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ABOUT US

A Group of Agencies Built for Each Brand Life Stage.

  1. STRATEGY & IDEAS
  2. MARKETING & DESIGN
  3. OPTIMIZATION & DEVELOPMENT
1. STRATEGY & IDEAS

THE “BIG IDEA” BRAND STRATEGIC CONSULTANCY

Helping brands grow boldly against the norm, Virtuoso is an outcome-obsessed strategic business consultancy that leverages data and insights to model strategic scenarios and concept solutions for accelerated business growth.

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2. MARKETING & DESIGN

THE “REBELLIOUS” MARKETING AGENCY

More than just digital marketing services, Rebel is a partner in creating the disruptive story of your brand across all channels and touchpoints. We provoke and disrupt, and — most importantly — leave a lasting impact.

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3. OPTIMIZATION & DEVELOPMENT

THE “GROWTH-OBSESSED” DEVELOPMENT STUDIO

From custom-built SaaS products to AI integrations, 535 is a skunkworks-style lab that solves everyday business problems by leveraging emerging tech, testing, and launching innovations, and optimizing how we work and do business.

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Leading the Rebellion.

Meet the team of award-winning experts that come together for a greater purpose: to inspire and empower brands to realize what they’re capable of.

head-shot of Bryn Tindall

Bryn Tindall

CEO

Bryn Tindall

CEO

Although not technically alliterative, the words “Bryn Tindall” have a ring to them. And that’s not surprising, considering Bryn Tindall has a strong knack for recognizing things that have a ring to them. Our founder and CEO is a rule-breaker in the true rebellion mold.

 

With an imposing list of startups on his resume and impressive history of clients (Mercedes-Benz and Citigroup, to name a few), Bryn embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and has a Spidey-sense understanding of — and reaction to — changes in the industry, and he won’t settle for the status quo.

head-shot of BJ Kito

BJ Kito

Chief Strategy Officer

BJ Kito

Chief Strategy Officer

“BJ doesn’t like the spotlight, but he deserves it,” said a co-worker. “So even though he didn’t want a bio, we’re doing it for him.”

“From practicing law to consulting, strategizing, ideating, and leading the way in Fortune 500 boardrooms, BJ is an unexpected, disruptive brilliance, but he would have never admitted that himself. He looks like a street artist who sold out, and thinks like a BCG consultant who didn’t. He sees what others don’t, formulates like no one can, and transforms businesses and brands like no one could imagine; it’s that simple.”

James Dowd

Chief Creative Officer

James Dowd

Chief Creative Officer

If ever a person and company were a partnership waiting to happen, it’s Rebel and James Dowd, our Chief Creative Officer.

 

“I feel like my brand has always been Rebel,” he says. “Once, at the top of a business card, I had the line, ‘I aim to misbehave.’ In fact, there’s a great quote by the late royal photographer Cecil Beaton that sort of sums up my philosophy: ‘Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.’”

Bryan Czajkowski

COO

Bryan Czajkowski

COO

For those who say you can’t go back home again, Bryan was our first-ever hire, serving as Vice President of Technical Strategy and later as Chief Technology Officer.

 

During his 25 years working in emerging media and digital platforms, Bryan has become a master of “connecting the dots,” using his understanding of technology and trend forecasting to link clients’ business goals to successful digital marketing initiatives. He brings a range of skills to the development and execution of every project, including analysis, planning, information architecture, taxonomy, project management, and more.

head-shot of Jen Tindall

Jen Tindall

Chief Legal Counsel & Human Resources

Jen Tindall

Chief Legal Counsel & Human Resources

Jen Tindall serves as Rebel’s chief legal counsel & human resources, as well as accounting department manager. In her role as corporate counsel, Jen reviews and prepares legal documents (contracts) and answers any internal questions that arise regarding internet, intellectual property, and advertising law. In her role of HR director, she oversees employment policies, payroll, and benefits, and manages the recruiting and onboarding process.

 

Because we Rebels are spirited and intrepid by nature, we rely on Jen to ensure we go about our daily work without too many bumps and bruises (and specific legal questions that we need to answer). Jen is our self-proclaimed “adventurer with grounding,” and she’s our own personal force to be reckoned with.

head-shot of Katy McGrath

Katy McGrath

SVP, Rebel Talent & Training

Katy McGrath

SVP, Rebel Talent & Training

As SVP, Rebel Talent & Training, Katy is creating the framework for which all current and future Rebels will learn. Born of necessity—because of the need for cohesive, consistent, ongoing internal training and our desire to give back in a meaningful way—Rebel Academy, led by Katy, strives to positively affect as many lives as possible through the power of knowledge, Rebel-style.

 

That makes her the perfect leader to build an environment that emphasizes learning above all else, and one which prioritizes moving upwards and onwards in the professional academic space, allowing all Rebels to find their own Ah-ha moment.

head-shot of Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson

VP, Strategy

Craig Wilson

VP, Strategy

Craig D. Wilson, VP of Strategy, has extensive client-side and consulting experience with proven success in leadership, branding, marketing research, strategy, planning and execution, product management, profit and loss management, and consulting in business-to-consumer and business-to-business organizations, as well as launching products, product lines, and businesses.

 

As Rebel’s vice president of marketing strategy, Craig believes in a holistic teamwork approach. He’s “learned that the answers to complex business challenges lie within the knowledge, intellect, and willingness of employees, partners, and clients.” In other words, he plays nicely with everyone.

head-shot of Steve McLoughlin

Steve McLoughlin

SVP, Strategic Marketing & Impact

Steve McLoughlin

SVP, Strategic Marketing & Impact

With a storied career spanning over 25 years in both client and agency marketing roles, Steve McLoughlin, SVP, Strategic Marketing & Impact, brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience across diverse industries. During his previous tenure at Rebel, he served as the VP of Marketing Strategy and Digital Innovation and later as Higher Education Practice Lead. Notably, he further cultivated his skills as Director of Marketing at a prominent wealth management firm in Connecticut.

 

“Using best practices is what typically sets the standard for ordinary people and average work,” Steve says. “To me, that serves as a starting point for surpassing the norm and doing something extraordinary. I am a firm believer that everything we do needs to have the desired impact on the results we set out to accomplish. Knowing that we have the power to influence outcomes is what keeps me going every day.”

head-shot of Aiden Rand

Aiden Rand

Junior AI Developer

Aiden Rand

Junior AI Developer

IT Specialist Aiden Rand does not mince words regarding his approach to work and life.

 

“I like making my own rules,” he asserts. “I believe that everybody has the right to pave their own path in life. People who make a true difference are the ones who ignore those who tell them they have to do something a certain way or live a certain way to live a happy life. I don’t accept those who say, ‘that’s just the way life is.’”

 

One day, he says, he’s going to create his own tech company and “put a dent in the universe.”

head-shot of Andrew Serra

Andrew Serra

Manager, Paid Media

Andrew Serra

Manager, Paid Media

Andrew Serra, Manager, Paid Media, has previous experience as an SEO analyst and data analyst. He’s an experienced paid media and ad ops manager with a demonstrated history of strategizing and executing media plans across multiple channels for a wide range of clients. As a leader of the ad operations side of Rebel, Andrew has helped train specialists in GA4 and Google Tag Manager.

 

Analytics is clearly the right field for Andrew, who notes that he loves “getting people the results they want and making a difference in our clients’ lives.”

head-shot of Ashley Boronin

Ashley Boronin

Senior Graphic Designer

Ashley Boronin

Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Graphic Designer Ashley Boronin comes to Rebel with a wealth of graphic design experience in higher education, technology, and more.

 

Over time, she’s honed her skills and learned about what she truly enjoys. “As a designer, I’m passionate about building visually exciting brands, websites, and social creative in both digital and print formats,” she says. “I love pushing the envelope and blending what I’m passionate about – within and outside the field of design – and turning it into a more impactful experience for Rebel clients and their audiences.”

head-shot of Casey Collins

Casey Collins

Manager, Advertising and Search

Casey Collins

Manager, Advertising and Search

Casey Collins, Manager, Advertising and Search, came back to us after a brief NYC detour. “I came back because I wanted to return to an agency that was local and allowed me to be part of an in-person team. I was also happy to reconnect with my old coworkers and meet plenty of new ones.”

 

He says that he strives to be as much like Larry David as possible, especially in social interactions. “I even did standup comedy for about six months and got paid to do it.”

head-shot of Chris Gamelin

Chris Gamelin

Audio/Visual Specialist

Chris Gamelin

Audio/Visual Specialist

Audio/Visual Specialist Chris Gamelin comes to Rebel having worked in the fast-paced world of TV news, where he assisted operations at WFSB Channel 3. In addition to working with cameras, troubleshooting technical issues, and completing daily maintenance tasks, he also worked in the control room during broadcasts.

 

Chris thinks outside the box—it’s what makes him a Rebel! He’s always ready to learn from people and is drawn to groups where he can build his knowledge and experience. He’s certainly come to the right place.

head-shot of Christopher Byars

Christopher Byars

QA & Requirements Manager

Christopher Byars

QA & Requirements Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst Christopher Byars is a person who “is not satisfied unless I feel I’ve put forth my best effort.” And that’s a great attribute for a QA Analyst.

 

Beyond the workday, you can find Chris “either at home cooking, watching old and terrible B movies, playing video games, or at a card shop trying hard to not waste all my money on a new board game or card set.”

head-shot of Connor Jones

Connor Jones

Specialist, Paid Media

Connor Jones

Specialist, Paid Media

Paid Media Specialist Connor Jones manages client accounts at Rebel and works closely with the other teams to maximize each brand’s reach online. Connor’s obsession with adventure and excitement is what drew him to Rebel, and he enthusiastically collaborates with his teammates and eagerly hops on every opportunity to hone his skills.

 

Staying cool and collected while making crucial decisions in a fast-paced environment is what Connor does best and is a skill he’s cultivated since childhood. Connor has been snowboarding since he was 8 years old and now takes on black diamond trails with ease. Speeding down a snow-and-ice-covered mountain might be intimidating to some, but to Connor, it’s just a regular weekend activity.

head-shot of Connor Millican

Connor Millican

Director of Business Development

Connor Millican

Director of Business Development

With over 10 years of experience in business development and marketing, Connor Millican, Director of Business development, has evolved into a dynamic leader passionate about strategic partnerships, innovative digital solutions, and driving business growth. Specializing in diverse industries, Connor is a seasoned expert in website development, data analytics, and comprehensive marketing strategies.

head-shot of Corey Hutchison

Corey Hutchison

Creative Director

Corey Hutchison

Creative Director

Creative Director Corey Hutchison has more than 10 years of design experience, expanding across multiple mediums including print, digital and web. With primary focus in UI and UX design and development, he’s also skilled at photography, marketing strategy, project management and email marketing. Corey has worked in industries including newspaper, wide format printing, trade shows, electronic, sports fitness and nutrition, MMA, headphones, sound technology, and web design.

 

Corey believes the fact that he’s an only child compels him to be independent and to stand out from the crowd, so we Rebels try not to spoil him with extra attention.

head-shot of Cristin Carrese

Cristin Carrese

Account Executive

Cristin Carrese

Account Executive

Account Executive Cristin Carrese has spent five years building experience in marketing, administration, and fashion merchandising. Cristin’s ability to work with clients and stay on top of every aspect of account management is a tribute to her diverse work background and her sharp eye for detail.

 

Cristin’s biggest competitor? Herself: “I would consider it a failure if I didn’t look back at myself in a year from now and think ‘wow, I learned so much.’”

Cydney Moreno

Manager, Paid Media

Cydney Moreno

Manager, Paid Media

Cyd Moreno, Manager, Paid Media, has worked in several industries, most recently for an infant adoption law firm, where she successfully targeted the estimated 2% of the population interested in their services, increasing leads, revenue, finalized adoptions, and decreasing cost/conversion from $2,000 to $200.

 

“I love working with people who enjoy what they do and want to learn, give, and inspire. That’s why I joined Rebel,” she notes. “My mantra is ‘Use money and love people. Don’t use people and love money.’ I actively practice inspiring, supporting, and facilitating positive change and ‘good trouble.’”

head-shot of David Benoit

David Benoit

Director, Martech & CRO

David Benoit

Director, Martech & CRO

David Benoit has over a decade of experience in agency work and has built hundreds of websites. Specializing in email marketing and automation technology, David is invested in the art of optimizing and automating workflow for the benefit of clients and employees.

 

David’s never-ending quest for improvement is reflective of his personality: he’s never afraid to step outside of his comfort zone to learn more. David’s philosophy aligns well with the Rebel mission, and his dedication to innovation makes him a perfect fit for the company.

head-shot of David Givens

David Givens

VP, Client Delivery & Technology

David Givens

VP, Client Delivery & Technology

VP, Client Delivery & Technology, David Givens began his odyssey in digital marketing in 1997 and brings a wealth of experience to Rebel in project management, quality assurance, and automation. He leveraged his experience and savvy as a project manager while working with brands such as Middlesex Health, Caremark, Konica Minolta, Liberty Bank, McDonald’s, and more.

 

David is no stranger to rebellion. He says, “the six saddest words in business are ‘we’ve always done it that way.’” David brings projects to life by approaching and aligning solutions with a greater vision. He comes with an excitement to explore synergies and discover nimble efficiencies to develop meaningful results.

head-shot of Chris Nocera

Dr. Christopher Nocera

Data Scientist

Dr. Christopher Nocera

Data Scientist

As a data engineer, scientist, research designer, socio-cognitive behavioral psychologist, medical doctor, and “decision-making developer,” Dr. Christopher Nocera comes to Rebel with a deep understanding of why we as consumers and tech users make the decisions we do from a biological, neuroscience, and behavioral perspective.

 

Chris has served as co-founder, head of product, CTO, Chief Scientist, and CIO – all in service to the goal of creating user and customer experiences that result in engagement, sales, and loyalty.

head-shot of Dylan OConnor

Dylan O’Connor

Ad Ops & Analytics Specialist

Dylan O’Connor

Ad Ops & Analytics Specialist

Ad Ops & Analytics Specialist, Dylan O’Connor notes that he’s creative, outgoing, thinks outside the box, and blazes his own trail in life. “I enjoy trying new things and keeping an open mind,” he adds.

 

That adventurous spirit has led him to take on some pretty daring challenges: Dylan has parasailed in Aruba, zip-lined through the rainforest in Saint Lucia, and has even gone swimming with sharks in Turks and Caicos.

head-shot of Evan Daddona

Evan Daddona

Account Executive

Evan Daddona

Account Executive

Account Executive Evan Daddona comes to Rebel with two years of agency experience. In his previous experiences, he’s focused on digital marketing, social media, and data analytics.

 

Evan has a special place in his heart for sporting events. He’s just as passionate about soccer as he is about digital marketing—he even plays for a semi-professional team.

head-shot of Gail Zaharek

Gail Zaharek

VP of Client Services

Gail Zaharek

VP of Client Services

VP of Client Services Gail Zaharek comes to Rebel with a depth of account management experience in both client and agency roles, specializing in B2B healthcare. Her project portfolio includes experience in lead generation strategy, new business, and process optimization.

 

“I love the psychology and neuroscience of marketing, how people think, and how we translate that into our craft,” she notes. “The culture at Rebel is a great fit for me since the environment is open to amplifying our strengths and matching them to our client’s needs.”

head-shot of Greg Davis

Greg Davis

Account Director

Greg Davis

Account Director

Account Director Greg Davis has more than 13 years of client services experience. He’s worked with marketing agencies all over Connecticut and has had the pleasure of working with clients like Mastercard and American Airlines.

 

When working with clients, Greg likes to take a hands-on approach to ensure they achieve their goals on time, within budget, and with a smile on their faces. His positive attitude is infectious — whether he’s in a Zoom room or conference room, you know he’s dedicated to making a difference.

head-shot of Jack Curran

Jack Curran

Account Executive

Jack Curran

Account Executive

Account Executive Jack Curran is a man of many talents, including public relations, “Game of Thrones” trivia, and playing the piano, guitar, and drums. He has a strong background in economics, communications, and business management, making him the perfect Rebel to morph and adapt to emerging trends in the industry.

 

He’s also a part-time pizza chef at an Italian restaurant renowned for its authentic dishes. You may be wondering what his favorite pizza topping is. “I’m a classic guy, I always go for pepperoni as my go-to. Every once in a while I’ll experiment and try something crazy like a cheeseburger pizza.” Pizza party at Rebel, anyone?

head-shot of Jacqueline Chila

Jacqueline Chila

Account Executive

Jacqueline Chila

Account Executive

Account Executive Jackie Chia has worked in the commerce and creative industries. Jackie’s experience in formally managing a creative studio and a car service company has established leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

 

Jackie’s favorite movie quote is “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!” (“Sandlot”, 1993). “The Sandlot” follows a true Rebel at heart since it’s about a young kid who tries to blend in but fails. Like him, she’s not one for blending in with the crowd; she commands the room and guides Rebel client accounts to success.

head-shot of Joe Lane

Joe Lane

Group Account Director

Joe Lane

Group Account Director

Group Account Director Joe Lane has spent the last decade managing accounts in a variety of industries, such as higher education, nonprofits, medical, and technology.

 

Joe works hard and plays harder. “My clients’ interests and business goals are always a priority. But when I’m playing, I am always up for anything as long as it doesn’t get me killed!” He’s not kidding, Joe once rode a bicycle down the side of an active volcano in Hawaii. Guess you could say he works well under pressure.

head-shot of Jon Feld

Jon Feld

Associate Creative Director

Jon Feld

Associate Creative Director

Creative Manager Jon Feld has worked in content creation for more than 25 years and has experience developing and managing content marketing campaigns and strategies. He has mastered every level of the content creation process—from directing teams to editing drafts—and develops dynamic content for clients across a range of industries.

 

Despite his wealth of experience, Jon is always open to learning something new and enjoys working closely with his team members. He values diversity of skills on a team and strives to absorb all he can from coworkers with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Joshua Marcial

Paid Media Intern

Joshua Marcial

Paid Media Intern

Paid Media Intern Josh Marcial comes to Rebellion Group with past experience as a creative marketing manager, digital marketing associate, and digital marketing and social media strategist.

 

“I want to create positive change that will impact the marketing industry,” he says. “I am also a firm believer in the Mamba Mentality, created by Kobe Bryant. I even have a “Be Great” tattoo, which I live by.”

 

A competitive weightlifter and bodybuilder, Josh is also a dedicated online gamer (but single-player story mode only please).

head-shot of Julio Amaro

Julio Amaro

Manager, Paid Media

Julio Amaro

Manager, Paid Media

Julio Amaro, Manager, Paid Media, started his career in broadcasting. But while managing a restaurant in Puerto Rico, he realized what storytelling and content marketing could do for the business on social media, and, he says, “my marketing mind was born.”

 

“I am wired to reverse engineer behavior, and I can almost see where consumer attention is and goes,” he relates. “I love to ‘outgrow the box,’ and my passion drives me to own any failures as long as we can achieve growth together. My motto: You win some, you learn some.”

head-shot of Justin Girard

Justin Girard

Creative Director

Justin Girard

Creative Director

Creative Director Justin Girard comes to Rebel with more than 10 years of marketing and design experience honed at several agencies.

 

Justin’s greatest accomplishment? “Making a career out of doodles and weird ideas,” he says.

 

But on a more serious note, he makes no secret about the passion he has for what he does or about his own expectations for his work. “Creating fulfills my inner purpose and I seek to push boundaries with my work,” he notes. “If you don’t break rules, don’t expect to break through.”

Karan Patil

eCRM & Marketing Automation Strategist

Karan Patil

eCRM & Marketing Automation Strategist

According to eCRM and Marketing Automation Strategist Karan Patil, one of the core lessons he learned about life and work came from the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers: “trust the process.”

 

“The process,” he asserts, “teaches me to fall in love with the journey and not worry about the destination because staying true to the process every time makes me realize that the goals and milestones will happen as a side effect. The process helps me to grind, be responsible, and embrace the possibilities that come with it.”

head-shot of Kat Cantillo

Kat Cantillo

Project Manager

Kat Cantillo

Project Manager

You name a project — website, social media, mobile app, branding, and more — and Project Manager Kat Cantillo has probably worked on it. Starting as an intern for a university website, she came to Rebel from a previous post as a senior account manager.

 

Kat enjoys nothing more than a challenge. “I like evaluating problems to find the best solution for a client, whether it’s something in the norm, or straying off the path to find a hidden opportunity to get to the desired end result,” she says. “Collaborating with like-minded people to achieve those goals is part of the process.”

head-shot of Kate Gore

Kate Gore

Senior Graphic Designer

Kate Gore

Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Graphic Designer Kate Gore is not afraid to design outside the box. She lives by the motto “anything is possible in design; you just have to be willing to push the envelope.”

 

With more than seven years of marketing and design experience, Katelyn has worked within many verticals. Before joining Rebel, she worked with another Connecticut-based agency assisting in the creative execution of client websites, landing pages, email newsletters, and various digital marketing tactics. From healthcare to finance to senior living, she’s done it all.

head-shot of Kevin MacPhee

Kevin MacPhee

Senior Copywriter

Kevin MacPhee

Senior Copywriter

Honing his expertise as a copywriter for several Boston and Connecticut agencies during the past decade, Senior Copywriter Kevin MacPhee’s calm, unflappable nature and staunch belief in core tenets are especially evident in his approach to punctuation.

 

“Don’t be alarmed,” he says. “I tend not to use exclamation points. I also believe pineapple is good on pizza, and I prefer not to use the Oxford comma. Both can get contentious.”

 

“I’m comfortable in the quiet moments where the thinking happens,” he adds. “Whether working alone or in a group setting, the thinking part of our job is the foundation for everything else. Good ideas and good writing start with good thinking.”

head-shot of Kevin Skrocki

Kevin Skrocki

Graphic Designer

Kevin Skrocki

Graphic Designer

What makes Graphic Designer Kevin Skrocki a true Rebel? It just might be that his favorite quote comes from one of our favorite all-time rebels, Steve Jobs: “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.”

 

Kevin came to Rebel from a broadcast environment and most recently worked at NBC CT as a creative services intern.

 

What else makes Kevin a Rebel? “I look to find creative answers to solutions, I want to grow and learn, and I’m excited about new journeys and new tasks.”

head-shot of Kieran Tindall

Kieran Tindall

Business Development Manager

Kieran Tindall

Business Development Manager

Business Development Kieran Tindall has dabbled in the industry since 2019 and continues to take on any project handed to him, no matter how challenging. Kieran has experience in nearly every aspect of marketing, from organic social media content to technical SEO.

 

Kieran’s primary motivation? “I find that doing projects and solving problems that most people would avoid are the ones I enjoy the most,” he says.

head-shot of Kyle Sheldon

Kyle Sheldon

Director, SaaS Implementation

Kyle Sheldon

Director, SaaS Implementation

Director, SaaS Implementation Kyle Sheldon has more than seven years of experience working in the technology industry. At Rebel, he builds and develops new software and improves our current tech systems.

 

Kyle, who typically goes by “Sheldon” around the office, is a true Rebel at heart. He said: “I try to do what I think is right, not just what is expected of me. Under-promise and over-deliver is my motto. Always do more than required and always help when you can.” Sheldon ignores the status quo and forges his own path, perpetually keeping Rebel ahead of the game.

head-shot of Kyle Wood

Kyle Wood

Copywriter

Kyle Wood

Copywriter

Copywriter Kyle Wood’s childhood dream was to direct movies. Then again, his real-life childhood was pretty busy. From winning a Mickey Mouse card contest at age 9 and being a talented athlete (he attended “professional basketball camps”), to winning poetry awards in college, Kyle’s always lived and dreamed big.

 

His goal today? “To rise to the occasion, work with the best of the best, and prove to everyone that I’m a born Rebel,” he says.

 

When he’s not producing content at Rebel, you can find Kyle “reading; playing minigolf; going to the beach; visiting breweries, coffeehouses, and restaurants; and taking day trips to explore New England.” He also enjoys napping, going to concerts (he’s a big metal and emo fan), video gaming, and watching movies and TV.

 

It’s a good thing he had time to dream during childhood because adulthood is definitely keeping Kyle busy.

head-shot of Larissa Topalis

Larissa Topalis

Design Strategist

Larissa Topalis

Design Strategist

Design Strategist Larissa Topalis works in digital media and web design and has experience in both graphic and floral design, making her an expert on color configurations. Her varied skills bring a unique perspective to the creative process at Rebel, and Larissa hopes to expand her experience in website design.

 

Larissa loves overcoming challenges online and in nature; she spends her free time kayaking, hiking, surfing, and skiing. She considers herself a thrill-chaser and when she can’t find the adrenaline rush in nature, she turns to carnival rides — maybe our next Rebel outing should be at a theme park!

Laurel Whittier

Project Manager

Laurel Whittier

Project Manager

As far as marketing goes, it seems as though there’s nothing Senior Project Manager Laurel Whittier hasn’t done in her accomplished career. She’s filled every role from marketing manager and web designer to organizational communications manager and creative director.

 

So, what’s been propelling Laurel throughout her career?

 

“I love problem-solving,” she says. “I have an innate capacity to figure it out and a resourceful nature geared to overcoming difficulties. I’m always pushing boundaries to see what’s possible and have a deep curiosity to understand the ‘why’ of things.”

head-shot of Marc Manzi

Marc Manzi

Senior Videographer/Editor

Marc Manzi

Senior Videographer/Editor

Senior Videographer and Editor Marc Manzi has worked in film and video production for 15 years. While he prefers working in post-production, he’s skilled in shooting, editing, motion graphics, photography, lighting, audio mixing, and more. When it comes to film; if you can name it, Marc has probably dabbled in it!

 

Marc’s passion for film and video production began in his freshman year of high school, and he has since overcome many challenges and obstacles to get where he is today. Though he identifies as a logical person, he’s not afraid to toss logic out the window to follow his passions—a trait that has served him well over the years.

head-shot of Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson

VP, Growth Marketing & Engagement

Mark Anderson

VP, Growth Marketing & Engagement

Mark Anderson might be the Director, Business Intelligence & Strategy for Rebel, but he’s also a formidable Dungeons and Dragons player and a published author. He also, as he tells it, “Made Queen Latifah laugh during a production meeting.” Don’t you really want to know what he said to her? So do we!

 

His missions include: refuse to stop learning, refuse to slow down, and refuse to disbelieve in himself.

head-shot of Matt DiStasio

Matt DiStasio

Associate Director, Paid Media

Matt DiStasio

Associate Director, Paid Media

Associate Director of Paid Media, Matt DiStasio has spent the last 6 years working with various marketing agencies throughout Connecticut. He has an extensive background in branding and offline marketing strategies and works closely with Rebel clients to optimize their businesses through paid media, programmatic and native display advertising, and search engine optimization.

 

A man of many talents, Matt was voted “most comedic” in high school. “It’s been downhill since then as I’ve failed to live up to the title,” he says.

head-shot of Matthew Steele

Matthew Steele

Account Director

Matthew Steele

Account Director

head-shot of Max Franklin

Max Franklin

Account Supervisor

Max Franklin

Account Supervisor

With a background in sales and client relations, Account SUPERVISOR Max Franklin loves a challenge. He likes to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty through active participation in client projects and deliverables.

 

As part of Rebel’s Account Team, Max most enjoys collaborating with clients and fellow Rebels. He’s very team-oriented and is always looking to learn and grow — both professionally and personally.

 

He also has a passion for chess and always thinks two steps ahead, so when it comes to his clients, he’s always anticipating their next move.

head-shot of Melissa Demello

Melissa D

Account Executive & Marketing Strategist

Melissa D

Account Executive & Marketing Strategist

Beantown transplant Melissa Demello comes to Rebel with a depth of media and strategy experience, having held previous positions as a campaign and strategy manager, media manager, digital media manager, and account manager.

 

“I love the work I do because it offers underlying insight into people’s behavior,” she says. “Developing a marketing strategy is like creating one large wireframe, plugging humans together based on common interests. And the targeting data represents the endless threads that connect us all.”

head-shot of Melissa Nardiello

Melissa Nardiello

Director, Talent & Culture

Melissa Nardiello

Director, Talent & Culture

Director, Talent & Culture, Mel Nardiello provides Rebel with operational support and also helps identify new talent to expand the team. Previously, Mel was the head of marketing at the New Britain Museum of American Art where she was responsible for marketing and design for the museum.

 

“Working in the arts, you find yourself surrounded by artists who have mastered questioning rules and pushing boundaries to create incredible works,” she says. She’s delighted to work for an agency that does the same.

Mike Walker

Project Manager

Mike Walker

Project Manager

head-shot of Mireille Gallegos

Mireille Gallegos

Web Developer

Mireille Gallegos

Web Developer

Web Developer Mireille (pronounced “Mee-Ray”) Gallegos came to Rebel after nearly a decade as a front-end developer at an agency. Her work spanned from landing pages to university sites and everything in between.

 

A hallmark of Mireille’s approach to… well, everything is that she’s not afraid to take non-traditional paths to reach her goals. For example, during the pandemic, she created a new Halloween tradition: “reverse trick or treating,” in which she made gift boxes of candy and left them on the doorsteps of friends and family.

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Nate Szymanski

Director, SEO

Nate Szymanski

Director, SEO

Director of SEO Nate Szymanski’s role at Rebel is optimizing clients’ websites so they rank highly on search results pages for the most relevant keyword phrases. As he puts it: “I help get websites found by users and crawled by Google.”

 

Nate aligns completely with our company’s moniker. “I’ve felt like a rebel my whole life because I always sought after doing things I was interested in instead of doing what everyone else was doing.”

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Rachel Silverstein

Senior Account Executive

Rachel Silverstein

Senior Account Executive

Senior Account Executive Rachel Silverstein comes to Rebel with established sales experience and is an accomplished marketer on both the client and agency sides.

 

She also loves a challenge: Rachel once took a nine-day cruise to Haiti, Aruba, and Curaçao — islands she’s always dreamed of seeing. That philosophy extends to her approach to nearly everything. “I like to challenge the status quo and expand outside the box to allow creativity and innovation to shine through in taking an idea to the next step,” she says. “Why settle when you can achieve so much more?”

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Ricky Antoine

SEO Specialist

Ricky Antoine

SEO Specialist

Ricky Antoine, our gem of an SEO Specialist, was previously a marketing director for Manhattan-based Ritani, one of the largest, best-known jewelers in the country. Before that, he did paid advertising and SEO work at an agency.

 

Among the hallmarks of any Rebel is that they simply think and do things differently, and Ricky definitely fits the mold. “I don’t like to do the same things everyone does or approach things the same way,” he says. “For example, I’ve only watched 10 minutes of ‘Game of Thrones.’”

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Rob Kalajian

Lead Web Developer

Rob Kalajian

Lead Web Developer

Web Developer Rob Kalajian has worked in his field for nearly two decades and has significant experience in the gaming and e-sports industry. He combines technical skills with storytelling and content creation in his web development projects to better engage with his target audience.

Rob claims he “can’t leave well enough alone,” and is always itching to improve or innovate the projects he works on. When faced with a problem, Rob goes to any length to solve it. He even developed his own dice game at one point, selling more than 1,000 copies and becoming a staple of many game-night lineups.

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Rob Voss

Developer

Rob Voss

Developer

Developer Rob Voss has more than 20 years of professional experience as a full-stack, full life-cycle software engineer. He has experience working on the entire software product life-cycle, from the concept and prototype stage to production and release.

 

A problem-solver by nature, Rob enjoys thinking of new and innovative ways to accomplish goals and loves to ask (the big, scary) questions, such as: “What if we try to do it like this?” At Rebel, he takes that innovative approach to meet the challenge of technology growth and services for current and future clients.

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Ryan Bremer

Manager, Search Engine Optimization

Ryan Bremer

Manager, Search Engine Optimization

Manager, Search Engine Optimization, Ryan Bremer is a jack of all trades. Not only does he have extensive experience with SEO but he also comes to the table with skills in data analysis and website content creation.

He works with our technical and content SEO team members to increase traffic and conversions on clients’ websites. He is always perfecting his craft, having multiple certifications from Google and HubSpot, and constantly learning more every day.

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Ryan Edgley

Senior Graphic Designer

Ryan Edgley

Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Graphic Designer Ryan Edgely’s mad talents and skills are manifested in each of his contributions to Rebel’s projects. He also enjoys life. A lot. He’s dedicated to a wide range of pursuits: Nature, fishing, Autumn, horror movies, breakfast, beer, firepits, soccer, and drawing.

 

“I enjoy drawing in my downtime,” he says. “Been doing it for as long as I can remember. Wish I did it more. A few of my favorite illustrators are Jason Edmiston (beautiful, realistic style), Lance Inkwell (funny cartoon style), and Sam Heimer (dark and twisted style).”

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Sam Barrett

Director, Business Development

Sam Barrett

Director, Business Development

Sam Barrett, Rebel’s Director, Business Development, has always been a man on a mission.

 

After serving in the U.S. Army as a special operator in the 75th Ranger Regiment (yup, those dudes who fearlessly jump out of helicopters), he turned his formidable focus and talents to marketing. His journey has encompassed senior roles in agency and publishing, including Head of Business Development at the world’s first micro-influencer agency, Takumi; Group Head of Sales for LadBible, the largest social media publisher in the world, reaching over 500 million people each week; and more.

head-shot of Sam Rubin

Sam Rubin

Senior Creative Strategist

Sam Rubin

Senior Creative Strategist

Don’t take Senior Creative Strategist Sam Rubin lightly. She was once a vegetarian for an entire year based on a $5 bet.

 

Before joining Rebel, Sam was a marketing intern for Second Chance Animal Services and for Clark University Birthright; a client services Intern for Metrocorp Media; and a contract designer with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center.

 

Her creed: “I take creative risks and consistently search for new opportunities to learn, grow, and venture into the unknown.”

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Samantha Manz

Director of Brand Experience

Samantha Manz

Director of Brand Experience

Director of Brand Experience Samantha Manz is our jack of all trades. From digital to event marketing, there’s nothing this go-getter can’t do. With over five years’ experience in account management, Sam has worked at a variety of agencies in Connecticut and New York.

 

Sam is collaborative, detail-oriented, and always thinking far outside the box. She likes to push boundaries and is always looking to try new things, and not just in marketing. She owns a small cottage food bakery where she specializes in honey-lavender blondies and espresso cupcakes.

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Sarah Riedel

Senior Project Manager

Sarah Riedel

Senior Project Manager

A native Floridian who relocated to the northeast both for seasonal variation and the wealth of hiking opportunities, Senior Project Manager Sarah Riedel is motivated by her never-ending quest to expand her skills in the digital marketing space.

 

Throughout her career, she’s worked in project management and client services at advertising agencies in both Connecticut and Florida. She’s worked in restaurant and food service, healthcare, senior living, transportation/mass transit, and education. Her ability to keep track of multiple projects at once (and stay on top of things, despite the different subject matters) is a skill she developed after years of working in diverse industries.

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Scott Serencha

Director, Video Production

Scott Serencha

Director, Video Production

Director of video production Scott Serencha has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, technology, and web development services, overseeing account and project management for local and national clients.

 

At Rebel, he’s responsible for managing web design and development teams to provide high-quality, thorough technology solutions for clients, while keeping website and web application projects on-time and on-budget. Scott also schedules team resources and prioritizes tasks for web designers and developers.

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Tim Conroy

Director, Paid Media

Tim Conroy

Director, Paid Media

Director of Paid Media Tim Conroy has more than five years of experience working within the paid media space in roles involving accounting, paid search and social, display, programmatic and analytics/reporting. He provides assistance to the media team with paid media campaign builds, optimizations, planning, and strategy.

 

From web marketing, web analytics, and media planning to ad copy testing and keyword strategy, Tim knows his numbers well.

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Tom Annulli

Controller

Tom Annulli

Controller

Rebel Comptroller Tom Annulli doesn’t like staying still. Whether it’s offshore fishing, hiking with his dogs, biking, taking photographs or working on his boat, he just gets stuff done. It’s no surprise that his favorite song is “Taking Care of Business.”

 

And business is something he takes very seriously. As a former Big 4 CPA firm practice leader and a CFO of several companies, as well as a stint as a revenue examiner for the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Tom knows his way around numbers.

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Tom Mudge

Business Development Coordinator

Tom Mudge

Business Development Coordinator

Before joining Rebel, New Business Development Intern Tom Mudge did a lot of jazz gigs, worked retail for a couple of years, and studied hard, earning both a Bachelor of Music, Jazz/Jazz Studies, and an MBA at the University of Hartford.

 

While his background may not intuitively point to digital marketing, Thomas is looking to take on a fresh challenge and build his skillsets. “I enjoy experiencing new things, being outside of my comfort zone, and learning,” he says. “I love the feeling of doing something hard I couldn’t do before. Rebel seems like a home for those ideas.”

head-shot of Veronika Zhikhareva

Veronika Zhikhareva

Senior Graphic Designer

Veronika Zhikhareva

Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Graphic Designer Veronika Zhikhareva (or V, as we call her) is a design superhero. At Rebel, she unleashes design powers to create aesthetic works of art, for both digital and print. Whether it be newsletters, brochures, websites, or social media content, there’s nothing Veronika can’t do.

 

What motivates V? Spite, mostly: “The only reason I even learned about graphic design as a career field is because my high school art teacher didn’t think I’d make it in a fine art school.”

Wei Guo

Social Content Creator

Wei Guo

Social Content Creator

Social Content Creator Wei Guo started his career behind the lens taking portraits for social media with an iPhone. From these humble origins, Wei’s career evolved into making music videos for a variety of artists. But he discovered his greatest passion creating hype/promo videos for several NCAA sports.

 

“Active” is a word that helps describe Wei. Whether it’s snowboarding, hiking, basketball, or going to the gym, he’s constantly in motion. He recently began sitting down, but only to teach himself piano through YouTube.

 

You’ll know when he runs out of fuel, though. “My personality is directly proportional to the amount of caffeine in my body.”

head-shot of Winston Stalowir

Winston Stalowir

Senior Specialist, Paid Media

Winston Stalowir

Senior Specialist, Paid Media

Paid Media Senior Specialist Winston Stalowir brings a solid foundation to his work at Rebel. Proficient in nearly every digital advertising platform, he also has experience in customer relations and SEO, as well as a strong focus on Google Ads.

 

Winston has “always questioned the status quo. I have never thought, ‘this is good enough’ or ‘this can’t be improved on.’ I tend to gravitate toward people and art that challenge preconceived notions and the status quo. I also really like the color pink.”

head-shot of Zaire Burrus

Zaire Burrus

Specialist, Paid Media

Zaire Burrus

Specialist, Paid Media

Paid Media Specialist Zaire Burrus is, in a word, curious. “I don’t like taking anything at face value,” he says. “I always want to know how or why something is the way it is. And if someone won’t tell me, I’ll find the answer myself.”

 

That curiosity serves him well in the world of paid media. “Figuring out a solution to a tricky problem is one of the best feelings in the world,” he says. “In this line of work, I get to come up with dynamic solutions to challenges every day. Clients, projects, tools, and media are like puzzle pieces, and I get to put them all together to create the big picture.”