Marsha Friedman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Marsha Friedman doesn’t like sitting still. As a prominent business woman, she has run her pay for performance public relations firm successfully through prosperity and adversity, ironically having one of her best revenue years in the midst of 2009′s recession. As a publicity expert, she recently debuted her new book, Celebritize Yourself, and began a national media tour.

Marsha Friedman launched EMSI in 1990. Her PR company represents corporations and experts in a wide array of fields such as business, health, food, lifestyle, politics, finance, law, sports and entertainment. Some of the more prominent names on her client roster are Teamster’s President, Jimmy Hoffa Jr., Sergeant’s Pet Care Products, Former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane and the famous Motown Group, the Temptations.

She consults individuals and businesses on a daily basis and is frequently asked to speak at conferences about how to harness the power of publicity.

As a radio personality and public speaker, Marsha can be heard every week on the nationally syndicated talk radio show “The Family Roundtable” where problems that modern families face are discussed. Marsha and her co-hosts have enjoyed interviewing family experts as well as celebrities such as Tony Curtis, Ed Begley Jr, Augusten Burroughs, Faith Evans, Vicki Lawrence, Denise Jackson, Janine Turner and Rose Rock.

Outside of the office, Marsha is also the founder of a non-profit organization called the Cherish the Children Foundation. In 1996 the White House recognized her charity which sets out to raise awareness of the plight of underprivileged and foster children.

Steve Friedman, President

The phrases “people person,” “good communicator” and “people skills” could have been coined to describe Steve Friedman. Prior to joining his wife Marsha in the running of EMSI several years back, Steve pursued a sales career in industries spanning insurance to home security. His real passion in life and business is to help others to realize their goals and dreams, and he loves the opportunity afforded at EMSI to assist other business owners, authors and professionals to flourish and be known in their fields.

For the EMSI family of clients, Steve takes this caring approach to a level rarely seen in business. With each client he strives to find the most optimum solution to help them achieve celebrity though excellent PR.

For the EMSI staff, they are family to Steve as well. The well-being of the team here at EMSI matters to him as though they are family – indeed, he considers them as such.

Marti Carlson, Executive Assistant to the CEO

Marti’s career includes 10 years in public relations, during which time her responsibilities included national program supervision of social reform groups and the oversight of training for PR personnel worldwide.

Prior to joining EMSI, Marti’s experience as an Executive Assistant spans a number of industries, including investment, sales, and internet marketing enterprises.

As Executive Assistant, Marti impeccably manages the multitude of diverse activities and endeavors embarked on by Marsha Friedman – CEO, author, public speaker, and founder of a charitable organization.

Marti, who exhibits a blend of skills derived from her artist mother and engineer father, is a born and bred Iowa farmer’s daughter who completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Iowa State University. She relishes going back for lazy days at the family cottage on a bluff overlooking Lake Okoboji. She enjoys photography, page-turning fiction, music from classic to rock, movies, and power walks on beautiful Clearwater Beach.

Rich Ghazarian, Senior Campaign Manager

Rich Ghazarian came to EMSI with a strong broadcast media background. He enjoyed much success in radio and television for 15 years as an on-air personality, program director and music director in stations from California to New York City. Ghazarian has led several stations he programmed to #1 ratings.

After leaving the broadcast medium, Ghazarian worked for several advertising agencies in New York City in multiple capacities for clients: account representative, creative director, copywriter and media planning and execution. Ghazarian joined EMSI in 1998 as an account manager and has been with the company ever since.

As a result of his being on the “other side”, Ghazarian understands what makes for good programming and how to present his clients message attractively to producers. His professionalism has earned EMSI many accolades from producers and show hosts.

Tony Panaccio, Senior Campaign Strategist

Tony’s career started as a newspaper journalist, writing for The Clearwater Sun, The Tampa Tribune, the The Hollywood Sun-Tattler and the Miami Herald’s Topic Magazine. He covered the crime beat and his work during that period won him the Florida Press Club Award in 1989.

Tony’s talent and experience in the print media made his shift to public relations a sure bet, and his agency experience includes stints as a VP at Edelman PR Worldwide and The Weber Group, as well as Managing Director at Hill & Knowlton. After he left Hill & Knowlton, he became the Senior VP at CrossGen Entertainment, working with film producer Michael Uslan (Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Constantine, National Treasure) to license CrossGen’s properties into film and television.

Tony’s impressive and varied resume has been a major asset to EMSI. As our Senior Campaign Strategist he directs strategy for clients, develops media pitches, writes articles and columns and blogs about the media. His instincts about how to pitch EMSI clients are razor-sharp, and have resulted in stellar media results for EMSI clients.

Lisa Hess, Television Campaign Manager

Lisa Hess joined EMSI with a degree in Public Relations from Towson University. She has a natural talent for pitching our clients to the media and securing quality exposure on shows around the country. Lisa is an ace at developing client segments and visuals that TV producers are looking for.

When it comes to the relentless pursuit of the media, Lisa knows how to get it done. As a result, she has quickly developed relationships with producers (such as Good Morning America, Fox News, The 700 Club, CBS Early Show, MSNBC, Fox and Friends) that have astronomically benefitted each client’s campaign.

Russ Handler, Print Campaign Manager and National TV Campaign Specialist

Russ Handler is a veteran in media and brings his diverse experience and talents to EMSI as the Print Campaign Manager and National TV Campaign Specialist.

Russ’ media career started in college, as a show host for both the campus radio station and a weekly student television program. He continued to broaden his media credentials after college, anchoring several radio news programs in top markets, as well as gaining valuable experience as a news writer, producer and voiceover specialist.

EMSI was thrilled to bring Russ on board, recognizing that his background was a great fit with the approach we take to each of our clients’ PR campaigns.

When Russ was asked about his philosophy, he said, “It is really a great feeling servicing our clients and getting them the exposure they expect. It’s a personal satisfaction for me, because their success is my success.” His industry insider’s view has helped Russ deliver huge results for EMSI clients.

Ginny Grimsley, Director of Production Services

Ginny started at EMSI as a teenager, and has since learned the business inside and out! She is the go-to gal to get anything done.

She has worked in every area of production, and currently handles all the administrative details which are so vital to a smooth-running operation. Ginny “keeps all of the trains on track” in the production department here at EMSI, including handling all the client communications regarding radio bookings, staying on top of materials needed by the production team, and sending out pitches for print, TV, and radio for our clients. Our client’s campaigns run smoothly due to Ginny’s professionalism and attention to detail.

On weekends you can find her at an amusement park – she owns a season pass for just about all of them!

Rachel Friedman, Sales Manager

Rachel came to EMSI fresh from her 5-year stint as an International Corporate Trainer for a well-known food service brand. This position taught her vital skills in relationship management, information management and customer care, to name a few. In addition, this role provided her with fantastic exposure to the international marketplace.

Rachel started with EMSI in the position of Print Campaign Manager, where she revolutionized the execution of our client’s print campaigns. After fine-tuning her skills under the wing of EMSI’s CEO, she was able to push the successes of each campaign into a new realm. Aside from this, Rachel has a client-care focus second to none. She has a keen eye in developing print angles, a knack for picking and targeting publications that get results.

Now EMSI’s Sales Manager, Rachel runs EMSI’s sales team, keeping the area running like a well-oiled machine.

Teresa Dangel, Business Development

Teresa Dangel came to EMSI with over 10 years of experience in sales and customer service. Her communication skills are an asset to EMSI, our prospects and our clients, because she learns exactly what each potential client’s publicity needs are, and what they are hoping to achieve. Being able to deliver what is really needed and wanted is a key ingredient for a successful campaign.

When asked what her philosophy for sales was, she replied, “It is easier to keep a happy customer, than it is to find a new one. I believe my job is to deliver the best service and product, so that not only will the customer be happy, but they will refer many others as well.” We are happy to have Teresa on board.

Mark Cook, Business Development

Mark Cook joined the EMSI team as the Business Development Director. Mark’s professional career has focused on business development and marketing for Fortune 100 companies, small business and his own company as well. In his role as a business development consultant Mark won numerous awards and accolades, to include being ranked one of the fastest growing businesses in Florida.

Mark uses his knowledge and experience in business and marketing to offer uncompromising service to EMSI clients.

Eddie Velez, Marketing Director

Eddie Velez came to EMSI with a strong marketing, graphic design and public speaking background. Eddie has helped companies big and small accomplish their marketing goals and helped a major healthcare services provider go from startup to being ranked 12th on NASDAQ’s top 50. With experience working with domestic and international clients, Eddie understands the demanding needs of getting your message delivered to your target audience.

As a speaker, Eddie has represented healthcare, electronics, travel and many other services. This well-rounded experience, complemented by his apprenticeship under Neal Martineau, a three-time winner of the Oglivy Award for Advertising Excellence, has built a portfolio that brings results.

As the Marketing Director, Eddie works with the PR specialists to ensure that a balance of creativity and marketing principles are utilized for maximum results on your campaign. After all, what you say is important, but HOW you say it is MORE important.

Cheryl Smith, General Office Administration

Cheryl has been with EMSI almost since the company was founded…Marsha affectionately refers to her as “the memory” of the firm. And it is true—there is virtually no detail about the operation of EMSI, going back eighteen years, that Cheryl does not recall.

Cheryl currently wears a number of vital hats that keep the gears turning smoothly, including database management, tracking all the statistics for print production and also for the marketing department. She also is very nimble as Marsha’s Internet researcher.

Over the years, Cheryl has worked in most every area of EMSI, and so is uniquely able to quickly and accurately pull up arcane (but valuable) bits of information that often save the day.

Cheryl is also the mom of Ginny Grimsley, EMSI’s Media Production Assistant.

Terry Tinkelenburg, Finance Director

Terry joined the EMSI family in 2008, bringing years of valuable finance and accounting experience to the company.

She really enjoys using her financial skills and experience to help people and businesses get their “financial house in order,” so that they are able to expand and prosper. Her expertise is certainly appreciated here at EMSI!

She also loves to read, garden, knit, study philosophy, and help people.

Nikko, Company Mascot and Chief Security Officer

We are lucky at EMSI to have Nikko watching over us and ensuring the safety and security of our offices!

Nikko’s mommy and daddy are Rachel and Damon Friedman, and Nikko has accompanied them to the EMSI offices for the past three years. He is a six-year-old mini schnauzer, and as lovable as they come! We’re hoping that if the day comes when he actually has to enforce office security, he can scare off an intruder, but it is hard to imagine!

He is friendly to one and all, and each day makes the rounds to the office of every member of the team, to say hello and make sure all is well. And of course, get some petting, too!