VIPeas
Samantha Strickland | CEO
sam@thepodadvertising.com
(850) 321-3688
Armed with a Masters degree from Florida State University in Interactive Communications, along with 12+ years of executive level marketing experience, Sam is the marketing strategist best known for getting goal-breaking results on a shoestring budget. Between her unparalleled brand optimization skills and collaborative client-centric approach to project management, you’re sure to get more than you expected…and then some.
Brian Ramos, Principal | CMO
Drawing since he was two and selling since he was 15, Brian found that Brand Development & Visual Communication was a perfect career to amalgamate his talents. Brian has built successful brands and experiences for clients ranging from Sandals Resorts and Air Jamaica to Roadhouse Grill and Reebok, as well as credit industry clients like First Commerce, Entrust, Connect, League of Southeastern Credit Unions, Virginia Credit Union League, Alabama CU, and more.
Wes Strickland, Principal | COO
Along with his excellent hotdog grilling skills, Chief Operating Officer Wes Strickland comes to The Pod with over 15 years of experience in the insurance regulatory department of one of country’s most prestigious law firms, Foley & Lardner. He now provides his expert eye to advertising compliance to ensure credit unions stay current with every-changing regulatory requirements. Wes is the best “insurance policy” your credit union can get to protect your industry reputation and financial future.
Marco Barreto, Creative Director
Born in Barranquilla, Columbia, our genius Creative Director spent seven years as an art director there, working on major brands such as Jeep, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, and Samsung.
Before coming to Tallahassee, his work was published in multiple trade magazines and has earned him more than a dozen international design contests.
Brittney Metzger, VP of Operations
brittney@thepodadvertising.com
Brittney Metzger, Vice President of Operations, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Florida State University. After earning several years of experience at an Atlanta-based accounting firm, she returned to Tallahassee and put her remarkable organizational and financial management skills to use for The Pod Advertising and its clients.
MVPeas
Kristin Bass-Petersen, Production Director
Kristin grew up in several countries in Central and South America, has lived on both coasts and met her husband 12 years ago in Australia. She holds a BA in Film from Sarah Lawrence College, an MA in Media and Communication Studies from FSU and an MS in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University, where she earned the Advanced Achiever Award. Her passions are learning, teaching and breathing media production: she wants to tell other people’s stories creatively and honestly, all the while building her own.
Deirdre Morales, Producer
Deirdre is a Tallahassee area filmmaker who has worked in the story department for various reality television shows on The Discovery Channel, TLC and Bravo networks.
Her films have screened across the United States and Europe at numerous festivals and competitions. In 2012 Deirdre was a national finalist for the Debra Hill Fellowship through the Producers Guild of America in Beverly Hills, CA.
Mar Garcia Urquijo, Image Artist
A panoramic photo allows for many pictures within one, it is a window to another space, another time. It is like a movie because it captures more than a fragment of time: all of its surroundings, all it misses is sound and scent, but even so it is an unforgettable experience.
Dana King, Lead Graphic Designer
The seed of Dana King’s remarkable talent in graphic design was planted when she became an early devotee of the social network site, MySpace. A creative approach to personal online artwork blossomed into placement in Florida A&M’s Graphic Design program, from which she graduated in 2011.
Biou Zhang, Client Services
In Chinese philosophy, all movement and life is a result of contradiction, so is she.
If you think she fits the stereotype of shy Asian girl, you must be misled by her quiet appearance. Believe it or not, she began playing classical piano at age four, she joined a heavy metal band with five crazy guys at the age of fourteen, she played the keyboard until she left for the U.S.
Skyler Matchett, Associate Copywriter
Skyler@thepodadvertising.com
Skyler is a junior at Florida State University studying Media/Communication Studies. As a part-timer at The Pod, the social coordinator of her on campus student group and an avid performer in the community, she finds no trouble staying as busy as she possibly can.
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Anna Polito
Anna was born in the Philippines, but was raised in small town Pensacola where she was able to cultivate her artistic ability and creativity. Her pursuit of happiness lies in a career that blends her two passions together; film and design.
Dwyer Gerrity
Dwyer Gerrity is originally from Pembroke Pines, Florida and is a Junior studying Advertising and Event Planning at FSU. Specializing in social media and creative copywriting, Dwyer’s internship at The Pod is her first in the advertising field.
Nicole Regan
Nicole is studying Studio Art and Advertising at Florida State University, and is a current member of FSU’s Advertising Team. Though a design intern, her interests go beyond the boundaries of graphic design to painting, film, and drawing.
Sarah Jean Ferraris
sarah@thepodadvertising.com
Sarah Jean is a third year student at Florida State University double majoring in Communications and Social Sciences. Her concentrations lie in the field of Advertising and Economics. At The Pod, Sarah Jean is a social media and public relations intern handling accounts for The Pod, Bike Florida and Jersey Mike’s Subs – Tallahassee.
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Teresa Coulter
Teresa, born and raised in Orlando, loves college football, sweet tea, and country music. She is currently a public relations student and plans on continuing her education through graduate school at Florida State University. Teresa loves Tallahassee and has been a loyal Seminole her entire life. She loves to write, engage in social media, and be part of any sort of creative process.
Thomas Palumbo
Thomas is from Tampa, Florida where he attended Jesuit High School. He is currently completing his 5th and final year at Florida State University where he is earning dual degrees in Management of Information Systems and Information Communication and Technology.
Josh Puttbach
Josh Puttbach is originally from Jacksonville, Florida and is a Junior currently studying Media Production at Florida State University. Having a background in video production as well as creative writing allows Josh to float between helping out on set as well as writing content (blogs, content marketing plans, etc.) for numerous clients.
FORMER PEAS
Once a Pea, Always a Pea!
JENA LaMENDOLA
NAOMI ADLER
ART SCHWARTZ RESTREPO
LaTOYA CHAMBLISS
THE POD’S PARTNERS
We know we can’t be everything to everybody, so we pride ourselves on building strategic alliances with experts in various fields. Not only do you get expert input on your project, we also arrange “special pricing” with our partners, so you get the best of the best without paying for their year-round salary and overhead. It’s a win-win.
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