Doug Austin Valeri Lea Dan Stewart Tim Bade Jeff Marlin Tom Kujawa Michael Stelzer Dennis Marlin Tom Smith Tom Kujawa Sheri Austin Matt Rose Greg Schutta Phil Daniels

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    Doug Austin

    V.P. Business Development/ Rock-n-Roll Photo Journalist

    Marlin Network // LinkedIn

    For 25 years Doug has been studying the art of “observation-to-translation of human truths” in the marketing, advertising, new product and strategic planning arenas of the food and beverage industry. A career that has included advertising, new product development, strategic planning, strategic selling, shopper marketing and promotions work in both the B2B and B2C sides of the equation have provided Doug the opportunity to hone his approach to growing any client’s business. Doug shoots mostly in black and white, preferably with natural lighting. Through out his career he’s shot everyone from Led Zeppelin to the White Stripes. Fortunately he has incredibly bad aim.

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    Valeri Lea

    V.P. Account Services/ New York Scene Maker

    deep // LinkedIn

    As head of account service, Val brings to deep 16 years of experience in food. She specializes in developing strategic marketing plans, executing large-scale integrated communication programs, applying behavioral insights to deliver innovative business solutions and launching successful new products to the marketplace. As a veritable institution on the New York art circuit Val has seen it all, done it all and lived to tell the tale. Eagerly anticipated is her soon to be released tell-all book: Can I Buy A Val?

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    Dan Stewart

    Creative Director/ Tattoo Artist

    deep // LinkedIn

    Dan is deep's creative leader, chief butt-kicker, head idea champion, and all around provider of inspiration. Dan has over 20 years of creative excellence in advertising for national brands. True to his Scottish roots Dan enjoys wearing kilts in the traditional manner. Living in close proximity to sheep. And assisting people in making horrible, life-long decisions with their own skin.

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    Tim Bade

    Creative Director/ Painter

    The Alchemedia Project // LinkedIn

    Tim joined TAP in 2009 because as he says, “I wanted to do something great.” And since that time Tim has done exactly that. He prides himself on creating an open environment where ideas are welcomed from everyone and everywhere. Tim’s belief is that an ad is a message communicated in the simplest way possible that inspires someone to action. As a painter Tim focuses primarily on still-life subjects– which he prefers because they have much less tendency to complain.

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    Jeff Marlin

    Director/ Poet

    STARAwards // LinkedIn

    As the Director of the STARAwards Program, Jeff brings 10 years of experience in sales and marketing. He specializes in connecting brands to self-operated college and university foodservice through strategic marketing initiatives and sales staff support. Jeff is an immensely powerful poet. In fact he once broke up a bar room brawl using four sonnets and a limerick.

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    Tom Kujawa

    V.P. Account Service/ Sculptor

    Marlin

    At Marlin, Tom is grateful to work alongside and serve some of the most talented food ad professionals and clients you will ever meet. As V.P. Account Services Tom oversees the Marlin account teams and works with clients in strategic planning, brand development, media and marketing research. As a sculptor his philosophy is that the figure is already inside the marble. His job is merely to release it.

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    Michael Stelzer

    Partner, President/ Welder

    Marlin // LinkedIn

    With creative roots, Michael's perspective on agency leadership is grounded in the power of ideas. His tenure with Marlin has always been balanced by surrounding himself with people of passion, intuitive strategic thinkers and talent that moves the needle. His belief that client relationships based on like and trust are the single most important reason to be in this business. Michael is a true renaissance man with many interests in passions. Ironically though, renaissance festivals are not one of them.

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    Dennis Marlin

    C.E.O./ Benefactor

    Marlin Network // LinkedIn

    Dennis entered the marketing/advertising business in 1973 and has a diverse background in both consumer and business-to-business segments. In 1985 Dennis formed the Marlin Company founded on the need for “Creative Thinking in Business”. In 2005, he evolved the Marlin Company into the Marlin Network, which supports the operations of Marlin, deep, FoodIQ, The Alchemedia Project, Marlin Network Consulting Group and StarAwards. - Following in the footsteps of John D. Rockefeller, Peggy Guggenheim and John Baird, Dennis has a passion for art, ascots and small dogs.

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    Tom Smith

    Chef

    Food IQ // LinkedIn

    Tom is a 1999 graduate of Sullivan University in Louisville Kentucky. Upon graduation, Tom became executive chef of Brasserie Dietrich’s where he gained valuable skills that laid the foundation for his career. In 2007, Tom started down another career path, focusing on foodservice marketing. This expanded new role has given him the opportunity to work with some of the largest manufacturers and operators in the business. Tom is known for having an eye for emerging food trends. The other eye was lost in an unfortunate fondue accident.

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    Sheri Austin

    Partner/ Artistic Muse

    The Alchemedia Project // LinkedIn

    Sheri's 20 year career in food and beverage advertising has spanned nearly all categories and channels of the trade. She is a recognized thought leader in the area of branding, account planning, product marketing, and customer development—and has worked extensively in niche channel marketing, such as retail foodservice and special markets. Unafraid of new territory, Sheri is known for asking the tough questions, posing the "what if" possibilities and pushing for original answers. Though rumors abound regarding sordid relationships with artists Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and several other prominent painters, Sheri insists that her role is merely to inspire passion within the artist. "What happens after that is just part of the creative process."

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    Matt Rose

    Creative Director/ Graffiti Artist

    Marlin // LinkedIn

    Matt began his advertising career in NYC. Attracted by the culture and dedication to award-winning creative and strategic work, Matt joined Marlin as a designer in 2000. Here, he’s been pivotal in developing compelling work for the agency as well as directing the creative department. As a graffiti artist Matt sites his main influences as Basquiat, Banksy and the artist formerly known as Prince.

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    Greg Schutta

    Partner/ Performance Artist

    The Alchemedia Project // LinkedIn

    At the Alchemedia Project, Greg is responsible for the technology arm of the organization. He leads developers, online designers and architects through all phases of the web development process. Greg brings with him fifteen plus years of experience in web technology, web application development and integrated marketing methodologies. As a performance artist Greg believes that ultimately his job is to illicit a response from the audience. Whether that response be a positive one or a negative one is more times than not, completely subjective.

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    Phil Daniels

    Division President/ Gonzo Journalist

    Marlin Network // LinkedIn

    Phil brings 35 years of experience in sales, marketing, manufacturing, product development, culinary arts and food equipment design. At the Marlin Network he is responsible for overall management of deep, FoodIQ and the Marlin Network Consulting Group business units. Phil has a degree in engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point, an MS in marketing from Webster University and is a graduate of the US Army Foodservice Management Program. As a journalist Phil maintains that in any story the truth is all that matters. Unless of course a little bit of fiction can make it funnier.