Leadership
Dick Wechsler
Founder & CEO
Dick has spent more than a quarter century in senior marketing and Direct Response. He is widely recognized as one of the foremost thought leaders in DR and is a sought-after speaker at major industry conferences He has authored more than 30 articles in leading publications.
Asieya Pine
President
As president of LWD, Asieya is responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations. She also leads the planning and account services group, which optimizes media for the agency's 80+ clients. Under her leadership, LWD has grown year after year for 18 years, becoming one of the largest privately held DRTV agencies in the country. Asieya's experience covers a wide range of direct-response disciplines, including advertising for consumer products, lead generation and eCommerce brands.
Benjamin Speight
EVP, Director of Client Services & Strategic Initiatives
Ben is a seasoned direct marketer with over 15 years' experience in true direct response acquisition, as well as corporate brand response. His experience spans nearly all categories (pharma, telecom, fitness, packaged goods, food service, travel). Ben leads business development efforts for the agency, as well as strategy for a number of clients. His approach is anchored in the understanding that no media channel works alone, and each has a specific influence on one another. While TV is his specialty, Ben is media agnostic when it comes to delivering results!
Rene Munoz
EVP, Director
With 25+ years of experience in direct marketing, Rene Munoz oversees the research, data analytics and information technology groups at the agency. In this capacity, he ensures that the agency remains on the forefront of all advances and capabilities available within the industry. His specialty lies within advanced analytics and data management, supporting all clients across the agency. Rene came to LWD from Draft Worldwide, where he spearheaded investment efforts on several fortune 500 clients.
Carolyn Sura
EVP, Media Director
Carolyn oversees the media buying operations at LWD. She has been a force in guiding the agency's growth from three employees to nearly a hundred with over $450 million in annual media billings. Prior to LWD, Carolyn was a VP at Ogilvy, where she worked with clients such as AT&T and Wells Fargo.
Jane Howard, CGA
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
Jane’s role encompasses financial controls and reporting, corporate governance, human resources, contracts and agency direction. Prior to joining Lockard & Wechsler in 2005, Jane provided financial leadership at Grey Worldwide Canada and Cossette Communication.
Kurt Pisani
SVP, Client Services
Kurt joined LWD in 2001 as a Media Specialist. He has overseen hundreds of accounts, many of them from inception. Understanding media and response trends are his key strengths. Currently Kurt works with some of the industry’s top marketers, including traditional and service oriented campaigns.
Stacey Kaufman
SVP, Director of Paid Programming
Stacey’s career includes 20 years with Universal Music, Time-Life Music, and with one of its predecessors, Heartland Music. She played a major role in navigating Heartland Music's growth from a niche business to a robust multi-million dollar operation that was eventually absorbed by Time-Life, Inc.
Ilene Melnyk
SVP, Media Investment Officer
Ilene has been a valued member of the LWD team since 2000. She is responsible for purchasing Direct Response inventory for all L&W clients, specializing in the purchase of short-form spots. Ilene has also worked for Grey Direct Advertising, Kobs & Brandy and SCP Direct.
Megan Kennedy
SVP, Client Services
As a senior member of the LWD account management team, Megan is the day-to-day practitioner and keeper of the company strategic philosophy. She directs the strategic leadership of her clients’ businesses and assigned account teams. Over the past 14 years, she has delivered a consistently high quality of work, with many successes, for some of our key clients – including esurance, Credible, DSE Healthcare, Vonage and others.
Donald Kendrick
VP, Information Systems
Heading the IT and Data Systems Department, Donald joined in 2016 with over 20 years experience in the field primarily focused on Systems Architecture & Development. He has worked in the media field for CBS Television and also for clients such as Tiffany & Co., Wells Fargo, Mount Sinai Medical, and Alcoa. His team is responsible for the systems used to integrate consumer response data sources with media placements for attribution reporting.
Lucia Elliott
VP, Print Media
Lucia is responsible for all print-related media planning and buying at LWD. Her disciplines in direct marketing also include direct mail, digital, OOH and both long- and short-form DRTV. Prior to joining LWD, she worked on over 20 pharmaceutical brands within GlaxoSmithKline, and coordinated the Nicorette Graffiti Campaign that was nominated for three Cannes Lion awards.
Bill Sullivan
Director of Business Development
Bill joined the LWD team in 2016 as the Director of Business Development working directly with the executive committee to identify and develop new growth opportunities. He is a seasoned direct response executive with over 30 years of experience building and managing a wide range of campaigns ranging from .com, lead generation and product to retail categories. He has deep experience in TV, digital and radio, which is of significant value to our existing and new client base. Bill’s knowledge and reputation are an exceptional compliment to the philosophies and needs here at LWD.
Erik Fitzgerald
VP, Client Services
With over 10 years experience in direct marketing, Erik is an integral part of LWD’s account and planning teams. He possesses a methodical, proven approach to media planning, optimization, and overall campaign stewardship. He quickly identifies trends and capitalizes on opportunities for his clients. His efforts have resulted in better business outcomes and improved ROI for his clients.
Rachel Wilders
VP, Client Services
Rachel is responsible for the execution of media plans and performance analytics. She provides client communication and oversees the day-to-day operations of the planning team. Rachel's years of account experience includes Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Choice Hotels, Fidelity Investments, Quten Research Institute, Reynolds Consumer Products and Sears Holdings Corporation.
Bryanne Marrone
VP, Client Services
Bryanne is an accomplished and versatile account lead. With 10 years experience across both traditional direct and e-commerce marketing, she is very well versed in multichannel web attribution, and understands how to measure and interpret the data to deliver improved ROI. Bryanne has successfully launched and scaled several of LWDs Direct and Retail Campaigns.
Brian Uhl
VP, Client Services
Brian brings strategic thinking and superior plan development skills to the table every day. With 10+ years of multi-channel experience, across traditional and emerging platforms, his clients trust him and he consistently delivers for them. He knows how to develop campaigns that will meet objective, and most importantly, maximize the media investment for optimal return.
Rochelle Starr
VP, Planning
Rochelle joined the LWD team in 2007 as a media buyer. After 10 years of negotiating media for every LWD client and handling some of the largest networks in the cable universe like Fox News, Rochelle transitioned to the client services/account management team. She now oversees an array of different clients like Telebrands, Lot18 Tasting Room and Sling TV. Given her deep understanding of the media marketplace, Rochelle brings significant pricing, inventory and response insight to every media plan that she develops.
Taber Harris
VP, Client Services
Taber has been with LWD since 2011 and has quickly become a key member of our account services team. Prior to LWD, Taber began her career working at Integrated Media Solutions, in the broadcast department. Taber’s knowledge of the marketplace, coupled with her ability to manage lead generation and e-commerce campaigns, allows her to work across all categories. She is integral part of LWD’s data management, reporting and attribution analysis for clients throughout the agency. Taber has excellent attention to detail and a deep understanding of the consumer response which allows her to identify opportunities and scale campaigns quickly.
Marci Leary
VP, Planning
Marci joined the LWD team in 2017 and serves as Vice President, Planning. She brings 11 years of media experience working with some of the industry's top direct response campaigns. Prior to LWD, Marci worked as a Senior Media Buyer at a well-known DRTV agency and was responsible for negotiating media and campaign planning. Currently, she is responsible for managing a wide-range of campaigns from traditional DRTV to retail campaign services for industry leaders. With a comprehensive understanding of marketplace trends, Marci’s custom approach to campaign development, based on each client’s specific demographics and targets, has provided consistent and positive ROI results.
Susan Rosado
VP, Media Investment Officer
Susan began her career working directly for FOX and CBS Television Networks before moving to Media Buying. She created the Per Inquiry discipline at her previous agency, growing it to a multi-million-dollar revenue generator. She also created that department at LWD. Susan has both Direct Response and General buying experience across multiple categories ranging from Pharma to Edu.
Hilary Weinstein
VP, Media Investment Officer
Hilary began her career with LWD in 2003 as a planning assistant. In 2007 she transitioned over to the buying team. In her time with the agency, she has managed high profile As Seen On TV clients as well as purchased media for some of the largest networks within the cable universe. As a senior buying supervisor, with more than 13 years of experience, she oversees the day-to-day activities of the team, while also negotiating the best rates possible for the agency client list. Hilary’s close attention to detail and strong understanding of the media landscape make her a strong asset to the LWD team.
Daniel Fabé
VP, Media Investment Officer
Daniel has been with LWD since 2007. Daniel is a savvy negotiator who will tirelessly work to deliver the best inventory at optimal pricing across the board, for all clients. Given his vast understanding of inventory trends and pricing thresholds, the planning teams rely heavily on Daniel to deliver efficient opportunities that will not only reach, but also engage prospects Daniel manages all sports related media opportunities for the agency and has deep understanding of all sports audience viewership like no other.
Jena Pellegrino
VP, Client Services
Jena joined LWD as a Media Specialist in June 2010. Jena’s ability to analyze, optimize, and make sound strategic planning decisions became evident very quickly. Her clients place tremendous trust in her, and know that she always puts the client objective above anything else. She has since then strategized, executed and managed various types of accounts from inception. She specializes in campaigns ranging from traditional, response based DRTV products, to retail-support and E-commerce services.
Kaitlin Sumner
VP, Research & Insights
Kaitlin has been with LWD since 2012. Her ability to quickly identify trends and derive meaningful insights within complex data has made her a tremendous asset to the agency. Kaitlin and her team are responsible for interpreting and dissecting research, which becomes the foundation of our strategic planning process. Her always approachable, team-oriented mindset allows her to work-across the agency seamlessly, adding value to all phases of plan development. Apart from her role within the research department, she does an outstanding job supporting the executive team in all aspects of our new business process.
Michael Carlson
Infrastructure Manager
Michael started with LWD in 2007 as an IT Specialist. As Manager of infrastructure, Michael's role includes planning/overseeing hardware migrations, ensuring all software/hardware is operating properly & ensuring helpdesk questions are promptly addressed. His experience spans over 15 years within IT.
Catherina Somai
Senior Account Supervisor
Catherina joined the LWD team in 2009 as a Media Specialist. Over the years, she has been instrumental in building both response-driven campaigns, as well as awareness-based executions. Her insight and ability to analyze results, along with her broad range of expertise has enabled her to consistently deliver on client goals and objectives. She has provided her strategic planning skills on various accounts, some of which include Esurance, Carbonite, Idea Village, uSell, & HTC.
Cathryn McCann
Senior Account Supervisor
Cathryn joined LWD as a Media Specialist in November 2011. Since then Cathryn has grown to be a vital member of the planning team through daily strategizing, data analytics and client communication. Her diverse category experience includes warranty services, traditional As Seen On TV campaigns and E-Commerce driven businesses. Her strong work ethic, positive demeanor and account management skills have helped to on-board and efficiently grow a wide range of clients.
Stephanie Sfaelos
Senior Account Supervisor
Stephanie joined the Lockard & Wechsler team in 2012 as a Media Specialist. Since then she has strategized, executed and managed various types of accounts. Stephanie has worked on a full range of campaigns from Traditional DRTV to retail support and E-Commerce campaigns for clients such as Emson, Juice Beauty, Luminess Air,JackPocket and Cyclone Rake. Her comprehensive approach to media planning and optimization, along with her attention to detail and organization, allows her to continuously meet all client needs and expand all campaigns to their full potential.
Jessica Davis
Senior Account Supervisor
Jessica joined the agency in August of 2011 as a Planning Assistant and has since progressed to Media Supervisor. During her time at LWD, she's worked on several campaigns that spread across the category spectrum, including: Insurance (Esurance), Pharma/Drugs (Avanir & Quten Research), Heathcare (BrightStar & EmblemHealth), Financial (Fidelity Investments), Travel (Choice Hotels), and Home Improvement (Sears). Her knowledge and ability to analyze results allow her to execute media plans and deliver on client campaign goals.