive clients. While at Edelman, she was a key team member on the Clorox, Bush’s Baked Beans and Bush’s Homestyle Chili teams. Her main skills included event planning, media relations and coordinating press and Web site materials. Among her career highlights, she secured coverage at the Nashville Country Music Festival, placements in best-selling cookbooks and coordinating Kingsford Charcoal’s “Top Ten Grilling Cities” initiative. She played an integral role in developing relationships with top media organizations and key influencers in the food media. Prior to joining Edelman, Megan gained media and public relations experience through a college summer internship at the United States Olympic Committee training center in Chula Vista, CA. She was the direct liaison between the athletes and the media; organizing interviews and public appearances. She also wrote all press materials and newsletters. A 2003 graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Megan received a B.A. in Strategic Communications and a Business Certificate. Contact Megan at megan.meier@sidneymaxwell.com. Chuck Casto Chuck Casto is a seasoned consumer marketing guru with more than 14 years of With a reporter’s background, Chuck’s ability to think like both media and marketer is one of his professional hallmarks. Chuck is also known for his strategic creativity, “above and beyond” client service and unparalleled passion and persistence in driving strong media results. Before working with Sidney Maxwell Public Relations, Chuck was a vice president at some of the world’s largest public relations and advertising agencies in New York, Chicago and Contact Chuck at chuck.casto@sidneymaxwell.com.
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