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What is a Disrupter?
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"Disruption feels like a spectrum -- on one end, it can represent action, radical ideas, big changes. And on the other, it can mean a full-stop, rest, advocating for yourself and your energy. I looked for both approaches to the meaning of disruption as I reviewed the nominees."
- Emily Ronning |
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"Some helped shine spotlights on social injustices and provided tactics to help educate and reform. Some helped their fellow industry professionals by creating safe and free spaces to work. Some helped their teams stay afloat and provided positivity when it was needed the most."
"Like many areas of our lives, there is no 'return to normal' coming for our industry; and the disrupters being honored this year likely play a huge role in defining the new normal to come."
- Amy Supalla |
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"Someone who can look. beyond their current situation and imagine what it could be, have a vision for what it should be, and be an active participant in bringing it to life."
- Amy Kroeger |
2020's Impact
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"Those of us who get excited about changing culture, increased pace, and creative opportunities are primed to succeed in a world where yesterday is boring and tomorrow is coming before we know it. Disrupters not only study the change, they cause it."
- Greg Swan |
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"In an industry that has relied on in-person collaboration for idea generation and execution, this was a BIG cultural shift. Having to solve for this through collaboration tools and technology is one of the silver linings."
- Surya Rochelle |
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"Gone are the days where you can approach a campaign in a 'standard' way. A PR campaign may now get more momentum on TikTok than the 10pm news or the cover of the NY Times. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!"
- Erin Storm |
Jake Haehnel
Account Supervisor
"For every door 2020 closed, another opened. The time spent at home and in a virtual office allowed me to explore new avenues of creativity and thinking that I hadn't tapped into before. 2020 allowed me to learn a lot more about myself."
Additional Highlights
- He immerses himself in our clients’ brands and is an expert within the category
- Established himself as a leader and provides exceptional recommendations to ensure client brands are not only meeting but exceeding goals
Maggie Crist
Account Executive
"I'm incredibly grateful to be nominated in this year's 32 Under 32 Awards. But even more grateful to be nominated with such a rockstar cast of advertisers. And thank you Colle McVoy! I Couldn’t ask for a better agency to grow and learn from."
Additional Highlights
- Ideated and created a superlative award ceremony for the entire organization to boost spirits and confidence -- Rumor has it that laughter increased by 65% and moods improved by 5 whole points
Hope Mueller
Account Supervisor
"The ability to constantly be on my toes is what motivated me to tackle new challenges. I believe ideas don’t have parents and that a good idea can, and should, stand on its own. Those good – let’s be real, remarkable - ideas motivate, challenge and inspire me."
Additional Highlights
- Hope entered Solve as an Account Manager and was quickly promoted to an Account Supervisor
- In 2020, she deftly led her 4A's team to win the first-ever virtual version of the Pitch Boot Camp
- 2x Teaching Professor for Solve’s partnership with Morgan State University, a Historic Black College and University in Baltimore, Maryland
Michelle Griffith
Account Supervisor
"Being given a nod from my colleagues at Bellmont Partners as a disruptor is certainly an honor, and makes me grateful to be part of a team that's lifting each other up."
Additional Highlights
- Recently completed an 8-week leadership development cohort through Leadership Delta
- Regularly volunteers with the SOURCE, Second Harvest Heartland, Feed My Starving Children, The Sandwich Project MN and Angel Tree, a program that connects parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts
- Spearheaded the launch of Solve’s newsletter by compiling insights from the agency’s leaders, as well as a digest of helpful articles and links with the latest information for communicators, to be delivered to clients, partners and friends about the evolving ways to stay connected with clients during COVID-19
Hannah Burn
Account Supervisor
"Living and working at the center of such tragedy both in Minneapolis and around the world was heartbreaking and exhausting but also truly inspiring as we watched this community we love come together to support, heal and create change. The perseverance of my neighbors, colleagues, and friends inspired me to dig deeper, ask questions, learn, and grow."
Additional Highlights
- Recently promoted from Account Manager to Account Supervisor – leapfrogging an entire level/position in between
- Assigned to work directly with one of the Chief Marketing Officers at one of Karwoski & Courage’s Fortune 150 clients and has earned high praise for her efforts
- In 2020, she helped land a new client as she played vital role as the lead account supervisor in the most important pitch of the year
Kallie Quinn
Senior Client Strategist
"I think disrupters ask those 'what if' and 'why' questions that move our industry forward... even when it is challenging. They are hungry for difficult conversations and do not shy away from a problem."
Additional Highlights
- Selected to be the leader of True Media’s Measurement Strategy 2.0 team
- Recipient of True Media’s 2020 Q4 Innovation Award for ExploreMinnesota.com’s COVID-19 Scoring Model
- Recipient of True Media’s 2021 Q1 Innovation Award for MNST Wrapped Trucks Activation highlighting Minnesota’s Sex Trafficking Public Awareness Campaign
- Ad2MN Board of Directors Member & Co-Director of Ad2 Women’s Leadership Panel
Clara Kohrs
Senior Account Manager
"Graduating from my MBA program in 2020, I felt incredibly grateful to secure a job in a global pandemic and that helped me work extra hard and stay inspired. I also learned a lot more in 2020 -2021 about today's racism and it's blatant and systemic prevalence in my own home town largely related to the murder of George Floyd and the events that followed."
Additional Highlights
- Finished as the Runner Up in Collective Measures Rookie of the Year Award
- Promoted from Account Manager to Senior Account Manager in less than 9 months
- Founded MN HOPEKITS 2016, a non-profit that provides $5 care kits for those experiencing homelessness – delivered over 4,500 hope kits to the those suffering homelessness in Twin Cities
- Volunteers at Big Brothers & Big Sister of Minnesota where she mentors two sisters
Brooke Brose
Senior Engagement Manager
"When the world shut down in 2020 and everything from work to family holidays to live events became virtual, rethinking digital strategies, audiences and activations became even more important, and I am proud of what myself and my teammates were able to accomplish in that rapidly changing environment."
Additional Highlights
- Developed strategic testing programs for multiple clients that provided data to uncover the best sales opportunities, the most compelling messaging and the most effective targeting
- She is currently the Assistant Varsity Dance Team Coach at Fridley High School where she leads a group of 30 young women between 7th and 12th grade
- For the past two years, she volunteers at Feline Rescue as a member of their marketing team, leading various efforts ranging from social marketing to events to creating content
Kati Stewart
Senior Manager, Product Management
"Being labeled a disrupter is truly an honor. To me it means being willing to see things from a different point of view. To take risks and to challenge the status quo. To see just how far we can raise the bar on what or how it has been done before."
Additional Highlights
- During 2020, she led the effort to launch the Unified Model technology, which allows the Ovative Group to bring Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA), Media Mix Modeling (MMM) and Incrementality Testing all into one place for the first time
- Helped establish the Social Impact Committee at work – a group dedicated to making an impact in the community through The Ovative Group’s marketing expertise
- Assists with internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and initiatives to help make progress against [our] mission to be champions of change both within and outside of the organization
Jessica Girardi
SEO Manager
"Being a disrupter in advertising and digital is far bigger than just the ads we make or the content we create, it's about building community and creating authentic experiences from brands for the people they serve."
Additional Highlights
- The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion newsletter she started earlier in the year amassed a large following by compiling resources for individuals and companies to understand and counteract systemic and personal biases
- Volunteers at organizations like, MNSearch, BoundarylessMN, and the Minnesota Brain Trust
- She’s a former Judo Olympian and sparred with Vladimir Putin
Kevin Burbach
Digital Strategist
"Hearing from actual clients and consumers is motivation. I think marketing — especially digital marketing — can be incredibly impersonal and isolating if you don’t understand the impact of your work. When we hear directly from clients and their consumers about a positive experience or outcome our work has created, that fuels me to keep growing and tackling new challenges."
Additional Highlights
- He led digital strategy efforts on behalf of Covantage - a startup behind two new Medicare Advantage brands that launched in 2020 in Vermont and North Dakota
- Fostered a positive, inclusive culture by instituting weekly Superstar Shout-outs to recognize peers and establishing an internal mental health support group with colleagues
- He is a regular member of a bi-weekly anti-racism group led by Jesse Ross and volunteers his time for the ‘Still Kickin’ nonprofit organization
Libby Kapsner
Senior Strategist
"Superhuman is a small agency so we operate like a family. I think this motivates me more than any salary or shiny new case study. It's like if that sibling you look up to is on the honor roll or trying a new sport or hobby, you suddenly have a fire within you to do the same. I'm surrounded by individuals who constantly question and push me in new ways and I constantly feel supported to tackle new challenges."
Additional Highlights
- She enrolled in a Coursera professional writing course and spent 2-3 evenings a week working on grammar, syntax, and persuasive communication
- Leads Superhuman’s Extra Grind initiative – an after-hours school program for those looking to break into the advertising industry
- Other areas of interest include working part-time at a cycle bar spin studio, volunteering with the Special Olympics, and coaching youth sports
Abby Reimer
SEO Manager
"I am extremely motivated by the idea of growing our agency, especially an agency I think is a Disruptor itself. I was barely a year out of school when I started as an entry-level Analyst - now three years later I'm a Manager hiring other recent graduates and helping them learn and grow."
Additional Highlights
- Volunteers at MNSearch as the Programming Co-Chair where she’s responsible for sourcing the best search marketing talent to speak at our monthly events and the annual Summit
- Volunteers at BoundarylessMN as the Digital Media Strategy Mentor where she hosts a Digital Media crash course and Basics of SEO career workshop
- She speaks 1-2x a semester at University of Wisconsin-Eau Clair for UWEC Communication students and UWEC PRSSA chapter on topics like SEO, digital copywriting and networking
Kyrie Bussler
Media Strategist
"As difficult as 2020 was, I don’t think anything else like a global pandemic could have pushed me to grow as much as I did over the past year. Working on travel clients, everything I knew about this industry was completely thrown out the window. I was forced to find new ways of thinking when approaching our media strategies."
Additional Highlights
- She led the agency’s first national cable buys during the busy election season, including the largest single one-time buy in the agency’s history
- Spearheading a data innovation product within the media department investigating the Lawrence & Schiller’s response to third party cookie deprecation and how evolving privacy limitations in ad tech will impact media placements
- She’s an active participant in the United Way and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She’s also currently pursuing involvement i612 for its focus on digital media
Grant Kramme
Internal Trade Desk Supervisor
Additional Highlights
- Re-imagined Collective Measures media buying and planning process resulting in increased profits and savings
- He hired and trained an entire team to execute as well as design and standardize general QA for campaigns and create a reporting process for clients
- Updated the Fridley firehouse’s internal digital systems, streamlining their reporting systems to ensure faster and more seamless operations on the back end
John Smith
Senior Analyst Paid Media
"I've been lucky enough to work with people and clients that let me ask dumb questions, and that's really motivating. Having the freedom to explore ideas and go down rabbit holes is one of my favorite parts of my job. Letting ourselves test, explore, and wonder in our work is something we could all do a little more."
Additional Highlights
- Volunteers marketing efforts at MN350 where he developed tracking systems, acquired grants, and ran fundraising ads – 130 people donated to MN350 within 3 months
- He’s currently working with a Hopkins, MN mayoral candidate by creating the campaign website and donations campaign
- Co-Founded Minnesota Brain Trust, a non-profit Minnesota-based agency helping other nonprofits find search experts to help them grow their business
Stephanie Curry
Engagement Specialist
"I tried my best to stay present and take things day by day. It was a year full of unexpected changes, so it was helpful to lean into that and to think outside the box. I found a lot of support and inspiration in my colleagues, as well."
Additional Highlights
- Managed and created ongoing content for a paid social campaign on Facebook and Instagram that promoted visitation to MIA and resulted in nearly 2 million impressions and more than 17,000 key page views to the website’s “Visit” page
- Led new campaigns by testing shoppable Instagram posts and Google Display advertising to drive ecommerce in order to support the MIA Store
- pioneered new community radio partnership model with local stations KRSM & KMOJ; dedicated community engagement spend for paid social with emphasis on relationship-building rather than sales/ROI
Rebecca Underwood
Senior Connection Strategist
"I love a challenge and I challenge myself to be proactive every day. Proactivity is a huge part of our culture at Solve so I never like to sit back and accept the status quo. Our team is always pushing to do something more daring than we accomplished yesterday."
Additional Highlights
- She was a major contributor and visionary for Solve’s remote mentoring and coaching partnership with Morgan State University students
- Orchestrated outreach and events in the community including a garden themed summer party, which gave back to the community and canvased the agency windows in a show of support for community workers during the pandemic
Mara Keller
Senior Social Strategist
"To stay inspired, I think, like most people, I found new interests and outlets- new avid gardener here! 👋🏻 This past year also came with perspective shifts, which inform how I show up and inspire me to think about how brands could behave in the world."
Additional Highlights
- Her client work not only won Best in Show for AdFed’s The Show this year (Social & Experiential), but also last year’s Best in Show (Experiential) and multiple national ADDY Awards
- Guided a client to become the FIRST BRAND IN THE WORLD to test Twitter Spaces social audio feature
- Leads Fallon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee and oversees external messaging related to DEI
- She is also an accomplished figure skater
Molly Madson
Content Strategist
"With the amount of content consumption happening, it’s never been harder for brands to break through the feed and truly connect. Our job is to bring creative, meaningful and authentic storytelling to life while showing up on the right network at exactly the perfect moment in time."
Additional Highlights
- In support of the PGA Tours 3M Open, Molly developed a social-first plan that showcased the science behind the tournament through influencers Josh Duhamel and Kyle Rudolph
- Played a key role in managing the social launch of 3M’s Science at Home program developed to support parents and teachers navigate distance learning
- In July 2020, she raised $2,720 to support Minnesota’s Women for Political Change Mutual Aid project, helping to support individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and systematic systems
AJ Jahnig
Director of Project Management
"Simply put, you can't learn if you don't fail! In my world, the easiest way to fail is to do something new. Through that failure, however, you gain the experience that will help you avoid future mistakes by adding another arrow in your quiver that you never know when you might need to use."
Additional Highlights
- Continues to lead client projects in addition to always finding time for his 6 direct reports and supporting their needs
- He cares deeply for the marginalized and used his recent promotion and leadership to ensure a better future state for his organization and the community as AJ proposed and passed Juneteenth as an Official CREED Interactive Holiday
- He is a leader in mentoring his team and in promoting race and LGBTQ equality within the organization and community
Fatin Omerabi
Social Content Strategy Manager
"I was inspired by the feeling that 2020 was not just a moment, but a movement. That we could see the world turned upside down and wonder how we can influence the future instead of return to the norm."
Additional Highlights
- A two-time Short Award Winner for authoring innovative Twitter engagement strategies
- Led and developed the Target Social team's MLK service day and coordinated donations during the protests last year to give to various organizations.
- Acted as an Election Challenger during the 2020 election
- Communication Chair for Board of New Leaders Council Twin Cities as well as an active member of the African American Business Council
Kelsey Shaw
Social + Digital Manager
"I strive to keep my clients and my team at the forefront of the latest trends and innovations. When a client brings a new challenge to the table, I work with my team to take a unique angle to strategize, plan, and execute an innovative response."
Additional Highlights
- Influential in growing Lola Red PR’s client base by nearly 50% over the last six months of the pandemic
- Developed new capabilities and offerings for her clients
- Helped pioneer Lola Red PR’s internal innovation team – a group focused on the new PR and Marketing Trends
- Serves on the AdFed MN board, and has played a major role in the social + brand communications for major events
Jacob Guenther
Senior Copyrighter
"It's always a challenge to keep your own vision or style intact with so many people involved in every project. But the times you can create something you're truly proud of and wouldn't change a thing about– that's the feeling I'm always chasing."
Additional Highlights
- Recipient of AdFed’s Best In Show Award at the 2021 The Show
- Won Gold in the regional ADDYS with his creative approach of connecting an agricultural seed treatment product to farmers with engaging website copy
- Jacob volunteers as a youth baseball coach and also helped support Ad2’s Student Ad Summit
- He’s often tapped to lend his writing talents and sense of humor to countless agency events, presentations and holiday celebrations to help bring joy and laughter
Kolter Ridge
Producer
"New challenges bring about new experiences and growth! Putting yourself to the test to see what you are truly made of is something that has always motivated me. In a world and time where all sorts of new challenges were thrown our way, I was given the opportunity to show everyone and myself what I am made of."
Additional Highlights
- Recently promoted from Associate Producer to Producer
- He’s also part of their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative -- specifically, he helps with the onboarding process for new employees as their main point of contact
- He serves as the head of Fallon’s softball and bowling league, as well as their football ad league
Jillian Blanc
Creative Content Producer
"Humans are resilient and scrappy and I was able to create some of my favorite art in a dark time and I owe the inspiration to other creatives + artists. It would have been so easy to give up but I didn't."
Additional Highlights
- Serves as Lola Red PR’s sole creative guru specializing as an outstanding photographer, expert graphic designer, and the true driver of testing innovative content ideas like Instagram Reels and TikTok production
- Jillian also owns her own photography business where she has donated much of her time to help develop assets for brands and communities in need
- A direct quote from a client: is it weird it's the highlight of my week to see the content she creates?
Katherine Bosworth
Senior Designer
"Being curios and enjoying challenges really suited a year of unknowns and benefited our clients by pushing us all to be better and do more impactful work. I also think it's much harder to disrupt systems that you don't really understand. A large part of trying to change the status quo is educating yourself, truly listening and learning from others and growing from past experiences."
Additional Highlights
- She expanded the UX capability to clients wanting to create a more meaningful, direct digital presence during the pandemic
- Launched a new initiative that brought musicians and instruments into children’s hospitals and continues to support the annual pianos on parade series
- She has a passion for mentoring younger creatives and participates in portfolio reviews, informational interviews and other outreach initiatives to provide feedback and guidance
Hope James
Founder
BIPOC Bloggers & Creatives
"I want to say to everyone here, please go out and support our black owned businesses and hire more black creatives for big gigs. Thanks again for the nomination, thanks to the organizers, this was unexpected but I appreciate everyone for recognizing us."
Additional Highlights
- Often offers her writing services pro-bono as she recently published an article about Houston White’s menswear organization in north Minneapolis in order to draw awareness to help in fundraising
- She was instrumental for black businesses in the Twin Cities as she created an awareness campaign directed towards the community buying and supporting black owned businesses
Katie Volney
Associate PR Director
"I was so lucky to have clients and colleagues who were open to new ideas and shifts in their 2020 programming given the pandemic. Being able to brainstorm and try new activations with my teams during this time was critical in keeping the inspiration flowing."
Additional Highlights
- Coordinated the National news coverage of a food charity seeking to eliminate food deserts in the pandemic – that news coverage resulted in 500+ new donors and $2.6 million in donations between March and July, 2020
- Serves as an active member of Broadhead’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as its Wellness Committee
- She volunteers at organizations, like the Gustavus Young Alumni Association, National and Regional MN Public Relations Societies of America and annually participates in the Susan G Komen Foundation Race For The Cure
Alex Meyers
Director of Product & Social Impact
"Ovative's culture focuses on giving employees the freedom to raise the bar when they see opportunities. I have consistently felt supported in identifying problems that I am passionate about, and leaning in to work on those. It is motivating to feel appreciated for my willingness to do the work to make things better in whatever area of the company I'm most inspired by."
Additional Highlights
- Co-founded Minneapolis Insight, a meditation community based in northeast Minneapolis
- As a founder and teacher, he led multiple efforts to organize the meditation community around social justice issues and provided training and outreach to communities in need, including correctional facilities
- He was a lead volunteer for the Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign, organizing over a dozen phone banks and door knocks, and serving as the primary organizing volunteer for the Uptown neighborhoods
Mandi Davidson
Talent & Culture Experience Manager
"I've been following this award since I was a student and first watched my older peers get nominated as they broke into and kicked ass in the industry. To me it was always meant for the people in the room who were clearly driven and ambitious in their projects, but overall just kind, helpful, supportive and hardworking people."
Additional Highlights
- A key-leader in the Student Advertising Summit for SixSpeed, organizing 14 free tickets to BIPOC students interested in attending
- Serves on SixSpeed’s internal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion group, leading the training and education and hiring practices
- She meets with hundreds of candidates a year, and she always makes each individual feel seen, heard, and valued
Aaron Lauby
Co-Founder
Boundaryless MN
"Twelve months ago I could not have guessed where I would be today: an Account Manager at an agency that I love, an executive at a nonprofit helping young people, a queer person living my identity proudly in my everyday life. It's been a year of change and hardship, but I can't help but see the silver lining in my own life."
Additional Highlights
- Participants of BoundarylessMN are exposed to job and internship offers, volunteer opportunities with the Walker Art Center, and chances to judge student competitions
- He’s actively working to improve Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practices in hiring and creative work within Preston Kelly, through partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations
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