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Our People
 
Our Philosophy

We believe in the power of building a network of creative thinkers to enhance the image of our clients.

We believe that no market is too big and no project is too small.

We believe in the idea that we can be cost-effective and high-quality at the same time.

We believe that by offering 'Diversified Creative Services' we give our clients choices.

We believe that we can add value by taking an entire project from inception to completion or by being one of several key players in a team effort.
Diversified Creative Services

Our People

Executive Team
 


Paramount's management team represents some of best talent in the business. Despite the fact that Paramount is a relatively young company, the experience of our management team rivals that of our larger, more recognizable competitors. Many of our team members have been a part of Paramount Design Group from its inception and are a critical part of Paramount's growth to a premier provider of creative services.

Christopher DeGasperis, President and Founder
Paul Johnson , Executive Director, Strategy and Analysis
Lynn Reeves, Regional Account Manager
Joseph DeMare, Creative Director
Kevin Leckner, Art Director


Christopher DeGasperis, President

After earning a BA at New York's Fordham University, Chris began a diverse career as Art Director at KPMG Peat Marwick working on a wide variety of accounts, including Pepsi, Sony, Deutche Bank, and many internal projects within the firm as well, including a 1994 revamp of the KPMG international website.

A few years later Chris went on to become the Creative Director at IBM, developing a full service creative production facility at the White Plains, NY facility. This facility has become a focal point and model for the development of future proposal support operations within IBM, while becoming the mainstay for production of the larger engagement opportunities in IBM.

After IBM, Chris pioneered the first New Jersey location for Computer Graphic Resources, a creative staffing firm offering a wide array of Creative, Web, and MultiMedia Services to a diverse client base including many Fortune 500 corporations and small to mid-sized businesses in the greater NY area.

Following his success at CGR, Chris formed Paramount Design Group, a diversified creative services agency. Following a unique business process, the company scales its staff according to client needs and budget. The client base is diverse and so are the projects. Chris is committed to seeing that clients are pleased with the Paramount way.

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Paul Johnson, Executive Director

Paul is a seasoned advertising executive who brings over 30 years of business experience to Paramount, working on the business side of creative and client-driven environments. Paul provides a balanced standpoint to our clients as he has worked in a senior management capacity for the client, and also within the agency world representing clients. Paul's career spans both the Domestic and International markets.

Paul's career includes Chief Executive and Directorship positions within the client service and new business areas of several large marketing and advertising agencies where he handled a wide range of client activities across the business, marketing and creative spectrum. This included creating and implementing strategic plans, PR/marketing campaigns, product launches and other associated marketing/advertising, branding and promotional disciplines for many blue-chip companies. More recently, Paul has specialized in the strategic development and preparation of business plans, as well as other client communications, publications and general business/marketing related projects.

As Executive Director, Strategy and Analysis, Paul's primary role is to work closely with our client base, not only to manage business presented to us, but also to work with our clients to grow their business and uncover growth opportunities.

Outside his business interests, Paul has acted as Chairman for two highly successful Celebrity Charity Organizations that he created to benefit terminally and critically ill children (The Starlight Foundation) and the environment (Living Earth). Additionally, he has participated operationally in a number of similar events.

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Joseph DeMare, Creative Director

After earning a BFA at New York's School of Visual Arts, Joe began a diverse career as Art Director at Doyle Dane Bernbach working on a wide variety of accounts, including Volkswagen, Polaroid, Sony, IBM, American Tourister and American Airlines.

Nine years later Joe went on to become Senior Art Director at McCaffery & McCall, creating national print and television advertising. In 1990, Joe joined Wunderman Cato Johnson where he developed an impressive body of work in the Graphic Design, Direct Marketing and Sales Promotions fields. Accounts included AT&T, US Army, US Postal Service, and American Express.

Joe struck out on his own four years later and co-founded De Mare & Partners, winning assignments from Computer Associates, Maxim Magazine, and Meredith Publishing.

In 2000, Joe became Creative Director of CCA, responsible for the Samsung Electronics Corp. and Samsung Telecommunications America account. It was at CCA that Joe enlisted the help of Paramount Design Group for various projects. In 2002, following the old saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", Joe did just that and became Creative Director of Paramount Design Group.

During his career Joe has received awards and recognition from the Art Directors Club, One Club, ANDYs, CLIOs and Steven E. Kelley Awards.

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Lynn Reeves, Regional Account Manager

Lynn's background reflects a plethora of account management relationships. After her education at Sacramento State University, she began her career in a 2 person advertising agency where she gained the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. This invaluable experience enabled her to grow into the seasoned advertising executive she is today - able to juggle forecasting, budgeting, media schedules, creative deadlines, media placement, and most importantly, personalized attention to her client's daily needs.

Lynn's experience includes account management relationships with companies like Ernst & Young, Lincoln Financial, and First Third Bank. In addition, Lynn has been key in generating a tremendous amount of advertising revenue in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, retail and manufacturing industries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest. Her legendary style of personalized account management has created long-term relationships with clients for more than 20 years.

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Kevin Leckner, Art Director

Kevin Leckner graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from Tyler School of Art in 1994. Within a few short years, Kevin worked his way up to assistant art director in the art department for Medical Economics Healthcare Communications (MEDEC), publisher of eleven different medical trade publications. Kevin quickly learned his way around the publishing industry and after five years working for MEDEC, decided to branch off on his own.

After leaving MEDEC in 1999, Kevin created and established KL Design Group, LLC and began his career as an entrepreneur. Later that year Kevin partnered up with the publisher of Home Contractor Review (HCR) Magazine. Kevin prospected new business and oversaw the production and design of HCR. Kevin was responsible for increasing the circulation of the magazine from 25,000 to 130,000 and increasing sales by 50%.

Following the success of HCR, Kevin helped launch the first issue of That’s Life! Entertainment Magazine. Sales revenues exceeded $250,000 in the first year. Kevin played a major role in developing the look and feel of the magazine as well as the content.

Kevin has been with Paramount Design Group for over 4 years in an Art Director capacity. His background as an accomplished Art Director and Entrepreneur gives the Paramount client base new perspectives on design.

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